2nd Fieldwork Trip - October 12th 2013

On October 12th , Billy O'Brien and Eamonn Pearse undertook a second Fieldwork Trip - this time though the event and places to visit were planned in advance. So it was with a 3 hour window for light , that the team headed over the hills and far away. The first objective was a place that many would not even consider , given that it really doesn't exist any more - Doughcloyne House off  Spur Hill. This was listed in OSi maps even in the 19th Century as being in ruins and is not to be confused with another two old houses that also used the name in the area. All that remains of the structure are its boundary walls which follow the road. It is situated directly across from  Spur Hill Farm ( shown below ).

Spur Hill Farm wall signage ( a.k.a. Chetwynd House )

The following 3 photographs give a good indication of the condition of the remains which all front onto the road. Nature has certainly taken its toll on much of that which survives. The actual entrance into the house is shown in the first shot which now serves as a gateway to a grazing field. Originally the doorway to the structure would have been a little in and to the left of the rounded corner wall.

First Doughcloyne House remains - original entrance

First Doughcloyne House - Blocked up Gate 

Entrance to Orchard

First Doughcloyne House - dilapidated Wall

Their next stop was in off the roadside and down to the left side of Doughcloyne Bridge , opposite of the location of St Bart's Well. The trek down is not for the faint hearted and only for the sure footed. The reason for journeying here was to visit the Reservoir located up above Eagle Valley Estate which also gives a commanding view of much of Togher. This structure which supplies water to much of the surrounding region was built back in the 1970s and was initially painted white. Weathering has all but extinguished its once bright coat.

Togher Reservoir above Eagle Valley Estate

Views of Eagle Valley Estate and the 

SRR Flyover in the distance

Back on the road once more , the Team made its way to Sarsfield House ( former Doughcloyne House ) located just off the Sarsfield Road. Now converted to various offices it has since the 1970s been known as the " White House " to locals. Of particular interest was the stained glass window sporting the Family Crest of the long departed landlords.

Front view of the former Sarsfield House

Oblique view showing ancient tree all but denuded

Reverse exterior view of stained glass 

window showing Sarsfield Coat of Arms

Next on their whistlestop tour de force was the famed Wella! Acting on information gained from locals by Eamonn Pearse they traced this " lost gem " to the banks of the Tramore River just below the footbridge before Pouladuff Bridge. Even though the outpouring of its hallowed waters now reside outside the study areas Territory , its source still lies inside the Townland of Freagh & Vicars Acre , marking it as Togher's own. During construction of the South Ring Road , the well was capped and piped into the Tramore River. It extrudes from a concrete base at the bank side of the stream which is all but hidden from the casual daytripper. To view it , you would normally have to get your feet wet! However , some enterprising soul had deposited a wooden pallet in the shallow course of the stream to enable a leisurely looksee. It has been renamed as All Saint's Well and chiseled to that effect. Well worth a look - just remember to bring wellies! The team also took time out to have a look at the wall plaque of the new Pouladuff Bridge erected in 1995 which serves as a physical boundary between Togher and Ballyphehane. The bridge is located just metres back from the new location of the Wella.

The Wella - alive and well in its new location

A birds eye view of the famous Wella

Wall plaque of the new Pouladuff Bridge

As they were in the general area , they made a brief stopoff to pay silent tribute to a bastion of times gone by. The News Brothers was a redistribution centre for imported comics and newspapers from the U.K. and delivered to newsagents the length and breath of the country. Sadly now abandoned , it is apparently on the market looking for a potential buyer.

News Brothers in Togher - comics and 

newspapers distributors of old

Tired but never flagging , the team next made its way back up Lehenaghmore to capture some roadside images of the new Lehenaghmore Park grounds. This project has been possible through the dedication and hard work of the Togher Community Association. Although incomplete and searching for major funding , it certainly looks very impressive.

Left side front wall entrance of Lehenaghmore Park - 

Togher Community Association signage

Right side front wall entrance of Lehenaghmore Park

Panoramic view of the entrance to the new Sports Ground

As the light was now beginning to fade , it was decided to wrap things up with a quick visit to one of the most iconic natural features of Togher. So it was that the team arrived finally at the Glasheen Stream. Looking very ominous in the twilight with its gated banks and metal pipes protruding Chernobyl - like from its sides , this eerie image was softened by a gathering of ducks who swam silently in its placid waters. An end to a day full of memories , which hopefully will never be forgotten.