Billy Molloy - Togher Square
On Wednesday June 25th 2014 at 7.40 p.m. the Togher Historical Association had the pleasure of visiting long time Togher resident William Molloy at Togher Square just across from Rose Lawn on the main Togher Road. Despite poor health , the 84 year old graciously welcomed Billy O'Brien and photographer Eamonn Pearse into his home. Within minutes the Team were treated to his sharp wit and colourful language which resulted in frequent bursts of laughter. The interview began with the caveat that " I can't remember much " which was soon displaced with anecdotes and memories across several decades with Billy O'Brien feverishly taking notes and Eamonn Pearse photographing items of interest as they were being pointed out.
William " Billy " Molloy was born in 1930 and lived at Gillabbey before getting married on December 11th 1953 to Betty Kepple , his childhood sweetheart who originally hailed from Orrery Road in Gurranabraher. They moved into Reendowney Place in Ballyphehane where they reared 8 children : Hughie , Helen , William , Noel , Sean , Tony , Paul and Carol. However , the house proved too small for the expanding family and they relocated to the newly constructed local authority houses being built in Togher in 1968 , being the first to move into Togher Square. All children attended Greenmount N.S. with Carol , being only 1 Years Old during the uplift , going on to primary education at Togher G.N.S. in 1971.
William Molloy a.k.a. Billy had a variety of interesting nicknames , most of them acquired during his lifelong service as a Cork Docker working for Ronayne Shipping , the owners themselves living at " Leaca Bán " on Togher Road. Molly or Moll were his usual shortened monikers but as he himself explained all Dockers had their own special pseudonyms. Mr. Molloy sported the rather unusual title of " Montana " amongst his fellow Dockers , a name picked up in 1950 due to his attendance at the Cinema of the Errol Flynn movie of the same name , three nights in a row! Other names which drew howls of laughter from the Team were : Hairy Paws , Boiled Water , Hand Me The Hook , Rashers and Dog's B*ll*cks!
Montana began life as a young Docker at the tender age of 16 in 1943 going on to earn his Green Badge and subsequently his Diamond Badge later on. He explained that only Dockers with badges could work on the boats. Of course some of the produce would magically make its way off site and into the homes of family and friends including bananas and chocolate crumble. It was piously stated that the crumble would give you a fierce thirst and this in turn would ultimately lead to a local watering hole to quench said thirst , usually in the form of Scotch. Nowadays Mr. Molloy contents himself with Lucozade , saying his house is full of the stuff!
One funny anecdote from his drinking days related to a friend who , being a little under the weather from a night of socialising and being short of a few bob , asked Moll for a loan. The roguish Docker being only too happy to oblige , reached into his pocket and handed over a betting slip , which was almost identical to the then " Tenner ". So it transpired that when the poor man sat at the bar and was asked to pay for his drink , it was the betting slip which was presented to the Publican! Billy retired on 21st December 1992 after nearly 50 years service in the Cork Dockyards and to this day still likes a flutter on the gigis.
Ironically , Moll as a child living in Gilabbey used to travel out to Togher to play Cowboys and Indians with his friends and it was usually to the Bog and the Heighties ( the now Deanrock Estate ) or " Hayties " by the Glasheen Stream. Little did he realise at the time that he and his Family would settle down in the late 1960s and make Togher their home to date. As was mentioned earlier , the Molloy Family were the first to move into Togher Square which at the time was full of rocks with the opposite Terrace and the rear Flats still under construction.
Over a short period of time the Local Authority Housing scheme was completed and Moll remembers the Green being laid down with a tree at its end fronting onto the Togher Road. it was in the early 1970s that the local Priest came to live in one of the houses and would busy himself with mowing the grass for the benefit of the children , usually in his Civilian attire , which lead Moll rather cheekily suggesting that he mow his front garden when he was finished! One thorn in the side of the former Docker from his salad days in Togher was the local Chip Shop located behind the old " Five Star ". Locals returning from their feed would rather unceremoniously dump their chip papers on his lawn , which prompted him to gather them up and place in a local Corporation skip on the main Togher Road , which brought on the wrath of the " Freagh Residents Association " who claimed the skip as their own!
Moll was a lifelong supporter of St. Finbarrs G.A.A. club and due to Ronayne Shipping being their sponsers was the first to have a tracksuit bestowed upon him , ever before the actual team received one! He was also an avid supporter of the local Street Leagues and remembers fondly Tom Marshall founding Elm Road F.C in the early 1970s citing his sons Paul and Tony as players including a certain Brian Carey from Edward Walsh Road who later went on to fame in the English League. Moll was also a keen bowler in his time and was presented with a beautiful bronze carving for his 80th Birthday which is proudly on display at his home. Moll also pointed out a portrait of the " Crying Boy " above his mantlepiece which his son William gave to his Mother as a birthday present. This was a popular portrait ( which alternated with a " Crying Girl " as well ) which hung on many a wall in Togher homes in the 1970s.
It was perhaps poignant that before the Team departed , Moll saw fit to mention his late Wife's Anniversary for the following day at 3.45 p.m. Despite the sadness of the occasion , Billy O'Brien softened the mood by declaring his own Family's strong ties with the Molloy Family during the late 1960s and 1970s , by mentioning the fact that Helen Molloy ( who actually worked with another Historical Association member - Kathleen O'Keeffe nee Roche in Guys ) was their babysitter not forgetting that Carol Molloy was a friend of the young boys as well. All in all , a fantastic and enlightening experience and one for which the Blog will be forever grateful.
William ( Molly / Montana ) Molloy - The Togher Historical Association & Blog salutes you Sir!
Billy O'Brien taking notes
at the home of Billy Molloy
William " Billy " Molloy was born in 1930 and lived at Gillabbey before getting married on December 11th 1953 to Betty Kepple , his childhood sweetheart who originally hailed from Orrery Road in Gurranabraher. They moved into Reendowney Place in Ballyphehane where they reared 8 children : Hughie , Helen , William , Noel , Sean , Tony , Paul and Carol. However , the house proved too small for the expanding family and they relocated to the newly constructed local authority houses being built in Togher in 1968 , being the first to move into Togher Square. All children attended Greenmount N.S. with Carol , being only 1 Years Old during the uplift , going on to primary education at Togher G.N.S. in 1971.
Billy and Betty Molloy 1950s
The Molloy Family - Hughie , Helen ,
William , Noël , Sean and Tony
Pure Cork all the way in the Molloy house!
One funny anecdote from his drinking days related to a friend who , being a little under the weather from a night of socialising and being short of a few bob , asked Moll for a loan. The roguish Docker being only too happy to oblige , reached into his pocket and handed over a betting slip , which was almost identical to the then " Tenner ". So it transpired that when the poor man sat at the bar and was asked to pay for his drink , it was the betting slip which was presented to the Publican! Billy retired on 21st December 1992 after nearly 50 years service in the Cork Dockyards and to this day still likes a flutter on the gigis.
Bowling Plaque presented to Billy Molloy
on his 80th Birthday by Ból Chumann na hÉireann
Billy with George Best
Billy and Betty Molloy with their Grandson Ian
The two Billys - Note the Bowling Award
and the ubiquitous bottle of Lucozade
Moll was a lifelong supporter of St. Finbarrs G.A.A. club and due to Ronayne Shipping being their sponsers was the first to have a tracksuit bestowed upon him , ever before the actual team received one! He was also an avid supporter of the local Street Leagues and remembers fondly Tom Marshall founding Elm Road F.C in the early 1970s citing his sons Paul and Tony as players including a certain Brian Carey from Edward Walsh Road who later went on to fame in the English League. Moll was also a keen bowler in his time and was presented with a beautiful bronze carving for his 80th Birthday which is proudly on display at his home. Moll also pointed out a portrait of the " Crying Boy " above his mantlepiece which his son William gave to his Mother as a birthday present. This was a popular portrait ( which alternated with a " Crying Girl " as well ) which hung on many a wall in Togher homes in the 1970s.
" The Crying Boy " presented to
Betty Molloy by her son William
The 1950s Errol Flynn movie from
which Molly acquired his nickname
Billy
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Sadly Mr. Molloy passed away on the 23rd January 2016 R.I.P.
Click on the player below for his full video interview at his home in Togher Square in 2014.
Full 1 Hour Video Interview - Billy Molloy
The Togher Historical Association had the honour and privilege of meeting with some of the Family members of Billy Molloy for a special presentation in February 2016. Click here for the full article.
Billy Molloy , Togher 1930 - 2016
