Togher Historical Association: Joe Murphy Public Meeting

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Joe Murphy Public Meeting - Togher Community Centre

Proclamation on display at Togher Community Centre

Ballyphehane 1916 Stand

at Togher Community Centre

On Monday 21st October 2019 at 7.30 p.m. a public meeting was jointly organised by the Togher Community Association and the Ballyphehane 1916 Committee at the Togher Community Centre. The Togher Historical Association was invited to attend and was represented by Billy O'Brien and Kathleen O'Keeffe. The purpose of the meeting was to accept proposals from the public on the following years Centenary celebrations to include the Volunteers who have roads named after them but to centre largely on Joe Murphy. It should be noted that 3 of the Volunteers : Charles Daly , Patrick O'Donoghue and Patrick Trahy are buried in the Republican Plot in St. Finbarr's cemetery with Michael Fitzgerald being buried in Fermoy , Co. Cork.

14 Lough View , former home of Charles Daly

Charles Daly alone can be claimed as a local man having lived in 14 Lough View , Croghtamore a.k.a. The Lough shown in photo above ( Togher was part of the Lough Parish at the time of naming ). He is one of only two locals to have a road named in their honour in the general vicinity , the other of course being Joe Murphy who has a road in Ballyphehane.

Copy of Flyer at Meeting

Copy of Programme Page 01

Copy of Programme Page 02

The hall was soon filled to capacity with many Councillors and TD's both serving and retired attending. Representatives of the Cork New York Association were also present. Kieran O'Connell hosted the event with Ciara Murphy taking the minutes of the meeting. Pat Smith , Chairman of the Community Association expertly guided events along over the course of 2 hours. Special Guest speaker Gabriel Doherty from U.C.C. gave the opening address encouraging local people to participate in any celebrations and also offering archival assistance for the future.

Pat Smith Chairman Togher Community Assoc.

Gabriel Doherty opening address

John Murphy next entertained those present with a beautiful rendition of his self penned ballad - The Boy From Pouladuff. It ended in a fantastic round of applause from all those present.

John Murphy singing The Boy From Pouladuff

Billy O'Brien gave a brief introduction to the audience about the work of the Togher Historical Association and its Facebook group and blog. Also included was a summary explanation of the Black & Tans in Togher and the Volunteers who engaged them. Next up was Shirley Kelleher who spoke about her Great Uncle Joe Murphy and the family connection. Also mention was made of the successful campaign to claim the War Of Independence Medal after 99 years. Kieran O'Connell who hosted the event throughout the night gave an introduction to the Volunteers who have roads named after them in Togher. A question and answer session was then instigated and ideas and queries were made and asked of the speakers. The Blog met a few members of the Facebook group including Pat Manning and Adam Duggan , Great Grandson of David Allen who participated in the Tan War and founded the Togher Development Association in 1946 , precursor of the Togher Community Association. An exciting proposal was made which would see the Chetwynd Viaduct become part of a greenway walk with suggestions that funding was available for same. The blog would like to thank all who attended and a special mention to Kieran O'Connell and Pat Smith for their work on the night.