Phillipine House - Then & Now - 2013 - 2017

Phillipine House was originally the seat of the Ronaynes who built it in 1639 , a whole decade before the Cromwellian Invasion of Ireland. However through marriage , it passed into the hands of the Sarsfields in 1798. In the 1940s , the Sarsfields sold off all their lands and estates to the S.M.A. organisation ( as a home for African trainee Priests and renamed Phillipine House ) and emigrated to Wales. During the 1990s , it was used by the Between Organisation as a respite holiday camp for teenagers from N.Ireland. The old enclosed Orchard was converted into a playground complete with pond. Soon after it was bequeathed to the Fellowship group who specialize in addiction treatment. Plans are now actively in place to demolish the entire site and build anew. The house has had many names throughout its 380 year existence but sadly will be just a memory.

Billy O'Brien outside entrance to Orchard in Phillipine 

House during 14th Fieldwork Trip April 16th 2015

This blog post features two videos shot four years apart - between 2013 and 2017. They highlight how just in a mere few days , nearly 4 Centuries of history can be wiped out! The first video below was shot by Finbarr Cassidy of Fellowship House in 2013 with stills by Eamonn Pearse. The scenic views and serene location were perfectly captured for posterity and hearken back to a time when children played on its grounds with contentment and in a safe secluded environment.

Video of Phillipine House and grounds 2013

In stark contrast , the second video shot by Eamonn Pearse in April 2017 shows the demolition works in progress , with much of the grounds cleared and the demolition of Phillipine House imminent. A sad end to a long history and legacy distinctly Togher. Thankfully it has now been documented and archived for future study by local historians.

Eamonn Pearse visit to Phillipine House April 2017
during demolition works

Phillipine House - Demolition Works - April 2017

On Wednesday 5th April 2017 , Eamon Pearse & Kathleen O'Keeffe paid a pre-arranged visit to the Phillipine House site off Doughcloyne Hill in Togher to view the demolition works in progress. The visit was sanctioned by Finbarr Cassidy of Fellowship House in conjunction with Cllr. Keiran O'Connell ( also of the Togher Community Assoc. ) and Billy O'Brien of the Togher Historical Assoc.

 Phillipine House 5th April 2017 pre-demolition

 Original marble fireplace still in situ

 Interior showing hallway & staircase

 Interior shot of front door and ceiling light fittings

 Upstairs shot of bedroom

 Upstairs shot of second bedroom

 Upstairs shot of third bedroom

 Kathleen O'Keeffe on landing inside Phillipine House

Rear outside view of Phillipine House April 2017

The entire original layout of the grounds has now been cleared ( including lamplight stands , stone walled ponds and seating areas ) along with the front wall of the Orchard/Playground , which in times past was used by the Between Organisation to cater for children from N.Ireland as a respite holiday camp during the Troubles in the 1970s.

 Photo showing front wall of original Orchard 

removed and ground being excavated

 Finbarr Cassidy of Fellowship House 

showing plans to Kathleen O'Keeffe

 Alternate shot showing excavation works on site

 Photo showing grounds of Phillipine House 

being cleared and leveled

Digger at work on grounds of old Orchard

It has now been officially confirmed that the old Phillipine House ( sadly dilapidated and riddled with dampness ) , the former seat of the Sarsfield Family which was erected in 1639, will be demolished shortly. The Togher Historical Assoc. has been granted access on the day of the demolition to video ( primarily by Finbarr Cassidy ) and photograph for posterity the whole affair. It is also hoped that the Marble fireplace can be salvaged before demolition works commence on Phillipine House and negotiations between the Fellowship House and Togher Historical Assoc. are ongoing with the hope that the Community Assoc. may store it for possible display in the museum at some future point.

Finbarr Cassidy and Kathleen O'Keeffe