One of the highlights of this year’s Pattern Festival was the Festival Pageant on Saturday evening, 24th July. Timed to coincide with the Pattern Day Mass at 7.30pm, St. Declan arrived by naomhóg into the Boatcove shortly after 7pm, in a re-creation of his reputed arrival in Ardmore from Wales in the 5th century.

Declan was met on arrival by a family of local ‘pagans’, who angrily questioned the appearance of this strange character from the sea. Having proclaimed his mission to bring God to this new country, Declan then proceeded toward the village, accompanied by two of his ‘monks’, one of whom solemnly bore a wooden cross, representing the message of Christianity.

As he approached the village, St. Declan witnessed a number of ‘stations’ - scenes depicting what life must have been like on the south-east coast of Ireland at the time when Declan arrived here. In the square in front of ‘today’s Church’, St. Declan and his monks wandered through a number of scenes, with narration from Liam Suipéil, explaining to the hundreds of local people who watched what life was like in Ireland at the time. Children played simple games; people prepared a simple meal by the fire; a family nursed a dying relative (miraculously ‘cured’ by the passing St. Declan); farmers tended their crops; fishermen mended their nets; and locals worshipped their pagan Gods.

Having blessed the people and shared with them the message of Christianity, St. Declan entered the Church in the company of his monks and a newly-converted local man. They proceeded up the centre aisle of the Church, with one of the monks and the new convert carrying with them some pieces of slate, which they then placed on the roof of a model church situated in front of the altar. This symbolised St. Declan choosing to build his Church in Ard na gCaorach, or Aird Mhór (Ardmore) – meaning the Great Height.

The hundreds of people who watched the pageant were enthralled by the symbolism of the event. The arrival of St. Declan and Christianity to the area was brought to life vividly by all the actors in the pageant, ensuring the continuation of the tradition of St. Declan. Go to our PHOTOS section to see more photographs from the pageant and also check out our Pattern Festival Facebook page for more images.

Our thanks to Martha & John, who organised and produced the event; to John Kennedy, as always a fabulous St. Declan; to all the other actors, young and not-so-young, who played their parts so sincerely and with great authenticity – we thank you all for your participation and support. Thank you for making the Pageant the wonderful success it was. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.