Formation - Community Council

The establishment of a group of local enthusiasts with an awareness of the rich parish history was the long-term ambition of Ollie Sheehan whose interests are wide and varied. Ollie served as Chair of the Community Council during various periods between1997 and 2014. During his time as chair David Moore designed the Council’s website within which is a section devoted to the Parish history. Ollie is one of seven voluntary trustees dedicated in preserving Barryscourt Castle and its grounds which was subsequent handed over to the OPW with now only the Teahouse remaining in the ownership of the trust. The castle is one of the most important Cambro-Norman structures in the Village The other the other being the Augustinian Canon Abbey ruins.

Early in 2011 with the assistance of Ollie O’Connor who agreed to countersign an application to the County Council seeking candidates to be engaged to preserve and archive the Community Council’s documentation; and similarly the documentation of the GAA. Three candidates were interview, with the successful applicant being André Saubolle who arrived in Carrigtwohill soon after on a work experience programme from the Cork Ancestral Project. This appointment was only intended to last for a short period. However, when his service was completed, he remained an active participant in the community researching the parish history. Of this Ollie Sheehan recently expressed his gratitude when he said:

“André has volunteered thousands of hours initially for the Community Council then as a dedicated member of the historical society researching many aspects of our parish history. Without him it is likely that the society may not have survived.”

During his time with the Community Council André became fascinated in the history of St Mary’s Church erected by the then Parish Priest, the Rev. Father Richard Seymour, who was instrumental in inviting the Poor Servants of the Mother of God to the village. This in turn lead to his contact being made with Paul Shaw, the Order’s archivist, in March 2011 on behalf of the Community council. His relationship with Paul has been maintained to this day.

After the formation of the historical society André continued his endeavours, and now focused his attention on the Cambro-Norman era, and has written many articles on the subject in the society’s name. During his time with the society he published his extensively research on the society’s website.

André is now an active participant of the Community Council’s C2H2040 stirring committee representing Carrigtwohill & District Historical Society.