Community notes November 21st

COVID-19 and Sport

The Wellbeing Network, West Cork in partnership with Cork GAA bring you 'Moving Goalposts' - a free online webinar from 7-8PM on Wednesday December 9th.

The panel, which includes Ruairí Deane from the Cork Senior Team, goalkeeper with the Cork Senior Ladies Football team Martina O' Brien, Cork GAA CEO Kevin O' Donovan and CIT GAA Officer Keith Ricken, will discuss the impact of Covid-19 on sporting communities and how people can be proactive about looking after the wellbeing of their communities.   Kieran McCarthy, Sports Editor with The Southern Star will MC the event. 

The event will highlight some of the community-minded and creative ways GAA clubs and the organisation have responded to this crisis and ways that players, supporters and the many others involved in sport at grassroots level, can stay connected and positive in the midst of this pandemic where the goalposts are constantly moving.

Register on Eventbrite at: https://movinggoalposts.eventbrite.ie or further info at 087-7453933 / wellbeingnetwork@nln.ie 

100 Years Ago

Early in November 1920 at a parade of members of the Timoleague company, volunteers were sought to join the Brigade Column. Three members volunteered but only one was required. It was decided that lots were to be drawn to see who would join. Timothy Keohane was selected. Tim was born in Ballinroher in 1896 and was of farming stock. He attended Timoleague National School until he was 14 years of age and gained employment in Tobin’s Cornmill in Timoleague. He joined the volunteers in the summer of 1917 and there were about 20 members in the Timoleague Company initially.

After being selected to join the Flying Column, he was told to await instructions. On November 20^th. Tim was instructed to go to Kilmacsimon Quay and to report to the officer commanding, General Tom Barry. While there he met with other members of the column and they then proceeded to Crosspound and on to Castletownkenneigh where they billeted in an empty farmhouse. During the following week they were engaged in training in the use of firearms. They also participated in drilling and field exercises. All of this activity took place at night and the column members remained under cover during the day. There were about 35 or 36 in the column at this time.

On the evening of November 27^th. all members of the column went to confession to a priest who visited the billets. “On the 28^th. day of November, the Tans left the town of Macroom……….. , so say the words of the song written to commemorate the historic event. The Kilmichael Ambush took place on that day and Timothy Keohane was the only member of the Timoleague Company to take part in that famous engagement.

Leabhar Mhic Carthaigh Riabhaigh

The book was back in the British Museum in 1936 when it came under the care of Robin Flower, the deputy Keeper of Manuscripts at the museum. He headed up a team whose task it was to make facsimile copies of the book. He had joined the staff of the museum in the early 1900’s. It had an extensive collection of manuscripts, many written in the Irish language. Robin soon realised that if he was to be successful in his chosen career, he needed to learn Irish. He arrived in Dun Chaoin, in 1910 and went into An Blascaod Mor where he struck up a close friendship with Tomas O’Criomhthain (An t Oileanach). He returned frequently to the island over the next 30 years. The island community took him to their hearts and affectionately gave him the name Blaithin.

The outbreak of World War 11, put a temporary halt to this work as many of the priceless manuscripts housed in the British Museum in London were transferred to The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth for safe keeping. Leabhar Mhic Carthaigh Riabhaigh was among the works that made that journey. Blaithin, acting as custodian, accompanied the manuscripts to Wales. He became seriously ill and was forced to retire on medical grounds. He died in 1946. The manuscripts were returned to London after the war in 1945 and Flower’s successor, RAS Mc Allister took over responsibility for the completion of the facsimile. He was based in Cambridge and the manuscript was transferred to the Cambridge University Library where the job was completed.

It was then returned to Chatsworth where it has remained until now. It did make a temporary return to UCC in 2011 as already mentioned. The Irish Manuscripts Commission’s facsimile of the manuscript was completed in 1950. Mc Alister died without seeing the finished product. Almost all of the manuscript’s contents have been published by now in various books and journals, either directly from the manuscript itself or indirectly from transcripts. It is hoped that with its return home to Cork, further studies will be undertaken and new light shone on some of the unknown aspects of one of our priceless treasures.

New Business

A number of weeks ago it was pleasing to report the establishment of a new business in Timoleague, namely John Fleming’s NeighbourFood. Now it is the turn of Aoibhinn O’Sullivan of Lettercollum who has joined the commercial landscape of the Timoleague area. She has just set up Aoibhinn’s Grooming Parlour. Aoibhinn is a fully qualified dog groomer with many years of experience and is available to attend to all doggy needs. Aoibhinn O’Sullivan, Grooming Parlour is located at the family home of her parents Martin and Colette. Aoibhinn can be contacted for further information at (086)2695317. She is wished well in her new enterprise.

Meals from Monk’s Lane

On Saturday last residents of Timoleague village, Clogagh, Burrane, Kilshinihan and Maryborough were visited by a delivery team with meals from Monk’s Lane. Gavin and Michelle are especially thanked for this magnificent gesture to the local community. We also mention staff members, Laura, Annemarie and Paudie, without whose labour behind the scenes, this would not have been possible. The fleet of delivery vehicles and their drivers and assistants are also thanked as are those who donated generously to this most worthy cause.

This week those in the Cregane, Abbeymahon, Ahafore, Barryshall, Cloughgriffin, Carhue, Lettercollum, Castle Upper, Ummera and Killavarrig areas can be awaiting a knock on the door.

These acts of kindness go a long way to brighten up the lives of so many people at this most testing time in our community. Long live the “meitheal”.