Community Dec 10th
December 13, 2022
100 Years Ago
On December 7th. 1922 Sean Hales TD was shot dead outside The Ormond Hotel as he made his way to Dail Eireann. The Irish Free State came into being the day before. The late Brigadier General was a native of Knocknacurra and was actively involved in the War of Independence. One of his first engagements was as commanding office on the attack on Timoleague RIC Barracks at Main Street in February 1920. He derived the nick name “Buckshot” after a term spent at his majesty’s pleasure at Frongoch (1916-17.) During Easter he was in charge of the destruction of the Courtmacsherry Barracks, which was evacuated at the time. Members of the Barryroe and Timoleague Companies were with him on that engagement. In December he was back in Timoleague once more for the destruction of Timoleague House and Castle where members of the Essex Regiment were stationed. He fought at Crossbarry in March 1921 and in June of that year he led a party of volunteers who kidnapped Lord Bandon from his home at Castle Bernard. They also destroyed his stately home. Lord Bandon was kept in safe houses in Clogagh and Barryroe. After the truce Sean was elected to Dail Eireann in 1921.He spoke passionately during the Treaty Debates which was passed by 64 votes to 57. This in turn led to the dreaded Civil War. Sean was re-elected to the Dail in 1922 as a pro-treaty Sinn Fein TD for the Cork Mid, North, South East and West Constituencies. During the summer of 1922, Brigadier General Sean Hales oversaw National troops as they regained control of West Cork towns and villages.
Reconciliation after a bloody Civil War is long and painful. It caused a deep divide among neighbours, friends and family. Those who fought side by side during The War of Independence were now on opposing sides, each steadfast in their belief that they were doing the right thing. Families were split down the middle. The Hales family was no different. Sean’s bother Tom took the anti-treaty side. He was one of the party at the ambush of Michael Collins at Beal na mBlathAs a reprisal for Sean’s killing, the government ordered the execution of four prisoners of the opposing side who were held at Mountjoy Jail. One from each province was chosen, among whom was West-Cork man Dick Barrett of Hollyhill. Dick served as Quartermaster of the 3rd. West Cork Brigade and fought side by side with Sean during many famous engagements during the War of Independence. When Dick was arrested in March 1921 he was replaced as quartermaster by Tadgh O’Sullivan, who was quartermaster of the Bandon Battalion. Readers will recall that Skibbereen native Tadgh was a creamery manager in Timoleague and was a brother of Gearoid O’Sullivan. On December 8th. Dick was roused from his prison bed and executed along with Rory O’Connor, Liam Mellows and Joe Mc Kelvey. War. Cruel war.
On Friday night, Dec. 9th. at The Munster Arms Hotel, a lecture on the life of Sean Hales will be delivered by Liz Gillis, noted historian and author of a book on The Hales Brothers. Liz will be joined by Gabriel Doherty of The Department of History at UCC. This event begins at 8pm. On Saturday there will be a prayer service at Sean Hales grave at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Innishannon at 2pm with mass at 6.30pm at the parish church. On Sunday there will be an anniversary mass at Ballinadee at 10am followed by a ceremony at The Sean Hales Monument at Bank Place, Bandon at 2pm. with full military presence and an address by a keynote speaker.
Festival AGM
The annual general meeting of Timoleague Harvest Festival will take place on the upstairs meeting room of the Community Centre on Wednesday night next, December 14th at 8pm. An open invitation is extended to all and any suggestions to improve and enhance the programme of events for the coming year will be greatly appreciated.
Bingo
The weekly bingo each Friday night at 8.30pm from now until Christmas is not to be missed. There will be great Christmas spot prizes, big raffles and extra prize money on offer. Your support would be much appreciated. The organisers wish all their customers a Happy Christmas.
Tidy Towns Christmas Party
Timoleague Tidy Towns, recent winners of a silver medal at the annual awards ceremony are hosting a Christmas Celebration Party at Timoleague on Sat. 17th of Dec. Contact has been made with Santa and he will arrive at the village centre for the official turning on of the Christmas lights at 7.30pm. All will then make their way to the Community Centre where there will be treats for all. There will also be some beautiful Christmas Hampers up for grabs. So, reserve the 17th in your phone or diary.
Christmas Concert
A fundraising concert will be held in Timoleague on Friday night next, Dec. 9th. in aid of both village churches. As readers may know major restoration work has been done (and more to be undertaken) on The Church of The Ascension. Ground works have been completed at the entrance to The Church of The Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Both are now in need ofa helping hand. A unique community event of music and song will take place at The Church of The Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary featuring the Glaslinn Choir from Bandon. Also featuring will be Valley Voices together with The Bandon Grammar School Choir and the Choir of Timoleague National School.There will be no tickets on sale for this festive concert, but donations will be greatly received and appreciated.