Community notes Dec 17th
December 13, 2022
100 Years Ago
On the morning of December 7th. 1922 Sean Hales TD was shot dead outside The Ormond Hotel as he madehis way to Dail Eireann. The Irish Free State came into being the day before. The lateBrigadier General was a native of Knocknacurra and was actively involved in the War ofIndependence. One of his first engagements was as commanding office at the attack onTimoleague RIC Barracks at Main Street in February 1920. Sean derived the nick name“Buckshot” after a term spent at his majesty’s pleasure at Frongoch (1916-17.) During Easter 1920he was in charge of the destruction of the Courtmacsherry Barracks, which was unoccupied at the time. In December he was back in Timoleague once more for the destruction ofTimoleague House and Castle where members of the Essex Regiment were stationed.
Hefought at Crossbarry in March 1921 and in June of that year he led a party of volunteers whokidnapped Lord Bandon from his home at Castle Bernard. They also destroyed his statelyhome. Lord Bandon was kept in safe houses in Clogagh and Barryroe before being released unharmed when the truce was called. After the truce, Seanwas elected to Dail Eireann in 1921. He spoke passionately during the Treaty Debates which Dail Eireannapproved by a majorityof 64 votes to 57. This in turn led to the dreaded Civil War. Sean was re-electedto the Dail in 1922 as a pro-treaty Sinn Fein TD for the Cork Mid, North, South East andWest Constituencies.
During the summer of 1922, Brigadier General Sean Hales oversawNational troops as they regained control of West Cork towns and villages which were in the command of anti-treaty forces.Reconciliation after a bloody Civil War is long and painful. It caused a deep divide amongneighbours, friends and family. Those who fought side by side during The War ofIndependence were now on opposing sides, each steadfast in their belief that they were doingthe right thing. Families were split down the middle. The Hales family was no different. Six of the nine members of the family were actively involved in The War of Independence.Sean’s bother Tom took the anti-treaty side. He was one of the ambush party which lay in wait for the arrival ofMichael Collins at Beal na mBlath
As a reprisal for Sean’s killing, the government orderedthe execution of four prisoners of the opposing side who were imprisoned at Mountjoy Jail. Onefrom each province was chosen, among whom was West-Cork man Dick Barrettof Hollyhill.Dick served as Quartermaster of the 3rd. West Cork Brigade and fought side by side with Sean and Tomduring many famous engagements during the War of Independence and were firm friends. When Dick was arrestedin March 1921 he was replaced as quartermaster by Tadgh O’Sullivan, who wasquartermaster of the Bandon Battalion. Readers will recall that Skibbereen native Tadgh wasa creamery manager in Timoleague at the time and was a brother of Gearoid O’Sullivan. On December8th. Dick was roused from his prison bed and executed along with Rory O’Connor, LiamMellows and Joe Mc Kelvey. War. Cruel war.
Tidy Towns Christmas Party
Timoleague Tidy Towns, recent winners of a silver medal at the annual awards ceremony arehosting a Christmas Celebration Party at Timoleague on Sat. 17th. of Dec. Contact has beenmade with Santa and he will arrive at the village centre for the official turning on of theChristmas lights at 7.30pm. Christmas Carols will also be sung at The Cross. A warm welcome awaits at the Community Hall wherethere will be mulled wine, finger food, mince pies andtreats for all. There will also be some beautiful Christmas Hampers up for grabs. An open invitation is extended to all to join members of Timoleague Tidy Towns Association in celebrating our silver medal award. It is also a “thank you” to all those who helped in securing this national award for Timoleague. So why not come along and get into the Christmas spirit on Saturday night.