Official Open Day - September 14th 2013

On Saturday 14th September at 2.30 the Blog held its first official Open Day at the Community Centre in Togher. Fergal Dennehy gave an introductory speech to those present and Billy O'Brien as Speaker for the event gave a talk on " Togher - An Introduction to Local History " which was well received.

 ***Full text transcript of talk to be included here soon***

The audience was then entertained by a 12 minute video slideshow ( see below ) compiled by Eamonn Pearse and Billy O'Brien which ended in a round of applause. People were then free to browse the photo display ( see below ) and look at the books which have so inspired the Blog - 3 authored by Richard Henchion and 2 by Tom O'Keeffe plus other local works and a selection of handouts written by Mary O'Riordan ( Big Houses Handout ) on various aspects of local history. Coffee was to hand for one and all and nostalgia reared its surreal head as tales were swapped back and forth. An enjoyable day all in all and the Blog thanks everybody who made the effort and found the time to share their kowledge. People travelled not only from parts of Togher but from the Northside and from the County to be part of the event. Eddie Lyons , photographer and journalist from the Bishopstown News was present to witness the event and left being very impressed with the whole proceedings. Those in attendance were also honoured to have a representative from the Cork Mason's Historical Society present - Jim Fahy. Jim regularly gives talks , has appeared on stage at the Opera House in the 100% Cork Show and has been instrumental in restoring his trade's original hundreds years old banner. The day closed with a plan to elevate the Blog's activities and research which is still ongoing.

Billy O'Brien delivering the talk -
" Togher History - An Introduction "

Viewing of Togher History Slideshow
From Left clockwise : Karen Flanagan Fahy ,
Eamonn Pearse , Ian Harrington and Daughter ,
Jim Fahy , Eoin Desmond , Dan O'Riordan ,
Pat O'Rourke , Mary O'Riordan and Billy O'Brien.
Also present but not in photo : Fergal Dennehy -
 Community Secretary Togher C. C.
and Eddie Lyons - Editor Bishopstown News

The first slideshow documenting Togher's past and comparing it 

to its present. Many thanks to the Earlwood Facebook group 

 for some fantastic photos and to everybody who contributed.

These are the Photos which were on display at the Blog's Open Day. Many are quite rare and would not have been seen before. Quite a few appeared in the slideshow video. And the Blog is frequently unearthing even more lost gems and forgotten nuggets.

Togher Road 15-10-1961 
O'Bannion's house on the right and Long's house on the left

 Togher Road 15-10-1961 near Rose Lawn

Togher Road 15-10-1961

Trees at the Entrance to Ardmanning House

 Togher Road Sept 1968 bottom of Earlwood Est 01
Old House ( Kerry Yard )

 Togher Road Sept 1968 bottom of Earlwood Est 02
House demolished and new houses under construction

Togher Road Sept 1968 

original Ardmanning Cottages ( demolished 1970 ) near Rose Lawn on left

and Hosfords Farm on right

 Start of Summerstown Lane 
from Togher Road Sept 1968

The Cutting Cottages on the western side 
of the road just south of the railway bridge. Sept 1968

 

 Deanrock Bar and Togher Railway Bridge 1969

 Demolishing Togher Railway Bridge 1976

The end for Togher Railway Bridge

Of course many many more photographs were on show that day and this is but a small selection. The blog will feature heavily with more images from yesteryear in subsequent posts. As always , anybody reading this post is reminded that old photographs of Togher are always highly sought after for inclusion to flesh out various future articles.