Community Notes March 23

The Timoleague Chalice

The people of Cape Clear have come up with a novel way of raising much needed funds for island projects. Two local artists have compiled three graphic novels depicting aspects of the history of the island.One is dedicated to the story of The Timoleague Chalice. As local people are aware there is a very strong connection between both places with The Timoleague Chalice being the common denominator. To refresh the memory, the story of this iconic artefact can be simplified as follows: Fr. Henry Leader PP of Rath and The Islands came into the island to celebrate a station mass in 1856. After mass, as the priest and islanders chatted over breakfast, Fr. Henry’s eyes were directed to a box on a high shelf over the open fire place.On enquiring he was informed by the bean an tí as to its origin. It seemed that in the distant past fishermen from the island came upon a drifting boat. On board they discovered three Franciscan friars, two of whom were dead and the third in a state of utter exhaustion. He was nursed back to health in the home of one of the fishermen. On his departure he left the box in the safe keeping of the household until his return. He never did make it back. The priest gave instructions that the box should be opened and inside a set of vestments that crumbled to the touch was discovered. More importantly beneath the vestments they came across a chalice bearing the following inscription: ffr’MinConv de Thimolaggi the translation of which is “Friars Minor Convent (Friary) of Timoleague”

The gold chalice has been examined by experts from England who declared that it was made in London in 1633. It would seem that the three brave monks salvaged the contents of the box prior to the last sacking of Timoleague Friary in 1642 and were making their way along the West-Cork coast to Cape Clear or to the nearby island of Sherkin (which also had a Franciscan Friary) for safe keeping.

A replica of the chalice is on display at Timoleague Parish Church.

Storytelling Event

World Storytelling Day originated in Sweden in 1991 and today it is recognised in very many countries around the world, including Ireland.  It is traditionally held on or near the Spring Equinox. This year a storytelling event will take place at Butlerstown Hall at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday the 21st March.  Local storytellers, both writers and those who follow the oral tradition, will share their stories and there will be an open mike for anybody who may have a tale to tell.  For more information contact Michael O’Brien at 0238840100 or Michael Pattwell at 087 2801234.

Feis Maitiu Success

The fourth class pupils of Timoleague National School won third prize in Action Verse at Feis Maitiu on Wednesday last, March 13^th.They were under the expert tuition of their class teacher, M/s Kate Kingston. 

Below is a picture of the class with their teacher M/s Kate Kingston.