The Five Star - A Special Photograph

While the Blog will endeavor to publish many articles in the future on the now defunct Southside Shopping Centre which was once located on the site that Lidl now occupies , perhaps its original anchor tenant is the one which elicits most memories from Togher residents and ex-Pats - the Five Star - which also went by the local moniker of the " Fiva ". This Supermarket chain opened in 1970 heralding a new localised shopping experience for the suburb which was still in its infant stage as a modern district. Rising , like its sister units which ran adjacent to it , from the ashes of the former Clashduff House , it soon became an important feature of Togher. Managed by Mr. Charlie McCarthy a.k.a. " Macker " and staffed by locals on a full and part time basis , it integrated into the community seamlessly. Complete with its coffee dock and up to date stock , it was viewed as a Metropolis by long time residents all over Togher , who could now shop nearer to home. It rightfully lays claim to being the first suburban Shopping Centre in Cork City!

Five Star in its prime back in the 1970s

Sadly , with the advent of competition , in the wake of the new Togher Shopping Centre next to Ardmanning House which opened the following year in 1971 and the new gigantic Wilton Shopping Centre which opened its doors to Cork City in 1977 , the end was in sight for the " Fiva " and it pulled down its shutters for the last time as it entered the 1980s. As quickly as it had emerged , so too did it disappear. Aside from several local enterprise schemes which utilised the empty husk , it finally submitted to the wrecking ball in 2005 and another Togher institution was erased forever from the landscape.

Former Five Star seen on left in the 1990s

While outside photographs of the Supermarket are thin on the ground , it could be declared that inside ones are ultra rare! However , Anna Marie O'Shea was kind enough to loan the Historical Association an absolute gem! Back in 1971 , the Five Star ran a local promotion ( thought to celebrate its official opening ) by staging a supermarket trolley run , with the grand prize being a new oven. The winner was Mrs. O'Shea , Anna Maries Mother and part of the fantastic gift was a large black and white photograph , showing the Manager , Mrs O'Shea and her Daughter , Anna Marie , with Garda Bill Daley on left ( All Ireland road bowling champion ) & Charlie McCarthy on the right ( St. Finbarrs & Cork hurler ) on hand to present the prize. In the background are some locals , unknown at this time , though speculation is rife as to who they actually are.

Eamonn Pearse posing on exact location 

of old Five Star with original photograph

Eamonn Pearse , photographer with the Historical Association undertook a labour of love in restoring the 40 plus years old artifact to as pristine a condition as was possible with the aid of modern technology. Many hours were spent taping the badly damaged paper back together and photoshopping completed the task to bring it literally back to life. Below can be seen the process as it transformed from mere pieces to ultimately a piece of history which can now be enjoyed by all. The Blog would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to Anna Marie O'Shea and Eamonn Pearse.

 Original condition photograph

 High quality restored darkened version

Lightened version to show 

background detail in more clarity