20th Fieldwork Trip - 15th October 2016

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.

 Cleared site of Allen house on Doughcloyne Hill

 Rear view of Allen house showing lean to

Togher Cross as seen from Allen house

Panoramic Video of Allen House , Togher