1941 - 1950


*John Cotter 1941 - 1945*	*Rev. Martin Cusack 1945 - 1951*

The Emergency

In Ireland, World War 2 was called "The Emergency". In Ballycotton there was a LDF (Local Defence Force). There was a watch out tower on the cliffs where they looked out just in case the Germans tried to invade. All of the sign posts were painted black so the Germans wouldn't see where they were going. Weapons, such as guns, were kept together just in case they were needed.

S.S. Primrose

On January 30th 1941 S.S. Primrose of Liverpool was in trouble just off the coast of Ballycotton. The Ballycotton Lifeboat went out and saved 8 people.

A Mine in Ballycotton

On the 27th of January 1941 a mine came in under the house of the local curates and when it blew up, it smashed the windows in the church and the houses nearby.

The Irish Ash Rescue

On the 23rd of December 1943, "The Irish Ash" was in trouble 5 miles south of the Power Head. The Ballycotton lifeboat named "Mary Stanford" went out to its rescue. The ship had a crew of 35. She had engine trouble, they tried to fix it but didn't suceed. The lifeboat tried to go to Knockadoon pier to get an engineer to fix the boat, but they couldn't get in. "The Irish Ash" fixed her engine and was heading towards Cobh when they started drifting towards Ballycotton. The lifeboat went out and refueled her engine and ate. Then "The Irish Ash" decided to head for Cobh again, accompanied by the lifeboat, which returned on Christmas Eve at 6.30pm. They were out for 30 hours. For gallantry, Coxwain Patrick Sliney got a silver medal. Michael L. Walsh, 2nd coxwain, and Thomas Sliney (the mechanic) got bronze medals.

Canon David O'Driscoll

Canon David O'Driscoll, Ballycotton, seen below meeting with Pope John Paul II, was ordained a priest for Plymouth Diocese in 1944. He played on the Cork Minor Hurling Team of 1939 which won the All Ireland and also won a Munster Junior Football Championship Medal with Cork in 1940.


*Canon O'Driscoll with Pope John Paul II.*	*Cork Minor Hurling Team 1939*

"The Irish Plane" Rescue

On a stormy February night in 1947, a cargo ship called "The Irish Plane" was driven onto the rocks west of Ballyshane. The cliff rescue team were called out immediately. They made their way to Ballyshane.

At first it was hoped to refloat the ship, but it sprung a leak and the cliff rescue team had to get all the crew off the ship. They were all rescued, only the captain was slightly injured. They were brought to Fawcett's Hotel afterwards for refreshments. The ship broke up, and the cargo, tyres, car parts and other goods were scattered tp be found by locals along the beaches. Here are some of the names of the cliff rescue team: Charlie Hyde, Patsy Coffey, Davy O'Brien, Johnny Sliney Snr., Tommy Draddy, Thomas Kirk, Danny Scannall, Donie O'Driscoll, Frank Roche, Willie O'Shea, Richard Walsh and David Whelan.

BACK (left to right): Johnny Sliney Snr., Thomas Draddy, Willie O'Shea, Charlie Hyde, Patsy Sliney, David O'Brien, Richard Walsh.

FRONT (left to right): Frank Roche, David Whelan, John Scannell, Donie O'Driscoll, Patrick C. Walsh, Thomas Kirk.

Organists

Mrs. O'Riordan started playing the organ in 1947 and retired in 1992. She received the Benemerenti Medal in 1989. Other organists to play the organ were Mrs. Geary, Kitty O'Flynn, Cissie O'Sullivan and Sheila Egan.

The conductors of the choirs were Mr. Sean Geary, Kathleen Smiddy, Ann Ahern, Greta O'Sullivan and Mrs. Sliney.

After Mrs. O'Riordan, Greta O'Sullivan continued, and in 1998 Margaret Donovan started playing. In 1995 the church got a new electric organ.

S.S. Joseph Mitchell

On February 8th 1950 S.S. Joseph Mitchell of London was in trouble not far from Ballycotton. The Ballycotton Lifeboat went out and saved 13 people.

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1951 - 1960