Community notes Jan 23rd

Local Volunteers Remembered

Two members of the Timoleague Company were killed during the past week, 100 years ago, as outlined in last week’s edition. Sadly, due to the present restrictions it was impossible to suitably remember these two patriots in a more formal and public manner. However, the 100^th. anniversary of their deaths was marked by people who privately visited the graves of both men as well as being present at the memorial sites where their bodies were found. The Irish flag, hoisted high at both memorial sites was a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave neighbouring sons in pursuit of the freedom that we now enjoy and possibly take for granted.    

A detachment of Essex troops engaged in a swoop that resulted in the shooting dead of Patrick O’Donovan, made other swoops in the area. The Skibbereen Eagle of Sat. 22^nd. of January reports that “there was a sensational occurrence near Timoleague (martial law area) on Monday last. A number of men of the Essex Regiment came upon what appeared to be an ambush in the course of preparation. The soldiers were in a lorry when they detected a number of men who appeared to be busily engaged. The men were taken by surprise but took shelter and opened fire on the troops who quickly replied. The noise of the firing was heard in Timoleague and produced there a feeling of alarm and consternation. The civilians soon showed an inclination to clear away but the troops it would appear had a certain mastery of the situation and in the result no less than twenty to thirty of the civilians were stated to have been captured.” 

Some reports of activities differ depending on the source. It is up to the reader to make their own judgement of certain happenings as they occurred during this period.

Death of Eamonn Ryan

The recent death of Eamonn Ryan was widely reported. His exploits as manager of the Cork Ladies Football team is well known and acknowledged because of their unprecedented success enjoyed at national level. It is worth recalling also that his brother Fr. Michael was a curate based in Clogagh for some years in the late 1970’s. Michael was a former Cork minor hurler himself, with a passionate interest in Gaelic games. While in Timoleague parish he endeared himself to all parishioners with his affable personality. He was primarily responsible for organising a group from the parish to travel to Galway for the youth mass during the Papal visit in 1979. He was moved to Knockavilla from Timoleague and he ministered there for some time before his health began to fail. He was taken from this world at too young an age. No doubt there will be some catching up between the two Watergrasshill brothers in the heavenly pitch above. Ar dheis lamh De go raibh said.

Road Bowling Notes

In Ballincollop Courtmacsherry on Saturday the Tricolour flag was raised for Timoleague Volunteer Patrick O Donovan from Cullineagh who was remembered in a ceremony where a memorial poem on a metal plaque written by the late Paddy Coakley  Cullineagh was unveiled by Diarmuid Brickley on behalf of the Brickley Family.  

Vol Patrick O Donovan of the Timoleague IRA Company was murdered by the Black and Tans on the 16th January 1921.  The  Memorial Eircode is P72 HD93

Also on the anniversary of Denis Hegarty who was the Quartermaster of the 2nd Battalion 3rd Cork Brigade IRA Timoleague, A fitting ceremony organized by Timoleague Bowling Club took place at both his memorial in Barryshall and at his grave in Templequinlan graveyard Cloughgriffin, Timoleague  Eircode P72 K634 . Vol Denis Hegarty was murdered by the Black and Tans on the 19th of January 1921 . The Club also remembered  Volunteer John O Regan from Knockaveale near Gaggin  Bandon who was shot and killed by the Black and Tans at Clashfluck Timoleague adjacent to Templequinlan Graveyard alongside Eircode P72 N242 on the 7th of December 1920 . 

This was a dark period in the local Timoleague area and now a local committee has been formed to erect a lasting memorial to all the local volunteers who helped with the fight for Irelands freedom from the 1916 rising up to 1923.  Further events are planned locally and  Anyone interested in joining or in helping out with time or information / photos is asked to email   timoleague memorial @ gmail.com