Community notes Dec 23rd

Christmas Festivities

The annual Tidy Town’s festive celebration took place in the village on Sunday evening last. As darkness fell and the mist was rolling in from the estuary, crowds began to gather at The Cross in the village centre at 5pm. Carol singers assembled beside the Christmas Tree and Crib and began the festivities. Church choir members, pupils from the local school and many others joined in harmony with renditions of all the old Christmas favourites. Suddenly sirens were heard as an emergency vehicle made its way through Main Street. A few eagle-eyed youngsters spotted a familiar bearded figure dressed in red and white inside the jeep driven by first responder Noel O’Sullivan of Clogagh. Word soon filtered through to the other children of the arrival of the main man and the singing was replaced by joyful screams from delighted children. Santa got out and was quickly surrounded by his adoring young brigade. Sweets were distributed, high fives were entered into and photographs were taken as the mist suddenly disappeared. Who said Santa can’t do everything?

Guest of honour, Fr. Patrick Hickey, recently retired parish priest of Timoleague, did the honours of officially switching on the Christmas light. Santa then walked down Abbey Street followed by a troop of adoring little fans. The Community Hall was decked out in honour of the occasion and young and not so young feasted merrily on mulled wine, soft drinks, mince pies, chicken goujons, cocktail sausages, crisps, popcorn, black and white pudding. Am I letting anything out?

Timoleague Tidy Towns then had their draw for Christmas Hampers and a host of other beautiful prizes, very generously donated by local businesses and individuals. A sincere thank you to all who made the Christmas Raffle such an outstanding success. Rest assured the money raised will be put to good use over the coming months. Tidy Towns chairperson, Valerie Burns thanked all who made the evening so special and she pledged that the local committee together with the full support of the community would strive to consolidate Timoleague’s position at the forefront in the national competition.

Christmas Greetings

As Christmas approaches, I would like to wish all readers of The Southern Star but especially those who focus in on the Timoleague Notes, all the health and happiness there is at this festive time.

Christmas Mass Times

The following mass times apply over the Christmas period. On Sunday next, Dec. 24^th. there will be an extra mass in Timoleague at 6pm on Christmas Eve. There will also be a Christmas Eve mass at Clogagh at 8pm. On Christmas Day mass will be at Clogagh at 10am and at Timoleague at 11.30am.

In the neighbouring churches there will be a Christmas Eve mass at Barryroe at 8pm and there will be mid-night mass at Courtmacsherry on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day mass will be in Courtmacsherry at 9.30am and at Barryroe at 11am.

In Clonakilty there will be a Christmas Eve mass at 6.30pm. and at 9pm. Christmas Day masses will be at 8.30am and at 11am. At Darrara, Christmas Day mass will be at 9.30am.

On St. Stephen’s Day mass will be in Timoleague at 11am. and on New Year’s Day mass will also be at 11am.