Durrow village is located c.1km from the ecclesiastical monastery that was established by Saint Columba (St. Columcille) in A.D. 553. St. Coluncille ran the monastery until 563, when he was exiled to Scotland, having copied a book in a scriptorium. The book he copied was the seventh century illuminated manuscript gospel book, know as the Book of Durrow. This manuscript is held in Trinity College Dublin and is the oldest illuminated insular gospel book in Ireland, and was written at least 100 years before the famous Book of Kells. The Book of Durrow was housed in the monastery of Durrow in 916. The monastery was regarded by contemporary historians as one of the finest universities in Ireland at the time.
Drummers, children having made their communion
The pattern day is the date of the death of St. Columcille on 9th June A.D. 597. In Durrow for hundreds of years the day has been celebrated by the community processing to the holy well and the church. This year was no different.
The morning started with the children making their first holy communion. Afterwards a mass was celebrated and following this the community processed along the main road to the holy well at the monastery.
The community members involved in organising the event led the procession carrying a banner of St. Columcille, followed by the band (drums and bag pipes), the children who made their communion and followed by the community. The procession snaked through the demesne landscape to the shady quiet area of the holy well, where after a decette of the rosary, some of the people fill a bottle of water from the holy well.
The snaking procession towards the holy well
Taking the holy water home
In Irish tradition, the water from the holy well is considered to be able to ward off illness, and it is still a common practise among farmers that they give livestock the water in order to heal sick animals. It is regularly considered as a means of getting rid of warts, amongst other uses and healing associations.
After the visit to the well, many of the people travel the short distance to the late medieval church, within which stands the mid 9th century high cross (taken in for protection and conservation). The church choir sand several church hymns and then on to the community sporting games.
This is a rather rushed account of the day, but what I was struck by were two things. Firstly the calm of the area around the holy well and the deafening silence between prayers, as the people's voices rose in the air. Secondly, how within 40minutes, I was invited to a families house for a cup of tea and a ham sandwich, having been offered a bottle of holy water if I wanted one to take home.
The event is all about community and a nicer communal spirit I've rarely seen.
If I have a date set in my calendar it is to attend the same procession on the 1500 anniversary of the founding of the monastery of Durrow in Co. Offaly in 2053.... well its possible, so I better start drinking that holy water.
If any of you want to see a few photos, take a look at the rural rover facebook page in the 'Durrow pattern day' folder, you might even 'like' it :)
Has anyone else ever roved down to such a pilgrimage/ procession, if so where and when ?
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