The Togher Historical Association recently interviewed Orla O'Callaghan who now resides in the State of Maryland , U.S.A. but originally hailed from Ardmanning Avenue. While back home she unearthed her families past to share with the Blog. The story is filled with great tragedy and special memories.
Orla's parents married on July 16th 1958 and moved to No.5 Ardmanning Avenue in the mid 1960s. Finbarr Alfred O’Callaghan better known as Barry was a builder/plasterer/roofer by trade and originally hailed from No.68 Blarney Street. He worked on the restoration of the steep roof of St. Vincents Church on Sunday's Well. He went to school with Val O'Connor of O'Connor Funeral Home who was known as " Weeping Jesus " as he could cry on queue. Barry loved his Sweet Afton and a drop of whiskey. Anna Theresa O’Neill known as Theresa ran a clothing manufacturers and drapery business on Grand Parade known as Styline. Her Tailor was Mr. Armstein one of the few Jewish men in Cork at the time. Because of her fashion , she became known as " Lady Ardmanning ". The couple had two children , Victor and Orla who was born in 1966. Both initially attended Togher National School , with Orla transferring to St. Maries of the Isle later on.
Ardmanning Avenue was a privately built Estate which first saw
construction in the early 1950s but stalled due to the company going
bankrupt with only a few houses being completed. Some locals also attest
to lightning striking one of the houses which may have been a harbinger
of doom! It wouldn't be until the 1960s when work would resume to
complete the Estate , at which time an additional Estate by the name of
Ardmanning Lawn was also completed.
They
were going to buy in Earlwood Estate and then found out that Ardmanning
would be a cul-de-sac which would be a safe place for the children to
play in. However as building commenced during the 1960s this was not to
be.
Hugh and Breda O’Kelly lived across the street. Uncle Hugh was Orla's Godfather and Breda was her Aunt ( her Father's Sister ). Hugh O’Kelly was the vice principal at Christian’s. They moved to Orchard House, Montennotte during the 1970s. Other neighbours at the time were the Cullinanes and the Downeys , a large family ( which included Zita , Pat , Miriam , Barry and Michael ) who lived at No.10. A lifelong friend of Orla's , Cara lived at No.17 with her siblings , Jimmy , Aoife and Nuala. They moved to Old Blackrock Road in the 1980s. Thereafter , Cara traveled the world where she had a fantastic career as an Opera singer. Sadly she passed away in January 2021. Orla recalls her fathers niece Anne who he loved like a daughter. Sadly she passed away at a young age. Orla notes that when her father passed that his old friend Val O'Connor attended to him personally. Over 500 people turned up for his removal. Orla maintains that her father would have loved his own funeral.
L: Victor and R: Orla
in front of number 5 Ardmanning Ave
Aunt Mai , Orla and Mother in kitchen
Orla O'Callaghan , Ursula Cullinane
& Cara O'Sullivan
( ex-Ardmanning Avenue , Togher )
outside White House December 2016
