Togher Historical Association: 17th Fieldwork Trip - 4th June 2016 - Sarsfield Road , Scout Hall , Athletics Club & Togher Cross

The Togher Historical Association met up in Elm Park , Togher at 3 p.m. on Saturday 4th June 2016 for its 17th Fieldwork trip to date. Eamonn Pearse and Billy O'Brien were on hand and on the ground on a scorching hot day to once more thread the ancient corridors of the Land of the Finest Drop. Proceedings kicked off with a leisurely stroll along one of the channels which run through several Estates in the region and which ultimately drain into the Glasheen River further north. It is thought that this was an attempt by the Sarsfields in the 19th Century to siphon off water from the surrounding bogland. The straight parallel lines of their route betray an artificial construction. Today they are crossed at various points by access traffic bridges made up of short concrete pipes and infilled with block and cement.

Channel route off Sarsfield Road through Elm Park

Entry access bridge into Elm Park Estate

First port of call was a visit to one of the new signs announcing to Resident and Tourist alike the location of Togher. Tastefully cited as befits its legacy across from Sarsfield House and the modern neighbourhood of White Oaks on the main Sarsfield Road , the metallic free standing announcement which was commissioned by the local Tidy Towns committee headed up by Ken McCarthy and designed by Ace Signs stands proudly on the left hand side as entered from the nearby Flyover. Sporting a black background with Amber font , the greeting in both English and Irish gives out an emotional message - Welcome To Togher!

New signage on Sarsfield Road between

White Oaks and Elmvale Estates

Billy O'Brien posing proudly

behind new sign on Sarsfield Road

The team next journeyed through Richmond , briefly stopping by The Headlands before continuing on to Elmvale Court and Elmvale Close and pausing outside the National Schools. Here fond memories were recalled of the old " Green Box " which was originally built as a club house for rent in the playgrounds between the two schools before the extensions were erected in 1983. Pat Houlihan , a Togher Ex-Pat was just one of the many who used the premises for his Streetwise self defense classes in the early 1980s.

Billy O'Brien outside The Headlands of Togher

Elmvale Court , Togher

Elmvale Close , Togher

Eamonn Pearse strolling alongside

former scrubland adjacent to National Schools

Frontage of Togher Girls National School

with coloured concrete forecourt

Alternate wide angle view of former scrubland

now leveled and concreted over

From there to just across the road , the Team discovered the gates to the old Girls National School built in 1961 to be open. On previous visits these were always found to be closed. So like the proverbial thieves in the night , they stole inside for a quick nostalgic visit. The Girls School , which now functions as a meeting place for various youth groups was closed as was the old Prefabs which at one time in the early 1970s served as Junior Class for boys. The now almost 50 years old timber huts which were erected in 1968 to combat the lack of classrooms for the ever increasing numbers of students back then are now cladded with cement to prolong their lives and are joined together at their left end to form a corral. They are now home to St. Finbarrs A.C. Aside from the new garden plots which cover the rear of the grounds , the old concrete shelter which served as a resting point for children in the playground of yesteryear was now found to be converted into a storage shed. Just above this was the former location of another single prefab which was the Junior Infants classroom of Billy O'Brien back in 1971. Sadly this is now long gone. Before departing , the team made one last stop which excited both no end. The famous DeLorean car as featured in the Back To The Future movies was present albeit as a wooden replica. This vehicle/flower box was constructed by members of Foróige and is a must see exhibit!

Old Girls National School built 1961

Billy O'Brien in between Old Girls School

and Boys Prefabs now home to Togher A.C.

Site of former single Prefab classroom

View of old water tower and concrete shelter

Life size replica of DeLorean car
from Back To The Future in the grounds
of old Girls National School , Togher Road

Signage depicting local groups on site

Next on the agenda was a short photostop at the second of Togher's Turkish Barbers - the other being located by Togher Cross. Nestled in between Griffin's Piano shop and the Liberty Stream , this brightly lit newest addition to the region is sure to be a winner. From there the group made its way over Togher Overpass bridge pausing to take in the view of the Sports Pavilion in Coffey's Field and onto Togher Scout Hall. Here the team once again found the gates to be open but no apparent sign of life. The ghosts of the past were very accommodating that day! A retro sign on the iron gate was greeted with laughter. 40 Shillings was the penalty for leaving it unclosed. Not wishing to pay the hefty fine , the team did not outstay their welcome and quickly moved on. It is hoped to visit the Walter McGrath Museum in the near future.

New Turkish Barbershop next to Griffins Pianos

The Deanrock Pub to the left of Togher Overpass

Togher Sports Pavilion , Coffey's Field to right of overpass

Coffey's Field sports ground with high safety netting

View of South Ring Road from Togher Overpass

View to the left where Bingo Rocks!

A pocket draining experience for the unwary!

Cork Scout Museum placue in all its glory

Side view of Togher Scout Hall and grounds

A return visit to two of Togher Road's oldest residences across from the equally antiquarian Deanrock Terrace , now sadly depleted of some of her more iconic establishments including Morgan's Grocery and Coal Shop. Aside from Leaca Ban and her famous connection with Ronayne Shipping , the team paused outside Cairneneid House. This apparently is home to the Moran School of Motoring.

Leaca Ban - home of the Ronayne Family

Caireneid - Scottish Rocks coupled with a Greek Epic!

The next item on the agenda was a much anticipated visit to Ilen Court and the unearthing of a former custom built hopscotch play area built in the 1990s. This was excavated by a local on behalf of the Blog. Proof that not all of the past goes away , it just needs rediscovering! A hop , skip and a jump brought the Team to Pouladuff Road and a photo opportunity next to an iconic symbol of Togher's past as a Market Garden and Small Farm region in the past in the shape of The Laurels.

Hopscotch play area unearthed by local resident Ilen Court

Site of former farmstead The Laurels on Pouladuff Road

The group then moved back to the Community Centre for a look at two iconic placues. One was the newly erected 1916 Commemorative stand and the other was the newly restored placue to one of Togher's finest Historians - the late Tom O'Keeffe of Westside Estate. Also on view was the new entrance to the Centre complete with wheelchair access. Fine works and welcome additions one and all.

1916 Commemorative Placue Community Centre

Newly restored Tom O'Keeffe Commemorative Placue

Newly erected entrance/wheelchair access ramp

One final item of interest before bringing proceedings to a close was the storm grill situated above Togher Cross bridge. Access to the inside is achieved by lifting the small iron grill. This allowed flash photography to be employed to shine a light on what lay beneath. Here it was evident that in order to re-channel the Liberty Stream to follow a new course directly under the main road ( to facilitate widening of the main road back in 1986 ) , a new concrete culvert had be constructed. The original arched bridge was now blocked off. However , consideration was also given as to how water flowed over to the channel situated alongside the African Missions lane beyond the Lodge. There may perhaps be an unseen offshoot underground culvert to divert storm water.

Robinscourt , where once flowed the Liberty Stream

Liberty Stream at Togher Cross Bridge

Old Lanes Cottage at Togher Cross

Eamonn Pearse photographing interior of

underground course of Liberty Stream at Togher Cross

Interior showing new course of Liberty Stream

Interior showing blocking off of original bridge arch

Along the course of the groups travels , there was strong evidence of the hard work undertaken by the Tidy Towns committee and their volunteers. Ingenious use of window boxes and rusty bicycles enhanced the area no end. The Blog would like to take the opportunity of complimenting them on their sheer hard work which has not gone unnoticed.