Togher Historical Association: Protected Structures Meeting - Togher Community Centre

At 8.45 p.m. on a rainy Monday evening the Togher Historical Association represented by Pat O'Rourke , Kathleen O'Keeffe and Billy O'Brien gathered at the Togher Community Centre for an important meeting with Cllr. Fergal Dennehy FF and Cllr. Donncadh Ó Laoghaire SF ( who suggested the meeting ). It was an historic event for two reasons : it would be the first time that the Historical Association would be purposely engaging with members of both City Council and County Council and it would mark the first time that a concerted effort had been made to stem the ongoing destruction of historical structures in and around the Togher region. It should be stated also that Independent Cllr. Thomas Moloney additionally is active in promoting this venture on behalf of Togher. All Councillors have a very strong bond with Togher being extremely active in their localities in promoting the Community at large. The catalyst for such a decision was the recent surprising Culvert works undertaken near Griffins Pianos shop and the Gully near the entrance to Greenwood Estate which saw the partial removal of the old stone wall which it can be argued dates back to the 1840s and is an integral part of the history of Togher. Whilst the Blog acknowledges the need for flood preventative measures in the region , it feels that these can be incorporated without demolition of artifacts and alternatives can be put in place to accomplish this task. Photographs showing the updated works are shown throughout the article.

Cllr. Fergal Dennehy FF,

Cllr. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire SF,

Kathleen O'Keeffe & Pat O' Rourke

in Togher Community Centre

Cllr Fergal Dennehy FF , Kathleen O'Keeffe ,

Cllr. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire & Billy O' Brien

beside new railings of Gully , Liberty Stream

Cllr Fergal Dennehy FF , Kathleen O'Keeffe ,

Pat O' Rourke & Cllr. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

beside new railings of Gully , Liberty Stream

Councillors and Historical Assoc. by remnants of wall

Photo opportunity with Pascal McCarthy

, resident of house near Gully

The Meeting began with Billy O'Brien heading up the debate with a brief introduction to the reasons for the compilation of deserving artifacts ( in light of the recent Culvert works and any future more extensive diggings ) and their future preservation. Due to the onset of inclement weather the services of a prearranged slideshow showcasing some of the structures deemed worthy of protection were shown to the Councillors. It has been noted that not only in recent times but in the near past that various structures in the wider Togher region have been demolished without due consideration as to their potential for education , be it of an historical , archaeological or folkloric nature. From former Big Houses , Workmens Cottages , Army Pill Boxes to Railway Bridges , Water Pumps and Private Residences ; all for one reason or another have been excised from memory.

View of new railings of Gully , Liberty Stream

Side view showing pipes , heightened wall

and clearance of vegetation

View of additional road drains in situ by Gully

Alternate long shot view of Gully

It is the opinion of the Historical Assoc. that many if not all could and should have been spared and incorporated into the Community as Heritage Centres or simple Historical Artifacts of a tangible form. From the early 1960s with the Compulsory Purchase of lands , examples of the preceding structures have been systematically demolished. The Historical Assoc. acts on the mantra that once it's gone , it's gone forever! It also noted how the process of demolition has begun to increase with alarming rapidity in the last two years. Sites which have been encountered on Field Trips have been discovered to be demolished only weeks after being documented!

Front view of new railings near Griffins Pianos

Side view of road side drains near Griffins Pianos

Side view of Railings near Griffins Pianos

The Councillors were very sympathetic to the requests of the Historical Assoc. and put forward some insightful suggestions. Fergal Dennehy also made mention of the last remaining Market Garden on Togher Road , whilst Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire mentioned that a future meeting with the heritage Dept. would be in order. He additionally motioned that attaching Personages of an Historical bent to various structures would perhaps be the best way in securing preservation. Kathleen O'Keeffe felt the last remaining original public Water Pump on Doughcloyne Hill should be included. All in all , the meeting was a success , with much banter to and fro between those present. It was decided , that Fergal would inquire into the items on the list on the City side of Togher , with Donnchadh doing likewise for those on the County side. It is felt that this is a step in the right direction with the future meeting of Council representatives hopefully capping it off and saving as much as possible for the Generations to come.

View of old stream wall near Community Centre

partially restored due to wear and tear

View of original section of old Stream Wall

near Community Centre

Alternate view of original section of old Stream

Wall near Community Centre

Below is the email sent to Councillors for their consideration on behalf of the Togher Historical Assoc. ( with response from Cllr. Thomas Moloney ). Following that is the slideshow that was presented at the meeting. Any developments will be published in future blog posts as a matter of priority. In conclusion the Blog would like to thank most sincerely Cllrs. Fergal Dennehy , Donncadh Ó Laoghaire and Thomas Moloney for their efforts to date which are greatly appreciated.

The way it was!

Iconic 1930s photograph of Togher Cross

Email to County Council outlining Proposed Protected Structures in Togher:

" To ALL Councillors - Cork County Council and City Council where appropriate:

Please find below a draft list of various properties and structures in and around the Togher area. Many if not all are listed in authoritative books which I can produce if so required by prominent Authors both living and dead. Whilst the list may seem extensive , it is only because by accident of its geography , that Togher couldn't help but get in the way of History. While I can understand Councillors who have no affinity and /or bond with the area to be complacent and dismissive , may I call upon their collective consciousnesses to examine how they would react if it was on their own home turf. We are talking about a Railway History which still shows itself to this very day in its many stone arched bridges dotted around Togher , most significantly in the Chetwynd Viaduct ; Houses which harken back to the days of landlords - some of which can be reliably traced to the 1600s! We also have relics of ancient holy wells which hold particular emphasis for religious groups ; We have remaining walls which give Togher its character and sense of uniqueness. Too much has already been destroyed. We lost an authentic World War 2 Army pill box erected during the Emergency , we lost our first National School built in 1850 which could have been turned into a heritage centre , we lost 3 low buildings built in Cromwellian Times and more recently Feirm Bawn - a unique example of a stage coach style dwelling. Other structures are in a perpetual state of peril barely escaping the wrecking ball. Please consider the list here presented - it is our History. As we approach the anniversary of the 1916 Rising , I feel it incumbent upon us all to preserve as much of our history and heritage as we possibly can. Otherwise , the British Empire of old and its sadly lasting legacy of destruction will never truly leave us. You wipe out our past , you wipe out our sense of place and community , you wipe out what we were , where we came from , who we are and how far we have come.

Protected Structures List

ALL remaining railway bridges in and around Togher
Chetwynd Viaduct
Chetwynd House
Philippine House
Togher Lodge
Old Cottage and Wall by Togher Cross
Remaining Wall of Lehenaghmore House and Entrance gates at Palmbury
Bridge by Deanrock Estate
Grotto in Deanrock
Doughcloyne House
Togher Community Centre
Water pumps at Doughcloyne and Spur Cross
All of the above can be fleshed out by the Historical Assoc. in terms of their historical significance if so desired. This list as mentioned is a draft and many more items can be added including Ring Forts and castle foundations which can be verified by our Archaeologist.

A Chara
Billy O'Brien
Togher Historical Assoc. "

* In addition the Market Garden house on Togher Road is hereby included.
** Garrane Darragh house near Eagle Valley is hereby included.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reply from Cllr. Thomas Moloney:

Hi Bill

Next Council meeting isn't until next September but I am going to put it in as a motion. I am also going to see if someone in City Council who is responsible for this work can do something in the mean time.

I'll get back to you as soon as I get an answer.

Regards

Thomas

* Cllr. Thomas Moloney has forwarded the Proposed Protected Structures list through 3 Departments to date to ensure the relevant people view it and plans to meet with the Historical Assoc. in the near future to discuss more on the topic. *

Below are the photographs of items included for consideration on the Proposed Protected Structures List for Togher as proffered to the Council. Also included are a few of the Structures that have recently been demolished.