Ard Manách Mór - Great Height of the Monk ( Monk's Height ) - 20 Acres
There is , like its sister Townland of the same name , Ardmanning Beg , much speculation as to the origin or indeed the actual meaning of the name. Strangely it does not show up in the Down Survey of 1658 , but does make an appearance in the historical record in 1654 two years previously as Ardmanyg. It may have been a sub-Townland of either Clashduff or Deanrock at some point in antiquity. There may be credence in the statement of the area as being the residence of a monk given its close proximity to the neighbouring Townland of Killeenreendowney which had an ecclesiastical association , whether that be Christian or Pagan. It is known that the local Gaelic tribe of the Ui Mc Ceir would donate land to new religious bodies to foster friendship. Manning may have come about due to Anglicization of the original Irish and the mispronunciation of Manách. Ardmanyg is a closer English pronunciation of Ardmanách. The height in question ( Ard ) obviously refers to its topography having an elevated view of both Togher and The Lough.
Ardmanning is an elevated tract of land with many subterranean streams emptying both into the Lough and further downhill on its south facing side towards the Glasheen Stream and the old bog. At one time it was the most densely wooded region given its small size at 20 acres. Historically it was in the ownership of Pierce Gold as per the Civil Survey of 1641. He had the land partially rented out to a Capt. Phil Parker who was his tenant on 7 acres. It would seem that the Captain stayed little more than a decade. There is little historical data for the 18th Century though it is likely a family called Newenham were thought to live there. The Chinnerys , next to appear in the annals , show up around 1770. The lands passed to their nephew James Baggs in 1788 who would rent it out to several tenants. By 1850 it is in the hands of Hugh Delacour. John Coholan was the last landlord of Armanning More when in 1958 , he sold his land to Denis McCarthy builder , who constructed the 132 strong Earlwood Estate. This was completed in 1963 with many of the buildings fronting onto Togher Road being bought out ( and demolished ) with the construction of Ireland's FIRST suburban shopping centre and garage. Thankfully some of the old stone walls survive , hidden in plain sight. Sadly in 1968 , a resident of Earlwood Estate , J.B. O'Rourke lost his life in the infamous Tuskar Rock plane crash. In 1971 , Timothy J. O'Sullivan of 2 Earlwood Estate became Lord Mayor. He passed away in 1997. Even though he hailed from Togher , it was the tradition that the R.C. Parish from which he came was noted as his region. Togher up to 1977 was part of the Lough Parish , so it wouldn't be until 1983 when John Dennehy from Deanrock became Lord Mayor that Togher was mentioned. Therefore it can be stated that Togher has fielded 2 Lords Mayor.
Addresses ( Modern Era )
Earlwood Estate
Shopping Centre
Hanley's Garage
Addresses/Structures ( Historical Era )
Minnie's Orchard demolished circa 1960s ( walls partially survived )
R.I.C. Barracks demolished 1971
Ardmanning House demolished 2013
Boundary ( shown in red on aerial photo )
A point on Togher Road beginning opposite Boston Park and traversing the rear gardens of Earlwood Estate and turning sharply southwards to a point between Earlwood Estate and Hillside Drive. A line is then followed through the rear gardens of this part of the Estate to a point on Hazel Road where the line turns in a brief southerly direction before turning back through the rear gardens between Hazel Road and Earlwood Estate in a curved trajectory to a point on Togher Road , where the line moves up Ardmanning Hill to the initial point opposite Boston park. All land contained within the boundary line is deemed to be in the Townland of Ardmanning More.
