Crowds expected for pilgrimage to holy well near Dunmore

MANY are expected to take part in this weekend's pilgrimage to the holy well at Cappagh, just outside Dunmore.[private] The pilgrimage was revived last year and a great crowd turned out to walk to the well, Tobar na Croise Naofa, which is believed to have been blessed by St Patrick. The pilgrimage takes place around Pattern Sunday, known also as Garland or Reek Sunday. The Cappagh pilgrimage takes place on Saturday, July 28 at 4 pm. The local history tells of St Patrick blessing the well when he stopped at Cappagh on his way from Mayo to Shrule. Pattern Sunday falls on the last Sunday in July. The Pattern is a hallowed area usually around a holy well where Mass or a prayer service is held. The Pattern in Cappagh is one of the best local heritage sites in the parish. Many people in the area can remember attending religious services on Pattern Sunday and they often walked long distances to attend the ceremonies. It began with the rosary going around the well and around a rectangular mound of stones known as the Dean Grave. People carried a stone with them and as they completed a round they marked a sign of the cross on a flat rock on the grave. The well flows from underneath an ash tree and this is reputed to have been blessed by St Patrick and to have cures. The site also has an outdoor altar and a small building at the foot of the ash tree is said to have been a vestry for the priest, but another belief is that it was used for baptisms as it is built over water. There are many stories associated with the ash tree, such as one where a cross is said to have flown out of the tree when it was struck by an axe. Another story is about a young boy from Dunmore who had never walked. His mother walked and carried her son to the well and after their visit, he was cured. This Saturday's walk begins at 4 pm and access is from the Cloonfad Road from Dunmore. There will be music by members of Dunmore Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann and some local baking will also be provided. [/private]