The second of a 4-part article ( Part 1 here ) looking back at Togher from the 1940s to the 1970s from the perspective of the Hegarty family , as told by Anne O'Driscoll ( nee Hegarty ). This article looks back at the houses of the 1940s and onward dealing with some of the people who dwelt there and highlighting those which thankfully still remain , hidden in plain sight , nestled among the new housing schemes which sprang up in the 1960s. Houses which can still be viewed today are marked with an asterisk *. Those now demolished will be marked in red text. The journey will start at the
beginning of Togher Road and alternate left and right of the road in a
numbered sequence as shown below.
& Anne O'Driscoll
1 - Harris/Hanley*
This 2 storey house was once the home of the Harris' , a brother and sister who lived alone. Nuala Harris went to live in Greenwood Estate. Today it is owned by the Hanley's who also own the garage on opposite side of road. Note that the side of their house is unique in the area in that it hosts a billboard. The house is currently unoccupied.
2- Buckley*
This was the home of the Buckley's
and their daughter Jane , an only child. She now lives in the bungalows
leading into Sycamore Place. The house is currently unoccupied.
3 - A collection of pre 1950s houses consisting of the following located between old Buckley bungalow and entrance to Boston Park.
Jackson ( Peter )*
Ambrose*
Twomey house*
This was originally a cottage but was altered to become a 2 storey house ; situated to the left of the entrance to Boston Park
The following houses are located after entrance to Boston Park ( on left side of Togher Road )
4 - Cunningham*
Situated at the right corner of Boston Park. The left house of this semi-detached is the home of the Cunningham's. Ger Cunningham is well known for playing for the Barrs.
5 - Russell*
Home of the Russell's , Ger Cunningham's Grandfather married one of the daughters back in the 1920s. Originally a market garden which extended all way back to Hegarty's market Garden and to the right where the present day garage is. They also owned the land which Boston Park is now built on. Anne remembers Boston Park being built. Her father put up a wicket gate and the guards would travel through it on their bikes for breakfast , dinner and tea. Anne joked that the guards would often stop the siblings and ask their names to which they replied , " ye know our father! "
6 - two semi-detached bungalows*
Home of the Murphy's ( left ) and Crowley's ( right ) , which today is a doctor's surgery , these two buildings being located at the entrance to Ardmanning Avenue. Austin Crowley lived there with his Mother and had a hire business there.
The journey now moves across the road to the site of the present day Shopping Centre.
7 -Minnie's Orchard
Minnie Curtin lived here with her 2 sisters all of whom had passed by the late 1950s. Her cottage was located to the rear of the old Garda Station. All that remains are the high stone walls to the right of Supervalu and to its rear. Hanley's garage is now situated on the site. Minnie had a driveway from Togher Road to her house and all her walls were hand built.
8 - Garda Station/Old R.I.C Barracks
This fronted onto the Togher Road and was still present in 1970 with the new Togher Shopping Centre to its rear. Today the car park occupies its location since demolition in 1971. One notable character from that period was a Guard known as Roundy Lynch.
9- Ardmanning House
Formally occupied by the Caughlins who also owned all the land on which Earlwood Estate is now located which was once made up of orchards all the way back to Bolloway Lane ( now Hillside Road ). Anne recalls how her father used to bring his horse across to the Caughlins as they kept a small forge on their land. They also had a milking shed. She remembers Dan Caughlin milking his cows and they sneaking some of his apples in their clothes even though they had their own orchard! Ardmanning house of course later became a pub and was eventually demolished in 2013.
The journey now resumes across the road on the brow of Ardmanning Hill.
10 - Kerr's*
Left semi-detached house. The Kerr's originally owned a small dairy farm.
11 - O'Driscoll's*
Originally the home of Garda O'Driscoll. His wife was Head Mistress of a model school across from City Hall. Both families lived there in the 1950s. It is thought that new families now reside there , the private dwellings having been sold on.
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