Located directly across Spur Hill from the iconic Togher Holstein sign and not far from the Glasheen River it fronts onto the road with 153 acres of farmland. It is known as Knockalisheen House.
near Liberty Bridge
entrance to old " Fort Field "
Considered one of the original " Big Houses " in Togher , Knockalisheen House , which comprised 9 rooms and 9 front windows , in the townland of the same name was built circa early 1840s by Joseph D. Jackson ( Owner and Landlord of Knockalisheen ( which was situated between the western and eastern routes of Spur Hill) on the western side of Spur Hill , sandwiched in between the two original tributaries of the Glasheen River ( It is thought the southern fork was dammed off in the early 20th Century ) and initially leased out in 1850 to Benjamin Deeble who owned a flour mill in Cork City adjacent to St. Francis' church. The mill was demolished in 1877. * It should be noted that Benjamin Deeble and subsequent owners leased all of the land south of the northern fork of the Glasheen River. He sublet an additional property on his land to a John Harrigan ( * see house above ). The area north of the Glasheen River was rented out to Francis Harris who also sublet to Robert Neill and Daniel Ahern. The house being studied in this article was associated with two features in Togher by virtue of its occupiers which will be explained below.
Togher Holstein on right
Benjamin Deeble sadly had a life full of extreme misfortune. His flour mill business wasn't a success even though he had plenty of the raw materials on his large tract of arable land , his 153 acres taking up a sizable chunk of the townlands overall capacity of 225 acres! In 1852 he was declared bankrupt and in 1867 he died of bronchitis. However his name lived on in the back road between Doughcloyne and Lehenaghmore becoming known to locals as Ben Deeble's Lane. In more modern times it is known as Wilson's Lane.
in centre showing end of Doughcloyne
It was some time after his demise that the house and land passed into the ownership of the Morrisons. The 1901 Census shows Alexander Morrison and his two sisters Jesse and Margaret Jane ( all of the Presbyterian faith ) as occupiers. Also shown in the same Census are the names of 3 other residents on Morrison land ( see further below ) - William O'Keeffe , John Brien and Thomas Buckley. The 1911 Census shows several newer occupants on the land , indicating the temporary nature of farm laborers - . The family name lives on in the local natural feature which is Morrison's Ravine , through which the Glasheen River flows on its way to Waterfall and thence on to Deanrock.
Shows number of people in each residence
* Note Togher is shown as " Toher "
with Glasheen River flowing from right
The 1901 Census ( see above ) shows Alexander and his two sisters resident on the land. Compare the following 1911 Census which shows the absence of Jesse who may have married at that point in time. Alexander possibly married after 1911 as It was Alex's wife Annie who in 1952 sold at auction the house and lands to the Kingstons who were resident until recently. * It is unclear who the current occupiers are.
Historically , it is an unusual " Big House " in that it fronts virtually onto the road , whereas tradition dictated that a Gentleman's residence was sited further inland with a main drive and a lodge fronting onto the road. This lends credence to the fact that it was a purpose built house erected for sale to a farmer as evidenced by the 153 acres which came with the sale. Frontage was not as important or practical as was a tract of arable land behind the domicile.
* Note - Harrigan's house at bottom left
& extant Ring Fort bottom centre
( possibly destroyed 1940s )
Today , the whitewashed walls of its outbuildings stands in contrast to the main residence with its bright yellow door. The original 9 roomed abode has been enhanced with an additional build running at right angles to the rear.
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