On Wednesday 23rd November 2022 , Togher Historical Association were on location in Togher for the first time since February. Despite the torrential downpour , there was another reason for the visit which will be shown later. First port of call was Clashduv Park to record a few changes which have been installed in the last few years. Togher Community Garden has been running very successfully now for a number of years and is a great addition to the local community. A Greenhouse and beautifully painted raised beds which house all manner of vegetables were proudly on display. A fantastic utility which carries forward the tradition of market gardens in Togher. Also tucked away in the corner towards Clashduv Bridge is the site of the proposed future Peace Park which will honour the Women who fought in the War of Independence and will be named after the Hegarty Sisters of The Laurels on Pouladuff Road. Time was taken out to view the improvements to the park in general ; these included the Children's Playground , the Sports Ground and the walkways around the park. It would seem that CCTV is now in operation to prevent misuse of the facilities.
A coffee stop was then made at Applegreen on Togher Road before having a look at the latest developments in the region. The manager Emma Jane gave a warm and hospitable welcome to the group. Changes were noted in the general area of Togher Road , following completion of the Culvert and associated works. As can be seen in the accompanying photographs , much has indeed changed beyond belief. The old gully which once carried the stream towards Coffey's Field is now filled in and landscaped with thankfully a segment of the original stone wall preserved. It is tastefully squared off at the corner with redressed stone. It is difficult to imagine that only a year or so ago , a stream flowed here.
Togher Cross has also been completely reworked with the old stone wall which once ran alongside the stream removed , along with the trees which once stood on the opposite bank. In its place is a block wall with stone facing salvaged from the original wall. The structure now sits on top of the culvert through which the old stream now flows. The culvert extends back to the end of the former Southern Fruit industrial estate. It should be noted that the two original daylighted segments of Togher Stream are now gone forever. It was also noted that the entrance to Sandown Crest is now completely denuded of trees. Time was taken out to view two structures which were supplied/refurbished by Togher Tidy Towns. A timber replica of a well now sits atop the old well situated on the corner of the remaining wall ( at least 200 years old ) of Lehenaghmore House which is capped. The group then traveled to the last remaining original hand pump in Togher on Doughcloyne Hill. The enclosure is now painted and the walls dressed with trellis with the ground treated with gravel. The hand pump itself is now also cleaned and painted. A fantastic feature which harkens back to the days of old.
Time was taken out to visit the site of the old Ardmanning House. Demolished in 2013 , work is almost finished on the extension to the local Supermarket. Sadly the old Vaunie's bakery save for its front is now completely gone. A sad loss of a location visited by many from the 1960s to the 1980s for her delicious range of fresh cakes. Something which caught the eyes of the team was the old pillar post box located on the footpath adjacent to the shopping centre. It predates 1984 when Posts & Telegraphs dept. changed to An Post and Telecom Eireann ( now Eir ) respectively. To its right was the updated post boxes introduced after 1984.
The final mission of the day was an exclusive meeting with Sean Delaney who is the Grandson of Mary O'Leary , the former fiancee of hunger striker Joe Murphy who passed away in 1920. This interview will feature on the blog in the near future following completion of further research. A tragic tale of a woman who endured so much throughout her life. Of course , no interview would be complete without a visit to Joe Murphy House on Pouladuff Road. The owner very kindly welcomed the group and gave permission to photograph the house. The historical significance of bringing Joe Murphy's fiancee's Grandson to his old home was not lost on the group and it was an emotional experience for Sean Delany. The group would like to thank him for his time and his generosity in giving an insight into Mary O'Leary.
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