On Wednesday , 16th February 2022 , Togher Historical Association took to the road for the first time since September of 2021 to record the progress of the ongoing culvert works on Togher Road. The immediate and stark changes which presented themselves was the filling in of the Gully by Greenwood Estate next to the Garage and the removal of the old stone wall completely. ( There is a raised surface now present which may accommodate street furniture and a lower hardcore base for a new pedestrian walkway ). Coupled with that was the culverting of the section of stream by Togher Cross and the disappearance of the old beveled stone wall and the cutting down of the trees which lined its banks. The last two sections of stream to remain daylighted since the 1840s was now erased from history and from sight. Liberty Stream a.k.a. Togher Stream is now no longer visible from Togher Cross to Coffey's Field. The New Culvert which has its beginnings alongside the old Southern Fruit Industrial Estate is a mind blowing 4 Metres Wide by 4 Metres Deep and follows a largely linear trajectory from Togher Cross to the Community Centre where it makes a sharp turn to run along Coffey's Field. The section of New Culvert by Southern Fruit is still under construction and will alter the original Stream's flow there into the concrete channel which also has an overflow culvert to cater for sudden rises in water.
Old gully filled in near Garage
( looking North towards Greenwood Estate )
Old Gully across from School
( Looking back towards Garage )
Looking towards Togher Cross
( Lanes old cottage on corner )
View of Lanes cottage and garage
( Lehenaghmore Road side ) Side view of Lanes cottage and Garage
( Looking back from Lehenaghmore Road to Togher Cross )
Close up view of Lanes garage and covered stream
Alternate view of Lanes cottage and Garage
( Lehenaghmore Road looking towards Togher Cross )
Close up view of Lanes cottage
Location of New Culvert by Southern Fruit
Original Togher Stream next to Southern Fruit
( To be culverted into new concrete channel - see next photo )
Culvert section under construction next to Southern Fruit
( Overflow channel on right )
Interior shot of Overflow Channel1980s Pipes next to Southern Fruit
( Originally daylighted near stream on Togher Cross )
The group next made its way to the rear of SuperValu for a look at a piece of hisstory hidden in plain sight. The area on view in the photos was once known as Minnie's Orchard and existed right up to the 1960s when the road facing walls were demolished to make way for the then new Togher Shopping Centre in 1968. The surviving walls are encircled by Earlwood Estate which was built between 1958 and 1962.
Original stone wall to rear of SuperValu
Old stone wall to rear of Earlwood Estate
A spot check was made on some of Togher's remaining historical houses on Togher Road and Pouladuff Road. First on the list was a visit to the two storey semi-detached house on Ardmanning Hill which features in the famous harvest photograph from the 1950s. Research is still ongoing with it presently being thought to be Russell's dairy farm. However this has not conclusively been determined. Pouladuff Road beckoned for a brief look at 3 houses which stood before any modern development pre-1960s. The Laurels which is currently for sale with rumours that it is to be demolished to make way for new builds. The house is over 200 years old and is in private ownership. Next on the right hand side past Edward Walsh Road moving south was Bellvue House , an old two storey build and finally an old cottage. Research again is underway to unearth their past.
Russell's Dairy Farm? Ardmanning Hill
The Laurels , Pouladuff Road
Bellvue House , Pouladuff Road
Old cottage , Pouladuff Road
Next stop was a visit up Lehenagh Beg to look at the old Kelly's cottage. The site has been sold and plans are underway to build 16 new houses. The old once more makes way for the new. Evidence that not only is
Togher changing , but that it is changing beyond all recognition.
Planning application near roadside
Front view of cottage
Kathleen O'Keeffe , Togher Historical Association
Land to rear to consist of 16 new dwellings
Final visit of the day was to the old railway bridge in Mahers Lane. Hard to believe that trains once ran under it and even harder to believe that it was the first time the group had looked at it. Even harder to believe is the fact that Togher still has 5 railway bridges intact! All part of the old Cork Bandon line. These will be covered in a future article.
Maher's Lane railway bridge
( uphill from Maher's Lane )
Close up view of Mahers Lane bridge
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