On 25th September 2021 , Togher Historical Association traveled to the Townland of Kilmurriheen to meet with local Oran O'Connell to learn about the local history of Togher's southernmost region. Lying in the R.C. Parish of Ballinhassig , the area nonetheless identifies as Togher with provenance being provided by the natives of the Townland. Kilmurriheen has one short through road which begins at Liberty Bridge and ends at Peggitty's Cross. The land stretches on one side right down to the Bandon Road ( just after Maxol garage ) and on the other to Knockalisheen. The group began their journey with Oran acting as guide throughout at Liberty Bridge which is listed on old OSi maps and one of the few named bridges in the Togher district as a whole. The stream which also takes the name of Liberty ( not to be confused with the Liberty stream which flows under Corcoran's Bridge ) rises not far from the bridge and flows under a specially constructed arched brick wall adjoined to the residence of the Neff family.
Liberty bridge at Kilmurriheen
Side view of bridge with Liberty stream
Arched brick wall of Neff family to rear of Liberty stream
The team then made their way to the end of the Townland at Peggity's Cross. Here they saw the now disused " Flapper " track used by coursing clubs back in the 1960s and 1970s. A Flapper track was an unofficial training ground which was used to test the speeds of dogs. The sheds in which the dogs were kept are still intact though the soft boggy ground in front of them is now heavily overgrown. Oran explained that further up the road there used to be a gate into the field. Contact was made with local Denis Bradfield who once worked for the Ordnance Survey. He explained that although the Townland was in a different Parish , it was was still very much part of Togher.
Peggity's Cross , Kilmurriheen as seen from outside Townland
Dog sheds as seen from roadside
Alternate view of dog sheds
Kathleen O'Keeffe Togher Historical Association Peggity's Cross , Kilmurriheen
Oran took the team through a whistlestop tour of the locality name checking all the landowners and residents in the Townland and even beyond. The townland was divided up on the left hand side moving away from Peggity's Cross towards Liberty Bridge between the O'Briens and the O'Learys. Land on the opposite side was partially owned by O'Carroll and Kingstons. He recalls working during the summer as a youth for a local farmer where he would assist in the daily milking of up to 400 dairy cows. He explained that his family originally hailed from Barracks St. until they moved to Greenwood Estate in 1980 for a short time before moving to Kilmurriheen in the mid 1980s. Several milk churn concrete rests were pointed out along the way. Oran explained that dairy farmers would use these to load and offload the heavy milk churns from carts and later lorries.
Milk churn rest in Kilmurriheen
Milk churn rest hidden in ditch
Oran explained that there was a group of 7 cottages built on private plots grouped together on the eastern side of the Townland all built between the mid 1970s and 1980s. His Parents still reside there. The rest of the various houses peppered around the Townland are the siblings of the various local Farmers. The team made a final stop off once more at Liberty Bridge. Here Oran mentioned that the old cottage was used as a stables/storeroom by the Kingstons who are renowned Holstein Cattle breeders. Another surprising discovery was made later on as the group moved away from Kilmurriheen when a house fronting onto the road displayed the title of a Townland - Gortagoulane! The only known instance of a Townland title being displayed on a house.
Old Kingston cottage near Liberty Bridge
Gortagoulane signage on house
The group eventually made their way to Togher Road to quickly take in the progress being made on the Culvert. Of particular interest was the gully near Greenwood Estate. The stream bed was now completely dry and devoid of water for the first time since the 1840s. An opportunity not to be missed presented itself with a surreal walk through of the gully. It is thought that there are plans to completely infill the dry gully which will see the arched bridge disappear underground forever never to be seen again. Another old bridge near the Community Centre has now been irretrievably lost. 2 videos shown below display the gully in its dry state and will in time become important historical mementos of a bygone age.
Culvert under construction towards Togher Cross
View of dry gully from entrance to Greenwood Est.
View of dry gully from Togher Road
Inside the gully looking back to the overhang slab
Inside the gully looking towards the arched bridge
Video inside the gully of the arched stone bridge
Video inside the gully showing the concrete overhang
