Borroway Lane - Whitebeam Road , Togher

Borroway Lane is one of Togher's old original roads and  is a corrupt English rendering of the original Irish name - Bothar An Buidhe - " The Tawny Road " aka By Way Lane. It acquired its name from the old trackway which stretched from Glasheen Road to the bend in the present day Whitebeam Road by virtue of the grey limestone dust from the nearby Ellis Quarry which mixed with the brown earth of the track. The track served both the workers of the quarry and a few market gardeners who dwelt on the land. Nowadays the old lane as pertains to Togher is preserved in the top section of Whitebeam Road which also has Birch Place adjoining it and the entrance to Maple Place with a newer section continuing on from the bend by Birch Place constructed in 1971 at the original termination leading onto Clashduv Road.

 Overlay OSi Map showing 19th Century layout

with Underlay OSi Map showing 20th Century

The above OSi Map shows the 19th Century layout of the route as compared to the underlay of the present day layout. It should be noted that the newer section of road leading onto Clashduv Road , itself built circa 1968 meets at an exact right angle.

 1951 Aerial Map showing Borroway Lane in Yellow

The above 1951 Aerial photograph reveals the topography and terrain which Borroway Lane traversed before modern development. As can be seen by the Yellow Line which denotes the section of the old road in Togher , it followed a sharp turn towards the Glasheen River ; this part of the road was removed in the early 1970s. The Green line shows the route of the newer section of road , the two being renamed Whitebeam Road in 1971. Also can be seen the new Clashduv Road , constructed circa 1968 which adjoins Whitebeam Road.

Google Map showing route of old Borroway Lane

This Google Map ( see above ) view shows Whitebeam Road in the context of its place amongst the neighbouring roads in Togher. The original route of the old Borroway Lane would also have gone through the now Birch Place and Clashduv Road Estates.

 Beginning of Borroway Lane ( Whitebeam Road )

The beginning ( see above ) of Whitebeam Road as seen from the corner of Cherry Tree Road. It shows the houses on the left which carry the Address , whilst a parking area takes up the opposite side of the road. An historic legacy to Togher's past which thankfully has been preserved is the fact that the parking lot was the home of a Market Gardener , details of which are unknown at this time.

End of Borroway Lane ( Whitebeam Road )

The termination point ( see above ) of the original Borroway Lane at the point where two Estates meet the road ; Maple Place on the left and Birch Place on the right. Originally Borroway Lane would have turned sharply by Birch Place and continued onto the Glasheen River. 

 New section continuing from Borroway Lane

The newer section of road ( see above ) which was constructed in 1971 and leads on from the original Borroway Lane , both parts which are now known as Whitebeam Road. It should be noted that the Clashduv Road which it meets with at the bottom of the hill was already constructed in 1968.

 Address signage on house fronting onto Clashduv Road

Whitebeam Roads' ( see above ) signage as depicted on the corner house fronting onto Clashduv Road. The colour code and number signify an abandoned attempt at postal addresses in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1951 Geographica Schematic 

 showing " By - Way Lane "

1964 Schematic showing Borroway Lane 

below Deerpark Road

The above two schematics from 1951 and 1964 respectively show the old Borroway Lane. In 1951 it is known locally as By - Way Lane , a shorter rendering ; In 1964 the top section which connects with Glasheen Road has been renamed Deerpark Road. It should be noted that this section of road would later be renamed once again to form Tara Lawn and Hillside Drive.

 Aerial photo of cottage March 1967

 

 Modern day site of old Cottage

Turning down off Cherry Tree Road onto Whitebeam road brings the reader to a site that nowadays is used as a car park but which in former times was the location of a workmen's Cottage. It is not known who lived there but the two photos above give a good indication of its former and current location.