After a rain-discouraging drive from Cork it was only when we turned the last corner to get our first view of Rosscarbery that the sun appeared. Without a doubt Naomh Fachtna had a good eye for location. As forever educators salute the great tradition of teaching and learning he started that drew students from all over Europe.
30 RTAI members gathered at the Celtic Ross Hotel to be greeted by Seán McCarthy who was our leader. A quick pop into the hotel saw some of us almost recruited for a large Lisavaird Co-op function. With the sun now at full glow outside we made our excuses and left. We struck out to enjoy the best views of Rosscarbery with a special visit to the very pretty Mill Cove. As the tide was well in we we looked over the vast expanse of water towards the Warren Strand. Alas, amid such outstanding beauty, Seán told us of some heartbreaking drownings that invest the scenery with remembered pain and loss. Seán McCarthy’s deep knowledge of where we walked was twinned with a wisdom not to overburden his listeners so we moved steadily on. We left the tranquility of Mill Cove reluctantly and climbed onwards to Coppinger’s Court west of Rosscarbery. It is quite a sight in ruins, standing lonely in a huge field. It has been thus enduring for hundreds of years. Likewise the bad character of its builder, Sir Walter Coppinger, remains fresh in local memory.
As we headed back to the town we approached “The Square” from a steep lane that brought us to the “Old Library” corner. Here we heard brief words on local heroes Ó Donovan Rossa, Michael Collins and Tom Barry. Likewise, in the courage stakes, the local women were not to be underestimated.
We made it back to the Celtic Ross as the Lisavaird function reached its conclusion. As the attendees left one could not, with “green eyes”, miss the bulging “goody-bags” each person carried away overflowing with free stuff. With wedding organiser, Franc, now installed in the ever impressive former Mercy Convent, perhaps for our next visit to Rosscarbery he might be prevailed upon to sponsor RTAI “goody-bags” for us?! Meanwhile, we departed after a season-ending long walk and headed to the Emmet Hotel, Clonakilty, for excellent food and service. What was also notable was a reluctance of the hotel staff to take our money for their praiseworthy efforts.
In choosing the Emmet Hotel, as in all else, Seán McCarthy had turned all to gold.
Seán Ó Callanáin
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