29th Fieldwork Trip -3rd July 2019 - Benchmarks , New Developements & Boundaries

On Wednesday afternoon , the Togher Historical Association conducted a casual fieldwork trip in the Togher region exploring some features which will be investigated more fully in the future. First port of call was a visit to the Dental Lodge which was formally the Lodge of the Sarsfield's Estate. Built in 1820 , it was for a short time Togher's first official school. 25 years later in 1845 , a benchmark was chiselled into one of its limestone blocks. It is thought that two other benchmarks exist in Togher ; one in Eagle Valley and one on a railway bridge. The whole topic of benchmarks will be covered in a separate article. A brief look was made of the anvil donated by the Dennehy family which is sited out the local Centra supermarket.

Dental Lodge , Togher Cross

Close up view of Benchmark

Finger pointing shows scale of Benchmark

Signage marking site of replica anvil

Next stop was a very brief visit to Morrison's Ravine situated not far from Togher Holstein's and Kingston's Farm. It was intended to photograph the stone bridge which runs under the road but traffic made this impossible. Instead , a quick view of the Glasheen which runs down through the field sporting heavy overgrowth and through to the ravine opposite. A future visit is planned.

Glasheen River approaching bridge opposite Morrison's Ravine

Site of underground stone bridge opposite field

View of Glasheen River as it flows through into Morrison's Ravine

A flying visit was made to the site of the former Chetwynd House off Meagher's Lane off Maher's Lane. This 17th Century house was recently demolished. All that remains are its outbuildings , one of which was attached to the house.

Lean to outbuilding next to site of former 

Chetwynd House showing remains

Outbuilding to left of former Chetwynd House

Outbuilding to right of former Chetwynd House

Acting on Cork City's extended boundary , the group made their way to Spur Hill and the entrance to Maher's Lane which demarcates the new boundary. All land north of the lane now lies inside Cork City with all land east of a point by Spur Hill near Maher's Lane deemed to be in Cork City.

New City boundary on Maher's Lane

Spur Hill showing new boundary to north 

with entrance to Maher's Lane on left

Next the group made a viewing of Shournagh Grove , Togher's newest development now nearing completion. It was also decided to take a look at the entrance to Willow Place , the former Kelly's Lane.

Shournagh Grove as seen from Togher Road

Shournagh Grove towards junction of Clashduv Road

Willow Place formally Kelly's Lane as seen from Togher Road

Former Kelly's Lane looking out to Togher Road

Finally , the highlight of the day was a visit to Greenwood Estate to meet with members of the McCarthy family whose Togher legacy goes back over 63 years. This will feature in a future blog article. Below is a preview of the many photographs from the McCarthy family showing Sean O'Brien , Market Gardener and Siobhan Spillane ( nee McCarthy ). This meeting will feature on the blog in the near future.