Community Notes March 27th
March 25, 2021
Daffodil Week-End Donate
Friday March 26th is Daffodil Day for The Irish Cancer Society. This year because of Covid-19, the format will be a little different. Daffodils will be on sale as usual this year in the village on Friday 26th. People can also donate on line at this link.
There will also be donation boxes in Timoleague Post Office and at Foley’s Centra. You may also contact Donie O’Callaghan, Karen Nyhan or Grainne Murphy directly if you wish to contribute. People are encouraged to take a stroll or have a virtual cuppa and to please put up photos of your participation on Timoleague’s donate for Daffodil Weekend Facebook page.
Caitlin Ruth from CaitlinRuthFood.ie is well known in the hospitality sector in West Cork and is very kindly sharing her expertise in hosting a virtual cocktail making class this weekend as a fundraiser for Timoleague Daffodil Day. Why not join the zoom class and make cocktails from the comfort of your own home. To participate please make a donation to the above link, message either Karen Nyhan or Grainne Murphy with a screen shot of your donation and a link will be forwarded to you with all the information needed to join the class.
Grainne Bagnal from West Cork Forest Bathing/Shinrin-Yoku Wellness Guides is also holding an on line Sunset Forest Bathing Experience on Sat. March 27th from 6-7pm in aid of Timoleague’s Daffodil Day fundraising effort. If you wish to participate in this event, please make a donation on the link above and message either Karen Nyhan or Grainne Murphy with a screenshot of your donation and a link will be forwarded to you.
The Irish Cancer Society provides vital services to support those affected by cancer throughout Ireland and all support is greatly appreciated.
100 Years Ago
Some eight members of the Timoleague Company took part in Crossbarry Ambush. Those involved included Cornelius Murphy, First. Lt. Carhue; Timothy Keohane, Second Lt. Ballinroher; James Hodnett, Capt.Ardmore; Tadhg O’Sullivan, Brigade Quarter Master, a native of Skibbereen but working in Timoleague as a creamery manager; Michael Deasy, Carhue; John O’Driscoll, Mill Street; Daniel Minihane, 2nd. Lt. Carhue and Con Lehane, Capt. Bde. Armr. Castle Upper.
The victory at Crossbarry was somewhat subdued when word spread that Charlie Hurley, Commandant of the West Cork Brigade had been fatally wounded trying to break through a ring of enemy forces who surrounded his billet earlier that morning at nearby Ballymurphy. His body was transported to Bandon by the British and placed in the morgue.
The important role played by the members of Cumann na mBan has not often been given the recognition that it deserves. Leslie Price who was involved in the 1916 rising in her native Dublin was a great organiser. She was sent to West-Cork in 1919 to help put the organisation on a firm footing. Branches were set up alongside the local companies. The 1st. Battalion area was very large and she advised that it be split in two – one area north and the other south of the river Bandon. Kilbrittain, Ballinadee, Ballinspittle, Gaggin, Clogagh, Timoleqague and Barryroe were all in the south region. She called a meeting of all the officers of the above-named branches and they all met at Callanan’s of Ballycatten. Timoleague had a membership of 12 with Margaret Foley (Harte) as Captain, Mary Kelly was Adjt./Sec. and Maureen O’Driscoll was treasurer. Kilbrittain had 26 members, Barryroe had 29 and Clogagh had 15.
Members of Kilbrittain Cumann na mBan were responsible for the removal of the body of Charlie Hurley from Bandon workhouse. They transported his remains to Clogagh where he wished to be buried alongside his parents and his brother William. Members of Cumann na mBan kept vigil in the church that night. Volunteers of the Flying Column marched twenty miles from their billets in the driving rain and reached Clogagh at 2am. The local priest was called. Guards were posted and the remainder of the column entered the church to pray for their dead commanding officer. The coffin was shouldered to the graveyard. Volunteers with arms reversed marching behind the coffin as Flor Begley’s bagpipes filled the night sky with its mournful tones. Tom Barry delivered an oration at the grave of his dead friend, before three volleys were fired. The volunteers moved on to Ahiohill at dawn that morning.
The Leslie Price mentioned married Tom Barry the following year. She is better known as Leslie Bean De Barra and later was deeply involved in The Red Cross Movement. What may not be as well know is that when she arrived in West-Cork she met up with the dashing young Brigadier Charlie Hurley. Love blossomed despite the ravages of rebellion but their relationship was short lived. Oh! cruel war!