Songs of Togher

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This article acts as a showcase for songs written about Togher by Togher people. Though not created for commercial gain they tell stories based in Togher through the memories of those who lived there. Click/tap on video player to listen to the tracks and leave a comment if you enjoyed them as much as the authors did putting them together. Lyrics are also included.
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My Childhood Summers

This first song was written by Kevin O'Donoghue a few years ago. Kevin originally hailed from Elm Road and based his song around summers as a child growing up in Togher. He recounts childhood activities including collecting bumble bees in a jar , the Five Star and mentions the fact that despite a complete lack of modern devices , growing up in the 1970s was a pleasurable and memorable experience where imagination was used to its fullest and everything cost nothing!

My Childhood Summers

Kevin O'Donoghue - Lyrics , Vocals & Music


The Trees Are My Bones

Written in July 2026 , this song was written in the vein of a natural personification of Togher , using the very land to tell its historic tale. Lyrics as follows , audio file below:

The Trees Are My Bones
Billy O'Brien - Lyrics  & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music

[verse]

The trees are my bones , the soil is my skin

The river's my blood , the rocks are my kin

Where 'ere ye roam , where 'ere ye stray

I'm everywhere , since time's first new day

[chorus]

Under your feet and above the ground

To this sacred land ye are for'ever bound

[verse]

My voice is the wind , can't ye hear me call

My laughter the breeze , you feel in the hall

I'm all around , though ye cannot see

I'm everywhere , there's nowhere to flee

[bridge]

The leaves are my hair , the flowers my scent

My ancient wisdom is never quite spent

All through the day and all through the night

Just out of reach , just out of sight

[chorus]

Under your feet and above the ground

To this sacred land ye are for'ever bound

[verse]

Whisper my name , call it out loud

Your hope is my heart , you make me so proud

Togher I am , And this is my bond

Togher I am , I'm never quite gone

[chorus x 2]

Under your feet and above the ground

To this sacred land ye are for'ever bound

Under your feet and above the ground

To this sacred land ye are for'ever bound

The Pride Of Togher

Written in the summer of 2026 by Billy O'Brien to commemorate the heroes and heroines of the War of Independence who hailed from Togher. The song particularly recalls the exploits of John Joe Hegarty of The Laurels and Joe Murphy of Joe Murphy House who died on hunger strike in 1920 both from Pouladuff Road. Lyrics as follows , audio file below:

The Pride of Togher
Billy O'Brien - Lyrics  & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music

[verse]
Oh hear let me tell ye of a tale that's so old
Of the boys of H Company oh they were so bold
They took on the might of the British Empire
And fought them with courage while under fire

[chorus]
Oh they never gave up and they never gave in
For in their hearts they knew that they'd win

[verse]
There was bold John Joe Hegarty and Joe Murphy
From Pouladuff Road the pride of Togher you see
Even the women stood up and did fight
For in their hearts they knew they were right

[chorus]
Oh they never gave up and they never gave in
For in their hearts they knew that they'd win

[verse]
The King he sent in the Tommies and Tans
But the Togher boys made sure that they ran
Burning the stations and closing the roads
Scorching them out of their very abodes

[chorus]
Oh they never gave up and they never gave in
For in their hearts they knew that they'd win

[bridge]
Oh it took many's a day and many's a year
But in the end they had nothing to fear
Freeing the people and freeing the land
The hold of the Empire crumbled to sand

[chorus]
Oh they never gave up and they never gave in
For in their hearts they knew that they'd win
Oh they never gave up and they never gave in
For in their hearts they knew that they'd win


The Boys Of H Company

Written to commemorate the men of H Company who were based out of Togher during the War of Independence in 1920. A name check of most of the members including John Joe Hegarty and Joe Murphy. Lyrics as follows , audio file below:

 

 

The Boys Of H Company

 Billy O'Brien - Lyrics  & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music

[verse]
Come here , now sit down , for I've something to say
'bout the boys of H Company , Old I.R.A.
Drawn down from the pride of Togher you'll see
T'was all of them , all of them , set Ireland free!

[bridge]
They asked not for favour , nor fortune or fame

For them , the goal was always the same
Drive out the invaders and set the land free
And force the hated tans to get up and flee

[chorus]
There was Dan Murphy , Joe Murphy and John Feeney
Harry Lane , Dan Mullane and Charles Harvey
John J. Hegarty , Dave Sheehan and Mike Flaherty

[verse]
T'was men such as these that made Ireland free
T'was all of them ,all of them ,set Ireland free
So lift up now your glasses for all to see
Sing loud , sing proud , oh men of the Lee
And salute the boys of H Company

[chorus]
There was Tom Hosford , John Long and Con Foley
Patrick Bohane , Thomas Lawlor and David Leary
Con Horgan , Tim Hobbs and Patrick Daly
T'was men such as these that made the Tans flee

A Dragonfly's Dream - Part 1

Written in 2026 by Billy O'Brien , this fantasy song was based around memories of the stream which flowed alongside Togher Road and past Coffey's Field in the 1970s. Part of a 4 song cycle ( all four songs are featured in order below ) centered around the innocence of childhood.  Lyrics as follows , audio file below:

A Dragonfly's Dream - Part 1
Billy O'Brien - Lyrics & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music

[verse x 2]

There's a drangonfly , flying,

right next to me,

but he's wearing a backpack,

oh can't you see?

And what appear to be goggles,

cover his eyes,

And I'd swear he's smiling,

at my surprise!

[chorus]

I'm walking through the forest,

following the stream,

the sun pierces the canopy,

is this a dream?

[verse x 4]

There's a unicorn now,

wearing a silver white coat,

and he's bending one knee,

as if to give me a bow

He says stay by the water,

and keep in close,

I'm here to protect you,

from what you know.

Just then i stumble,

and then take a fall,

I end up in the water,

and let out a call.

My vision is blurry,

I can't see that well,

but a gigantic seahorse,

is ringing a bell

[chorus x 2]

I'm walking through the forest,

following the stream,

the sun pierces the canopy,

is this a dream?

I'm walking through the forest,

following the stream,

the sun pierces the canopy,

is this a dream?

[bridge]

Just then I awake,

and look around,

Trying to make sense,

of what I'd found

On my journey through,

this quite strange place,

where nothing is real,

is this the case

[chorus x 2]

I'm walking through the forest,

following the stream,

the sun pierces the canopy,

is this a dream?

I'm walking through the forest,

following the stream,

the sun pierces the canopy,

is this a dream?

[verse]

I'm wide awake now,

the truth's revealed,

twas simply a dream,

and my fate is sealed......

A Dragonfly's Dream - Part 2

A Dragonfly's Dream - Part 2
Billy O'Brien - Lyrics & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music


[verse]
As the dragonfly flies upon the night wind,
the moon's silver light falls down on his wings
And i'm once again cast in his dream,
the unicorn's still there by the stream

[chorus]
what did you expect , what did you feel,
this is no fantasy , this is quite real!
No matter where you go , or what you say,
this dark night is here to stay!

[verse]
The trees start to shake like skeleton bones ,
their eerie limbs stretch out so long,
And cast me back into the stream.
They say it's where I belong

The seahorse approaches in a flash,
his thunderous bell begins to crack,
you do not belong here ,you never did,
the unicorn roars , get ye rid

I'm back on dry land , by the streams shore
terrified , relieved , this and no more,
the unicorn says , it's time to go,
a hundred years have passed , ye need to know!

[chorus]
what did you expect , what did you feel,
this is no fantasy , this is quite real!
No matter where you go , or what you say,
this dark night is here to stay!

what did you expect , what did you feel,
this is no fantasy , this is quite real!
No matter where you go , or what you say,
this dark night is here to stay!

[verse]
The dragonfly is flying next to me,
and whispers softly in my ear ,
I can send you back my friend
just tell me which year!

[chorus]
what did you expect , what did you feel,
this is no fantasy , this is quite real!
No matter where you go , or what you say,
this dark night is here to stay!

[bridge]
How long will this keep recurring,
I just don't know,
the dragonfly shouts,
it's time to go!

A Dragonfly's Dream - Part 3 - Finale?

A Dragonfly's Dream - Part 3 - Finale?
Billy O'Brien - Lyrics & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music


[verse x 2]
As I live and breathe ,
As I go to and fro,
the Dragonfly follows,
you see it knows

No matter what I do,

or what I say,
he's right beside me ,
come night or day

[pre-chorus]
Infinite dreams and endless nightmares,
pleasure and pain,
I feel the sun's warmth
and thunderous rain

[chorus]
Life is half dream ,
yet I'm awake,
This can't be real,
for my own sake

Life is half dream ,
yet I'm awake,
This can't be real,
for my own sake

[verse x 4]
Inside out and upside down,
sideways and backwards,
behind and in front,
listening to the sound of birds

Yet it's always the same,
the dragonfly and the unicorn,
no rainbows to be seen,
just a dark cloud being born

A storm soon appears ,
so loud and dark,
exhorting my fears,
it makes its mark

I can't run ,
I can't hide,
my childhood screams,
my adult lies

[pre-chorus]
Life is so short,
yet still so long,
so many desires,
all are gone

[chorus]
Life is half dream ,
yet I'm awake,
This can't be real,
for my own sake

[bridge]
The dragonfly flies ,
the unicorn smiles,
the seahorse beckons,
it was all a lie!


A Dragonfly's Dream - The Return Of The Seahorse! 

A Dragonfly's Dream - Part 4 - The Return Of The Seahorse
Billy O'Brien - Lyrics & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music

[verse x 3]
You thought it was all over ,
but here's the thing,
the seahorse was always here,
waiting for his ring

So once again I'm here,
thinking all was lost,
but even sweet freedom,
comes at a cost

The return of the seahorse,
once so small now so large,
once so small now so large,
seemingly in the background,
now all must merge!

[chorus x 2]
Forget about the unicorn ,
and even the dragonfly,
it was always the seahorse,
who thought me how to fly!

Forget about the unicorn ,
and even the dragonfly,
it was always the seahorse,
who thought me how to fly!

[verse]
I feel I must explain,
just what it's all about,
the seahorse is at pains ,
let him scream and shout!

[chorus x 2]
Forget about the unicorn ,
and even the dragonfly,
it was always the seahorse,
who thought me how to fly!

Forget about the unicorn ,
and even the dragonfly,
it was always the seahorse,
who thought me how to fly!

[verse]
At last I think it's over,
as I face reality,
I know not what the year,
or what I'll see!

[chorus]
Forget about the unicorn ,
and even the dragonfly,
it was always the seahorse,
who thought me how to fly!

[bridge]
The moral of the story,
is clear for all to see,
cast aside all your doubts ,
and just let things be.....

Reality Dreams

A song based on a childhood memory of riding a steerna ( handcrafted boxcar ) down Hazel Road back in the 1970s. Several streets get an honorable call out. Lyrics as follows , audio file below:

Reality Dreams

Billy O'Brien - Lyrics & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music 


[verse]
Down Ardmanning Hill and into the square ,
Hazel Road and then the Five Star ,
Up Elm Road and back down again ,
On a steerna borrowed from a friend

[chorus]
Happy days , golden days ,
Now sadly long gone,
I wish I could go back ,

to when I was young

[verse x 2]
Sycamore Place and Cherry Tree road ,
Maple Place and Whitebeam Road ,
Clashduv , Pouladuff and Spur Hill
In my memory they linger still

The Bog , the Glasheen , and the old railway bridge
which lead down to the school that they had just built
Even the church was new at that time
And the stream she looked so fine

[chorus]
Happy days , golden days ,
Now sadly long gone,
I wish I could go back ,
to when I was young

[bridge]
They say memories are just like your dreams
Lived long ago or so it seems
The past is a foreign place you can't go
with scenes that only you know

[chorus]
Happy days , golden days ,
Now sadly long gone,
I wish I could go back ,
to when I was young


A Journey's End

A symphonic fantasy piece based on a typical Ui Mc Ceir warrior in Togher in the 8th Century! Lyrics as follows , audio file below:

 

A Journey's End
Billy O'Brien - Lyrics & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music
 

[verse x 2]

as the leaf falls upon the ground and turns over,

so as in life i must seek the door

the one which opens and never closes

listen as the lamb he roars!

Moving along and quite cautious,

staring ahead to see what's there,

danger it lurks round every corner,

a cloak of doubt is what i wear.

[chorus]

when did this happen,

can you recall,

a loud knock is rapping,

that is all!

[verse x 3]

So onwards I travel ,

up glen down dale,

the mystery unravels.

and leaves me pale

the moonlight burns me,

the sun's so cold,

the cloud it covers me,

with dread untold

the journey begins with just one step,

I wish it was the last one trod,

so many miles have come between us,

for my back i've built a rod.

[chorus x 2]

when did this happen,

can you recall,

a loud knock is rapping,

that is all!

when did this happen,

can you recall,

a loud knock is rapping,

that is all!

[bridge]

like all good stories,

this one will end,

good evil or bad,

the river must bend!

[chorus]

when did this happen,

can you recall,

a loud knock is rapping,

that is all!

 The Tale Of Togher

An upbeat tempo describes this imaginary tale of warriors patrolling the Glasheen stream over a thousand years ago. An unfinished song which may be revisited at a later date. 

 

The Tale Of Togher

Billy O'Brien - Lyrics & Melody
Mureka Ai - Vocals & Music
 

 

[verse]

Through Morrison's ravine flows the mighty Glasheen

All the way down to Waterfall

Then around sheltering rock

Oh it never quite stops

Till it reaches the grand River Lee

[chorus]

Now here let me tell ye of a tale that's so old

Of Togher's ancient gaels who once ruled

O'er this sacred land and all that it did hold

[bridge]

For thousands of years the ghosts did lay still

But now awake from their slumber

to regale ye all with their history

 

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To Be Continued...
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Feirm Bawn - Chapter 3 - Aftermath

In this article , which is a follow on from the previous 2 pieces highlighting the original occupants of Feirm Bawn , the blog wraps things up and discusses in depth the eventual sale , demolition and rebuilding schemes of the old farm up Spur Hill.

AFTERMATH

FERNWOOD CLOSE & FERNWOOD 

As mentioned previously ( see here ) , the land owned by Annabel Harris ( daughter of Lady Harris ) with the exception of Feirm Bawn itself was sold to Bradley Bros. in 1995. They proceeded to build Fernwood Close ( north of the property ) and Fernwood ( south of the property ) which were completed by the early 2000s both of which effectively bookended the old farm. However Feirm Bawn itself and the plot it was situated on survived until 2014 when it was finally sold off ( it had been inherited by Lady Harris's grandchildren Gerald and Caroline Slocock in 2007 ) and quietly demolished. Prior to that it had suffered vandalism and arson resulting in its dereliction. In its place is a new 5 house cul de sac scheme which thankfully retained the name Feirm Bawn. It might be correct to assume that all traces of the old farm were now gone , but hidden in the overgrowth directly across from Forest Ridge estate is a pillar which formed part of a gate into a field , proving that the past will endure! Known back in the day as the Black Horse Gate to local bowling clubs it is a minor miracle that it has survived due in part to its being hidden in a hedge which forms a barrier between a footpath and the main road. Remnants of the original wall which would have fronted from the farm onto the main road also exists. ( see below )

Fernwood Close
Built early 2000s

Overgrown ditch near entrance
Fernwood Close 2011

Cleared ditch which exposed old stone wall
Fernwood Close 2017

Alternate view of exposed stone wall near Fernwood Close

Fernwood
Built early 2000s

FEIRM BAWN

As mentioned , the titular Feirm Bawn was demolished circa 2016 and a new estate of 5 houses built in its place which thankfully retained the old name. The site itself holds a special place in the hearts of members of the Togher Historical Association as it was the first place to be visited on the very first Fieldwork Trip in September 2013.

Close up view of Feirm Bawn September 2013

Wide angle view Feirm Bawn September 2013

Plot cleared prior to house demolition

Demolition underway 2016

Construction commenced late 2016

Appearance of new housing scheme 2016

Aerial view showing footprint of new Feirm Bawn estate

Black Horse Gate pillar
hidden in hedging

BLUE BAG

 

Blue Bag workmen's Cottages
View of Feirm Bawn over rooftops

 

Also on her land and fronting the main Togher Road ( a.k.a. Spur Hill ) were 3 apartments which local folklore states date back to Cromwellian times. These held various tenants down through the years with some of the final occupants as follows ; Nellie O'Regan and her brother William and a man known as Roy who lived alone in another one and was well know for doing odd jobs. He also sold fish from a stall in the field across from the Deanrock Bar. Nellie O'Regan was the primary caretaker of the house when Lady Harris returned to England. At other times Eileen Walsh from The Cutting would house-sit.

Reckitt's Blue Bag
Intended for laundry but adapted for walls

Historically this long row of conjoined workmens cottages was known as Blue Bag. * This came about when locals would whitewash their outer walls to prevent mold and damp from seeping into the interior ( it also had a high water resistance ). They used a combination of limewash and Blue Bag powder dye which gave a brilliant white sheen to the stonework when dry ( ordinary limewash produced a yellow or grey tint ).

 

 PRESENT DAY FEIRM BAWN

New Feirm Bawn estate

 

Feirm Bawn road signage

 

Toghers Financial Sector - 05 - Post Offices - Part 2 - Togher Road / Tramore Road

In this our final article on our Financial Sector series of Togher , we look back at arguably Togher's oldest institution - Togher Post Office. First opened in 1946 , it is a tale ( much like it's younger sister Pouladuff Road P.O. ) of 2 Post Offices and 2 Roads.

 

Late 1940s OSi map
P.O. marked on Togher Road

Togher Road Post Office
Aerial view 1951

Ai reconstruction of interior of Togher Post Office
* based on memories , may be slightly incorrect

Following the end of World War II a.k.a. The Emergency , Togher was lifted out of its slumber by the introduction of not only street lighting , public transport , sewage and water works , but also it's first Post Office. Located on market garden land owned by Sheila Roche , it opened for business in 1946 quickly becoming the hub for all local gossip and news. It also doubled as a small grocery shop. Newspapers , mail and pensions were its mainstay and it acted as the central communications hub of the larger Togher area.

Togher Road P.O. 1971
Top centre of photograph

It must be remembered that when it initially opened , it stood at the crossroads of Togher's very lifeblood. Positioned on the main arterial route , Togher Road , it also fed into the then Hangdog Road ( later Tramore Road ) and into Manning's Lane. Literally ahead of it was the Togher Railway Bridge which saw frequent passenger and delivery trains whistle their way under the bridge. Originally run by Ms. Lily O'Sullivan , whom many locals recall seeing on her bicycle as she went to work , she was its Postmistress for many decades. John O'Callaghan , her Nephew whose parents owned the actual building and who themselves lived up near The Lough ran the grocery side of things , selling amongst other things bread , newspapers , tobacco , confectionery and milk. When Lily retired in the early 1980s , John took over the running of the Post Office himself. It was during this decade that the Post Office was subject to a raid. However following a tip off , Armed Gardai were already waiting inside and the raiders upon entering surrendered immediately!

Togher Road P.O. 1980s

Many local schoolgirls worked part time at the establishment during the 1970s and 1980s. Many children of the era remember well the high wooden counter as you entered on the right hand side. A big dip in the counter displayed loose unwrapped bread which many children helped themselves to. A big feature of the Post Office was it's public telephone which acted as a lifeline for Parents keeping in touch with loved ones abroad. 

Irwin's chemist June 2009 ( Sheila Roche's former market garden )
Medical practice on left ( site of Old P.O. )

Irwin's Chemist opened for business at the old Post Office on Togher Road in August 2005 following a relocation of the P.O. to Tramore Road ( see below ). It would hold that tenure until 2011 when a new purpose built premises was constructed following the demolition of the old Post Office building. Irwins would take lease of most of the entire ground floor whilst the top story would be occupied by Smile Stores circa late 2011 with a Medical Centre taking residence in a left corner unit of the new complex. * This complex will be explored more fully in a separate article in the near future.

Morgans & Togher Post Office

Morgan's shop Hangdog Road 1951 ( beneath letter M )

The Morgan's have run a small shop which was attached to their house on Tramore Road ( formally Hangdog Road ) for many decades and it was they who took up the mantle of providing a new location for the Post Office ( see above ). To that end they gave over the ground floor of their 2 story house and ran the postal service in tandem with their shop. John O'Callaghan with his years of experience was retained as the Postmaster until his retirement when John McCarthy took over. Mrs. Mary Morgan the original owner was born in 1922 and had celebrated her 102nd birthday in 2024 before sadly passing away in February 2025. One Postman who took delivery of the mail from Togher Post Office on Tramore Road was Denis Dunscombe who retired in 2009 after 27 years in the job. He delivered the mail on foot in the Togher , Wilton & Glasheen region. He would originally have started his job in 1982 working out of the old Post Office on Togher Road.

*Mrs. Morgan shop 1960s

*Mrs. Morgan born 1922!

Morgan's shop ( L ) & Togher Post Office , Tramore Road

* Despite moving to its new location in 2005 , Togher Post Office has the distinction of being the oldest P.O. in Togher and indeed the immediate postal area ( Bishopstown P.O. opened in 1948 , two years later ) having come into being in 1946. While primarily used as a Postal hub for the greater Togher area , it is also used by people from neighboring districts such as Wilton and Glasheen having a large catchment area ( like its sister P.O. on Edward Walsh Road which serves Togher and Ballyphehane  ). This year 2026 marks its 80th Anniversary!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

* Images from Morgans Daybreak Facebook Page

Togher's Financial Sector - 04 - Post Offices - Part 01 - Pouladuff Road / Edward Walsh Road

In the first of a 2 part article on Togher's Post Offices , the Blog looks back at Pouladuff Road Post Office which like its older sister on Togher Road has actually been in two locations , Pouladuff Road & Edward Walsh Road.

*Pouladuff Road Post Office , Pouladuff Road
( attached to Marieville House )

* The first Post Office to open on Pouladuff Road was in a rented premises  directly across from the Hegarty ( The Laurels ) house on 14th July 1969. However that particular location was just outside Togher's boundary. The lady running the Post Office sadly passed away three years later. In 1972 , it moved to the other side of Pouladuff Road to number 231 Pouladuff Road landing it firmly in Togher. Angela Myers who lived next door in Marieville House and previously ran a small shop at her premises was head of operations during its tenure there.

Present day view of Marieville House
 looking north on Pouladuff Road

Present day view of Marieville House and new business
looking south on Pouladuff Road

Location of old Coal & Turf Depot

After her retirement it was relocated from Pouladuff Road to its new home on Edward Walsh Road in 2007 ( see below ).  The old Post Office underwent a complete transformation when in 2015 it opened as Matrix Hair & Nails which still operates to this day. Down the lane way was a well established Coal & Turf Depot. It was here that a Video Rental Store and Mini Shop also operated.

Pouladuff Road Post Office , Edward Walsh Road

*Troy Mahoney Pouladuff Road Post Office
Edward Walsh Road , Togher

As mentioned above , Pouladuff Road Post Office relocated to the old Kellehers shop on Edward Walsh Road in 2007 where it was under the management of Troy Mahoney. That particular branch remained so for almost 19 years. In September of this year ( 2026 ) it changed ownership again and is now operating under new management.  The name may confuse people but as per Post Office regulations it was already registered under that name and so the name stayed even though it was now on Edward Walsh Road.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

* Images from Ballyphehane FB Page

Togher's Financial Sector - 03 - Credit Union

From humble beginnings in the old Muintir na Tire cottage to its present location since the early 1980s , the Blog looks back at the history of the Togher branch of the Lough Credit Union.

The Lough Credit Union
100 - 103 Bandon Road , The Lough

The Lough Credit Union opened for business at the junction of Bandon Road and McCurtains Villas at The Lough parish in 1966. Almost immediately , it opened a sub office in Togher which was housed in the old Muintir na Tire house and operated by local members of the community there. 

Muintir na Tire cottage , Togher Road
Original home of Credit Union in Togher

Muintir na Tire site in present day

Circa 1980/81 , a new purpose built sub office of The Lough Credit Union was opened on the corner of Shournagh Lawn fronting onto the Togher Road. In 1989 , it applied for planning permission to extend its footprint. As of 2026 , its area has increased again with an internal staff car park with enclosed customer parking spaces on the main Togher Road outside its premises. This year marks its 60th Anniversary since its founding! Nowadays its nestled inside Togher's newest estate , Shournagh Grove.

Future site of Credit Union 1971
* right of transformer Owenacurra Court

Future site of the Credit Union 1976
Photo shows members of the Pearse , Wilkinson
 & Carroll families

Aerial view of Credit Union 1996
( corner of Shournagh Lawn on Togher Road )

Location of " new " Credit Union 2009

Extended footprint to right of Credit Union 2019

Aerial view of The Lough Credit Union , Togher Road

 

To date The Lough Credit Unions have a combined asset size of  €115m with 14,000 members and a staff of 19 across its 2 branches under the leadership of Jamie O'Leary.

Jamie O'Leary CEO
The Lough Credit Unions

 

Old Credit Union signage

Updated Credit Union signage 2026

 Why the " Lough " Credit Union?

People would be forgiven for thinking they were in another Parish when they pass the " Lough " Credit Union in Togher. The reason for the name lies in the fact that when The Lough Credit Union opened a sub-office in Togher to cover a wider demographic distinct from its catchment area on Bandon Road , it did so under its registered business name. Allied to that was the fact that Togher at the time was a part of The Lough R.C. Parish.

Togher's Financial Sector - 02 - Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland , Hazel Road , Togher 1976


The second in the series dealing with Togher's financial houses looks now at the Bank of Ireland which opened in the early 1970s to capitalize on the booming population and its surrounding region populated by farmers.

Paul O'Byrne - Branch Manager
Togher Bank of Ireland 1970

Newspaper information on BOI Togher
Paul O'Byrne ( Bottom right )

1970 newspaper ad detailing new Togher branch 

The Bank even traveled!
Cork Examiner January 3rd 1970

While it wasn't Togher's first ever financial institution , it was nonetheless one of it's founding fathers. When plans were put in place to build a second shopping centre - Southside shopping centre ( the first being Togher shopping centre off Togher Road in 1969 ) , the bank was one of the original tenants occupying the corner unit which fronted onto Hazel Road.  Like all other businesses located there it was built on the former site of Hosford's farm. 

Bank of Ireland 1971
Corner building on right next to tree

Side entrance view to Bank of Ireland
Right side of photograph 

The Bank of Ireland opened for business in 1970 under the leadership of Dublin born Mr. Paul K. O'Byrne ( see all above ) and was , besides the Credit Union ( then housed in the Muintir na Tire cottage opposite the National School ) , the only business where people could save and borrow. The building was constructed with bricks and a PVC fascia. It was entered from the side near Byrne's butchers and had steps leading up to Hazel Road along its southerly wall. Pedestrians could also use the footpath which rounded its way up and alongside a raised flower bed. Children of the time would often playfully annoy the clerks who worked in offices which were in full view from the footpath which made its way up Hazel Road. All that separated both from each other was a small grass verge.

Alternate view of Bank of Ireland
* Note grass verge on right side off Hazel Road

However it's tenancy was to be short lived as it never came out of the 1970s! Following the completion of Wilton shopping centre , it became clear that a move was on the cards and indeed in early 1979 , the bank closed its doors in Togher for the last time and moved to a unit just inside the main doors of the new Wilton shopping centre ( the centre having opened in 1977 ) while its own new standalone building was under construction. This eventually opened in 1980 ( see below ) and Togher's first and last branch of Bank of Ireland had found a new home where it exists to this very day. The old premises in Togher became Casey's launderette. 

Bank of Ireland conjen box 1970s

 

Interestingly enough , while in Togher , it never suffered a bank raid. In fact the only unit to have an armed robbery was the Five Star! ( read here ). Also , eagle eyed readers will probably have noted the 1970s photograph displays the logo Bank of Ireland Group. The reason for the name was because a year  earlier in 1969 , The National Bank of Ireland , Hibernian and Bank of Ireland merged to form the Bank of Ireland Group. 

Bank of Ireland logo 1970s

The Bank of Ireland was from an historical point of view first created on 5 April 1783 ,  243 years ago in a private house in Dublin. By 1922 , it was appointed as banker to the Government of Ireland. Below are the old Irish currency notes which would have been issued by the Central Bank of Ireland during the 1970s. Interestingly enough , when Ireland transitioned from the old system of Pounds , Shillings and Pence £sp a.k.a. LSD on Monday 15th February 1971 , the notes were retained ( Lady Lavery series introduced as first native Irish currency on 10th September 1928 ) while new coinage was minted. However certain coins such as the old penny were interchangeable almost up to 1980.

Irish One Pound note
10th September 1928 - 30th September 1976

Old One Penny coin ( 1d )

New Irish One Pound note
June 1977 - June 1990

New One Pence coin 1971

Like a ghost which deserted its place of origin , the former Togher branch of Bank of Ireland has since 1980 been sited off Sarsfield Road next to Wilton shopping centre. However people of a certain age will well remember its old home off Hazel Road in Togher.

Cork Examiner 1979 advertisement
for new location of Bank of Ireland

Former Togher branch of Bank of Ireland
New premises since 1980 opp. Penney's
Sarsfield Road , Wilton Shopping Centre

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

 

Lisa , Katie , Declan & Mick O'Farrell
Bank of Ireland Group