Community Notes August 15th

Church Conservation Project

The Church of the Ascension, Timoleague needs love and attention at present. A major restoration project has commenced as alas time has taken its toll on this beautiful iconic building. The project is a large one and those tasked with the onerous responsibility of organising the funding needed to carry out this rather expensive restoration are appealing for help. The project has been divided into a number of phases. Phase 1 with a completion date of 2020 involves making the roof watertight before the weather deteriorates with the advent of winter. Unfortunately, water has been seeping in for some time and damage has been caused to the interior.

The restoration committee has already raised €70,000 of a €90,000 target. To complete this part of the project they are asking people to help them with this challenge by “Sponsoring a Slate” for €20 each. A slate can be sponsored at Timoleague Post-Office or at The Barbershop at Main Street.

Help is needed to save this historic building which is noted for its beautiful mosaic interior. There is also a GoFundMe link if one logs into www.timoleaguemosaics.ie 

Duck Race

Molaga Tidy Towns Association are organising a fundraising duck race on Saturday August 29^th. Ducks will be on sale on Friday and Saturday next, August 14^th. and 15^th. They can be purchased at The Village Centre or outside Foley’s Centra during those two days from 9am to 5pm. The Tidy Towns Group are appealing to all to support this novel fundraising initiative. On the day of the race the ducks will be set afloat on the Argideen and the winner is the first to reach the pontoon area beside The Abbey.

The Late Eamonn Barry

The death of Eamonn, though not unexpected was an occasion of great sorrow in the Timoleague area during a period of unprecedented times due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus Covid-19. Eamonn’s funeral was the first to take place during these strange times. While there was a strict limit imposed on entry to the church, none the less the residents of the village lined the streets, adhering to social distancing as the cortege entered the village on its way to the parish church. People lined both sides of his native Mill Street and Main Street as he made his last sad journey through the streets of the village that he loved so well.

Decency, honour, reliability, duty and respect were qualities that were held and practiced every day by Eamonn Barry. He was a man who was hard working and disciplined yet he would never pass up an opportunity for a laugh or a joke with family and friends.

Eamonn was a great driving instructor and he taught many to drive articulated trucks throughout West-Cork including his own son Eamonn Jnr. He was very passionate about his driving career which made it quite easy for him to slide across into the passenger seat to pass on the love of his job to so many eager students. In fact, Eamonn Jnr. in a most touching graveside eulogy relayed a story that his aunt Mary spun, that her brother Eamonn had taught her to drive when she was 14 years of age. He was 9 at the time! His first job on leaving school was in The Star Garage, Bandon and he then moved on to Longs where he started his driving career. Apparently, he caused quite a scene in the village when he first arrived back in an artic truck. The villagers couldn’t understand how he rounded Sean Twomey’s corner entering Main Street!

On the road he was well known for his courtesy and appreciation for cars stuck behind him on the challenging West-Cork roads. Everyone knew where the Barryroe lorry being driven by Eamonn Barry would put on the left indicator to allow following cars to pass safely. As he was a senior driver in Barryroe Co-Op he always has the newest and biggest truck which made his children very proud when they were in Timoleague National School at lunch times as they kept an eye out for him passing in the truck. He’d get a thumbs up from the school yard which would be acknowledged by the sound of an air horn!

Eamonn was born in 1946 to Jimmy and Molly. He was one of ten children. The Barry family were well- respected business people who had a butcher shop in Abbey Street. He met his wife to- be Marie, at the Platform Dance in Kilbrittain. They married in 1966 and life both blessed and challenged them with 7 great children. The Barry house in Mill Street was a busy one and Sundays were reserved for visiting their nana and grandad’s in Coolshinaugh, Kilbrittain, singing songs, playing games and fighting in the back of the car! Eamonn was a great provider. Both he and Marie were always looking for new opportunities to augment the weekly income. They built up a door to door milk delivery service and the Mark 2 Escort was a familiar sight around the streets of Timoleague in the wee small hours of the morning, sometimes with a 12 year- old driver!

Eamonn was a gentleman to his finger -tips. He enjoyed the simple things in life. He liked a pint or a can of Murphy’s and the tradition for him was a steak from Dan and Mary’s butcher shop on a Friday evening which he well deserved. Eamonn succumbed to ill health at the young age of 52 but it didn’t defeat him. He always had the glass half full outlook on life. He kept himself fit and active with his new found love of swimming, walking and entertaining his many grandchildren with his beautiful funny ways. As his illness progressed, he spent his last 7 years being cared for by the staff of the Saoirse Unit in Clonakilty Community Hospital. He won the hearts of all who crossed his path with his lovely roughish ways.

After the funeral mass, many gathered, spread out over St. Molaga’s graveyard. Eamonn Jnr. in a moving grave side eulogy, thanked all who enriched his father’s life so much. He touchingly remembered his 4 siblings who were unable to travel from abroad for their father’s funeral due to travel restrictions. He thanked all those who cared so well for his father, especially the staff of Clonakilty Community Hospital who treated him as one of their own.

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And the rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Ibane Ladies

After Covid-19 lockdown it has taken clubs across the county some time to find their feet with the 'new normal' for team sports. We would like to thank parents and club members for their diligence in completing e-learning courses and online surveys along with regular health questionnaires before each training session/match. This has made the return to play safe for all, and manageable for our volunteer team.

Reminder that training for U8, U10 and U12s takes place on Monday evenings in Timoleague pitch from 6:15 - 7:15. Training for all other age groups takes place from 6:15 to 7:30 in Barryroe on Thursdays.  

Fixtures for the week ahead:   Minor C West Cork Championship away against Gabriels, Thursday 13th at 7:30.  U16 West Cork Championship versus Beara in Barryroe on Sunday 16th at 12pm.  U12 non- competitive game versus Kinsale on Sunday 16th at 6:30 in Timoleague.  

Well done to the Junior Ladies who defeated St. Colman’s in a tightly contested championship fixture on Sunday and also to the U14 team who defeated Tadgh MacCarthaigh on Saturday.  This follows hot on the feet of their first championship win against Ballygarvan.

Finally, Ibane Ladies Football Club would like to thank Rebel Og for running a hugely enjoyable Cul Camp in Timoleague recently.