Tobar Mhichíl

St. Michael the Archangel is the patron saint of the Ballinskelligs area. The Archangel has lent his name to many of the landmarks in the area – Skellig Michael, St. Michael’s Abbey, Scoil Mhichíl and Séipéal Mhichíl and St. Michael’s Well. St.Michael’s Well is steeped in the history, culture and folklore of the Ballinskelligs area. 

The well itself can be found by following the lane opposite the Community Hall here in the village of Dungegan.

The waters of many of the holy wells in Ireland became famous for their healing powers – some becoming famous for healing specific ailments e.g. cures for eye problems in Tobar Na Súl, cures for mental health problems in Gleann na nGealt. At St Michael’s Well the waters of the well are said to be capable of improving general wellbeing.

 St Michael’s feast day evolved around St Michael’s Well and is celebrated each year on 29th September. The feast day became known as Lá an Phátrúin – the Day of the Patron saint, which became known locally as the “Pattern Day”. The Pattern became a landmark time in the local calendar, especially among farmers with the phrase – “we’ll have it done for the Pattern”

 The Rounds

The core event of the festival were the rounds, which took place at St Michael’s Well on the Pattern day. The rounds followed a very precise and defined ritual, which consisted of 9 rounds around the well – 6 larger rounds around the outer perimeter of the well and 3 smaller rounds around the well itself. As a method of counting the rounds, 10 small stones would be picked up at the outset. One stone would be thrown away at the start of the rounds and the subsequent stones thrown away at the end of each round. Prayers, mainly the rosary, were said while doing the rounds.

 Historically the “Pattern” was a major event for Ballinskelligs and surrounding areas with the feast of St. Michael being celebrated over three days. Huge crowds would attend and most pilgrims stayed for at least two days. While the ritual at St. Michael’s Well was the main event of the Pattern, much entertainment and drinking was carried on over the three days of the festival.

When the rounds were done at the well people rushed to join in the celebrations. There was plenty of eating and drinking and courting (and fighting!) in the village. The seanchaí Seán Ó Conaill describes the merriment thus; “In the old days there were booths for the sale of drink and sweets. The card man would be there, and the thimble man, and the man with toys too, and the day would be spent until night with sport and pastimes. Many people used to drink during the day, and would quarrel and sing at night. They used to compete with each other in throwing casts and jumping”. 

In the olden days the Pattern became associated with drinking and faction fights. This met with the strong disapproval of the clergy. As a result the celebration of the Pattern went into decline.

Renewal of Pattern

In the early 1980s Coiste Forbartha na Sceilge set about revitalising the Pattern. Using the tradition of the Pattern, a local festival, celebrating the tradition, culture and heritage of the area with talks, walks, songs and music was developed. The rounds at the well are still central to all other activities at the Pattern.

Traditional Ritual of Rounds.

The Rounds involve walking around the two wells in a clockwise direction as you face the sea, while saying the Rosary.

1. Pick up 10 small stones from the heap of stones, if you haven't brought 10 with you!

2. Throw away the first stone before you start the Rounds

3. Walk around the outer perimeter of the two wells 6 times throwing a stone into the heap at the end of each Round.

4. The last 3 Rounds take place around the well on the right, again throwing in a stone at the end of each Round.

5. Then at the well on the right as you face the sea, kneel and make the sign of the cross with a stone on the flagstone over the well.

6. Then at the well on the left as you face the sea, kneel and make the sign of the cross on the flagstone over the well.  Bless yourself then with the water from this well.