Abbeyfeale Folk will travel in droves to Knocknagoshel today (15^th August) for the annual Pattern Day.

The word pattern comes from the Irish “Patrun” or English “Patron” and in the old days, most Irish parishes had a patron saint. On the saint’s feast day, the parishioners celebrated what was known as a Pattern Day with Mass and a visit to the Holy Well

.In Thomas Croften Croker’s “Researches in the South of Ireland,” he gives a detailed description of the revels during a Pattern Day in Gougane Barra. The year was 1813:
“After having satisfied our mental craving, we felt it necessary to attend to our bodily appetites, and for this purpose adjourned to a tent where some tempting slices of curdy Kerry salmon had attracted our notice. In this tent, with the exception of almost half an hour, we remained located from half-past seven in the evening, until two o’clock the following morning, when we took our departure.”

He could almost be talking about Knocknagoshel, where many of the “sessions” have entered into folklore, with most of them involving the aforementioned Abbeyfeale Folk.

Knocknagoshel Pattern Day usually starts with early Mass and then on to Willie Walsh Park for the annual sports day where competition is fierce and performances are of the highest order.

Following the presentation of medals to the various winners, it is then down to the serious business of the day which involves a hasty adjournment to Lar Hickey’s, Eddie Walsh’s, etc. where the deeds of the day can be recounted and indeed added to over foaming wagons of frothy porter (or whatever you are having yourself.)

It is not unknown for the occasional song to be sung at these gatherings, or the odd recitation to be given out (On one memorable occasion, a performance of the famed soliloquy from Hamlet by a wandering minstrel received prolonged and enthusiastic support from all those present, most of whom were under the mistaken impression that it was an extract from The Bull McCabe’s speech from “The Field” by John B Keane! (God be good to him.)

There is bound to be the inevitable accordion and fiddle player present at these gatherings and no good session would be complete without the dancing of a lively polka or Kerry Slide. Indeed, they were step dancing furiously in The Mall long before Riverdance had been invented.
Knocknagoshel Pattern Day has a history stretching back well over one hundred years, and hopefully some day, a local historian may sit down and write a definitive account of the happenings in this little North Kerry village with such a proud tradition. It is certain to be a best seller!

Long may this famous event continue to thrive and prosper – and long may the people of Abbeyfeale continue to visit their close neighbours every 15^th August.

DEATH OF NEILUS O’CONNELL

The death occurred last week of well-known entertainment impresario, Neilus O,Connell. Neilus, a resident of Blackrock in Dublin, was born in Abbeyfeale and was a regular visitor to the town down through the years. In a career spanning five decades, he was associated with all the great names of Irish show business, including Dermot O’Brien, Philomena Begley, Bridie Gallagher, Brendan Bowyer, Margo, etc, and was a long time personal friend of Val Doonican, who was best man at his wedding. He also brought a host of international artists to Ireland including among others Sandy Shaw and Jim Reeves. A lifelong GAA supporter, he established an All Star football team that played in Abbeyfeale on Easter Sundays and attracted the cream of county players from all over Ireland. His sister, Noreen, an accomplished musician who played with the Brosna Ceili Band, still resides in Abbeyfeale. Sympathy is extended to Neilus’s bereaved family, relatives and friends.

KNOCK

There will be an outing to the Knock Novena on this Thursday 17^th August. Tickets from Sean Broderick, Mary D Harnett or Peg Murphy.

EXHIBITION

An exhibition of watercolours and acrylics by Angelika Beloch-Szymanski is being held in Abbeyfeale Library during the month of August.

CARAVAN CLUB

Members of the Irish Camping and Caravan Club of Ireland departed Abbeyfeale on Sunday following a very pleasant two-week stay in the area during which over 80 caravans were encamped in the grounds of the local rugby club.

GOLF

The President‘s Prize (Maurice O‘Riordan) at Abbeyfeale Golf Club was won by Conleth Dillon, with Hayden Gilbert finishing in second and Mike Brosnahan third..

GAA

Premier MFC: Fr Caseys 3-14 Milford 1-8. All-Ireland SHC Semi-final: Kilkenny 2-21 Clare 1-16. Nicky Rackard Cup Final: Derry 5-15 Donegal 1-11. Bank Of Ireland SFC Quarter Finals : Dublin 1-12 Westmeath 0-5, Mayo 0-15 Laois 0-15.
Tommy Murphy Cup Semi-finals Louth 0-22 Antrim 0-8, Carlow 0-8 Leitrim 2-12.