Community notes Feb 6th

The Alpha Experience

An open invitation is extended to all to join in a series of interactive sessions called Alpha where a discussion on life and the Christian faith will take place in an informal and friendly environment.

Alpha online begins on Tuesday February 9th and will run over 10 evenings, beginning at 8.00pm and ending at 9.15pm. In particular, the invitation is primarily extended to parents/guardians of the First and/or Confirmation classes. But of course, these sessions are open to everybody - everybody is welcome. Alpha is for the Clonakilty Pastoral Area of which Timoleague parish is a part.

Further details can be had by contacting Finola at (087) 6838082 or by e-mail: alphaclonakilty@gmail.com

Winter Hibernation

Over the past few weeks, winter has announced its presence. The streets of the village have seen a major decrease in traffic flow due to the present Covid restrictions. The Post Office in the village centre is still flying the flag and gives some semblance of normality to down town Timoleague. The Pharmacy in Mill Street, The Health Centre at Abbey Street and Foley’s Centra are also experiencing a brisk foot flow that indicates that business and commerce is still to the fore.

There is a steady increase in the number of people out walking and The Walkway along the old railway line from Timoleague to Courtmacsherry is proving most popular. The other loop walks around the area are also being used as people combine exercise and physical wellbeing at these unprecedented times.

A group of local community volunteers took down the Christmas lights last week and the absence of the extra lighting has really announced the Winter. Yet despite the mist, fog and rain, on a dry day one can notice a stretch in the evenings. The wheel of nature is always turning and there will be good days again both in terms of weather, health and safe free movement. We will get out of this. Chin up and chest out! 

100 Years Ago

The RIC barracks at Innishannon was attacked on the 26^th of January by the brigade column assisted by members of the local companies. Five volunteers from the Timoleague Company took part in this engagement. The barracks which overlooked the bridge crossing the Bandon river, was a two- story stone building which was well protected by steel shutters and barbed wire. It was proposed to mine the barracks and send in an assault party when the mine exploded. All approach roads to the village were guarded. Unfortunately, the mine failed to explode. A number of shots were fired at the building. The garrison within returned fire and sent up Verey lights. The column withdrew.

At the end of January, the column moved to Burgatia House, the home of Thomas Kingston, known locally as Lord Tom. He was a known British loyalist and was suspected of spying and he was to be tried. Seven members of the Timoleague Company were involved in this operation which was under the command of Tom Barry. The column entered the house on the 1^st./2^nd of February and made all those within prisoners. The reason for occupying the house was that it was intended to attack Rosscarbery RIC Barracks the following night and they didn’t want to get within striking distance of the village without being seen. Sentries were posted and the column members rested for the night. The house stood to the south of the main road from Clonakilty to Rosscarbery. Behind it to the south was the Atlantic Ocean. It would have been a bad place to have been trapped. The senior officers looked after the owner, whom they tried on a charge of spying. He was ordered to leave the country and his lands and property were to be confiscated. Everything went well until the following morning when one of the sentries held up the local postman who was delivering letters to the house. After being interviewed by the local officers, he was allowed to continue on his rounds with a warning not to tell anyone what he had witnessed.

In the early afternoon, Black and Tans were spotted approaching the house. Orders were issued that no man was to show himself as the Tans come nearer to the house. The plan was to allow then to come up the avenue and to get as close as possible to the building. Tom Barry had ordered his men to open fire on the sound of his whistle. They opened fire on command and many of the Black and Tans fell and the remainder scattered. Some of the column were ordered out into the yard and to move away from the house in small parties and to reassemble on high ground east and west of the house. About eight or nine men occupied the upper windows and continued to fire on the retreating British forces until the remainder of the column got into positions outside. When they were in position the remaining volunteers withdrew from the house and moved to the east. On member of the column was wounded in the leg and was carried away by the last group to leave. A horse was taken to help transport a land mine. The main group of volunteers move on towards Kilbree and the column O/C and others returned to burn the house.