Community Notes May 15th

100 Years Ago

Prior to his death, Con Murphy was appointed Captain of the Timoleague Company in place of James Hodnett. Captain Hodnett was wounded by a military column at Clogagh while holding a courtmartial on men who had broken windows in a house in the locality. One of Capt. Con Murphy’s final engagements took place at Courtmacsherry a few days before his death. Five volunteers from the Timoleague Company were involved in the attempted ambush of a known spy who was on his way to church in the village. Three of the men were armed and two others acted as scouts. The attack was not a success as the men were surprised by a military patrol who were escorting the man to church. In fact, Con Murphy had a narrow escape that morning. During an exchange of gunfire, a bullet penetrated his coat but he was uninjured.

One of the key decisions made at the battalion council meeting held at O’Neill’s of Maryborough on the night before Con Murphy was killed was a major offensive against all enemy posts and personnel on May 14^th. This was in retaliation for the killing of IRA volunteers over the past few months. Michael Coleman in his witness statement tells of the attack planned for Courtmacsherry on the 14^th. Arms had already been placed in position close to the village in readiness for the attack. Men were placed in position covering the Coastguard Station to ensure that the garrison of about 60 soldiers could not emerge. Some 15 volunteers of the Timoleague Company took part in this operation. At mid-day, Michael Coleman entered the village from the east and John O’Driscoll, Con Lehane and Dan Minihane entered from the west. The party covering the station were to open fire when those in the street began firing. As the volunteers went down the village, they saw some British soldiers. The volunteers opened fire, killing one soldier, Lance Corporal Roland Medall. and wounding two others.The remaining soldiers ran for cover and as the covering party opened up, all volunteers made their way out of the village safely.

Businesses Opening Up

This week saw the reopening of a number of business outlets in Timoleague. All the local hairdressers are back up and operating once more much to the delight of all female customers. The Barber Shop at Main Street is also after re-opening which will please the male members of local society.

Two teams of building contractors are busy at work in the village also doing alterations and extensions. It is great to see and hear the noise of construction as the village comes back to normality of sorts.

Timoleague Railway

The Station House still remains and is now the home of Dan and Mary Harte. The station masters who served in Timoleague resided in this house. The first station master appointed was John Burke of Bandon. He began service in 1890. He had a keen interest in Gaelic games and was a founding member of St. Molaga-Timoleague GAA club which came into existence in 1892. He was also the first secretary of the club. Michael Kelly of Bantry came to Timoleague and served as a guard on the train. He was a prominent player on the team at this time. He was promoted to station master and replaced John Burke in 1898. Michael Kelly served as station master until he retired in 1931. He was replaced by John Bennett of Upton and when he retired in 1942, he was succeeded by William Bennett who came from Cork city. William was transferred in 1944 and was replaced by Tom Crone who transferred from Castletownroche.

Those with an interest in Cork football will recall that Cork won the All-Ireland title in 1945 beating Cavan in the final. The team was captained by Tadhgo Crowley and had a strong Clonakilty presence. Lining out at left corner back on that team was Caleb Crone, son of Timoleague Station Master, Tom Crone. Caleb played with the Air Corps club in Dublin while his brother Thomas played with Timoleague.

Tom Crone was appointed to Banteer in 1946 and Christy Ducey who came from the Mallow station, replaced him. Christy Ducey was the last station master to serve in Timoleague. Timoleague and Courtmacsherry were regraded as junior stations and came under the control of the Ballinascarthy Station Master, James A Wagner who remained in that position until the closure of the West Cork railway in 1961.