Community notes March 5th

Monks, Metal and Mystery Lecture

Little is known about the remains of a medieval structure in the townland of Aghmanister and Spital near Timoleague. Historic maps clearly label the ruins as an ecclesiastical site and the remains have traditionally been associated with the nearby Cistercian monastery at Abbeymahon. Archaeological excavations were undertaken at the site to document the nature of the building. It was also hoped that the work would shed light on its uses in the past and clarify if, as has been suggested, it could have functioned as a leper hospital in the Middle Ages. The excavations revealed changing uses of the structure during the medieval and early modern periods. The way in which the building was reimagined in the 19^th and 20^th centuries has interesting implications for the nature of historical memory and how we remember the past.

The monastic settlement at Ahamonister or to give it its proper title, The Monastery of Santa Maria de Fonte Vivo was founded by Diarmuid Mac Carthaigh, King of Munster in 1172 and was given over to the Cistercian order of monks. A century later, around 1278 the monks relocated to Abbeymahon. The Cistercians were farmers and they introduced many new farming practices into the area – no wonder the land around this area is so productive! Among the new concepts introduced were crop rotation, addition of sand and seaweed to the soil and the replacement of oxen with horses for ploughing.The monks lived by their motto laborare est orare (to work is to pray). This monastery at Abbeymahon was the granddaughter of Mellifont, daughter of Baltinglass and mother of Abbeystrewry, Skibbereen. It was supressed in 1537 under the reign of Henry V111.

Dr Barra O’Donnabhain, a lecturer in the Department of Archaeology at UCC who holds a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Chicago gave a most interesting lecture on the site at Ahamonister  to the members of  Duchas, Clonakilty Heritage Group on Thursday Feb. 24^th  via Zoom. He specialises in bioarchaeology: the analysis of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites and directs the only postgraduate bioarchaeology programme offered at an Irish university. He also teaches courses in the related fields of forensic archaeology and anthropology. He is a member of the board of the National Museum of Ireland. He has excavated much of the site and the lecture covered the results of his excavations.

Town and Village Renewal

After much preplanning and discussion with key stake holders,Timoleague Village has been selected for Town and Village renewal funding for 2023. A pre -consultation meeting will be held to discuss the improvements required to the village at 8pm on Tuesday 15^th March. Everyone welcome. This is a most important meeting and affords residents and members of the public to take an active part in this planned renewal. This is an opportunity that should not be missed.