Community notes Jan 8th
January 06, 2022
Timoleague Tidy Towns
The officers and volunteers of Timoleague Tidy Towns would like to wish all who support and actively engage with them in any tidy town activities, a happy and safe New Year.
The following is the list of prize winners from the Christmas Hamper fundraising draw that the organisation held prior to Christmas. 1st. Sean O’Neill, Meath & Courtmacsherry; 2nd. Hetty Hough, Lettercollum; 3rd. Grainne Murphy, Castle Upper; 4th. Padraig Fleming, Courtmacsherry; 5th. Ogie Crowley, Chapel Avenue; 6th. Brendan Whooley, Timoleague; 7th. Denise Foley, Mill Street.
A big thank you to all who supported the raffle, buying tickets, sponsoring prizes, selling tickets and arranging the hampers. The success of the raffle would not have been possible without your involvement. This is one of two public fundraising events organised by the local tidy towns group and all monies raised will be ploughed back into local projects undertaken by the voluntary body.
Bells Ring Out for New Year
On New Year’s Eve as is the custom in Timoleague over many years, the new year was formally announced by the ringing of bells at the parish grounds. The outside fire beside the belfry was in the capable hands of Liam Ryan. This task and that of ringing the old penal bell was always undertaken by the late Percy Ryan. This year your humble scribe assisted. As the clock approached mid-night, the sizable crowd who congregated in the mild night air with Fr. Hickey PP at the helm, counted down the clock with the modern church bell in the tower activated by Helen Crowley, sounding over the village. The old bell in the replica belfry in the church grounds with Michael Heaney on the chain, peeled its message as it has done since its erection in the 1850 at the former parish church, St. Mary’s which was located in the field behind the old parochial house. Social distancing was observed as friends, neighbours and villagers gave a blast of Old Lang’s Isle as befitted the occasion. They talked of the trying times we all now experience, of loved ones who are no longer with us and of those who were loyal supporters of this ritual who were absent this year. They were all steadfast in their belief that we will emerge from this pandemic, all stronger and more resilient if we adopt a positive attitude. Here’s to a happy and safe 2022.
Local Racing Success
Local trainer, Padraig Butler of Cregane enjoyed further success on the track before Christmas. At the United Foxhounds fixture, the Clonmult- Dungourney Point-to -Point Races which were staged at Boulta, his charge Fons Vivus made all the running in the five year old and upwards mares’ maiden to win in the capable hands of Araglen jockey, Darragh Allen. She won by two lengths at a price of 5/1. Padraig who is co-owner of the mare with his brother John Joe remarked that she is a great jumper and that the soft going was to her advantage.
Fons Vivus had already been in the frame a month previous, finishing third at the Dromahane. With a name taken from the mother tongue closely associated with his home parish and our pastor Fr. Hickey, is it any wonder that she along with her owner and trainer are enjoying the success that they are. Padraig had his maiden track win at Galway two months ago when Da Capo Glory won the bumper with the same Araglen pilot in the saddle. A close eye should be kept on the racing pages in the weeks ahead for further information of future plans by the Timoleague handler. I hear in the grape vine that she may run at Mallow on Saturday. If she does, she, her trainer, jockey and connections carry our best wishes with a few shekels just for interest.
New Year Wishes
I would like to convey best wishes for the new year to all readers. At this worrying time for many, it is important that we all keep positive and sensible. This pandemic will pass but patience is required. Keep safe.