View of Glasheen River from Clashduv Bridge
Quite reflections on Mother Natures mirror
Standing battered but proud at the location
of the former Owenacurra Court
of the former Owenacurra Court
Recently erected Clashduv Road signage
Vicars Road harking back to the old Townland
The Team next made their way up Vicars Road from the junction of Togher Road and Clashduv Road. One item of interest on the agenda was the location of some footpath graffiti from bygone days. This took the form of two initials - B.P - which were carefully inscribed in the wet cement of a newly laid walkway by Bernard Pearse circa 1972 which amazingly were still very much intact! Billy O'Brien had the pleasure of actually speaking to Bernard via mobile phone in situ whilst Bernard recalled his childhood days in Togher with mention being made of huge mounds of earth on either side of the road , an obvious reference to building works being carried out in preparation for the new Vicars Road Estates.
B.P - Bernard Pearse -
inscribed on Vicar's Road 1972
A chance encounter with Andrew Thornton of the Togher Boxing club lead to a surprise visit to their premises on Vicar's Road. Andrew was extremely pleasant and kindly allowed the Team to enter and take some photos for the archives. Even though the club was not in use at the time , it was still an exciting experience to witness the inside of this great sporting hall. Andy informed the group that a new home for Togher boxing would shortly open across the road in the Industrial Estate. It is hoped that a future visit will be undertaken by the Historical Assoc. to capture the club in all its glory.
Togher Boxing Club , Vicar's Road signage
Entrance to original Togher Boxing Club premises
Interior showing boxing ring and logos
Training area showing bags and floor
Training area with mirror and heavy bags
Andrew Thornton Coach of Togher Boxing Club
Billy O'Brien and Andrew Thornton
Turning left onto Pouladuff Road , the group paused at the historic site of Joe Murphy house which was bedecked with bunting in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. Even though Joe Murphy had no involvement in the Rising , it was appropriate that his contributions to Irish History would be remembered on this auspicious occasion. Claimed equally by both Togher and Ballyphehane , it must be stated respectfully that Joe was a native of Togher , his abode lying inside its boundaries , the great man having sported and schooled there. On the side of a lean to adjacent to the house was a collage of the Easter Rising Leaders erected by the Ballyphehane 1916 Committee , the persons displayed having no doubt inspired the future undertakings of one of Togher's legends.
The team then crossed the main Togher Road whilst looking back at a 19th Century labourer's cottage which will be the subject of future research. One issue of contention arose in connection with the corner house leading into the Shopping Centre - a former homemade cake shop which supposedly went by the name of " Bawnies ". It was perhaps inevitable that a return to the former site of Ardmanning House should be indulged in. The cleared land now serves as a temporary car park which gives a unique view of the rear gardens of lower Earlwood Estate.
Deanrock Cottages aka Mannings Lane
Togher Road Overpass - opened July 1994
Togher Flyover - junction at Tramore Road
Market Gardens entrance to Estate
Market Gardens free standing signage
View of original tree line along Togher Road
Original tree which lined the old Togher Road
Deanrock Terrace - now somewhat depleted
Deanvale Avenue - inscribed slab at entrance
View of grounds of Togher Scout Hall
Close up of Togher Scout Hall
Ghostly remains of footpath
Ancient treescape of Deanrock House
The road to nowhere or the past?
Original stone wall between Earlwood Estate
Billy O'Brien outside Joe Murphy house
Memorial Placue mounted on house wall
Billy O'Brien at side of house with 1916 Banner
The group next made its way up Pouladuff Road passing Charles Daly Road and viewing the Irish signage for the main thoroughfare mounted on the walls of the fronting houses before turning in left onto Edward Walsh Road and pausing momentarily at Pouladuff P.O. which services both Togher and Ballyphehane. From there , they next walked up Patrick Trahy Road before journeying around Ardmanning Avenue onto the main Togher Road and a brief stop at the former site of Togher Garda Barracks which closed in 1983.
Charles Daly Road off Pouladuff Road , Togher
Pouladuff Road , Togher - Irish signage
Corner of Edward Walsh Road
off Pouladuff Road , Togher
off Pouladuff Road , Togher
Pouladuff P.O. - Edward Walsh Road , Togher
Patrick Trahy Road , Togher
Ardamming Avenue signage - Irish Language
Ardmanning Avenue - modern signage
Bungalow - former Garda Barracks 1972 - 1983
Corner of Ardmanning Avenue and Togher Road
The team then crossed the main Togher Road whilst looking back at a 19th Century labourer's cottage which will be the subject of future research. One issue of contention arose in connection with the corner house leading into the Shopping Centre - a former homemade cake shop which supposedly went by the name of " Bawnies ". It was perhaps inevitable that a return to the former site of Ardmanning House should be indulged in. The cleared land now serves as a temporary car park which gives a unique view of the rear gardens of lower Earlwood Estate.
19th Century cottage -
Togher Road/Ardmanning Avenue
" Vaunie's " homemade cake shop in side garage
Eamonn Pearse in courtyard of Ardmanning House
Rear view of former site of Ardmanning House
looking towards lower Earlwood Estate
A fascinating discovery unfolded itself around the side of the Shopping Centre delivery area in the form of an old stone wall which could very possibly be the original Orchard wall of Ardmanning House or one of its affluent neighbours. This requires more investigation but suffice to say , it is radically altered with block on edge surmounting its ancient boulders with a concrete supporting base wall perhaps erected to stabilise the structure in times past.
Old stone wall to side of Shopping Centre
The group took a short break at the Hawthorn Bar at the Lough for coffee but not before making two poignant stops - the first at Boston Park built circa 1950 by a builder who not surprisingly had spent some time in the United States ; and the second at Number 1 Togher Road.
Billy O'Brien at Boston Park
Billy O'Brien at Number 1 Togher Road
After an fruitless search for a placue ( supposedly remembering the spot where 4 British soldiers were killed in the 1920s ) on St. Finbarr's Road , The Lough , the group next made its way back through Earlwood Estate to photograph the remains of a tree which actually marks the spot where three Townlands converge : Ardmanning More , Ardmanning Beg and Clashduff! From there a quick walk down Hazel Road passing Sycamore Place and straight onto Deanrock Terrace and the Togher Flyover. Here the team looked at an original Market Garden cottage and the famous Leaca Ban - home to the Ronayne Family of future Ronayne Shipping fame. Market Gardens , Willow Place and several other locations were included.
Junction of Earlwood Estate & Cherry Tree Road
This tree marks the spot!
View of Elm Road from Hazel Road
New free standing signage for Shournagh Lawn
Original market garden cottage
Beautiful stone marker at Deanrock Estate
Leaca Ban - home of the Ronaynes
Original signage for Leaca Bán ( White Slabs ) house
Alternate left hand side view of Leaca Bán
Original cottage on corner of Willow Place
The group briefly stopped on the Togher Overpass bridge to take some snaps of the Togher Scout Hall and the Walter McGrath Museum. It is hoped that a visit here will be planned for the near future. This site has featured prominently in Togher lore since the 1960s , the wooden structure ( now Museum ) having previously been a private abode under the ownership of a famous local woman known as " Birdie ".
Walter McGrath Scout Museum
The team then moved onto Ilen Court where afterward they were informed had been the site of a hop scotch play area which supposedly still lies buried under grass! Some trees and seating had existed but sadly is no more. It was perhaps poignant at this stage and in light of future construction to perhaps for the last time capture some images of the former N.B.A. flats complex site. To date many of it's footpaths , kerbsides , car parking areas and steps can still be viewed!
Ilen Court - site of hop scotch playground
Billy O'Brien near old steps to Shournagh Lawn
Former car park area of N.B.A. flats
The time now came to keep an appointment with one of Togher's stalwarts - Mr. Jim Lane at the car park of Lidl off Hazel Road. First impressions are lasting and Jim proved to be an unassuming and colourful character. At 78 years of age , this Togher veteran has lived in Earlwood Estate since 1962. A Northsider by birth , he was also a confirmed proud Togher resident. Many private issues were related about his personal past but one topic resonated with the team when tasked with the thorny subject of address snobbery. The answer was most assuredly Togher! Jim went walkabout with the two members even going offsite to take in Hillside and surrounding areas to give an idea of the topography of the area which is decidedly steep!
Earlwood Estate circa 1962 - note remains of Orchard
Jim spoke about the land when he first came to dwell there back in the early 1960s. An old low stone wall separated the newly constructed Earlwood Estate from the farms which bordered it to its south and which for the most part still exist , though they have now been surmounted by block on edge to add height. Jim recalled how cows would wander right up to the wall which acted as a barrier between his rear garden and the farmland thereabouts. He also remembered seeing cottages down the hill close to the Togher Road , which can be inferred to mean the Kerry Yard. When asked about Clashduv House , he stated that this must have been out of view and with subsequent research by the Togher Historical Assoc. , the reason lay in the fact that beyond the field which held the dairy cows was a treeline after which another dip in the hill downward hid the elusive Big House. Jim mentioned that Ardmanning House was very prominent in the area with its high walls and coverage of foliage.
and Cherry Tree Road
Jim Lane and Billy O'Brien
A nod and a wink was given to Leaca Bán which Jim believed was the residence of the Ronaynes before they headed up their shipping firm in Cork City. Proud of his working class background , he found time to regale the group with one instance of snobbery when in the closing months of the 1960s , word abounded that local authority housing was to be constructed south of Earlwood Estate. A neighbour brought it on themselves to launch a petition to try and halt the scheme to which Jim stated was met with derision by all and sundry , many of whom came from modest means. He was happy to report that the culprits moved out of the neighbourhood shortly thereafter. The time came to part and the group felt richer for the experience. It is hoped to meet with Jim Lane again in the near future to delve even deeper into Toghers mysterious past which at last is slowly coming to light!
