The McCarthy Family - Togher Road

 

Griffith's Valuations of  1847 - 1864 lists Plot 13 ( see map below ) as follows : Landlord is John Kelleher and his Tenant at the time was James Lavallen. His land would have emcompassed the modern day McCarthy house and extended a little further south where the northern portion of Market Gardens housing scheme is situated today. The 1 acre plot was valued at £2 and the buildings at £1 & 5 Shillings. 

 

Plot 14 showing future McCarthy home
& part of Market Gardens housing scheme

1847-1864 Ledger information ( see 14a )

 

During the 1940s/50s the present day structure was the home of the O'Leary family whose children were as follows : Phil , Noreen , Denis ( R.I.P..) Tim and John. They moved to Lehenaghmore in the 1950s. During their tenure on Togher Road , they were one of 2 families ( other unknown ) and shared a quarter acre private garden to the rear of their cottages. Many labourer's cottages going back to the mid 19th Century were provided with land to grow their own produce. Historically , these cottages would have been thatched , but as that trade died out with emigration , many roofs were initially covered with corrugated sheets of iron and eventually slate tiles.

 McCarthy house on Togher Road

The McCarthy home on Togher Road was originally two cottages which were converted into one house. Hailing originally from Pouladuff Road they settled on Togher Road in the late 1950s. All children attended Togher National School. Helen ran for Togher A.C. ( see photo below ). 

St. Patrick's Day Parade 1956
Showing Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Carroll and daughter Helen

Mrs. Peggy McCarthy outside her home on Togher Road

Siobhan McCarthy on Hannah the horse 

with Sean O'Brien and Ranger the dog

The following is a selection of photographs of the McCarthy family , cousins and friends from the 1960s at various locations including at home. However it was the S.M.A. ( Society of African Missions ) fathers from Nigeria ( see below ) based in the old Sarsfield House which had the biggest impact on children and families of the area during that decade. 

 

Aerial map of Togher 1951
showing McCarthys and Sarsfields

 

S.M.A. stained glass window
St. Joseph's Church , Wilton

S.M.A. official Latin title

 

Their legacy was assured when in 2013 , the Togher Historical Association carried out its first interview with retired S.M.A. father Bill Foley ( R.I.P. ) He explained that they used the house in Doughcloyne to lodge the Nigerian priests who came over to complete their studies. His full audio interview is available here

1960s

Communion 1960s

1960s

Communion 1960s

McCarthy family and friends

During the 1960s , Nigerian student priests traveled to Ireland to learn English. They were given lodging in the old Sarsfield House ( renamed St. Xavier's at the time ) by the S.M.A. During their stay they became enamored of the Togher people and regularly invited the children to Sarsfield House where they would show slide shows of their lives in Nigeria and play records and provide entertainment. Likewise many families , including the McCarthys would invite the priests to their homes. A lasting legacy was the fortunate habit the priests had of taking photographs which now stand as an historical timepiece of the period. Though they are long gone , the S.M.A. fathers are still spoken of with fond remembrance.

McCarthy family with S.M.A. father

Fr. Christopher at St. Xavier’s Hall , Doughcloyne. Circa 1964 
 L-R ( back ) Emma O’Donnell ,Kay Murphy ,Angela Plaice , Patsy Plaice 
L-R ( Centre ) Mary Plaice , Helen McCarthy , Jerry McCarthy (RIP) , Helen Carroll 
L-R ( Front )  Siobhan McCarthy and Pauline O’Donnell

Helen van Lakum ( nee Carroll ) : " Fr Christopher did love taking photos. Those ones bring back so many memories , Aunty Peggy used to make all our summer dresses , cut our hair and make our winter pleated shirts & knitted jumpers , her hands were never still , she was an amazing lady , a great singer/entertainer and always full of fun. My Mum & her were like twins , they were so close , always in town together every Saturday morning and Monday afternoons , they were close right friends since the day they met. "

S.M.A. fathers at Sarsfield House
with local Togher children

Siobhan Spillane ( nee McCarthy ) : " Fr. Christopher Chuhcumah - This photo ( below ) was on our mantle piece for years. "  Siobhan also mentioned the local soccer teams who played in the pitch opposite the house used to wash up in their back yard using an outdoor Belfast sink. Old local names for paths like Kelly's Lane ( Willow Place ) and O'Donnell's Lane ( entrance to Deanrock House ) were brought back to life.

Fr. Christopher Chuhcumah

Many children of the time have fond memories of Fr. Christopher as he drove around Togher on his blue moped. He would always be served tea in the dining room with the best china brought out. He was always a welcome visitor and there was plenty of laughter in his company. He became like a member of all the families and when asked what he would like for tea , his reply was mostly 2 x 2 minute boiled eggs.

S.M.A. father with local Togher children

S.M.A. father at Sarsfield House 
with Togher children with slide projector

Helen van Lakum : " We used to all go up Sarsfield lane at Togher Cross to the African Missions to see Dr. Christopher every Sunday morning. He would let us all have a go at playing the piano in the big beautiful reception room. He was from Nigeria and a great friend of our Mums. He used to call to our house and Aunty Peggy's for tea regularly. He and Fr. Christopher were the first coloured people we ever met. We used to have so much fun with Fr Christopher. He'd put on slide shows of his family in Nigeria , he used to drive around on a blue moped. He even brought the Bishop of Nigeria to visit us all once. Both he and Fr. Stephen were studying here for a few years. Remember one dreary Winter's evening , got dark without us realising , had to face walking down that long dreary winding lane , with huge trees swaying & rustling in the wind. Someone mentioned Sarsfield's headless ghost on his big black horse who we believed those who had seen him , all even more terrified now , we belted down that twisty lane as fast as our legs could carry us , a few nervous giggles/laughter as we panted and puffed our way to finally the crossroads and light , not far from home then...safe. "

Helen McCarthy ( bottom right )
Togher A.C. 1970

 

 

Bryan Murphy ( neighbour ) & Jerry McCarthy

Denis McCarthy in Sean O'Brien's garden 1990s
 

Denis McCarthy still carries on the tradition of operating the market garden and continues to grow potatoes and onions. His knowledge of the old Togher Road before development is amazing. He recalls vividly the old Long farm , the old Ardmanning Cottages and the Foley's who never had electricity , Murphys their neighbours and Sean O'Briens market garden. He mentioned that in those days , people wouldn't have traveled very far and that going off up Spur Hill was like going to the moon. Denis : " You'd take a packed lunch with you! "

Acknowledgments : 

Denis McCarthy
Helen Tutundjian
Siobhan Spillane
Helen van Lakum
S.M.A. Society