Community notes Jan 16th

Community Co-Operation

As outlined in these notes last week, any member of the local community in the greater Timoleague area who needs any assistance at the present time is asked to contact Sheila (086) 8375555; Helen (086) 6066872 or Eamonn (086) 8518335. People’s movements are restricted at the moment as per Government and HSE guidelines and the general public are urged to stay at home. If you feel unsafe venturing out to get necessary provisions, help is at hand. We in Ireland pride ourselves in the concept of community help in times of need. It is best exemplified in the Irish word “meitheal” If we pull together, we will succeed. Stay safe.

100 Years Ago

After the abortive attack on Kilbrittain RIC barracks as outlined last week, tensions mounted and the first fatalities suffered by the Timoleague Company sadly came to pass. On the 16^th. of January, three members of the Timoleague Company from the Courtmacsherry area, Patrick Donovan and Paddy Deasy, both of Cullinagh and Richard Collins, Barreragh were on their way to a parade of volunteers at Timoleague when they came into contact with members of the Essex Regiment who were billeted at The Coastguard Station at Courtmacsherry. They were backed up by members of the same regiment from Bandon who were engaged in a round up swoop of the area. The three volunteers made a run for it and in the ensuing chase, Patrick Donovan was fatally shot in the chest at Ballincollop as he was scaling a ditch trying to make his escape. Richard Collins managed to escape and Paddy Deasy was arrested. Patrick Donovan’s father found his son’s body the following morning.

Patrick was born in Cullinagh and was the eldest of three children. He had two sisters, Hannah and Margaret (known affectionately as Maugie). He was educated at Courtmacsherry National School and on leaving school worked with his father on the family farm. The house and farm are on the right- hand side of the road from Courtmacsherry to Barryroe at the junction to Broadstrand, an area known as The Gub. He joined the Timoleague company in October 1917 which numbered 60 at the time. He was very active with the company and took part in most of the local engagements, including the attack on Timoleague Barracks in Feb. 1920; the arrest of three soldiers in Timoleague; the blowing up of Timoleague Castle and the burning of Timoleague House and the attack on Kilbrittain Barracks on January 1^st. 1921.

He was aged 21 and was buried in Lislee.

A number of days later the Timoleague company suffered another loss with the shooting dead of Denis Hegarty at Barryshall. The Hegarty family lived at Cloughgriffin. The family home is no longer there. There were five children in the family, 3 boys and 2 girls. Denis and his brother Michael joined the Timoleague Company when it was formed in October 1917. Denis worked as a farm labourer with John Good of Barryshall. He lived in the Coach House in the farmyard. On the night of the 18^th. of January, he was dragged from his bed by members of the Black and Tans and the Essex Regiment and severely tortured and beaten. His body was later discovered the following morning lying beside the laneway leading to the Fleming and Hawkes farms. Mrs. Fleming (Peter’s grandmother) was told by Hawkes not to leave the children go to school that morning as there was a body on the lane beside the ditch. Denis was actively involved with the Timoleague Company in many of their engagements including the attack on Timoleague Castle and House and the attack on Kilbrittain RIC Barracks.

He was buried in Templequinlan Graveyard across the road from the family home.

Plans had been made to honour these two local volunteers appropriately, among others, but the best of plans can come unstuck. These are not the best of time unfortunately. Hopefully in the near future, a suitable remembrance can be held.