"Battle of the Big Cross" commemoration in Clonakilty 19th June 2018
The 220th anniversary of the "Battle of the Big Cross” – the only engagement in the whole of Munster between the United Irishmen and Crown Forces in 1798, will be remembered this evening in Clonakilty in an historical, non-political commemoration at 8pm at Asna Square in the town centre.
Local voluntary organisation Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage invites people to attend the event, which it organises annually to remember this important event in local history.
"The Battle of the Big Cross" took place just north of Shannonvale Village, about 4kms from Clonakilty town, on 19th June 1798, when a group of approx. 300 local United Irishmen ambushed a crowd of approx. 100 Crown Force as they marched from Clonakilty to Bandon on what was then the main road between the two towns.
The Irish were defeated and around 100 lost their lives with less than a dozen casualties on the English side.
During the 20-minute commemoration, the Mayor of Clonakilty will lay a wreath at the monument to the local United Irish leader Tadhg Ó Donnabháin Asna who was one of the first United Irishman to be killed in the Battle of the Big Cross.
All are invited and welcome to attend this evenings commemorative event.
Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage AGM
The Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage AGM was held recently at O’ Donovan’s Hotel in which a busy year of activities was reviewed, a new committee elected and plans for the coming 8-10 months discussed.
Tim Feen, Cathaoirleach, in his welcoming address stated that the 2017-2018 season had been a “great year of walks, talks and outings”, as he paid tribute to all who volunteer their time and energy to organise and run the activities within the organisation.
Fachtna McCarthy, “Recording Secretary” read out a comprehensive report of last years AGM and a few items were discussed under “matters arising”.
There were reports from members of the various sub-committees, as follows: Marian O’ Leary, (Lectures and Fieldtrips); John Loughnan, (Town Walks/Commemorations); Clíodhna O’ Leary, (Journal/Old Kilgarriffe Graveyard); Tomás Tuipéar, (Town Council History Book/Mayoral Council committee).
In all cases it was clear the dedication and commitment of the sub-committee leaders and their colleagues, which makes their activities so successful.
Fachtna McCarthy then presented the Treasurers report and again the detail was excellent and showed a healthy bottom line.
Outgoing PRO Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin revealed his satisfaction that the local print and broadcast media are very receptive to publishing and broadcasting news and notices of Dúchas events, and he thanked them all by name. “The Southern Star”, C103FM, "The West Cork People", "Ardfield Rathbarry Community Newsletter" and the "County" ("Irish Examiner" weekly supplement) were mentioned in particular for their support. John Greene of C103FM has also recorded a number of “Where the road takes me” programmes in the last six months which are directly related to Dúchas lectures, as has the "Atlantic Internet Radio Station". He also encouraged people to “like” the Facebook and Twitter pages and thanked Marian O’ Leary who organised posters.
Diarmuid Kingston chaired the election of officers in his own inimitable way which resulted as follows: Cathaoirleach: Tim Feen; Leas Cathaoirleach: Carmel Flahavan; “Recording Secretary” and Treasurer: Fachtna McCarthy; Asst. Treasurer: John Hayes; PRO: Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Asst. PRO: Marian O’ Leary.
Second Clonakilty Historical Journal launched
PHOTO: Seen at the launch of the Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage “Clonakilty Historical and Archaeological Journal Volume 2" at the Parish Centre before Christmas were:
Back: Tim Feen, (Cathaoirleach Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage); Tony McCarthy, (contributor); Mayor John Loughnan; Tomás Tuipéar, Michael O’ Mahony and Dr. Bernadette McCarthy, (all contributors).
Front: Sam Kingston, Diarmuid Kingston and Áine Ní Chonnaill (all contributors); Michael Galvin, (who launched the journal); Clíodhna O’ Leary, (Editor) and Marian O’ Leary, (contributor). (Photo: Anthony Brennan).
Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage “Clonakilty Historical and Archaeological Journal Volume 2" was launched at the Clonakilty Parish Centre before Christmas and sales are going well in local bookshops and other outlets.
With over 300 pages and 15 articles on diverse local historical and archaeological topics – including two by authors in the United States, this journal is a must for all locals and a great companion to Volume 1 published two years ago.
Kilmurry local historian and author Michael Galvin launched the journal on the night.
Tim Feen, Cathaoirleach Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage welcomed the crowd of around 60 people in attendance, complimenting the journals editor Clíodhna O’ Leary and her editorial board who’ve been working on the project since the publication of the inaugural journal of 2015. It is a very busy and efficient sub-committee of Dúchas.
Mayor John Loughnan, (founding chair of Dúchas Clonakilty Heritage), paid tribute to all involved in bringing the book to publication before Christmas, and referred to many of the articles contained in it. He encouraged everyone to purchase and promote it.
Clíodhna Ó Leary, editor thanked all her fellow authors who have contributed excellently written and well-researched articles as well as the editorial board and the outlets that are selling the journal.
Michael O’ Mahony, on behalf of the Editorial Board (and an author himself), outlined the process from writing an article to it’s eventual appearance in the journal, referencing, etc.
Special guest Michael Galvin officially launched the publication referring in detail to many of the 15 articles contained in the journal. He praised the quality of the writing and the excellent research – backed up by referencing, in all of them. It was quite clear that all contributors have a real passion for history and research and in many cases their articles were the culmination of years of research and investigation. He commended the journal to all who are interested in history both local and with a local slant.
The formalities concluded with Tim Feen thanking everyone and encouraging people to purchase the book, which at €10 in most local bookshops, newsagents, etc. is great value.
The following local outlets currently has it in stock- Coughlan’s Bookshop; Kerr's Bookshop; Clonakilty Bookshop; Meade’s Newsagent; Scally's Supervalu; The Golden Pheasant, Courtmacsherry and Barryroe Co-Op. It will be available in bookshops in the wider West Cork area over the coming couple of weeks.