Graandarough ( Garrane Darragh ) and Owner
Taylor & Skinner Road Map 1777
19th Century OSi map showing locations
mentioned in Fieldwork Trip report
Modern view of " Lodge " off Bandon Road
Their mission was to investigate the only extant Lodge of the old Garrane Darragh house located further inland next to the now Eagle Valley Estate. The Big House itself , of which very little is known , save a name which crops up in the 1777 Taylor & Skinner ( not drawn to scale and incorrect Anglicisations ) Road Map - i.e. Carey - must have been an important structure , given the fact it had 3 main routes leading up to its courtyard ; the Northern one by the bridge in Woodhaven under which the Glasheen River flows , the second to the South which is partially accessible via the rear entrance off Togher Road to the Mormon Church and the third one off the Bandon Road next to the Garage , which remarkably still survives. It was to this spot that the team set their sights. Although not a Lodge in the classical sense , it obviously served as a structure of some importance , given its location on the old ford crossing of the Glasheen River which flows past it.
Left view of Ford Bridge
Right view of Ford Bridge
Loosened stone slabs lining banks
of Glasheen River near old " Lodge "
Close up of slabs being overtaken by nature
The team ventured up the trackway adjacent to the Garage pausing to take snapshots of the Ford Crossing , composed entirely of unenforced concrete slabs which first came into vogue in the 1850s , hinting at the date of construction , though not widely adopted by Stonecutters at that time , for obvious reasons. If this bridge can be dated accordingly , then it is a rare example , albeit on a small scale of this new invention! Loosely strewn stone slabs were also encountered lining the banks of he Glasheen River , though it is unknown at this time whether they were originally part of a wall or simply quay style placements.
First view of old Lodge - Garrane Darragh
Close up view of ancient Lodge
The pathway thereafter was extremely muddy with hints of marshland nearby , indicating the presence of an old well , which was not investigated on this particular trip. However plans are already in motion to return in the near future to complete the exercise. Soon , the structure made itself plainly visible , despite much coverage of vegetation. What was remarkable about the building was its roof and gable end being slated , almost like a Dutch Bungalow! No other structure akin to this has been found in Togher to date!
Slated Roof and Gable End of Lodge
Eamonn Pearse then ventured inside the ancient homestead to photograph the inner walls , whose original stonework could be seen through the fading plasterwork. What was glaringly obvious was the lack of a fireplace or indeed any chimney protruding from the roof , leading the team to speculate as to the true purpose of the " Lodge ". A strange agricultural type apparatus under the leanto was possibly the smoking gun as to the answer to the mystery of an absence of any smoke outlet. It was suggested that the " Lodge " was in fact a farm animal shelter , though this is still unknown at this time.
Interior shot of Lodge showing exposed stonework
Doorway to the past!
Unknown Agricultural apparatus inside leanto?
One last trek was completed around the rear of the " Lodge " before the Team ended their foray into the past. The track which would originally have lead up to the Big House was all but returned to nature. More questions than answers had resulted from the day's visit , but all in all , it served only to garner more interest for future research. The duo departed with plans already being made for further investigations.
Rear view of old Lodge
Alternate rear view of old Lodge
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