Join us in Books at One on Thursday 22nd August at 7:30pm for a presentation on this ancient practice of visiting the Holy Well and the pattern associated with it from our volunteer Deirdre McGuirke.

The theme of this year’s Heritage Week is Connections, Routes and Networks and with this in mind, Louisburgh Killeen Heritage is hoping to enact the pattern to Kilgeever Holy Well.

The word pattern derives from patron saint or patrún in Irish, as many holy wells were associated with patron saints. Kilgeever Holy Well is situated on a rocky outcrop, just outside the town of Louisburgh in Co. Mayo. The site contains a holy well, a ruined church and a graveyard and is associated with early Christian times. There is a local legend that Kilgeever Holy Well was visited by St. Patrick in the fifth century.

The pattern to Kilgeever holy well was part of the Croagh Patrick pilgrimage that finished on Caher Island. This happened on ‘Lammas Sunday’ the ancient harvest festival from mid-July to mid-August, this pagan practice was later Christianised.

Kilgeever Holy well was called ‘Tober Ri an Domnhaigh’ (the Sunday Lord’s well) on the nineteenth-century Ordnance Survey map. John O’Donovan recorded the pilgrimage taking place on 15 July, the Feast of the Twelve Apostles. The pattern day was later changed to 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption.
You are also welcome on Thursday 15th August at 5:30pm to meet in Louisburgh Square and walk to Kilgeever Holy Well where we will be guided in the original Stations with mass celebrated afterwards in Kilgeever New Cemetery at 7:30pm.

As the event on the 15th of August is outdoors, please dress appropriately and children must be accompanied by adults.

Address
Books at One Louisburgh, Co. Mayo