9th August 2007

The sun shone on the crowds who attended the inaugural Ardmore Pattern Festival in Ardmore, Co. Waterford, last weekend (July 27th - 29th ). Large crowds of locals and visitors turned out - both as participants and spectators – to enjoy the many activities which were organised over the course of the weekend.

The Pattern Festival began with a Procession through the village (led by 'St. Declan' himself!) followed by a short prayer service in the Church during which 'St. Declan' spoke of his life and times in the Ardmore of more than 1,500 years ago. The outdoor festivities began in earnest later on that evening with teams of locals taking part in a variety of 'fun races' up and down the Main Street to the delight of the large crowd of spectators, while the younger children enjoyed a Kiddies Disco in Halla Dhéagláin.

Saturday's activities began with the local walking group walking part of 'St. Declan's Way' from Grange to Ardmore, where they enjoyed refreshments at Vic the Van, which had taken up residence on the Main Street for the weekend as an information and meeting point. Those taking part in the small boats angling competition enjoyed a balmy day on the Bay, as did all the teams participating in the Girls Under 10 Football Blitz at the GAA Pitch. The Duck Race and Children's Treasure Hunt also attracted large numbers of entries, even though the weather, which had been bright and sunny up to then, began to break as these events drew to a close. Unfortunately, the Ardmore Soccer Club's activities fell foul of the wet weather Saturday evening. However entertainment was still to be had in St. Paul's Church, which was packed to capacity for a 'Summer Songs' recital, with local choir and guest soloists and in Halla Dhéagláin for John Kennedy's Musical Delights from Bygone Days.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny once more, and ensured a large turnout for the busiest day of events and activities, starting with a Car Wash and Cake Sale after Mass. Sporting types enjoyed the Fun Golf Putting Competition on the beach and the Pool Tournament Final, which was won by Adrian Yellop. Hundreds turned out to watch the O'Brien Dancers and the Hip Hop Dancers display their talents at the sea-wall and large numbers of children – both local and visitors – entered the Fancy Dress and Sandcastle Competitions.

Even though it was head to head with 'The Match' in Croke Park, the Under 14 Busking Competition attracted a large number of entries, ranging from traditional musicians, to dancers and singers and the judges had their work cut out for them before eventually declaring local drummer, Paddy Moloney the overall winner. Ian O'Sullivan, Director of Meaningful Travel company i-to-i, which sponsored the Busking Competition, presented the cash prizes to all the winners.

The Grand Finale of the Festival took place in the GAA pitch - an open-air concert with 'The Paddies', generously sponsored by the Cliff House Hotel. Large crowds danced the night away, celebrating the events in Croke Park earlier in the day, with the younger audience enjoying the Bouncy Castle, Face Painting and the Ice Cream Van!

Those attending the Festival over the weekend also had the opportunity to visit a fabulous exhibition of old photos and press clippings from days gone by in Ardmore, thanks to John Keevers and Bernadette Quinn. In addition to the daytime activities, the local pubs also provided a wide variety of musical entertainment throughout the weekend. Highlights included storytelling in Keevers Bar with seanchaí James Lenane and Dec Terry; a Charity Event with 'Two Time Polka' in An Tobar; and musician Will O'Connor at the Round Tower Hotel.

The Ardmore Pattern Festival Committee would like to sincerely thank all the local groups, organisations, businesses, sponsors and individuals who came together to make this festival such a success. The Committee would also like to especially thank all those people – local and visitor alike – who turned out in their numbers to participate in and watch the various events and activities. Your support and enthusiasm made the weekend happen!

St. Declan truly shone on Ardmore for the inaugural Pattern Festival agus mar a deir an seanfhocal, go mairfimid beo ag an am seo arís!