Annual pattern at Brideswell launched

The support of the general public for the rural Irish tradition of having religious ceremonies at holy wells is indeed commendable, Brian Cunniffe emphasised at the launch of the programme for the annual pattern at the well of St. Brigid in Brideswell on Friday night. The pattern at Toban Bride continues into the 21st century to be one of the most important celebrations in honour of St. Brigid in Ireland and thus the range of fringe attractions for all ages being staged in South Roscommon's most central village to coincide with the pattern enables young and old to participate in and celebrate their faith. Stressing that the Catholic faith is formed from both scripture and tradition, he said that the annual pattern on Garland Sunday has long been one of the highlights of each summer in South Roscommon and many natives of the area resident in various parts of the world combine Pattern Sunday with their annual visit home. Pointing out that this year, Sunday July 25th will be the 53rd anniversary of the revival of the annual Mass and traditional stations in Brideswell in 1937 by the late Rev. Brendan Fizmaurice, Mr Cunniffe explained that Fr. Fitzmaurice left a significant legacy of the community achievement in the Cam area. He was also the man most associated with the popularisation of the Pattern of Brideswell. He came to minister in Curraghboy in 1952 and spent the remainder of his priestly ministry there. During his years in Curraghboy he renovated the Church of St. Brigid in Curraghboy in 1968 and he also built an extension to the presbytery in Curraghboy. He also built Lismoyle school and pioneered the carnival system of fund raising. As a ten-year-old child he recalled Fr. Fitzmaurice coming to Famore School in Kiltoom in his black Morris Minor to impress upon the Principal, the late Jack O'Sullivan, the importance of having their parents support the carnival in Curraghboy in view of its importance to parish funds. Fr. Fitzmaurice was a native of Kilmore in North East Roscommon and was ordained in Maynooth in 1934 the same day as his twin brother, Rev. Louis Fitzmaurice. Another brother, Fr. Valentine Fitzmaurice was a member of the Dominican community in Tallaght while his sister, Sister Mary de Lourdes was an Ursuline nun in Sligo. Fr. Fitzmaurice died on St. Patrick's Day 1974 and is the only priest buried in the church grounds in Curraghboy. Commenting on the many progressive strides made in Brideswell over the decades Mr Cunniffe said that back in the late seventies, Brideswell was in danger of losing its national school and having its health centre lose out to a more modern new facility in the rapidly expanding population base in Monksland. The local community ensured that these events did not materialise and now Brideswell has a modern four-teacher school, a new health centre, a post office, a private nursing home dedicated to the memory of St Brigid and two modern licensed premises. Mr Cunniffe said that the trade stands, the toys on sale and the fringe attractions were always part of the annual pattern in Brideswell. As a seven year old child he made his first visit to the pattern and he could vividly recall a family relative, the late Pat McHugh of Keoghville taking him by the hand while on holiday from Boston and buying him a number of toys at the stands. He had done so while there were music sessions in the two licensed premises. Concluding, he said that the Open Air Mass at 12 noon and the traditional stations at 4 o'clock are the two significant religious events on the day. The traditional stations come from the early centuries of Christianity and in Brideswell they encompass seven stations. Lauding the Brideswell Pattern Committee of their community input, he pointed out that the fringe attractions this year would include a tug-o-war competition, a ceili, sheep racing and a magician show.