Togher Historical Association: 19th Fieldwork Trip - 13th August 2016 - Lehenaghmore Park , Matthews Hill and Clashduv Park

Monday, September 5, 2016

19th Fieldwork Trip - 13th August 2016 - Lehenaghmore Park , Matthews Hill and Clashduv Park

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

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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..