Local Interviews - 07 - Murphy's of Togher Road

 Deanvale site of former Murphy cottages

On Saturday 25th February 2019 , the Togher Historical Association paid a visit to the home of Bryan and Anne Murphy in Deanvale off Togher Road. Bryan and Anne shared their memories and stories of bygone days in Togher. What unfolded was a trip back through time to unearth a section of Togher Road which sadly is no more.

Murphy Houses on Togher Road

Mary Murphy ( House on left )

Michael Murphy ( House on right ) seen in doorway

Bryan Murphy's family have a legacy in Togher going back centuries , primarily as Market Gardeners. The earliest historical entry following subsequent research by the Historical Association which mentions the Murphy family is in 1833 where a Michael Murphy is stated as living in the Townland of Deanrock. Later still , a Timothy Murphy appears in 1850 as part of Griffith's Evaluations. The 1901 Census reveals a Timothy Murphy as one of the occupants of the Cottages. Previously the Cottages were subdivided into four small homes between Margaret Brien , Simon Leary and Michael Canty in addition to the Murphys ; however by the 1920s they had become the sole occupancy of the Murphy family along with 2 acres of land to the rear of their holding. Michael Murphy , father of Bryan Murphy was born in 1921 and by the time he married in the 1940s , he and his sister Mary had become the owners of the " Long " Cottage which they divided into two homes. Bryan Murphy was born in 1948 and grew up in the Murphy household with his three siblings Teddy ( known as Togher Ted ) , Peggy and Kay. Bryans father grew ill as the years passed and the market garden fell out of use. In his heyday , Michael Murphy was known as the Ceili King due to his work as M.C. for platform dancing events.

Togher Ted & brother Bryan Murphy

with Barry & Mary Cremin at side of Cottage 
20th March 1951

Bryan Murphy with his Cousin Terri Desmond ( R.I.P. ) Nuns Walk

Bryan Murphy - Confirmation late 1950s

All of the Murphy household attended Togher National School and except for Peggy who moved to England , still live locally. In fact both Bryan and his Sister Kay now live on the former site of their Market Garden , the land being sold off in the early 1980s and their original home , then beyond repair , being demolished. Bryan and his wife Anne are accomplished bowlers as members of the Barrs Bowling Club.

Bryan Murphy with Tom McCabe &  Danny Dineen 1970s

Barry Lynch , Micky Daly , Bryan Murphy 1980s

Barrs Bowlers Hall of Fame trophy

Bryan reminisced about his former neighbours and their homes , most of which are now sadly gone:

Jim and Julia Sullivan lived in the house left of the Murphy cottages where Deanwood Avenue would later be built .They had three children - Jim , Donie and Jer ( ambulance driver ). They later moved to Pouladuff Road.
 

Jane , Thomas , Gerome and Pearl Riordan ( who married Charlie Hipwell from Tramore Road ) lived in Carmelville ( listed building ). Just beyond their house where Vicars Road is now situated was a water handle pump which vanished when work commenced on the new road.

Pata Cronin and Bunny ( Jack Roberts used come over from Turners Cross to till the garden ) lived in the next bungalow demolished in the early 1980s. The photo below shows their corner bungalow in 1972 during the opening of Vicar's Road. They and Bryans father and Seanie O'Brien ( who lived next door to the McCarthy house ) were all market gardeners.

Bryan also made mention of Hosford's who ran a Dairy Farm where the " Mountain " and Lidl is. He remarked how Mr. Hosford always wore a tweed 3-piece suit and a hat. The laneway which came in off Togher Road lead past his Bungalow and into the big farmyard where Clashduff House was situated.

Pata and Bunny Cronin's corner bungalow 1972

Bryan Murphy February 2019