Then & Now: Celebration time in the villages of Limerick

PATTERN DAY was a most important event in parishes around Ireland in former times. It was the day the local saint was celebrated by a ‘pattern’ which was known as Pátrún in Irish and Patron in English.

It has been said that these religious ceremonies were held at the parish church under the direction of the clergy. This was ended by the widespread confiscation and destruction of churches between the years of the 1540s and the 1690s when Ireland was devastated by many wars which were mainly of a religious character.

By 1700 not many parish churches remained in Catholic hands and organised ceremonies had almost entirely disappeared and Patron Day ceremonies survived as gatherings of the local people at the ruin of the local church, monastery or more frequently at the holy well.

The festivities began with religious devotions at the shrine of the saint which consisted of the reciting of a number of Rosaries, Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and a certain prayer associated with the particular well. The movement around the well became known as ‘rounds’ in English and Uras in Irish. The devotees walked around the shrine a number of times reciting certain prayers, or kneeling at appointed fixed places, often marked by large stones or rocks with the ritual varying somewhat from place to place.

Another part of the devotion at the holy well was the drinking of its water, and the bathing or washing of sores and affected parts in search of a cure. The different shrines were famed for their cures of different ailments. The making of the rounds was said in thanksgiving for past favours given and also for upcoming events.

Certain wells were famous for curing people who were blind or lame, and the cloths to wipe the eyes after washing was hung on a bush nearby as an offering. People who were setting out on a dangerous journey also did the rounds for a safe return.
The traditions, rituals, legends and customs associated with holy wells and similar shrines are very numerous and varied and many of them are a lot older than the religious calamities mentioned above. They may be older in some cases than Christianity itself.

It is clear that the disappearance of formal public ceremonial among Catholics in Ireland as a result of the religious wars, and the Penal Wars, gave added importance to the gatherings of the laity at these Patterns. In the absence of clerical direction, it gave greater freedom both in unorthodox forms of devotion and in secular amusements.

The Synod of Tuam (the year of the Restoration of Charles 11, when the rigours of Cromwellian persecution of Catholics were being relaxed) decreed as follows: (Dancing, flute-playing, bands of music, riotous revels and other abuses in visiting wells and other holy places are forbidden, especially at times of indulgence). The regulation goes on to say that on no account must a visit to one of these shrines be regarded as a substitute for attending at Mass on a holiday of obligation. We have moved on a lot from those days and the present-day ceremonies are again under clerical direction and are holy and peaceful.

Barrigone Well is situated in the townland of Craggs, just off the N69 road in the Robertstown part of Saint Senan's (Shanagolden-Foynes-Robertstown) parish. The well which is enclosed is located beside an inlet of the Shannon River and seaweed can be seen around it. The Parish council laid down a concrete walkway in the 1960s. A covered altar has been built beside the well. There is a plaque in memory of Noel O'Shaughnessy, who was from Barrigone, on the wall of the altar shelter.
The feast day of the well is August 15. In the past, a large pattern was held on August 4 and August 15. Kevin Danaher tells us that bonfires lit up the night-time sky and the celebrations continued throughout the night. It is claimed that the well can cure many illnesses. Rags were been left at the well as offerings.

It is believed that the well takes its name from the holy monk St Muirdebhair the wise, whose feast day is on November 3 (although others claim it is September 3). St Muirdebhair baptised new Christians at the well. With the passing of time, the pronunciation changed, the "M" became a "B" and thus the well was called Barrigone.

The legends about the well are many and varied. The water would not boil, the well moved when cursed and if your wish were to be granted, you would see a trout in the well. Another legend tells that the well spoke to a woman who was about to wash clothes in the well. A blind horse was brought to the well to be cured. The horse was cured but the owner became blind.
The most interesting legend about the well concerned a girl who was going to America. Before she left for America, the girl took some pebbles from the well. During the journey across the Atlantic, a fierce storm occurred, and the girl threw the pebbles into the sea. The storm abated and the pebbles returned to the well. Many old people believe that immersion in the spring could avert imminent death.

In Pictures: Family fun festival held in Limerick village

The prayers that are said while doing a round of the well are Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory . Old people would pick up seven pebbles and drop one every time they completed a round at the well.

Patrickswell derives its name from a Well dedicated to Saint Patrick, and Kevin Danaher wrote the following about it: ‘’The well was open formerly with a great elm tree standing beside it. It was much venerated especially on March 17. The water cured sores, toothache, and other pains and also cattle, and it was sprinkled on crops and churns. Rags, medals, and drinking cups hung on the tree, and devotions ceased about 1890. Ballylanders Pattern Festival takes place from August 9-23 with a very impressive line up of events over the two weeks. The Pattern Mass will be celebrated in the Cemetery on Tuesday, August 15, at 11am, followed by a host of events around the village.

BARRIGONE PATTERN
Barrigone-Robertstown Community Group are holding a family fun day on Tuesday, August 15, at 4pm following the 3pm Mass and rounds at the Blessed Well Barrigone. The venue is at Hazelfield Barrigone V94 E5XC.

The list of events includes the final of the Voice of Barrigone with € 1,000 in prize money. Tractor, car and bike run, dog show, children's treasure hunt and fancy dress, face painting, dunk tank, boys’ and girls’ football and soccer, target shoot, garden games etc. Live entertainment with Joe Sheahan and Sean Carrig and admission is €10 for adults and children are free.
The event is being held to raise funds for the Butterfly Club Rathkeale and other local charities and your support will be appreciated. More details from Leo on 087 2634111.