Community Notes Aug 15th

Festival Opening

The 2026 Timoleague Harvest Festival was officially opened on Sunday night last by Nicola Mc Mahon of Munster Irish Cancer Society. Festival chairperson, Valda Smith issued a cead mile failte to all and outlined the week’s activities. In welcoming Nicola, she remembered especially the late Donie O’Callaghan who was organiser-in-chief of the festival for many years and was the main promoter of the annual Daffodil Day fundraiser for Irish Cancer. A fitting round of applause was accorded to Donie in recognition of his outstanding service to countless organisations in Timoleague over many years. Community chairman, John Walsh spoke of the great community spirit that exists in Timoleague and made mention of the exciting new plans for The Community Hall. Local councillor, John Michael Foley also spoke and emphasised the importance of festivals and the great economic benefit that accrues from these events. The recently retired, Garda Liam Lane was also present and John made a presentation to Liam to mark his retirement after some 27 years of outstanding service to the greater Timoleague area. Festival secretary, Josephine Kelly presented his wife Sharon      with a bouquet of flowers.

Prior to the opening, the fancy dress parade made its way through the streets led by the Blarney Pipe Band.

Festival Attractions

On Friday next the Street Food Festival will be in Mill Street and Abbey Street and after patrons have tasted the delicious food on offer, there will be music on the street at 9pm featuring “The Pogues”. The usual Friday night Bingo will be at The Community Hall beginning at 8pm.

On Saturday at 12 noon there will be Dance Explosion Workshops in The Community Hall with workshop one suitable for aged 4 to 7 beginning at 12 and workshop two for 8 year olds at 1pm. Timoleague Historical Society presents “The Way We Were” at 5pm. beginning at The Timeline at Main Street. A guided walking tour through the streets will explore Timoleague reflecting on the recently published 1926 Census. A photographic exhibition will be featured at The Community Hall and will be open after the guided walk. Music on the Street will be provided by Pat Fitz, who needs no introduction to Timoleague audiences.

On Sunday there will be a display of Classic Cars – vintage and modified cars and bikes will be on show at Abbey Street from 11am. The ever-popular dog show will be held at The Railway Park at Abbeyside at 3pm. Mc Fadden’s Funfair will host a Sensory Afternoon beginning at 3pm. The Children’s Fancy Dress Parade will begin at 7pm. The Timoleague Ukulele Strummers and Friends will give a recital at the village centre after the fancy dress and the audience are urged to join them in a sing along.

 Mc Fadden’s funfair will have a cut price offer on Monday night as the curtain comes down on yet another Timoleague Harvest Festival.

Heritage Week

Timoleague Historical Society are inviting you to step back exactly 100 years and discover the bustling commercial heart of Timoleague through the lens of the 1926 Census. This fascinating guided walking tour, led by local historian Donal Whooley, will bring the village’s rich trading and business heritage to life, exploring the shops, pubs, craftspeople, merchants and family enterprises that shaped everyday life in the community. As we walk the historic streets, participants will uncover the stories behind the people who earned their living in Timoleague. We will learn how commerce connected the village to the wider world, and gain a unique insight into the social and economic landscape of West Cork in the early twentieth century.Whether you are interested in local history, genealogy or simply the stories of ordinary people, this tour offers a remarkable journey into the vibrant commercial life of Timoleague in 1926. After the walking tour, the Timoleague Historical Society will launch their Oral History Project in the Community Hall where there will also be a photographic display and refreshments.This free event is open to everyone and the project is supported by Cork County Council and the Heritage Council under the County Heritage Plan Funding 2026. Limited seating will be available at the various stops along the tour. Participants are asked to meet at the Timoleague Timeline [Eircode P72 TF89] (or the Community Hall [Eircode P72 F884] if the weather is unfavourable) at 5pm on Saturday August 15^th. 

All-Ireland Success

Congratulations to our near neighbour, Millie Condon who played a pivotal role in Cork’s great All-Ireland camogie win over Galway at Croke Park on Sunday last. There must be something in the air up Kilshinehan way, as her near neighbour Hannah Dineen also tasted success with Cork, winning four senior titles and she had the added honour of captaining Cork in 1972. Onwards and upwards Millie.