Notice for new Structure on Doughcloyne Hill
New structure on site of old Sexton plot
Last Water Pump in Togher!
Close up view of the last Water Pump
Billy O'Brien poses with Water Pump
The group next journeyed to St. James Cemetery , official graveyard of Togher District and Parish. The site opened in 2005 and is located off Mahers Lane in Chetwynd. Besides possessing a remarkably large car park , it is also home to a wall bank of ashes with seating for visitors. Out of respect , no photographs were taken of this area. Just inside the main gates is an imposing monument depicting an old Irish rowing boat surmounted on a gaggle of wild geese with the inscription " Ark Of Thought And Memory " etched on two sides of its plinth. In keeping with the religious theme , the group next stopped off briefly further up Mahers Lane to photograph the remnants of Togher's old grotto.
Marble placue at entrance to St. James Cemetery
Monument inside gates of St. James Cemetery
Alternate side view of monument
Togher's Old Grotto on Mahers Lane , Chetwynd
Next stop was a brief look at the crumbling remains of the old Allen House on Doughcloyne Hill. Sadly the house is beyond repair and will shortly be demolished being now in private ownership. Another link to Togher's past forgotten and dismissed out of hand.
Old Allen House on Doughcloyne Hill
The group stopped off in Applegreen for refreshments and were fortunate to meet with the Manager , Eileen , who is in negotiations with the Community Association to replace the wall placue denoting the site of Togher's first National School in 1850 which was damaged during renovations. The group were shown an artists rendition of the inscription and crest in preparation for a new placue. The group advised on a glaring mistake which was apparent on the base of the crest , which was a mixture of Irish and English , the original being solely in Irish.
Artists rendition of School Placue
At this juncture , Eamonn Pearse departed , leaving Kathleen O'Keeffe and Billy O'Brien to continue on their Fieldwork Trip. It was decided to visit the plot of scrubland running adjacent to Sarsfield Road and Eagle Valley. Here a short video was shot showing the site which will shortly see the construction of 73 new builds. The photo below gives all the details.
Planning Notice indicating the new Estate
Short video shot from two vantage points
A flying visit was made to the section of the Liberty Stream by Togher Cross to take in the view of the Hallihan house set back from the road by Lane's Cottage and a video showing the watercourse in full flow. It is planned to document a more comprehensive expose of this ancient part of Togher in the near future.
Joseph Hallihan House to rear
of Togher Cross / Liberty Stream
of Togher Cross / Liberty Stream
Angled view of Liberty Stream / Togher Cross
Video showing Liberty Stream / Togher Cross
A simple walk across the road to another site of historical interest brought the former site of Lehenaghmore Lodge into focus. The Planning Notice shown below indicates the construction of 10 new builds. Also shown is the first entrance to a bungalow built for the Daughter of the original Lodge Keeper back in the 1950s. All that remains are the faint outline of the old foundation. Soon the walls will be gone and the site changed for ever. To the right are the legally protected original gates and pillars of the entrance to the former Lehenaghmore House.
Planning Notice for 10 new houses
Entrance to old bungalow which was to left of Lodge
Video showing the complete plot of land
Front view of entrance to Lehenaghmore House
View of left pillar and iron wrought gate
View of right pillar and iron wrought gate
Racing against the clock and fading daylight , the group next decided to travel to Woulfe Lane. This ancient byway of Togher is situated off Ardcahon Drive near Matthews Hill. The title derives its origin from the family name of the former Woulfe House now sadly demolished and replaced by new builds. The start of the old ditchline upon entering the lane has now been cut back and the section of road widened. The group videoed the remains of the former stables and Coach Houses of Lehenagh House , itself demolished 10 years ago which front onto the road. It is believed these will also be destroyed. Moving up further along the road , a brief call was made to another construction site in progress. It should be noted that most of the farm land of Gearys has been sold off with the result that many houses now dot the landscape as far as the Glenmore River and Forge Hill. A chance encounter was made with an old schoolmate of Kathleen O'Keeffe's - Joan Walsh - out walking her dog up Woulfe Lane. A full blown conversation ensued which brought the listeners back to the Togher of her childhood. Joan remarked how fit children were in the 1960s , where she would walk from Woulfe Lane then back up Matthews Hill and then down Lehenaghmore Hill to the Girls School , firstly the old National School ( now Community Centre ) and then the " New " Girls School , built in 1961 ( now Foroige ) and back again every day! She recalled how she would stop by an old Chestnut tree before starting off for school and filling her pockets for sustenance during her long walk. Another tale imparted was the daily incident on Woulfe Lane where a brown bull would eye her suspiciously and rub his horns along the brow of the ditch! She also recalled stories from her Uncle about the old I.R.A. during the War of Independence who would train nearby in subterranean tunnels. It is planned to interview Joan in the new year to archive her fascinating memories.
Looking back on Woulfe Lane
Video showing Stables and Coach Houses
New plot under construction off Woulfe Lane
