The Forge - Togher Cross

A blacksmith's forge has existed at Togher Cross for probably four Centuries. However the forge has also been in two different locations! This article will go into detail about its tenure at Togher Cross and its eventual demise.

Only known photo from 1930 of the " New " Togher Forge

 

The date of construction of the Forge is problematic , as Ordnance Survey maps only came to the fore in the 19th Century , though it is highly likely the Ronayne  Family had it erected at the entrance to their property next to the Liberty Stream ( a natural resource for water needed by blacksmiths for cooling the iron after crafting whatever farming implements were needed on the anvil and as a means of having their horses shod and other works carried out on their behalf ). Local folklore sets it in the early 17th century , circa 1601 , when supposedly , O'Neill , whilst on his way to the Battle of Kinsale , had his horse shod here. While this claim may be dubious , it is worth clarifying that the main roads to Kinsale passed through Togher , so there may be some validity in the story. So the possible genesis of the building may extend to the late 1500s.

Hugh O'Neill who supposedly visited 

the Forge in Togher in 1601

The original location of the Forge ( as shown below ) was north west of the present day Lane's Cottage , which would have placed it at the entrance to the modern day Centra shop. However , following major works carried out by the Sarsfield  family in the late 19th Century , the Forge after 250 years of service was deconstructed and moved across the road near the present day Lane's Cottage. It should be noted here that the original school ( built approximately 1820 ) was demolished including the old Lodge which was built anew and fronted onto the main road and thankfully still stands to this day.

1841 OS map showing original Forge
Note : Horseshoe symbol indicating location

Modern day location of original Lodge
Footpath entrance to shop

Following on from the widening of the entrance to the Sarsfield estate and the relocation of the Forge , Michael Sheahan ( see below ) takes up tenancy of the new Forge. He is listed in Griffiths Valuations for 1847 as the occupier and also leased out a small cottage behind the Forge both of which combined had an estimated value of £2.10s! Fifty years later and both John " Sean " Riordan and his brother Michael are the blacksmiths. Their younger brother is a carpenter. They live with their mother Hannah a Widow. The siblings father and grandfather before them were blacksmiths and worked elsewhere. The 1911 Census sees the younger Blacksmith gone , possibly married and their mother deceased. Many years later John would sublet it to Jack Keating - the last blacksmith to work the Forge. During the 1950s , the bus would use Togher Cross as its terminus and the driver and his conductor were known to visit the Forge and try their luck on the anvil. It was also a place for locals to catch up on gossip while the blacksmith repaired various farming implements. The building itself only had one entrance and a small window to let in light. The fire used to heat the steel was located two feet off the ground as you went in on your left with various tools hung from nails on the wall. The anvil was located in the centre next to a barrel full of water for cooling newly beaten horseshoes , slash-hooks and whatever else his customers required. The fires flue went directly up though a wooden roof which had to be repaired almost annually. However due to ill health and modern machinery , Jack Keating gave up the Forge in 1962 where it was used as a storage shed by the owner of the entire site , Maxi Lane ( who purchased it from the Sarsfields in the 1940s ).

Griffiths Valuations 1847
Michael Sheehan - Blacksmith ( underlined in red )

" New " location of Forge near Lane's Cottage

Blacksmiths at Togher Cross 1901 Census

Blacksmiths at Togher Cross 1911 Census

The Forge was finally demolished in 1968 by the owner Maxie Lane. The stones were recycled into a low garden wall in Feirm Bawn by Mrs. " Lady " Harris , a short distance from its original location. However even that repurposed wall was demolished along with the rest of Feirm Bawn in 2016. The last ties to the Forge were now gone forever!

Late 19th Century OS map
New Lodge located to front of road
" Smithy " located on Barry land

Former site of the Forge

Wall built from stones of old Forge circa 2015

In May 2014 , Pat O'Callaghan erected a stone plinth for a replica of a blacksmiths anvil at the entrance to Centra which was the location of the original Forge. John Dennehy : " The anvil involved is ex Irish Steel, where 5 blacksmiths had been employed. The number had decreased to 3 by about 1980. I was the foreman then , at what was known as the Construction Shop , covering 4 trades. I was allowed purchase the anvil , for my own metal work , which I did as a hobby at the time. The Togher Community Association had the idea of erecting the platform and an anvil , to identify the existence of the nearby Forge. An online advert seeking one for sale was showing huge prices , so Phil and myself decided to pass on that one. ( We both served as officers of  T.C.A. so we were delighted to help out ) ".

Pat O'Callaghan May 2014

Replica anvil on stone foundation erected 

  near site of original Forge

Acknowledgements : 

Tom O'Keeffe
Anthony Lane
John Dennehy
Damian Murphy N.I.A.H.