Cork was a cauldron of violence and conflict one hundred years ago during the War of Independence. One of the objectives of the Cork, Cloyne and Ross Diocesan Commemoration and Reconciliation Project, established by Bishop Paul Colton in 2018 and supported by the Diocesan Council and Diocesan Synod, is to create moments of local shared commemoration.

Tuesday, 15th December marked the centenary of the murders in Dunmanway, County Cork of Canon Thomas Magner (70) and Tadhg Crowley (22) causing outrage in Ireland, Great Britain and internationally.

On Sunday 13th of December at the Morning Service in Saint Mary’s Church, Dunmanway, Canon Thomas Magner and Tadgh Crowley were remembered and their story was told. Two candles were lit.

Later that day, the rector, the Reverend Cliff Jeffers, was invited to attend the 12 noon Mass in St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, Dunmanway where he was involved in the offertory procession. He presented the minute book of the Select Vestry from 1920 where the minutes of a special meeting of the Select Vestry of 100 years ago were read expressing 

… our deep abhorrence at the dreadful murder of the Very Rev. Canon Magner P.P.

The parish priest today, Father Ted Collins, quoted those vestry minutes as part of his sermon, noting the ecumenical relations at that time, and which have been nurtured since and continue today.

The Reverend Cliff Jeffers was asked to speak and to say a prayer at the gravesides of Canon Magner and Tadgh Crowley.  Father Ted Collins used Canon Magner’s Rosary beads to say a decade of the Rosary. 

Dr Meryvn O’Driscoll of the History Department in University College Cork gave an oration, with details of what happened on that dreadful day. Wreaths were laid at the graves and also at the memorial cross at Ballyhalwick by members of the Magner and Crowley families.  Former MEP Brian Crowley, who was also present, is a great grand nephew of Tadhg Crowley.