Community notes July 15th
July 26, 2023
50th. Birthday of Timoleague Festival
The dates and some of the events planned for this year’s festival have just been released. It begins on Friday August 18th and runs until Monday August 28th. This is also a special year for the festival as it is 50 years since it all began back in 1973. Its longevity and success would not have been possible without incredible support from sponsors and the local community. Huge thanks is also due to the foresight of the various festival committees who worked diligently, oft times behind the scenes, to put in place a programme of events for the enjoyment of the masses who flocked to Timoleague each August for a final fling before the end of Summer.
We will cast our minds back to 1973 and the following will jog the memory of some and will be news to others. The festival was known as The Timoleague Harvest Festival and it ran from August 24th. to Sept. 2nd.
The official opening was performed by rugby legend, Tom Kiernan. The dances were held at Ballinascarthy as there was no hall in Timoleague. The festival was run specifically to raise funds for the fitting out, repair and maintenance of the newly acquired building, which the local MacranaFeirme club was instrumental in buying. It was used for agricultural purposes prior to purchase and was located where the present Community Complex now stands. The committee, comprising of chairman Jackie Deasy, secretary Noelle Harrington and joint treasurers Dan Harte and Oliver Mc Carthy could scarcely have imagined that the festival which they spear-headed would still be such a major focal point in the village to this day.
The present committee are appealing for photographs of past festivals. You are asked to search the presses, boxes or albums where such items are stored, so that they can be shared for the enjoyment of a younger generation. While we acknowledge that these photos are precious and of personal sentimental value, modern technology will help to preserve these photo shoots of bye gone days. Please contact Sheila Mc Carthyat (086) 8375555 if you have any old photos of former festivals and these will be scanned and the originals will be returned to the owners. It is indeed an incredible achievement for a small community such as Timoleague to be celebrating a 50th birthday. These old photographs will be showcased during this year’s festival and will no doubt be the centre of attraction for all concerned. Over to you.
Fit Up Theatre
The hugely popular Fit Up Theatre Festival makes a welcome return to Timoleague this year. It will stage two productions at Timoleague Community Hallover the coming weeks. On Thursday July 27th. The Ballad of Mossy Flood will be performed and on the following Thursday August 3rd. Sean Moylan -Irish Revolutionary will be on the bill. Both productions will begin at 8pm and tickets can be purchased at the door. Patrons are asked to be seated before 8pm.