Acting on the spur of the moment , Kathleen O'Keeffe ( acting as Driver ) and Billy O'Brien ( acting as photographer ) of the Togher Historical Association decided to do a tour d'horizon of Lehenaghmore and Chetwynd Townlands. Of course attempting to take in everything in a 2 hour session proved impossible so certain targets were discussed and agreed upon before setting off. The brilliant sunny weather aided in no small measure to ensuring a fantastic day jaunting around Togher's splendid hinterland.
Liberty Stream flowing from Marsh
towards Corcorans Bridge - Airport side
Liberty Stream entering Corcoran's Bridge
- Airport side
First port of call was the roadway across from the North runway of Cork Airport. This particular bend carries the name of Corcorans Bridge and it was here that the day's activities began. The bridge is important for one main reason - it is the first man-made structure that the Liberty Stream passes under , on its downward journey to Togher Cross and then out to sea. Previous to any investigation , it was thought that the " Bridge " was simply a concrete pipe. But after clambering down to have a look , Billy O'Brien was delighted to report it was an actual bone fide bridge , with cut limestone blocks arranged in an arch with keystone in place and a block floor beneath to prevent erosion. Even though the stream technically begins a little further back as a rivulet from the exotically titled Cumar na dTrí nUisce or Meeting of the Three Waters , a natural spring which through underground pressure slowly empties the vast aquifer that lies beneath the Airport and surrounding lands and runs off in three different directions - West , South and North ( towards Togher ) , it is the marsh at the end of the Airport runway which is mostly looked on as its starting point. Replete with bull-rushes and furze bushes , this marsh slowly squeezes out its watery deposits which forms a pool in a gulley infested with water skaters and other small marine life before flowing under Corcoran's Bridge.
Corcoran's Bridge - Close Up 01 - Togher side
Corcoran's Bridge - Close Up 02 - Togher side
Corcoran's Bridge - Wide Angle - Togher side
Liberty Stream heading away from
Corcoran's Bridge
Liberty Stream - stone escarpment - before descent
A failed attempt to abseil unaided down the opposite side of the road to have a closer look at the other side of the Bridge soon resulted in a frantic search for an alternative route. Turning a corner , the team found a spring loaded farm gate and lost no time in entering the field and trekking down to the stream's edge. Here the view that greeted them could only be described as breathtaking. The full grandeur of Corcoran's Bridge presented itself in all its glory for anybody who cared to see. Local rumour has it that two brothers of the titular name built the quaint structure , but whether they were farm labourers or stone masons is unknown. Suffice to say , the bridge must be of ancient origin , such is the quality of its stonework , which is sadly lacking today in this age of precast concrete and self assembly. Further down from the flow of water , there is a stone escarpment , which rather unnervingly leads the stream down a vertigo inducing drop of 400ft , progressively as it moves through the gradient which dips in 50 foot increments until it reaches Togher's second original stone arched bridge at Togher Cross , this particular one being all but made invisible by tarmac and overgrowth. It should also be noted that the stream takes its name - Liberty - from the old now defunct South Liberties of the County of the City of Cork. Kathleen also mentioned that a " second " Liberty Stream exists in a westerly direction from this location and may be a dis-tributary of the original ( this location will be visited soon ).
Original Water Pump and Enclosure
- Doughcloyne Hill
Original elevated and stepped former
Water Pump - Spur Cross
The teams next stop was to visit what is arguably Togher's last remaining authentic hand powered Water Pump. This now de-commissioned relic is housed inside a three walled enclosure just in off the road next to Joan Sexton's house on Doughcloyne Hill. Originally the hand operated pump had a plunger which when pulled up by the action of depressing the handle would create a vacuum , thus forcing well water to fill same and gush forth from the spout and into a waiting bucket. Another location at Spur Cross was visited which sported the same style of enclosure but with an elevated and stepped platform. Alas , only the base of the Water Pump remains today.
Marian House aka Hayesleigh near Cork Airport
Marion House was the next brief stop for a quick photo opportunity. This building has recently been renovated by its new owners. Originally this would have been called Haysleigh and even before that was known as Cruiskeen Lodge and is quite near the modern Airport.
Frontal View - Chetwynd House off Meaghers Lane
Of course no sojourn of Toghers wide open spaces would be complete without a visit to Chetwynd House. This is reached by traveling over a small stone railway bridge ( which the old Cork Bandon train would have traveled under before engaging with the famous Chetwynd Viaduct ) before driving down a steep road and turning in left to a narrow lane. This house was the seat of the Meaghers and it is from that name that the lane acquired its moniker.
Side View - Chetwynd House
with later added single storey outhouse
Seperate Workhouse adjoining forecourt
Next on the agenda was the old Hegarty's House up Doughcloyne Hill ( the man of the house being a bus driver ) who subsequently sold up ( due in no small part to the fact that they had no running water and also because they were on the Corporation waiting list at the time ) and moved to Hazel road. This now abandoned quaint old structure now lies derelict and locked behind a metal gate and guarded by high stone walls.
Abandoned Hegarty House up Doughcloyne Hill
Gated entrance to Hegarty House
A fleeting encounter was made with the Teampaleen , Cros na Gol aka Cros na Scoil and sundry others , but they will be the subject of a future visit such is the comprehensive history that is associated with them!
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