Togher Historical Association
Whilst much of the Historical Association's work is done on the ground it's always a welcome reprieve to visit somebody's home for an interview or recollection of past events. Safe from the elements Billy O'Brien and Eamonn Pearse dispatched themselves post haste to Westside Estate for a follow up talk with Kathleen O'Keeffe. As the clock struck 7.40 p.m. the team were warmly received by the lady of the house and her two daughters , Aisling and Alex. Immediately it was down to business as many topics were discussed in quickfire succession. Kathleen's family links with Togher goes back many many generations and she has strong ties to the community at large and the local schools in general with an unbroken line of 4 generations attending Togher N.S. there! She remarked that her youngest daughter Alex , who would shortly be leaving Togher GNS would mean a broken line in local schooling for the first time stretching back almost 90 years!
The main topic of conversation centred on the thorny subject of Togher's boundaries and the incredulous claims made by some as to their actual addresses. These ranged from the sublime to the patently ridiculous and some of the rebuttals and advertisements made by locals and developers resulted in laughter and astonishment in equal measure. A pleasant follow on from the night's proceedings came from Kathleen's son Paul , who is a qualified Archeologist , in the form of a slew of emails outlining much of Togher's boundaries which included a couple of surprises and more than a few delights. This will indoubtedly form the cornerstone of the Society's Boundaries Debate in July 2014.
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Mention was made of the old Deanrock House ( site of the now demolished N.B.A. flats ) and the fact that it was painted bright yellow. Also brought to life were the old workmens houses adjacent to the Big House which would have fronted onto Togher Road. Of course all of these would be demolished in 1968. The original entrance to Deanrock House was still intact up to a few years ago but can still resonably be traced today with a little detective work.
It wasn't long before the Photo Albums made an appearance and were once again eagerly poured over by the team. This collection is priceless in that it includes many rare and unique gems showing Togher's past. It should be noted here that Kathleen was in one instance at least , the actual photographer as seen in this photo below which shows her Father on the left! Much talk ensued as to the length of the stream wall before the modern developments with Kathleen remarking it curved in off the roadside before the now entrance to the schools - the patch of land here being gifted to the local children of the old National School as a playground.
Kathleen's Mothers Confirmation
in Togher circa 1940s
T. Lucey near old stone wall ( in front of Liberty
Stream ) circa 1920s where the future Togher
Church would be built
Mention was made of the old Deanrock House ( site of the now demolished N.B.A. flats ) and the fact that it was painted bright yellow. Also brought to life were the old workmens houses adjacent to the Big House which would have fronted onto Togher Road. Of course all of these would be demolished in 1968. The original entrance to Deanrock House was still intact up to a few years ago but can still resonably be traced today with a little detective work.
Locals with SMA father on Lehenaghmore Hill up
from Green Patch circa 1960s
L-R : D. & S. Crowley , H. O'Keeffe ( R.I.P. ) ,
K. Crowley , M. O' Keeffe , Mary Noonan.
Front : Marion Crowley. Priest Unknown
It wasn't long before the Photo Albums made an appearance and were once again eagerly poured over by the team. This collection is priceless in that it includes many rare and unique gems showing Togher's past. It should be noted here that Kathleen was in one instance at least , the actual photographer as seen in this photo below which shows her Father on the left! Much talk ensued as to the length of the stream wall before the modern developments with Kathleen remarking it curved in off the roadside before the now entrance to the schools - the patch of land here being gifted to the local children of the old National School as a playground.
L-R : Jimmy Roche ( Kathleen's Father ) -
Lehenaghmore , Willie Hourigan - Tramore Road ,
Patsy McCarthy - Togher Road , and Tim Crowley
- Tramore Road. Photograph taken by
Kathleen O'Keeffe 1968
Alex O'Keeffe - last in a line of
Update: Alex , daughter of Kathleen O'Keeffe posing with a signed teeshirt marking her graduation from Togher GNS in late June 2014. Alex is the last in a line of 4 Generations who have attended Togher National Schools! A brilliant record and a sad end to this proud achievement which is perhaps unique in Togher.
4 generations of Togher School
goers posing with her signed
class teeshirt!
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