Community Notes Feb 22nd 2020

Ambitious rescue plan for unique church mosaics

Have you explored the hidden treasure which is the unique mosaic interior of the Church of the Ascension in Timoleague village? Following completion of a specialist Conservation Plan, an ambitious programme of conservation works has been set out for the Church  in order to ensure the future of this little known gem. The first stage of this programme, planned for this coming summer, involves re-roofing and rendering the exterior (returning it to its original state) as the first vital step to securing the building. Details of the renovation works needed and the plan to deliver these can be found at www.timoleaguemosaics.ie Those working on the Plan are hoping people will find out about this wonderful piece of heritage and help share the appeal for help to fund the work via Facebook. A Go Fund Me page "West Cork Hidden Gem" has been set up and any suggestions as to how support for this project can be increased will be much appreciated (churchoftheascensiontimoleague@gmail.com or 0876508664). Visitors are always welcome.

100 Years Ago

As stated last week, plans were set to attack the RIC barracks at Timoleague on Wednesday night the 25^th. of February 1920. The barracks (pictured below) was situated at Main Street, near the present stepped entrance to the Catholic Church. Volunteers occupied a number of houses on the opposite side of the street to the barracks and others were in position on elevated ground at the rear of the building. Roads leading to Timoleague village were blocked by felling trees and road-blocks nearer the village were guarded by armed volunteers. A mine which was made locally by members of the Timoleague company as stated last week was placed at the front wall of the barracks. A member of the Barryroe company in a house opposite the barracks had two mills bombs which were to be thrown through the breach in the wall should the mine be effective. 

The mine failed to explode due to damp detonators. A cart full of hay was procured and placed against the front wall of the barracks and set a light. It was thought that this would set off the bomb and possibly set fire to the barracks. The volunteers at the front and at the rear opened fire on the building at about 11pm. The arson attack was not a success. The firing continued intermittently for about five hours. One of the volunteers was wounded and the RIC suffered no loss. The inhabitants of the houses opposite the barracks had been removed from their homes before the attack began.

As there was no hope of capturing the building and the guns and ammunition that was within the barracks, the action was abandoned. Though the attack was not a success, it gave the volunteers very useful experience of being under fire which stood to them in future engagements. After the attack all arms and ammunition were collected and placed in secure places for future use. Some of the men who had taken part in the attack had to go on the run. In fact, a number of the volunteers had been instructed by Battalion Headquarters some months previous not to sleep at home for their own safety.

On the day following the attack three local volunteers were questioned by the Timoleague RIC Sergeant and one of his constables about their movements on the previous night. They were not arrested. They were well schooled in the art of counteracting any form of interrogation.

The attack made for interesting headlines in The Skibbereen Eagle the following week.

Road Bowling

In the County Finals in Ballineen on Sunday last the Timoleague Team of Margaret, Ellen and Laura Sexton in U16/U14 and U12 /were overall winners with the Mid Cork team of Ciara and Roisin Allen and Leah Deane of Newcestown in 2nd and the West Cork region in 3rd. David Murphy the new Bol Chumann Youth Officer presented the  Bol Chumann Denis Kelleher Shield. 

First Holy Communion

The first holy communion ceremony will be celebrated at Timoleague on Saturday, May 16^th. and at Clogagh on Saturday May 23^rd.