The Ardmore Pattern Festival Weekend got off to a flying start as Gerry Humphries, known as 'The Flying Farmer' dipped and dived, looped and rolled through a sun shower and rainbow in the skies over Ardmore Bay last night after which we were treated to Street Entertainment, music from the Bon Jovi Tribute Show and Fireworks which dazzled the night sky.

The Festival runs until Sunday, 28th and is not to be missed for free family fun and fantastic entertainment.  Check out the full Programme of Events by clicking the link.

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Just a short while ago I returned from St. Declan's Well having attended the Midnight Vigil of the Pattern Day. It's been a few years since I last ventured there, the excuse of being too tired after a busy day being the one nearest to hand, this year, however, I was determined to go back in search of the inner tranquility and calmness of my previous midnight visit.

Walking past the bright foyer of the Cliff House Hotel into the darkness a recollection of my last visit and those who accompanied me there mingled with the anticipation of this visit in my mind. We approached the entrance to St Declan's Hermitage illuminated by a solitary candle standing guard in a wonderfully large glass jar which welcomed us onwards. A river of night-lights flowed towards the entrance to the Well where a serene and respectful atmosphere was observed as old friends greeted each other and new ones were introduced. Having wandered around in the mystery of candlelight for a few moments, I came to rest against the railing near St. Declan's Well just as Sr. Declan began her welcome and gave an introduction to those not familiar with the history of St. Declan and his Holy Well.

The rosary was recited 'as gaeilge' and faceless people, both young and old, prayed in unity, side by side, in a tradition that has lasted centuries in Ardmore. As I gazed from candle light to full moon light I came to realise that our prayers were rising to the heavens above and I have no doubt that centuries of those great Déise people, gone before us, prayed with us too as the water lapped the rocks below with the cry of the curlew was lost in the mumble of prayer.

Tonight in this ancient ruined site in the open air of summer, I was reminded why we celebrate the Pattern Day, the real and true meaning behind this wonderful tradition is the simple celebration of our Christian faith given to us by St Declan, without all the trappings and the ceremony, it is the celebration of our connection with our ancient past, our ultimate future and our journey with those we encounter as we pass through. Happy Pattern Day

Congratulations to lucky local lady, Claire O'Donnell who won a large framed version of 'Dusk in Whiting Bay' during the production of 'The Sand Park' in St Declan's Hall last night.

'My Ardmore Diary' is delighted to have made a financial donation to become a 'friend' of the Ardmore Pattern Festival and also to have donated two large framed photographs to be given as prizes.

I wonder who's going to win the next one which will be raffled along with some other lovely prizes during 'Musical Delights' on Wednesday evening, 24th July with John Kennedy, in St Declan's Hall at 8.30pm - be sure and buy some tickets, if you're not in - you can't win !

Photographed recently is Ardmore's Hugh O'Reilly on board 'Aimee', having just returned to the Boat Cove on a beautiful sunny Summer's evening having fished off the coast of Ardmore.  I am intrigued with the names of boats and often wonder what inspired the owner to name it so, the names seem to be mostly female leading me to believe that the boats are named after some very special ladies indeed !

This is what I've been busy studying all week in the glorious sunshine. 

It's the 7th Ardmore Pattern Festival Programme of Events which BEGINS TODAY with the Annual Antique Fair & Afternoon Tea in Halla Dhéagláin at Noon until 6pm hosted by the wonderful ladies of the Ardmore/Grange ICA Guild.

At 4pm, Cappoquin man, Thomas McCarthy, Poet will host light refreshments at the Molly Keane Writers Retreat as he recounts the wonderful memories and life of the Booker Prize Author, Molly Keane.

And so it begins, it's going to be a busy week in every household in the community as well as for the many businesses who serve all of Ardmore's visitors, however, its going to be an extra busy week for the mighty Ardmore Pattern Festival Committee who give their very best to the organisation of this wonderful Festival VOLUNTARILY every year ! Please give them your support and a clap on the back when you see them during the week and donate a euro or more to their Donation Boxes that will be manned by them.

So, John S, Maurice, Don, Rosie, Ciara G, John K & Ciara M every good wish to you all for a wonderful week ahead, may the loads you have to lift be light, may the distance you have to run be short, may the cable ties be plentiful and the pliers sharp, may the traffic calm itself, may the litter reach the bins and not the ground, may the weather just be right....I could go on ! It's going to be a strange Festival for me having worn the 'Committee' t-shirt in previous years but I am really looking forward to enjoying it from 'the other side' this year with my family. Go n-éirí an t-adh libh lads, let the festival fever commence ! xox

For further information on the 80+ events being held over the Ardmore Pattern Festival, please visit www.ardmorepatternfestival.ie

Follow the link for a quick Guide to What's on in Ardmore for the month of July.

What's on in Ardmore - July 2013

If you are running an event and would like 'My Ardmore Diary' to help promote it for free, then please e-mail the details to ardmorediary@gmail.com.

There's a lot of excitement in our potting shed this morning ! A little clutch of baby Swallows that we have been watching with care and huge interest have flown the nest with the exception of the youngest little one who is not quite ready to spread its wings. 

The nest was first discovered when the baby chicks were grey featherless little creatures - they have been photographed at all stages and a blog will follow at a later stage on their development. 

Swallows have always been my favourite bird, stemming from long summer days of childhood when their much awaited arrival signaled the start of Summer and they were welcomed wholeheartedly in to our farmyard.  In return for safe lodgings they gave hours of entertainment and today evoke a lot of happy memories of those special people in my life who are no longer here to enjoy them, the arrival of the Swallows was always greeted with that great Irish saying "Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís" ♥

It was an absolutely stunning evening in Ardmore.  At high tide the Boat Cove was bustling with bodies dropping off the piers - bombing, diving, daring, flopping, flipping even ! Kayaks glided effortlessly on the glass like surface of the water. The number of boats got lost in my mind as they motored in and out of the cove, some for pleasure, some went in search of Mackeral and came home without, some had to paddle home when the engine decided to give out !

I watched with the pride of a mother when I witnessed a little girl, no more than 5 years old, bravely jump from the pier into the arms of her Dad in the water below, she wasn't even my child and yet I was in awe of her bravery & pluckiness ! Others climbed down ladders to get closer to the water, shaking legs and arms were confused for being cold when nervous and anxious thoughts took over. Others renewed their childhood pastime and recalled their own feats as a younger being.

I love Ardmore in all kinds of weather but on an evening like this evening it is simply blissful.

This photo will be my memory of this evening, seeing 'Airdmhoir' rounding the pier, with the gulls ducking and diving around the boat to get an easy peck of a fish, then resting on the water as the boat paused, I particularly love the gull that sits on the bow as though he is in charge of navigation.

I am reminded of Shakespeare's "Iago" in Othello "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve, for daws to peck at: I am not what I am." All my life I've worn my heart on my sleeve, most of the time I really wish I didn't but you can't hide what comes by nature. I am not of this place and have been jovially branded a "blow-in" by several of it natives yet fate chose to bring me to Ardmore. Vivid memories of a school desk in Modeligo recount Mr Phelan's, the former Principal, story of how a man named St Declan gave my birthplace it's name, little did I know at that young age that one day the home of St Declan would become my home and that of my children.