War Of Independence - Introduction - Tales From Togher

During the War of Independence 21st January 1919 – 11th July 1921 , Togher was a hotbed of activity which included not only the exploits of natives but outsiders as well. The area was well represented in the I.R.A. and Cumann na mBan aided and abbetted by civilians. What is less well known were the regular patrols by the Black and Tans throughout the Togher countryside. Allied to this was their rough treatment of innocent civilians. Kathleen O'Keeffe of Westside Estate related the story of how her Grandfather , Michael O'Donovan was struck in the face by a Black and Tan due to mistaken identity.

Michael O'Donovan

Personal encounter with Black & Tans

Togher held many safe houses , ammunition dumps and training grounds , right under the noses of the Black & Tans. It must be remembered that in 1919/20 , the area was very different being essentially a network of narrow country lanes with high ditches and walls which made it easy to deceive the enemy. One such house was Coventry House which was sited on Doughcloyne Hill in the area where the detached houses are located today between Lanes's Cottage and Feirm Bawn. The house had a reputation amongst locals as being haunted and was effectively abandoned. The local I.R.A. hid rifles under the floorboards in the house. To deter any intruders , it was also booby trapped. The Black and Tans blew the house up and it remained in a ruinous state until 1950 when it was finally demolished to make way for the new row of houses seen today.

Location of Coventry House blown up by Black & Tans

Below is an account of an informer being executed under the Viaduct and buried nearby. Such dire actions were often carried out in the Togher region due to its isolated location and proximity to Cork City. Information supplied by Pauline Murphy.

The following Pension Application details the location of an arms dump on the land of the Richardsons and itemizes the complete arsenal which is quite impressive. Also mention is made of a safe house with a famous Commandant staying for a few nights. Information supplied by Pauline Murphy.

The Rebel forces often carried out manoeuvres in the gullys and streams of Togher which were heavily wooded and afforded excellent coverage from the prying eyes of Black and Tan road patrols. In tandem with this were the frequent trips by Rebels aboard the Macroom and Bandon Railways. Arms which had previously been stolen from Military Barracks and R.I.C. Stations would be smuggled aboard and then thrown out the windows where they would be picked up later.

Cork Macroom Train

Many stories have been passed down through the generations in Families relating to rifles buried under sods and the bodies of Black & Tans being dumped in bogs around Togher. Martin Twomey tells of : " My Grandad told me about digging a few feet square few inches deep sod , lifting it up to dig a hole and bury guns and put back the big sod so it looked like the rest of the field in that area. He also spoke of a farmer ; not sure if it was Togher area though , who hit a grenade in a shallow Arms dump with a plough and died in the explosion. "  He further added : " There was also a tall thin old man called Leo who used to dress in a long heavy trench coat and a black beret who I think was from Ballyphehane. We used to bump into him on the Missioners Avenue ( the road up the back of Centra ) every day when we used to play up the fields there. He used to tell us that there were a few informers buried up around there from the war. This was around 1978ish. " Pauline Murphy of Spur Hill tells the following : " My Dad , Finbarr Murphy , would always mention a story of how his Grandfather " got a fine pair of boots " off the body of a Tan buried in a field on land between Barretts & Richardsons! " The Legacy of the War and of the Black and Tans persisted for many years after in Togher and have entered into folklore. Togher Historical Association has made contact with many families over the last few years and the stories of the brave men and women and their courageous exploits during the Tan War which to date had been largely forgotten or not known at all can now finally be told.