Glasheen River ~ A Brief History of Drainage Schemes in Togher

While the Glasheen River has been in the news due to localized flooding over the last number of years , it may surprise some to know that it had been the focus and attention of Landlords in the 19th Century desperate to reclaim their land from the scourge of flooding. What may surprise some even more is that there are still remnants of the scheme they enacted! This article looks over the history of a bog which impacted on 4 of Togher's townlands and which still presents problems right up to modern times.

 

1655 Down Survey map of South Liberties
Showing Bogland surrounded by townlands ( see text below )

To fully understand the overall historical context of the subject under discussion , it is necessary to go back many centuries. After the last Ice Age ended circa 10,000 years ago , the resulting outwash from the melting of the glaciers brought to life myriad streams and lakes which in turn created a vast wetland or marsh especially as the climate warmed. However , even though our ancestors thrived in them , later invaders looked on them with disdain. Even the Down Survey of 1655 which mapped Ireland for the first time simply referred to the region north of Garrane Darragh , Doughcloyne , Deanrock & Clashduff ( southern portion ) as Bogg or Bogland ( denoted by " (b) " shown in map above ). Of course their only interest was in good quality agricultural land which could turn a profit. However the map is a priceless relic of an area which would cause so many headaches for future developers right up to the modern era!

1830s map showing Garrane Darragh & Doughcloyne
Note : No culverts or railway line

In the early part of the 19th Century the landlords of Garrane Darragh and Doughcloyne decided to take action and attempt to drain the northern portions of their lands. A plan was enacted to cut out 7 parallel channels ( see below ) with some adjacent feeder channels and divert any runoff from the marshland into the local Glasheen River. * It must be stated that this would have been done by a workforce using picks and shovels! They also diverted a local spring which emanated from Togher Cross to act as a conduit to help wick moisture away from the bog. To prevent the Glasheen River from taking water back or flooding they shored up the banks with roughly shaped slabs of stone which gave it a castellated appearance earning itself the nickname " The Ramparts ". 

Late 19th Century map showing Cork Macroom line
Note mini culverts and how close to Glasheen River the line runs

The age of railways encroached upon Togher in the 19th Century with the Cork Bandon line cutting through Garrane Darragh and Doughcloyne. However the later Cork Macroom line decided to traverse the 2 townlands boggy terrain directly. To enable the workers to lay down tracks , trees were first laid down and covered by stone to prevent the line from sinking. To overcome the obstacle of the various channels linked to the Glasheen River , 6 mini stone arched culverts ( see map above ) had to be built to carry the railway line across.

Example of typical stone arched mini culvert

As time wore on a new form of transport entered the arena and spelled the death of the Cork Macroom Direct Railway. C.I.E. , which was formed in 1945 introduced Togher to its first bus service in 1946. Less than 10 years later they were tearing up the Cork Macroom railway tracks circa 1953 with its close neighbour the Cork Bandon line being removed in 1961. It left a ghostly permanent way in its wake which quickly became the playground for countless children in the vicinity who reveled in the excitement and danger of the area. Numerous bog holes , streamlets and the Glasheen River itself were places of adventure where locals hunted for frogs and constructed small rafts on which to navigate the wetlands.

1990s constructed riverbed channel
Note : No mature treeline on embankment

However time waits for no man or boy and nothing stays the same forever. An idea first mooted in the 1950s was about to become a reality. A new National Road was to be laid down in lieu of the old Railway line. So it was that the Cork South Ring Road began construction in the early 1990s. The builders wisely chose to follow the old route of the Cork Macroom railway line. But to achieve this , first work had to commence on clearing the channels which had been cut out in the 19th Century. This also meant removing all the old stone culverts ( see above ). 

Newspaper account of objection to diverting of Glasheen River
Note : Photo shows original course of Glasheen River 
with its original mature treeline in background

Only 1 channel was allowed to remain based on the fact that it had a source back near Togher Cross which ran into the Glasheen River and can still be seen today. Perhaps the most incredible part of all the work of creating the Cork South Ring Road was the decision to move a portion of the Glasheen River further north to facilitate road widening. This met with much opposition from the residents north of the Glasheen River in Donscourt in the townland of Farrandahadore More. A new riverbed and embankment was dug out by heavy machinery to form a straighter course and a portion of the original route of the Glasheen River along with its original mature treeline was gone forever. This new portion is very much evident by the lack of mature trees on its banks when compared to the original sections it joins. The photo above shows that original section of the Glasheen River which is now gone forever.

Course of spring near Spur Hill to channel
adjacent to The Headlands

Course of spring alongside Sarsfield Lane

Treeline at top shows course of spring from Spur Hill
Treeline running at right angles shows channel 
which meets up with Glasheen River at bottom

Of course other natural features and man made solutions to the never ending problem of drainage enter the narrative as well. Firstly , a drainage pit was created during the construction of Garrane Darra housing complex. It is thought this was piped through to a natural stream which emanated from the bogland just south of the N40. In turn this stream was diverted back into the Glasheen River north of the N40 and under the Sarsfield Road Flyover. And just east of that is a natural boghole north of The Headlands. Added to all of this is the mysterious culvert which runs along the entrance to Elm Park. It consists of 2 entrance bridges. It is not known to date if this was again a modern drainage scheme.

Water Drainage pit installed during construction 
of Eagle Valley 1990s

Drainage pit near  The Headlands and Eagle Valley
Now heavily overgrown

Fenced off Boghole between Sarsfield Road Flyover 
and The Headlands

Channel under Sarsfield Flyover
diverting stream from nearby marsh

Culvert flowing into Glasheen River

Culvert alongside Elm Park

Elm Park channel

South Ring Road - A History

It's hard to imagine but the N40 which passes through Togher was once a railway line! Today it is better known as the South Ring Road which officially opened in July 1996! This article looks back at its transformation from a denuded railway track to a modern motorway.

South Ring Road ( N40 )
( Red lines indicate extent of Togher portion )

In 1953 , the Cork Macroom Direct Railway was officially disestablished bringing to an end over 87 years of service ( it was opened in 1866 ). Once the tracks were removed , the line was allowed return to nature. The 1950s featured rumours that a motorway was to be laid down along its route but locals scoffed at the idea. However , the early 1990s finally saw what 40 years previously had been dismissed as a far off fantasy become a reality!

Route of Cork Macroom Direct Railway 1951

The map below shows the area in 1985 prior to any development of the N40. Togher's main road was realigned for the first time since 1866 with the demolition of its railway bridge in 1975. Pouladuff railway bridge finally saw its demise in 1986 when a steep road was laid down to connect with the lower Pouladuff  Road across the Tramore River ( with a culvert installed to facilitate traffic across the waterway ) to connect with Mathew Hill. However this was just a precursor to what was to come.

Map of Togher 1985
Note: Old railway line still visible
Realigned section of Togher Road
after demolition of railway bridge in 1975

Construction on the South Ring Road ( which cleverly used the old Cork Macroom railway line route as the least intrusive to local industry and residential estates ) was initially begun in the early 1990s. This article only concerns itself with the section which passes through Togher. The route which was primarily agricultural land with some marsh once featured a wooden bridge ( demolition of same unknown ) . The Glasheen River was initially culverted to allow railway tracks to be laid down back in the 19th Century. The mid 1990s saw this extended further both north and south of the new South Ring Road. The various bridges , three in total were first completed to facilitate pedestrians and traffic while the major works of the actual road could be finalised. From an West to East axis , the Doughcloyne pedestrian bridge ( which also doubled as a bicycle lane ) was erected circa 1994 which also saw a new roundabout put in place ( only to be removed in 2011 ). At the time of its construction , it was thought to be the longest footbridge in Europe and apparently the most expensive! The Togher Road overpass was in situ by 1995 with the Pouladuff Road overpass fully completed by the summer of 1996. The new Cork South Ring Road was officially opened in July 1996. 

South Ring Road 1996
R-L : Pouladuff Road Overpass , Togher Road Overpass 
& Doughcloyne footbridge

However , as the new Century dawned , it became increasingly obvious that the design needed updating and upgrading to cope with the sheer volume of traffic using the road. 2011 saw portions of the former dual carriageway upgraded from R status to N status. The South Ring Road was rebranded as the N40 on 23rd February 2012. Whilst the Pouladuff Road and Togher Road overpasses were adequate , it was decided to remove the Doughcloyne footbridge and install a flyover across the roundabout. The Sarsfield Road Roundabout ( SRR ) flyover was finally completed in 2013 and facilitated the throughput of traffic across the roundabout. New measures were also put in place including slip roads , footpaths and cycle lanes. The former Cork Macroom railway line continues to evolve and it is almost certain this will continue into the future.

*******************

Sarsfield Road , Togher
1979 - Present

Previous to all of the above , a section of road known as Sarsfield Road was laid down in the late 1970s from the turn off on Spur Hill at Doughcloyne , Togher to connect with the Wilton section of Sarsfield Road ( which was laid down circa late 1976/7 ) across the Glasheen River. The new Sarsfield Road in Togher opened up land for Residential Housing and an Industrial Park. It also serves as a merger road from Spur Hill onto the Togher portion of the South Ring Road.

Approach off Spur Hill onto Sarsfield Road
Doughcloyne , Togher

View of Sarsfield Road Roundabout/Flyover
from Sarsfield Road , Doughcloyne , Togher

*******************

This section of the article will show the development of the 3 bridges individually over the South Ring Road as pertains to Togher and their evolution alongside the N40 over the years.

Doughcloyne footbridge / Sarsfield Road Roundabout & Flyover

The photos below show the initial erection of the Doughcloyne Pedestrian walkway and its eventual removal. In its place now lies the Sarsfield Road Roundabout/Flyover. Construction began in July 2011 and the SRR Flyover opened in July 2013.

 

Doughcloyne pedestrian bridge circa early 1990s
Note : South Ring Road under construction
Photo : Dave Morey

Doughcloyne pedestrian bridge as seen 
walking towards Doughcloyne
Photo : Joe Healy

Doughcloyne pedestrian bridge circa 2009

Doughcloyne pedestrian bridge circa 2011
prior to removal

Removal of Doughcloyne pedestrian bridge 
November 2011

Diversion of streamlet in Doughcloyne
to Glasheen River prior to construction of Flyover
SIAC Construction © Shannon Images Ltd.
May 2012

Culvert of streamlet from Doughcloyne 
side of Roundabout
as seen in 2014 ( now overgrown )

Culvert of streamlet from Doughcloyne
as it passes under S.R.R./Flyover
as seen in 2014
which is then piped again into Glasheen River

Construction of Sarsfield Road Roundabout Flyover
SIAC Construction © Shannon Images Ltd.
2012/2013

Togher Road overpass

In tandem with the construction of the South Ring Road through Togher , the main line of Togher Road ( which had been realigned in 1976 following the demolition of its old Railway bridge at The Cutting in 1975 ) saw the erection of a concrete overpass from the Deanrock bar to the old Marshall house in 1994.

Original Togher Road railway bridge

Demolition of Togher railway bridge

New realigned Togher Road circa 1977

View from newly built Togher Road overpass
of South Ring Road under construction 1994

Togher Road overpass signage
July 1994

View from Togher Road Overpass
looking west to South Ring Road/N40

Northerly approach onto Togher Road Overpass
L & R : Togher Scout Hall & Abbeyville Vets

Southerly approach onto Togher Road Overpass
L & R : Deanrock Bar & Coffey's Field

View of Togher Road Overpass
looking west along the South Ring Road
L & R : Coffey's Field & Tramore Road


Pouladuff Road overpass

The old railway bridge which was cited close to Casey's Cross was finally demolished in 1986 and replace by a steep incline which included a culvert across the Tramore River. The incline itself and the culvert were removed in the mid 1990s and completely replaced by the new Pouladuff Road Overpass in 1995.

Original Pouladuff Road railway bridge 

circa 1986 shortly before demolition

Pouladuff Road Overpass opened June 1995

 

View from Pouladuff Road Overpass
looking west to South Ring Road/N40

Northerly approach from Casey's Cross
 onto Pouladuff Road Overpass

Southerly approach from Lr. Pouladuff Road
off Mathew Hill/Forge Hill

View of Pouladuff Road Overpass
looking west along the South Ring Road

CLASSIFICATIONS OF ROADS


There are 4 Classifications of Roads in Ireland. M , N ,R & L.


M - Motorway
N - National
R - Regional
L - Local

Togher has currently no M ( Motorway )status roads. It is bisected to the North by the N40 ( South Ring Road ) which from West to East begins at the piped section of the Glasheen River ( which skirts around Bishops Court S.C. and under the approach to the Bandon Road Roundabout/Flyover ) and terminates at the Pouladuff Road Overpass. On its Western side it is bounded by the N71 ( Bandon/Waterfall Road ) from Crows Cross adjacent to Kilmurriheen to the point just before the Industrial/Commercial Park before Bishops Court S.C. ( where the Glasheen River is piped to its rear ). It is bounded to the East by the N27 ( Airport Road ) which becomes the R600 beyond Farmers Cross. All interior roads carry the L Classification with Togher Road bearing the title of L1011. The Sarsfield Road in Doughcloyne , Togher is a major merger road with the N40 and bears the title of L2450 with Togher's other  major L Classiification Road being Pouladuff Road bearing the title of L2455. The 2 roads running adjacent to the N40 are Togher's only interior R Classification Roads bearing the Title of R641.

Exits/Slip Roads/Pedestrian Access

EXITS ( 2 )

1 : Pouladuff Road Exit - Eastbound

The N40 features 2 Exit Roads which enable departure off the main National Road. The first one , driving Eastward ( approaching the Pouladuff Road Overpass ) is off the N40 and up onto Caseys Cross.

Aerial view of Exit off South Ring Road
L - Tramore Road/Casey's Cross
R - Southside Industrial Estate

Signage eastbound indicating exit off N40
onto Casey's Cross & Pouladuff Road

Eastward exit off South Ring Road
( just before Pouladuff Road Overpass )
up onto Casey's Cross

Signage halfway up exit onto Casey's Cross

Approaching Casey's Cross from Exit

2 : Doughcloyne/Sarsfield Road Exit - Westbound

The second one , driving Westward is off the N40 before the Sarsfield Road Roundabout/Flyover and exits down into Doughcloyne and Sarsfield Road in addition to access to the roundabout or westerly onto Bishops Court S.C. and the N71.

Aerial view of Exit off South Ring Road
onto Doughcloyne ( shown on left )
Note : Glasheen River ( blue ) - Togher's boundary
* Dots indicate piping

Exit off South Ring Road
( approach to Sarsfield Road Roundabout/Flyover )
down into Doughcloyne/Sarsfield Road/Roundabout

Exit off South Ring Road
( approach to Sarsfield Road Roundabout/Flyover )
nearing Roundabout

SLIP ROADS ( 2 ) - Eastbound

1 : Bandon Road Roundabout Slip Road

Aside from the Exits off the N40 , there are several Slip Roads which enable access onto the N40. The first one leads Eastbound adjacent to the Bandon Road Flyover and is officially designated the R641 ( Togher's only Regional Road ).

Aerial view of Togher portion of Slip Road
Adjacent to Bandon Road Roundabout/Flyover
Woodhaven ( L ) & Dunnes Stores ( R )

Slip Road adjacent to Bandon Road Flyover  ( R )
Woodhaven shown on Left

R641 ( L ) carries onto Sarsfield Road Rounabout
Merger road ( R ) meets up with N40

Merger road meeting Sarsfield Road Flyover ( Eastbound )
R641 shown on Left


2 : Sarsfield Road Roundabout Slip Road

The Slip Road next meets up with the Sarsfield Road Roundabout and enables access either under the Flyover to Sarsfield Road , Doughcloyne or straight ahead to merge back onto the N40 Eastbound towards Togher Road Overpass and Pouladuff Road Overpass. Access is also available from the turn off from Sarsfield Road , Wilton.

Aerial view of exit off R641 ( Sarsfield Road )
left to merge with N40 Eastbound ( See photos above for journey )
Roundabout ahead for access to Sarsfield Road ( Doughcloyne , Togher)

Approach to Sarsfield Road Roundabout

Slip Road ( L ) onto N40 near Sandbrook , Togher

Slip Road at Sarsfield Road Roundabout
back onto N40

Merging Slip Roads onto N40 Eastbound
Sandbrook & St. Finbarrs HF Club grounds ( L )

Merger with N40 Eastbound
St. Finbarrs HF club ( L ) & Westside Estate (  R )

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS ( 2 )

Despite consisting of an N Class road and an R Class road , there is limited pedestrian access. There is Southbound access at the Sarsfield Road Roundabout and Westbound access off the Sarsfield Road , Doughcloyne which also provides a footpath Westbound to Dunnes Stores ( and onto the N71 )

1 : From/To 
Sarsfield Road ( North of S.R.R. ) / Sarsfield Road ( South of S.R.R. )

Sarsfield Road junction heading south

Turn left across road to stream

Head south under Flyover

Left across road after Flyover

South across to Doughcloyne next to
N40 Exit


2 : From/To
( S ) Doughcloyne/Sarsfield Road , Togher to ( W ) Dunnes Stores

The only other foot access is South from Sarsfield Road , Doughcloyne and West adjacent to the R641/N40 to Dunnes Stores.

Pedestrian access (  S ) from Sarsfield Road , Togher

West along R641

End of Garrane Darragh Townland , Togher
( L ) Dunnes Stores

Irish Elk remains found at Doughcloyne Roundabout

It was during the initial South Ring Road project in the early 1990s that workers uncovered the skull and antlers of two Irish Elk. These would have sunk into the marshy ground circa 11,000 years ago in their quest for food and been buried alive. These giants would have stood just shy of 7 Feet at the shoulders and weighed close to 1,500 lbs! The find was made in Doughcloyne , Togher close to the location of the then Doughcloyne
Roundabout ( now Sarsfield Flyover ). They are housed in the Cork Museum.

Antler of Irish Elk

Skull and partial antler of Irish Elk

Irish Elk wandering into marshy bogland
©https://www.nhm.ac.uk

Megaloceros giganteus
©https://www.nhm.ac.uk