It's quite remarkable when you look back at the rich history of Togher. Even though much of her landmarks and prominent buildings are gone it is sometimes sobering to contemplate them. Medieval Churches , an ancient graveyard , an Iron Age causeway , Forges and Mills , Ice Skating , Ghostly Armies , Giant Elks , vast wetlands and meadows , railway bridges , whiteboys , road bowling , quarries , underground streams , 17th Century houses , High stone walls. The list is endless! A lot to ponder and a lot to be proud of! Welcome to Togher.
I've often thought about my love of history and local history in
particular. I've traveled the world and digested enormous amounts of
literature about ancient cultures. At school , I could name all the
Kings and Queens of England. In fact , I had a sneaking suspicion that I
knew more about English History than English children! As an adult , I
certainly knew more about World History than I did about the place where
I grew up and called home. What was here before me and my home
, who lived here , what did it look like? What changed , what happened
to it , why did it vanish? Why was I not instructed in school about my
local area? Why was I not taught that which was pertinent to me? What
was the big secret?! Alas , local history is very much neglected in the
state curriculum? Thankfully , local historical groups are springing up
all over the place to tackle this omission. Togher
has its very own - founded some years ago now and evolving and growing stronger.
From field research to online investigation to local interviews , a
picture is slowly emerging of a fascinating past , which will astound
and amaze you. History is all around us and beneath our feet. You are
part of it and you are its legacy. Be proud of it and of yourself.
On 29th October 2016 , the Blog played host at the Community Centre to a very special speaker. The Grand Niece - Shirley Kelleher - of Volunteer Joe Murphy who died on Hunger Strike after seventy-six days without food on 25 October 1920 - gave an exclusive talk to those present. Such was the occasion , that it was decided to video the event for posterity. Although heavily edited , it showcases the main points raised during the meeting which encompasses many diverse topics as can be seen in the video below.
Video of meeting with Blog & Joe Murphy's grand niece Shirley Kelleher
Previous to the Blog's historic meeting with a relative of Joe Murphy , Billy O'Brien had the honour of briefly speaking with Henry " Harry " Delaney , Shirley's Father , in Ballincollig , whose own Mother was Joe Murphy's sister.
Henry Delaney , son of Joe Murphy's sister
pictured at St. Finbarr's cemetery 2006
Shirley Kelleher ( nee Delaney ) traveled to several poignant locations in Togher where many memories were reopened and much rare information was disclosed. Togher Girls National School , the Community Centre ( original National School which Joe attended ) and of course Joe Murphy house on Pouladuff Road were each visited.
Portrait of Joe Murphy
Joe Murphy's sister 1972
A complete collation of the Joe Murphy archives in conjunction with his family will now be undertaken by the Blog. Also penciled in for a future project will be the digitization of the entire school roll books of Togher going back to 1850! The Blog would like to thank most sincerely Shirley Kelleher for being so gracious with her time. A full biography of Joe Murphy and his lineage to date will feature here in the very near future.
Kathleen O'Keeffe , Dan O'Riordan , James O'Brien ,
Shirley Kelleher & Billy O'Brien at Togher Community Centre
Billy O'Brien & Shirley Kelleher
outside Community Centre
Shirley Kelleher posing with historic
family photographs in Togher
Shirley Kelleher outside Togher Girls National School
which she attended from 1971 to 1979
Shirley Kelleher at Joe Murphy House
Billy O'Brien paid an equally historic visit to SuperValu shopping centre to present a copy of a 1970 article from the Evening Echo showing the construction of the original building to Store Manager Kevin Morgan. It subsequently transpired that Kevin and Billy both hailed from Togher Square. A small world indeed!
Kevin Morgan & Billy O'Brien at SuperValu Togher
article courtesy of Ronnie Herlihey and Evening Echo
On Saturday 15th October 2016 the Blog met with Kathleen O'Keeffe and Eamonn Pearse to discuss future projects. Time was given to viewing handwritten documentation proving the Togher connection with certain Townlands going back as recently as the 1950s , such as Doughcloyne , Lehenaghmore and Chetwynd etc. Business of the day concluded , they made their way the short distance to the beginning of Doughcloyne Hill to undertake the shortest Fieldwork Trip to date. The objective was to look at the new 5 House Estate built on the former lands of Feirm Bawn and to investigate the now cleared site of the former Allen Family. The legacy of this Family is inestimable in that the head of the house was a close friend of Michael Collins and was also extremely active in the formation of a Development Association for Togher back in the early part of the 20th Century.
Corner view of new Feirm Bawn development
View from main road showing exit in background
Kathleen remarked how overgrown the house had become down through the years and also how as a child the house could be seen in its entirety from Togher Cross , the surrounding area being open fields. The team took time to photograph the house from several angles and also videoed the site for archival purposes. As the video shows , the house is in a severely dilapidated condition with vegetation growing out of the chimney. The grounds have many outhouses including an original stone walled shed. It is believed that the house is slated for demolition in the very near future - another sad end to Togher's past.
From 1975 through to the late 1980s , the Togher Community Association published a monthly newsletter entitled Togher News. This modestly priced periodical ( 3 Pence! ) covered any and all issues of the day as they pertained to Togher back then. An interesting snapshot of life in the preceeding decades of the district. The following raw images are shown unedited but legible being shot on HD camera by the Blog on a visit to the Archives of Cork City Library. Enjoy the almost complete 5th Issue from December 1975 which sadly is missing Page 8 of 9.
On Saturday 13th August 2016 the Blog took to the roads once more to visit places of interest. The primary location earmarked for a showcase was the newest Soccer Pitch to grace Togher , the former " Green Patch " - Lehenaghmore Park. Located high up on the hillside above the flatlands of Togher , the team set off on foot from Togher Cross , passing Brook Avenue and Palmbury Estate ; Westgate Business Park and Ashbrook Heights ; Chestnut Drive ; pausing only once along the journey which was relentless in its elevation. Appropriately enough , the brief respite was by The Laurels , a farmstead just below the junction of Lehenaghmore Hill and Matthews Hill. The team were not content to rest on their own laurels and pushed on for the final leg to the entrance of Lehenaghmore Park.
Start of Field Trip from Togher Cross
The Laurels , Lehenaghmore Hill , Togher
Looking back at West & East Avenue
from across the road near The Laurels
Memorial to Bowling Player erected at junction
of Lehenaghmore Hill and Matthews Hill
Looking back at the junction
of Lehenaghmore Hill and Matthews Hill
Signpost to Lehenaghmore Park
The entrance to the new Lehenaghmore Park now sports one of the many Welcome To Togher signs dotted around the district in strategic locations. The first sight to greet the weary travelers were two notices displaying opening times. Just ahead was an impromptu gravel car park which it is thought will be tarmacadam-ed in the near future , funds permitting. Unfortunately the group was too late to witness an actual game between City Bounds and Cathedral Credit with the teams heading off the pitch towards the dressing rooms. A chance presented itself to view the 2 pitches in their entirety and the surrounding walkway with its exercise machinery painted in bright yellow. The far pitch also has a railing which it is presumed is a makeshift stand for fans. It also affords a fantastic view of the dug outs and the split level layout of the playing fields.
A welcome rest at the top of the hill
Arrival at the old Green Patch of Lehenaghmore
Notices just inside the gates of Lehenaghmore Park
Gravel Car Park area before soccer pitches
Overview of 2 soccer pitches with Groundskeeper
View of second pitch with concrete dugouts
Railing above far pitch and walkway
Exercise machinery above soccer pitches
Video overview of Lehenaghmore Park , Togher taken by Eamonn Pearse
The group departed the newest addition to Togher's sporting legacy and headed back down towards Matthews Hill. Along the way the group photographed the beautiful metal namesigns of the various Estates they passed , including Laurel Brook , Matthew Hill and Brook Lane. It was refreshing to still be able to view relics of the 19th Century which included a workman's Cottage just before Manor Park and the original Lehenagh Beg railway bridge which once crossed the Cork Bandon line. The group then stopped by the Glenmore River which flows under Pouladuff Cross for a video shoot ( see below )of its stunning scenery. From there a brief rest on Pouladuff bridge which spans both the Tramore River and the South Ring Road before turning onto Tramore Road to check out Togher's newest addition to its housing stock , the private development of Sheridan Park which is well underway.
Laurel Brook , Matthew Hill , Togher
Matthew Hill , Togher
Brook Lane ( before Manor Park )
Old 19th Century Cottage before Railway Bridge
Manor Park , Matthew Hill , Togher
Looking back at Lehenagh Beg Railway Bridge
> Video of Glenmore River at its terminus at Pouladuff Cross taken by Billy O'Brien
Eamonn Pearse viewing Togher from Pouladuff Bridge
View of Liberty Stream/Tramore River from Pouladuff Bridge
Close up of second pipe flowing into Tramore River
Sheridan Park - The new kid on the block
The group then set off up Togher Road to rendezvous with local Deanrock Estate resident Dan O'Riordan at Clashduv Park. However a trip down memory lane was first deemed essential as the team traversed the site of the old N.B.A, flats and walked down the original concrete steps which once ran alongside them. From there a quick visit to Devils Rock to inspect some mysterious holes in the natural structure. It is not known whether they are organic or old drill holes perhaps made by pneumatic machinery in an attempt to break the rock. Next a flyby of the Deanrock footbridge to search for any sign of the original benchmark inscribed on the wall of the bridge by the Ordinance Survey in the 19th Century which was demolished in the early 1970s to be replaced by a safety fence. Although one mark presented itself , it is more probable that the benchmark was perhaps located further up on the now gone wall. The opportunity presented itself to shoot a test video of the stream with its famous metal pipes for viewers around the world to see for themselves once more. From there the team met up with Dan O'Riordan who accompanied them around the Park , pointing out various items of interest. One childhood memory revolved around the clubhouse located next to the Tennis Grounds. Dan told how as youngsters he and his friends would scale the wall and using their fingers in the window grill hoist themselves up onto the flat roof. Dan informed the group of a noticeable dip in the playing field which betrays its boggy past. By now the field trip was drawing to a close after walking over 13 thousand steps! It is envisaged by local Councillor Fergal Dennehy that the soil from the proposed new residential site planned for the former N.B.A. will be used to infill the drop in the playing field..
Natural fissures at Devils Rock ...
... Or drill holes to demolish it in the 1960's?
Remnant of original stone wall on Deanrock
Footbridge which once bore an O.S. benchmark
Gated fence to right of Deanrock Footbridge
Gated fence to left of Deanrock Footbridge
Council yard before Deanrock Footbridge
Scene at Deanrock Footbridge , Glasheen River , Togher ( Test video by Billy O'Brien )
Tennis grounds at Clashduv Park
Old club house showing grilled windows
Playing field showing natural dip of boggy ground
Dan O'Riordan and Eamonn Pearse
Beautiful treescape near exit of Clashduv Park
Parting of the ways before the next fieldwork trip
