SIR – I read with interest recently an article in The Southern Star. It read: Call to mark bicentenary of Skibbereen's pioneering temperance hall opening.
SIR – I read with interest recently an article in The Southern Star. It read: Call to mark bicentenary of Skibbereen's pioneering temperance hall opening.
I must agree with Ms Monica Stevens' caring views that this year something must be done in Skibbereen to honour the great work started by Geoffrey Sedwards, 200 years ago. I wish to allay Ms. Stevens' fears that we, the people of Skibbereen, have forgotten Geoffrey Sedwards.
My name is John Deasy and I have undertaken an in-depth study of temperance and PTAA, focusing on the last 200 years. About 15 months ago, I enquired from Fr Michael Kelleher if we could honour the bicentenary of temperance in any way. He readily informed me that the Eucharistic Procession would proceed to the old temperance hall site and after benediction a homily would be given, which Fr Michael did on Sunday, 19th June '17.
Ms Stevens' wish for temperance in 2017 is that someone in Skibbereen would write a book on the work started by Geoffrey Sedwards. The good news is the book is 95% written.
The first 20 pages of the book are devoted to Geoffrey Sedwards formation of temperance, also the alternative lifestyle of the town – people of Skibbereen and how they socialised after joining the temperance movement.Â
Bishop John Buckley has agreed to launch the book on Sunday November 19th in the West Cork Hotel.
John Deasy,
Skibbereen PTAA,
Riverdale,
Skibbereen.
