For over 48 years a reinforced concrete pillbox stood guard as a lonely sentinel on Togher Road becoming part of the landscape and eventually finding its way into folklore. Sadly it met its demise in 1989.
During World War II , Ireland identified itself as neutral and so began " The Emergency ". Realizing the very real danger of invasion not just from Germany but also from neighboring Great Britain ( even the Big Houses dotted around Togher removed their townland names from their gates so as to confuse any enemy incursions ), it was decided to erect over 300 pillboxes nationwide in the effort to defend the land. These mass concrete structures were built in strategic locations to offset advancing enemy troops and were built exclusively for the use of the Local Security Forces. These were volunteers drawn from specific areas with good local knowledge of their neighborhoods and made up exclusively of men.
The pillboxes were composed of metre thick walls with reinforced concrete and openings through which rifles or sub machine guns could fire. These " gun loops " also gave the sentry a good vantage point to view and fire on any enemy patrols. Togher's pillbox was like many others in Ireland built between 1940 and 1941. It was situated near the Liberty Stream to the right of the Muintir na Tire cottage and had a commanding view of Togher Cross. It's floor was earthen with a small entrance for the soldier to dash inside and return fire on the enemy.
They were built primarily for the use of Local Defence Force personnel. They were initially unarmed but as the War escalated in Europe they were armed with rifles and conducted patrols throughout Togher and would undoubtedly have used the pillbox during their exercises. It cannot be overstated just how extreme the situation was. Great Britain had extensive maps of the Togher area showing all major routes into the City. Germany had plans devised in 1940 for the invasion of the South known as Operation Green.
So it can be seen that the Pillbox and the Local Security Force went hand in hand. With the end of the Emergency in 1946 , the men went back to their own lives and the Pillbox stood silent for another 43 years , its very purpose being forgotten and becoming a curious oddity for schoolchildren to play in. However in 1989 , it was demolished for a private build and was essentially erased from history. The sad fact is that nowadays , any surviving pillboxes in Ireland are now protected as listed buildings. Togher's sole pillbox survives only in the memories of children from the past and in these pages.
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