The Noonan Family - Lehenaghmore , Togher

A stretch of roadway above Route 19 restaurant up Lehenaghmore is home to 14 original homes nestled in amongst newer more recent builds and industrial estate units. This is the first in a series of 4 short articles which takes a look at each one and its place in Togher local history.

Noonan home , Lehenaghmore , Togher

Denis Noonan was born in 1906 and would go on to become a member of the Dripsey Volunteers during the War Of Independence. Hannah Lane was born in Togher in 1912 and attended Togher National School. Her family home on the hillside of Lehenaghmore Hill  would go on to become her own marital home when the two married in 1939.  Denis worked in St. Finbarrs hospital while his wife ran a small grocery store at their home. The couple would go on to have five children ; Dominick / Domie , Daniel / Donie , Margaret , Jim and Marty.

Denis Noonan & Hannah

Denis Noonan d. 1972

1958 Lehenaghmore Hill with unknown SMA Priest
Back L-R:  Donie Crowley , Seamie Crowley r.i.p. ,
Henry O'Keeffe r.i.p. , Kevin Crowley ,
Michael O'Keeffe , Marty Noonan
Front: Marian Crowley

Jim Noonan and sister Margaret 1960s

Parents outside gate going to water pump

Modern location of above photo
across from modern day Chestnut Drive

Marty would go on to serve on oil rigs with Kinsale Gas and his older brother Dommie would go on to join Irish Shipping ltd. , serving aboard maritime vessels. Marty and his sister Margaret are the only surviving members of the family. Marty currently resides in the family home on Lehenaghmore Hill.

Irish Oak ship which Dommie worked on

Dommie's ships papers 1960s

Shipping log book 1960s

Marty Noonan - Kinsale oil rig 1977

Marty & friends being lowered
onto ship from oil rig 1978

Crew change Kinsale Gas 1978

Click here for Part 2!

Lehenaghmore Hill - Introduction

This is a preliminary study of the structures and residences of Lehenaghmore Hill just beyond Togher Cross ( excluding any structures right of the Liberty stream which are in the Townland of Doughcloyne ) and just below the old Bandon Railway bridge. This article will concern itself with 3 residences ( Lehenaghmore House has been covered here ). The remaining selection of properties beyond the site of the old Bandon railway bridge are dealt with in further articles. ( links given below ).

Good farm 1951
( bottom right above Bandon Railway line )
Callaghan house
( Top on right before Togher Cross )

O'Callaghan Census 1901

The land to the right of Lehenaghmore Hill in our study area (  see below ) was originally a small farm and was owned by the Good family ( see Census above ). Later owners would include the Shortens and finally the McSweeneys , who sold off their land in the late 1960s when the Lehenaghmore Industrial Estate was built at the beginning of the 1970s. The industrial estate is split between two pockets of land either side of Togher Road and has grown larger over the years with new units filling the landscape. The original derelict farmhouse was finally demolished along with the Bandon Railway bridge circa 1977 to facilitate widening of the road. The road itself was shortened but at a cost of higher elevation.

Former home of Good/Shorten/McSweeney
Early 1970s - Southern Fruit in Background

Bandon Railway bridge prior to demolition 1977

 

Lehenaghmore Hill 1989

Residents walking down hill towards original

location of Bandon Railway bridge

 

The present day site of Lehengh Mhuire housing scheme was originally the Lodge leading to Lehenaghmore House. Today , all that remains are the original gates and the row of Sycamore trees planted in the 1940s. The lodge was originally the home of the O'Callaghan family who owned a large tract of land leading up the left hand side of Lehenaghmore Hill. They built a nearby cottage for their daughter in the 1950s ; however their daughter moved to Dublin in the 1970s. Both properties fell into ruin and the site was let out and eventually sold on some decades later. ** The Ryans of Lehenaghmore House moved to Westside estate in 1973 , where the father died. The mother then moved to Doughcloyne and thereafter to Bishopstown.

Present day site of old McSweeney Farmhouse
( see above )

 

O'Callaghan's daughters home 2009
Lodge nearby had long been demolished

New Estate of Lehenagh Mhuire
Under construction July 2019

Lehenagh Mhuire roadsign
 

The blog continues on up beyond the site of the old Bandon Railway bridge and highlights a selection of original builds on the hill. Links are below.

01 - Marty Noonan cottage

02 - The Roche family

03 - The Semi-Detached houses