Community notes May 9th
May 05, 2020
100 Years Ago
Following the Ahawadda ambush on Monday the 10th. of May, the parish priest of Timoleague, Fr. Timothy O’Hea gave an emotional sermon at first mass on the following Thursday morning. The sermon was published in The Skibbereen Eagle on the following Saturday, May 15th. Fr. O’Hea who was a native of Skibbereen, served as parish priest from 1912 to 1929. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Timoleague was opened on the 8th. of September 1912. Fr. Peter Hill was appointed as parish priest in 1905 and his immediate mission was the construction of a new parish church to replace the old post Penal St. Mary’s church which was in a sad state of disrepair. In fact, during his first Sunday mass following his appointment, a large portion of the roof collapsed and fell in on the assembled congregation. After this the need for a new church became obvious. Driven on by the leadership and enthusiasm of Fr. Hill, the present church was built. Not long after its dedication seven years later, Fr. Hill, the driving force behind the project was transferred by the bishop and Fr. O’Hea was appointed as his replacement. One might say that it was not a proper way to thank him as he didn’t remain long in the parish to enjoy the fruits of his labour. However, he was viewed as a rising star in ecclesiastical circles and he did not disappoint in that regard subsequently.
Fr. O’Hea began his sermon by saying that his heart was sad and that the parish of which he was Spiritual Director had been stained with blood. He added that “three members of this Church – three devout and holy men were cruelly murdered and sent before God without warning. There is no one in this parish, I am perfectly certain, had anything to do with this inhuman act. With all my force and strength, as parish priest and minister of God, I denounce it.” He went on by stating that the murders couldn’t be justified and that while some might state that we were at war with England and that Sergeant Flynn and Constables Brick and Dunne were doing England’s work, “they were peace officers, protecting the lives and properties of the citizens, and their shooting far from being justified was as cold blooded and as atrocious an act as was even committed in a civilised community”.
He stated that Timoleague Abbey was known all over the world and that as of now the village will be known not as a centre of industry but as a place of murder, crime and sin. He said that it was some consolation to know that he was almost certain that the horrible work was not done by any of his parishioners but that it was the work of strangers - “of merciless, cruel, callous assassins” and he asked that God should forgive them for their wickedness. He requested his brethren to be patient under all provocation and not to frequent the streets at night. They should close their eyes to all the immorality, wickedness and crime that is in their midst.
He concluded “Pray my dear brethren for the repose of the souls of Sgt. Flynn, Constables Brick and Dunne, that although sent to Him without preparation, God in his infinite mercy, may grant them eternal rest. And, dear brethren, breathe a prayer too for the murderers that the Divine Will may send down His grace into their souls and make them ashamed and sorry for their awful crime.
The report ends with the following: Fr. O’Hea, concluding spoke with great emotion.
While Fr. O’Hea as parish priest spoke and preached the word of God with courage and conviction and no little emotion, it didn’t meet with universal approval among his flock.
(to be continued).
Local Graveyards Surveyed
A survey has been made of all the graveyards in Timoleague and Clogagh. Most of the graves have been mapped and put in a website;
www.Irishgraveyards.ie Much data has been obtained from the headstones. But some graves have no headstones so we ask you to supply us with the necessary information.
Some graves may have been left out in error; if so, mistakes will be corrected. We intend to put data on graves on a big panel at the graveyards as has been done in Dunmanway for example. A group has been organised within the Parish Pastoral Council to carry out this work.
For Timoleague, Abbeymahon and Templequinlan; the members are; Patrick Hickey, John Michael Foley, Helen Crowley and Dermot Kingston.
For Clogagh the work is in the capable hands of Patrick Hennessy and Liam Deasy.
We appeal not only to the people of our own parish but also to those of Barryroe and Kilbrittain and beyond who may have family buried in graveyards in Timoleague, especially within the Abbey to contact any of those mentioned in this project if they have any information that may be of assistance in the completion of this valuable historical research.