29th Fieldwork Trip -3rd July 2019 - Benchmarks , New Developements & Boundaries

On Wednesday afternoon , the Togher Historical Association conducted a casual fieldwork trip in the Togher region exploring some features which will be investigated more fully in the future. First port of call was a visit to the Dental Lodge which was formally the Lodge of the Sarsfield's Estate. Built in 1820 , it was for a short time Togher's first official school. 25 years later in 1845 , a benchmark was chiselled into one of its limestone blocks. It is thought that two other benchmarks exist in Togher ; one in Eagle Valley and one on a railway bridge. The whole topic of benchmarks will be covered in a separate article. A brief look was made of the anvil donated by the Dennehy family which is sited out the local Centra supermarket.

Dental Lodge , Togher Cross

Close up view of Benchmark

Finger pointing shows scale of Benchmark

Signage marking site of replica anvil

Next stop was a very brief visit to Morrison's Ravine situated not far from Togher Holstein's and Kingston's Farm. It was intended to photograph the stone bridge which runs under the road but traffic made this impossible. Instead , a quick view of the Glasheen which runs down through the field sporting heavy overgrowth and through to the ravine opposite. A future visit is planned.

Glasheen River approaching bridge opposite Morrison's Ravine

Site of underground stone bridge opposite field

View of Glasheen River as it flows through into Morrison's Ravine

A flying visit was made to the site of the former Chetwynd House off Meagher's Lane off Maher's Lane. This 17th Century house was recently demolished. All that remains are its outbuildings , one of which was attached to the house.

Lean to outbuilding next to site of former 

Chetwynd House showing remains

Outbuilding to left of former Chetwynd House

Outbuilding to right of former Chetwynd House

Acting on Cork City's extended boundary , the group made their way to Spur Hill and the entrance to Maher's Lane which demarcates the new boundary. All land north of the lane now lies inside Cork City with all land east of a point by Spur Hill near Maher's Lane deemed to be in Cork City.

New City boundary on Maher's Lane

Spur Hill showing new boundary to north 

with entrance to Maher's Lane on left

Next the group made a viewing of Shournagh Grove , Togher's newest development now nearing completion. It was also decided to take a look at the entrance to Willow Place , the former Kelly's Lane.

Shournagh Grove as seen from Togher Road

Shournagh Grove towards junction of Clashduv Road

Willow Place formally Kelly's Lane as seen from Togher Road

Former Kelly's Lane looking out to Togher Road

Finally , the highlight of the day was a visit to Greenwood Estate to meet with members of the McCarthy family whose Togher legacy goes back over 63 years. This will feature in a future blog article. Below is a preview of the many photographs from the McCarthy family showing Sean O'Brien , Market Gardener and Siobhan Spillane ( nee McCarthy ). This meeting will feature on the blog in the near future.

26th Fieldwork Trip - 16th June 2018 - Chetwynd , Doughcloyne & Lehenaghmore

On Saturday afternoon on June 6th 2018 , the Togher Historical Association undertook its 26th Fieldwork Trip to date. The plan was to visit some of Togher's eateries and also visit some of her more iconic locations. First stop was to the site of the former Chetwynd House off Meagher's Lane. Acting on information from the Togher Facebook page concerning its demolition , the group decided to investigate the location. Sadly what greeted them was proof positive that the centuries old structure was indeed now gone , in its place a heap of rubble to make way for a garden extension. This coupled with the former Phillipine House off Doughcloyne Hill saw two of Togher's oldest buildings erased forever within months of each other.

 Initial view of demolished Chetwynd House

 Outbuildings which formed courtyard with House

 Remains of Chetwynd House showing new build

Outbuilding at end of Meagher's Lane

Site of former Chetwynd House , Meaghers Lane

Next stop for the group was the site of the former Phillipine House now completely upgraded to the Fellowship House complex which is devoted to assisting those suffering with addiction. A brand new metal gate with the " Fellowship House " title cut into its frame guards the way to the site. Aside from some ancillary buildings constructed by AnCO in 1985 , everything else is newly constructed including an exact replica of the old Phillipine House. The old orchard walls have been pared back and its grounds excavated to house several buildings. This was a unique opportunity to photograph the grounds while still unoccupied.

Newly landscaped and tarmacced 

entrance lane to Fellowship House

New titular entrance gates to Fellowship House

 Replica build of Phillipine House

 Additional structure with titular signage on paneled facia

Angled view of new Phillipine House

 New ancillary buildings in old Orchard grounds

Front view of replica of iconic building

Upgraded Fellowship House off Doughcloyne Hill 

The group next headed for Applegreen on Togher Road to hand deliver a copy of the original placue for the old cottage school which was once sited at that location and which was damaged during construction of the garage. The proprietors of Applegreen are to shortly commission a replacement. Below can be seen an archive photograph of the original placue which hopefully will be reinstated soon.

Photograph of old cottage school placue

The group next made their to the gully by the Airport where the Glenmore River rises. The reason was to gauge the practicalities of attempting a climb down its ravine to video the area in question. Unfortunately it was deemed impossible given the dangerous overgrowth and the cordoning off of the location due to a private build which is in progress to its immediate left which will include a house , driveway and water treatment plant. It is planned to hopefully negotiate with the new owners in the future for a possible trip into the gully. A few of the blocks making up the hidden bridge under which the Glenmore River flows could be seen to have been dislodged. While there , a fun blast from the past presented itself in the form of a long trailing plant known to many Togher children as " stickybacks ". The name derived from the plants ability to quite literally stick to garments. The actual name of the plant is Cleaver and it is both a medicinal herb and an edible food used in salads.

 Stone Bridge all but hidden by overgrowth

 View of river concealed by heavy foliage

 Alternate view of bridge showing dislodged stones

Cleavers or Stickybacks growing near gully

Billy O'Brien posing with Stickybacks

The group next made its way to Stalks & Stems florist and Mad Hatters Cafe on Tramore Road but regrettably found the shop to be closing trade for the day. It is hoped to make a return visit again at an earlier time. It was decided to stop off for coffee at the Viaduct Bar and take in the ambience which included the famous viaduct of the same name and the wonderful Glasheen River which flows alongside.

Chetwynd Viaduct as seen from Viaduct Bar

Glasheen River showing culvert and rubble banks

Chetwynd Viaduct as seen from the Glasheen River

Frontal signage of Viaduct Bar & Restaurant

Scenic beer garden outside Viaduct Bar

Glasheen River near Viaduct Bar/Chetwynd Viaduct

The Fieldwork Trip concluded with a brief look at the now cleared site of the former Allan home on Doughcloyne Hill before viewing one of Togher's newest signs erected by Tidy Towns in the grounds of the Funeral Home on Sarsfield Road. Previously the sign had been removed but has since been reinstated and adds to the beautiful ambience of Togher.

Cleared site of former Allan House

Togher Tidy Towns sign outside Funeral Home

21st Fieldwork Trip - 3rd June 2017 - Green Shield Stamps , Big Houses and A Bridge Too Far

On Saturday June 3rd 2017 , the Togher Historical Assoc. undertook its first Fieldwork Trip of the year with several goals in mind. Eamonn Pearse and Billy O'Brien were joined by historical enthusiast Eamonn Twomey and set off in search of green shield stamps , a couple of big houses and quite literally , a bridge too far. First appointment was at Edward Walsh Road to meet Anna Marie O'Shea in her home. The team literally paid a flying visit but nevertheless uncovered some priceless gems in the form of a sheet of Green Shield Stamps and an original Rent Book ( thought to be either attributed to an address at Shournagh Lawn or Argideen Lawn circa 1969 - Anna Marie's family home ). Also of historical interest was an old E.S.B. bill , possibly dating to the 1970s , which belonged to her Grandfather , who lived at Tramore Road. It is hoped to flesh out the Family history in the near future. The blog would like to thank Anna Marie for her warm welcome and look forward to a return visit.

Anna Marie with her Green Shield Stamps

E.S.B. bill ( possibly 1975 ) belonging to John O'Shea

Grandfather of Anna Marie O'Shea

Anna Marie - Communion 1973 - with her Father

Anna Marie with 1960s Corporation Rent Book

Next port of call was a return visit to Garrane Darragh house which was accessed from the car park at Bishops Court Shopping Centre. It was just over 3 years since the Historical Assoc. had last paid a visit and this was evident by the complete boarding up of the old abode. It was remarked by those present that the house bore an uncanny resemblance to the now sadly demolished Phillipine House over in Doughcloyne in that it is a double pitched construction. The grounds were once more investigated with a visit to the gate which would have originally lead into another field which was of old bisected by the railway track of the Cork Bandon line , which lives on in a reincarnated state as its former wooden sleeper beams are in situ as a fence.

Rear view of the boarded up Garrane Darragh house

Alternate view showing dilapidated outhouse

Gateway to former line of Cork Bandon Railway

An elevated view of the Grove of Oaks

Video of Garrane Darragh house and grounds

Phillipine House once more came calling and the group returned to the site of the former Fellowship House to view the progress. Thankfully 2 sides of the Orchard wall remain intact with foundations already in place for construction of various dwellings. A quick walkabout ensued in the ground directly beneath the site which resembled a field of gold ( see video below ). Eamonn Twomey was on hand with metal detector but sadly no buried treasure resulted from the search.

View of construction site at former Phillipine House

Field of Gold beneath Fellowship Site

Old rock hued treescape severely cut back

Alternate angle view of beautiful field

Possible elevation slab for water hand pump

Video of field of gold below Phillipine House

The group next set off for Chetwynd House , the former seat of the Meagher's in Togher. In fact the laneway off Maher's Lane is named after them. Time however was given to a brief stopover to photograph the Welcome To Togher signpost next to St. James Cemetery. From there it was homeward bound for what is now Togher's oldest house. The visit was videoed as shown below. Eamonn Twomey remarked about the positioing of an old gaslight about the doorway. Much speculation ensued as to the archway to the left of the door , now blocked up , which may have served as a possible coal bunker door. It was also noted that construction of private residences continues unabated , which now virtually surround the structure.

View of sign next to St. James Cemetery , Chetwynd

View towards Maher's Lane , Chetwynd , Togher

Video of Chetwynd House , Togher

 Angled view of Chetwynd House , Togher

New houses under construction near Chetwynd House

The team next moved swiftly onto Fernwood where the opportunity presented itself for 2 short video shoots of the Liberty Stream , which is piped under the access road there. Of note was the massive concrete pipe and two rounded slab stones which posed more questions than answers. The stream and foliage and birdsong were positively dreamlike at the location as evidenced by the videos shown below.

Video showing Liberty Stream near Fernwood

View of Liberty Stream as it passes former

Southern Fruit premises

Last port of call was an unintended date with destiny. Working on the premise of a childhood memory , Billy O'Brien donned wellington boots and stepped into the Liberty Stream by Coffey's Field and trod through the waters right up to the overhang by the new Turkish Barbers. What greeted the explorer was heart-stopping and reassuring all at the same time. The old stone arch bridge which up to the late 1970s could be viewed from the entrance to Greenwood Estate was in plain view , albeit hidden from modern day eyes , by virtue of an extended overhang constructed late 1990s to meet with the new precast concrete gully walls which replaced the former banks and riverbed. The approach to the overhang is an eerie experience , where the unwary needs to tred carefully in light of the muddy deposition. A series of circular cement buffers flank the overflow runnel and newly expanded concrete floor. The right side of the old stone bridge has been rendered with cement and the entire painted white. The additional overhang slab can be viewed from beneath and is clearly visible , being placed on top of the old shorter slab , which in days gone by acted as a foundation for a pump house.This now confirms that the stretch of road from the Community Centre to Togher Cross is home to 3 Bridges all under the road! This concluded the Fieldwork Trip which proved to be both educational and enlightening for all concerned. The Blog would like to thank Eamonn Twomey for accompanying the group for the day and for his sheer enthusiasm for local history.

Video of trek to overhang in Liberty Stream
across from Community Centre

Video of return trek from overhang to Coffey's Field

 Close up view of old stone arched bridge

 View under overhang showing runnel

View of tunnel towards gully end