Community notes April 8th

Tragedy at Timoleague

On the 8^th. of April 1923, (Low Sunday – The Sunday after Easter) a young12 year old boy named James Hunt was shot dead at Timoleague. The bloody and bitter civil war was now over or at least almost at an end. However, a number of isolated incidences were still taking place throughour the country. Free State soldiers were billeted at the local doctor’s residence at Chapel Hill during the Civil War. A number were still in the Timoleague area during April of 1923.

Two young lads from the village, James Hunt and his friend Danny O’Donovan wandered along the railway line looking for a stray donkey on that faithful day.Having failed to locate the donkey, they returned to the village and walked up to the square area beside the gates to the Church of the Ascension. There they met a Free State soldier on point duty. They engaged in friendly conversation and lads being lads, their curiosity was drawn towards the gun that the soldier had. A little bit of playful messing was had and the soldier thinking that the bullet was not up the breach, aimed the rifle at the boys. Unfortunately, the gun was engaged and Jimmy Hunt was shot dead and Danny was wounded in the arm. Young Jimmy was later buried in The Abbey. What had started out as a playful joke, ended in tragedy.

Many will still recall the Hunt name with fondness in Timoleague. Two of Jimmy’s brothers, Paddy and John lived in the family home at Abbey Street. Paddy worked all his life in the railway as did his father Jimmy Snr. In the early pioneering years of the GAA in Timoleague, Jimmy Snr. was a star player and captained the football team. John was special and a firm favourite with all village people. He had a keen ear for music and if he heard any new song being sung in any of the hostelries of the village, he was at his happiest whistling the tune as he rambled along the village streets.A niece of Paddy and John’s, Nuala together with her late husband, John Joyce renovated the Hunt house and it is now used as a holiday home.

The shooting of Jimmy Hunt caused great sadness and outrage in the area. There was no official enquiry or coroner’s inquest into the shooting. A specially convened meeting of the Timoleague Division of The Ancient Order of Hibernians was held two days after the tragedy. The meeting expressed its sympathy to the parents of Jimmy and demanded an inquest be held. Alas, this did not happen but Jimmy Hunt should not be forgotten when those who lost their lives during this turbulent time in Irish history are remembered. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal.

Easter Egg Hunt

On Sunday next April 9^th. an Easter egg hunt will take place following Clogagh mass at 10am and after Timoleague mass at 11.30am. We invite you all to join in the fun to find the hidden eggs.

Holy Week Ceremonies

The following dates and times may be of interest in relation to the Easter Ceremonies in the local churches.

 Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday will be held at Timoleague at 8pm. and at Courtmacsherry at 7.30pm.

Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, conducted by the laity will be in Timoleague at 12 noon. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion will be at Clogagh at 3pm. Stations of the Cross will be in Courtmacsherry at 7.30pm.

The Holy Saturday Easter Vigil Mass will be at Timoleague at 8pm and at Barryroe ay 9pm.

Timoleague Educational Garden

A generous donation was made to the Timoleague Educational Garden by Mo Noone and Diana Mc Mahon from the Yoga Club recently. Many thanks to the ladies who contributed to this donation.

The Educational Garden is a facility for both the National School children and the local community members to learn about Eco friendly gardening techniques. These will be demonstrated and explored on an ongoing basis and offers an amazing opportunity for all to participate. Continued success to all involved.