Tuesday, May 10, 2016

16th FieldworkTrip - 1st May 2016 - Boxing , Joe Murphy & Jim Lane

It was almost a year since the Togher Historical Assoc. had undertaken a Fieldwork trip when on May Day 2016 they ventured forth once more in search of that which was hidden in plain sight. Many surprises waited in store with some fascinating discoveries unfolding at every turn. The Fieldwork Trip was conducted entirely on foot over the course of 4 hours concentrating on the Northern portion of the residential region of Togher with particular emphasis on Earlwood Estate. However many other Estates were included in the Sunday jaunt with Billy O'Brien and Eamonn Pearse capturing images of street signage both new and old for posterity. The journey began with a quick stop on Clashduv Bridge to view the Glasheen River which looked clean and free flowing with no evidence of debris or litter and looking quite serene. First stop was at the crossroads where the main Togher Road bisected Clashduv Road and Vicar's Road to photograph the 3 titular road signs.


 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 


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


Billy O'Brien pointing to the 40 year old graffiti


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.


 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


 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


 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


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 ".


 View of grounds of Togher Scout Hall


 Close up of Togher Scout Hall


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


 Ghostly remains of footpath


Former car park area of N.B.A. flats


 Ancient treescape of Deanrock House


 The road to nowhere or the past?


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.


Original stone wall between Earlwood Estate
 and Cherry Tree Road


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!


Jim Lane and Billy O'Brien

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Very well put together Billy, great read, God bless your memory:)

Unknown said...

Great Work Billy

Unknown said...

Well done gang very informative

Togher Historical Association said...

Thanks everybody.