Community notes Sept 13th

Cork Under 15 Hurling:

Further representative honours were earned by another Timoleague sportsperson last week-end. Paul Deasy was a member of the Cork under 15 hurling team that played in the Arrabawn All-Ireland Hurling Tournament in Tipperary on Saturday last. Cork were placed third, having lost to Wexford in the first round but they then bounced back to earn a great victory over Limerick. It seems that within the Deasy family, it doesn’t matter whether the ball is oval or round, the lads are equally adapt with both.

Centenary Celebrations:

The celebration of a 100th. birthday is pretty unique and is a cause for celebration. Since the beginning of the year, Barryroe Co-Op Ltd has organised a number of events to celebrate its centenary. The Timoleague branch at Mill Street was part and parcel of everyday life in the village from 1945 to 1972. Coupled with the creamery, the grain store on the outskirts of the village on the Clonakilty Road was also a hive of activity. Harvest time was busy with a huge intake of grain, so busy in fact that there was a night shift in operation. Tractors and trailers and lorries laden with grain formed a continuous flow of traffic through the village back in that gone bye era that still holds fond memories for those who were part of its operation. The mill provided much needed employment to many including seasonal work for local students during the summer months. The history of the Co-Op was narrated excellently at the specially organised gatherings by locals who witnessed first-hand many of the characters and the amusing and colourful happenings that occurred at the various branches of the Co-Op down through the years.

 On Saturday last there was a centenary open day at the Co-Op head- quarters at Lislevane. A historic photographic exhibition was on view at a large marquee where images showing the Co-Op’s fascinating journey over the past century. Such was the popularity of the exhibition the organisers extended it to the following Monday and Tuesday to facilitate all those who wished to go on a journey down memory lane. The centenary celebrations are, as they say, ongoing and will continue until the end of the birthday. The organisers are owed a debt of gratitude for their expertise and attention to detail at all the functions of the celebrations thus far.

Mrs. Marie Hurley RIP:

Another 100^th. birthday celebration occurred a number of weeks ago when former Timoleague resident and Barryroe native, Mrs. Marie Hurley of Mill Street earned that special distinction. Her nieces organised a special celebration for her at Care Choice Nursing Home and throughout the day she had many visitors who wished her well and congratulated her personally on reaching the historic mile-stone. Hundredth birthdays are rare but then Auntie Marie as she was affectionally known was no ordinary lady. It was with profound sadness that I was informed of her death as I was penning this tribute to her. Born in Barryroe, Marie Kirby emigrated to England like many of her generation. There she married Timoleague native, Michael Hurley. Many years later, on the death of her husband, Marie returned and settled in Mill Street. She worked for Dan and Mary Harte for many years and played an important role in the character formation of all the Harte children. No better role model could they have had. A lady to her fingertips, she never rose her voice and was kind and generous to young and old. In later years, during her time as resident of Care Choice Nursing Home in Clonakilty she continued to endear herself to both residents and staff. Ar Dheis De go raibh a hanam uasal.

Electricity Upgrade:

Over the last two Mondays, the village of Timoleague was largely without power. Electric Ireland had to remove an overhead power line in the village and they also carried out a much-needed upgrade to the wiring system which had been in the planning process for some time – a case of killing two birds with the one stone!  A huge team of workers were present to perform the operation on both Mondays with a number of Spanish natives among the workforce.