Community Notes March 14th

Church of the Ascension

The church has a capacity for 110 persons and cost £461-10s-9d. Some further additions were added to the church building over the years. The east chancel was constructed in 1863. The stained- glass window is by William Warrington, one of the leading stained -glass artists of the time. The set of three glass panels have an interesting history, especially the central one. The northern pane depicts The Rising of Dorcas, the south is The Presentation and in the centre is The Crucifixion. This central figurative representation caused major offense to bishop John Gregg who considered it “graven” and refused to consecrate the church until it was removed from view. It was covered by a cloth until the early part of the 20^th century. It was also broken on two occasions in protest.

The pointed arch window in the nave of the south wall has a stained -glass window which was installed around 1890. It depicts The Good Centurian and is by Mayer of Munich. They were a famous stain-glass design and manufacturing company whose work can be seen in cathedrals throughout Europe and North America. In fact, the windows over the main altar in The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary which is across the road on an elevated site are by the same company.

While there are many points of great interest within the building, probably the most talked about are the mosaics for which the church is famous. (to be contd.)

Local Point-to-Point Success

Bandon point-to-point races were cancelled some time ago due to adverse weather conditions. They were rescheduled on Saturday last and there was a very popular local success in the second race on the card, The Bandon Motors and Bandon Co-Op 5 Years Old and Upwards Adjacent Hunts Maiden over 3 miles. The winning horse, Cailin Dearg trained at Cregane by Padraig Butler was a comfortable winner. The mare took to the front from the off and remained there throughout the race. She had already finished in second and third place in her two previous races and won by 5 lengths at odds of even money much to the delight of all the local equine enthusiasts.

Cailin Dearg, owned by Padraig’s brother John Joe was ridden by Araglin jockey Darragh Allen carrying the Butler colours of maroon and white.  That should come as no surprise as the Butler brothers, Padraig, John Joe and Finbarr are leading lights in hurling and football with Argideen Rangers. The horse was originally sourced by their uncle Batty making it a true family operation. They together with their proud parents Barry and Caitriona are wished continued success with Cailin Dearg.

100 Years Ago

In March 1920, the local parish priest was delivering sermons which were not going down too well with the local volunteers with regard to their activities. A report of the sermons was sent to the Press by a local reporter from Garrendruig. The said reporter was warned as to his reports. It seems that there was no change in the content or style of reporting. He was arrested and courtmartialled by local officers of the volunteers. He was ordered to leave the area. The parish priest was also warned and told “that the volunteers would not stand for any more of his sermons”

The local people were warned that they were to cease having anything to do with the RIC and a village volunteer was ordered to leave notices under doors of all the shopkeepers warning them against supplying goods to the RIC. It would seem that things were getting a little heated in the area at this time.