Community Notes Feb 19th

Sports Funding For Timoleague

In the recent sports capital funding allocation announced last week, Timoleague Community Association were awarded €150,000. The funding was sought for the redevelopment of the Timoleague Community Hall. The hall which was built in the early 70’s served the local community well. Prior to its construction, the village had been without a hall since the closure of the well- known and popular Foley’s Hall. It is in constant use but it badly needs a revamp and its redevelopment is warmly welcomed.

100 Years Ago

Following on from last week’s account in relation to Rear Admiral Cecil Henry Fox and the family association with Timoleague, the following may be of interest. Many years after his death, his daughter Patricia and her second husband John arrived into Timoleague in the Summer of ’67. They called into The Mill House Bar at the village centre located at the corner of Abbey St. and Mill St. sadly no longer trading.In double quick time, the proprietress Kitty Hallinan, like the good landlady that she was, engaged in conversation with the English tourists. They were interested in buying a property in or near Timoleague as they were captivated by the beauty of the area. Kitty informed them that The Glebe House was for sale and that they should have a look at it. The caretaker, the late Tom Kingston of Timoleague Post Office at Main Street was contacted and as they say the rest is history. They bought it in the Autumn and settled in Timoleague.

They were both daily callers to the village while they lived at The Glebe, Sunday being the exception. John would prefer to walk down accompanied by his dog Trudy. Patsy chose to drive the short distance to do her shopping and have her daily tipple at The Mill House. John was a collector and he got enjoyment from purchasing rare books and antique furniture. He was from a wealthy Anglo-Irish family, who lived at Roebuck Castle, Dundrum, Co. Dublin. The Westby family also had large tracts of land in Co. Clare and were the owners of the land on which Loop Head lighthouse is built.

Patsy was a very reserved lady who was presented at court at The Royal Palace in her late teenage years as young women of her era were formally introduced into the upper echelons of        British society of the day. She often talked about life in England in the 20’s and 30’s but never over dwelt on her father’s heroic naval exploits during the First World War. She passed away after a short illness in December 1990. John died five years later. Both are buried in the graveyard of The Church of The Ascension. It was some years later that the afore mentioned Kitty produced some personal items that Patsy had given her before she died. Much of what I have written has been taken from those historic items. Kitty and her family and Paddy Hallinan were fond friends of Patsy and John while they lived in Timoleague. Kitty was my mother. So now, you have it. A Timoleague link with the historic hand over of power to the newly established state 100 years ago.

Bingo Returns

There has been no bingo in Timoleague for the last two years. The weekly Friday night entertainment for many was a much -enjoyed evening pastime in the company of friends and neighbours. Like many social occasions, bingo had to take a back seat in the interest of national and personal safety. Now that restrictions have been relaxed the organisers are issuing an open invitation to all to come along to Timoleague Community Hall on Friday night for their weekly bingo session which begins at 8.30pm.

Timoleague Ploughing Match

After some inactivity on the competitive ploughing circuit, the age old Timoleague ploughing match will be held on Sunday next, Feb.20^th. This year’s fixture will be held on the lands of John Michael Foley at Lettercollum by kind permission. The fields being used are easily accessible as they enjoy road frontage on three sides across from the pitch used by Argideen Rangers GAA at The Timoleague Community Sportsfield. God speed the plough.

FonsVivus

By the time you read these notes FonsVivus and his Timoleague connections will know their fate. The mare who was successful at The Cork Racecourse at Mallow on the 8^th.of January will have her first outing over hurdles in the Surehaul Race Day Mares Maiden which is the first race on the card at Clonmel on Thursday. No doubt her trainer Padraig Butler will be eager to put a recent disappointment at Leopardstown to bed and bounce back to winning ways. All in the lap of the gods!