Documentary evidence places the foundation of the Friary at Timoleague between 1307 and 1316

Though physical evidence suggests that a pre-existing 13th century building was incorporated into the site. According to the Annals of the Four Masters, the Friary was founded by the McCarthy Reagh family in 1240.

By the 15th Century the Friary was recognised as a significant place of learning. Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy Reagh (1455-29/10/1492) is said to have been educated by the Friars of Timoleague. Despite the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540 by Henry VIII, the Friars remained in Timoleague.

In 1642 Timoleague Friary was burned by crown forces. Some friars escaped by rowboat heading west to Sherkin Island, where there was also a friary, to take refuge with their brothers. They were rescued by fishermen from Cape Clear, who saw their boat drifting at sea. They found three friars in the boat, two were dead and the third utterly exhausted. He left a box in the custody of the people of the house until his return, but he never came back.

In 1855 the Parish Priest, Fr. Henry Leader, was visiting Cape, and spotting the box, enquired as to its history and to what it contained. As the family were instructed by the Friars, it had never been opened in over 200 years. So, the Priest gave instructions to open it; it contained the remains of vestments, and also a chalice that had been made in London in 1633. It was returned to Timoleague Parish and is known as the Timoleague Chalice.

In October 2024, it was used at Mass by the priests of the Diocese of Cork and Ross during their annual priests’ retreat.

The youngest church in the parish of Rosscarbery has an art treasure at its centre

Carraigfada Church, dedicated to St. Peter, was opened on Sunday 21st November 1909, by Most Rev Denis Kelly, Bishop of Ross. The first Mass was celebrated by Rev Peter Hill PP VF. The first curate was Fr Jeremiah O’Driscoll.

Fr. Peter Hill was largely responsible for the building of the church. His nephew, of the same name, was responsible for the building of Timoleague Church in 1912. Soon after the dedication of Timoleague Church, Fr. Hill was transferred to Rosscarbery to replace his uncle who died that year.

In December 1921, he was transferred to Clonakilty and was appointed Vicar General (VG) of the Diocese of Ross. But he was still to leave his mark on Carraigfada Church in the wonderful three-light stained glass window in the sanctuary.

Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea - Barryroe

Sacred Heart Church - Courtmacsherry

Castleventry is an appropriate place to visit as the month of May begins

This ancient site with a commanding view over so much of West Cork has been inhabited for at least 4,000 years.  It’s a combination of a ringfort, a Christian chapel and a contemporary burial ground.

In pre-Christian times it was a ritual site for druids who could invoke the blessing of the gods on all the surrounding area. So it was a busy place during the bronze and iron age.

Near the entrance to the fort there’s a well which is now Christianised and is still visited regularly. In the past, bronze objects and other historical pieces were discovered nearby which shows us that the Castleventry area was indeed a special place around 4,000 years ago.

The ancient churchyard at Castleventry