Community Notes Sept 25th
September 21, 2021
Confirmation Ceremony
The long -awaited confirmation ceremony took place at Timoleague church on Friday night last. Covid restrictions caused a long delay with the ceremony this year. However, all that was quickly forgotten as 37 children received the sacrament. A change to the usual format was also evident as Fr. Hickey PP administered the sacrament assisted by Mons. Barry O’Leary. The ceremony began with Fachtna Hennessy, chairman of the Parish Council, reading a letter from Bishop Fintan Gavin outlining his permission for Fr. Hickey to act as his replacement for the occasion.
In all, 34 families had children for confirmation. An unusual aspect to this year’s ceremony was the fact that of the 37 confirmandi, 15 had begun their second level education in four different schools: Clonakilty Community College, Sacred Heart Secondary School Clonakilty, Bandon Grammar School and Bandon Convent.
First Holy Communion
The first holy communion ceremonies in the parish were also delayed from their usual May date. On Saturday last the ceremony took place at Clogagh and on Saturday next, Sept.25th. children will receive their first holy communion in Timoleague at 11am.
Timoleague Commemoration this Sunday
Former Republican prisoner and hunger striker, Kerry County Councillor and TD and Sinn Féin member of the negotiating team that led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, lifelong Republican, Martin Ferris will be the guest speaker at this Sundays (26th Sept), annual Vol. Diarmuid O’ Neill Commemoration at Timoleague Cemetery.
The commemoration will start at 1pm and a large crowd is expected as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the controversial killing of the 27-year-old unarmed IRA volunteer by London Police in the early hours of 23rd September 1996. Since 1997, the "Vol. Diarmuid O' Neill Commemoration Committee", (a sub-committee of the Clonakilty Sinn Féin Cumann), has organised the annual commemoration at Diarmuid O’ Neill’s grave.
It wasn't held last year due to Covid restrictions at the time and at the request of the family.
As usual, O’ Neill family members will attend the commemoration this Sunday 26th.
Further details on the “Vol. Diarmuid O’ Neill Commemoration Committee” Facebook page.
The organisers are asking everyone attending the event to observe all public health guidelines and regulations. Cumainn and other structures that wish to lay wreaths during the ceremony are asked to make contact with the organisers in advance giving the name of the person who is to place the wreath and on whose behalf they are being laid. Email: ClonSinnFein@gmail.com.
Attendees are also asked to note that if intending to socialise afterwards in Timoleague village that they should carry their Covid Cert with them, as hospitality owners are obliged to request it of all customers.