Glasheen River ~ A Brief History of Drainage Schemes in Togher

While the Glasheen River has been in the news due to localized flooding over the last number of years , it may surprise some to know that it had been the focus and attention of Landlords in the 19th Century desperate to reclaim their land from the scourge of flooding. What may surprise some even more is that there are still remnants of the scheme they enacted! This article looks over the history of a bog which impacted on 4 of Togher's townlands and which still presents problems right up to modern times.

 

1655 Down Survey map of South Liberties
Showing Bogland surrounded by townlands ( see text below )

To fully understand the overall historical context of the subject under discussion , it is necessary to go back many centuries. After the last Ice Age ended circa 10,000 years ago , the resulting outwash from the melting of the glaciers brought to life myriad streams and lakes which in turn created a vast wetland or marsh especially as the climate warmed. However , even though our ancestors thrived in them , later invaders looked on them with disdain. Even the Down Survey of 1655 which mapped Ireland for the first time simply referred to the region north of Garrane Darragh , Doughcloyne , Deanrock & Clashduff ( southern portion ) as Bogg or Bogland ( denoted by " (b) " shown in map above ). Of course their only interest was in good quality agricultural land which could turn a profit. However the map is a priceless relic of an area which would cause so many headaches for future developers right up to the modern era!

1830s map showing Garrane Darragh & Doughcloyne
Note : No culverts or railway line

In the early part of the 19th Century the landlords of Garrane Darragh and Doughcloyne decided to take action and attempt to drain the northern portions of their lands. A plan was enacted to cut out 7 parallel channels ( see below ) with some adjacent feeder channels and divert any runoff from the marshland into the local Glasheen River. * It must be stated that this would have been done by a workforce using picks and shovels! They also diverted a local spring which emanated from Togher Cross to act as a conduit to help wick moisture away from the bog. To prevent the Glasheen River from taking water back or flooding they shored up the banks with roughly shaped slabs of stone which gave it a castellated appearance earning itself the nickname " The Ramparts ". 

Late 19th Century map showing Cork Macroom line
Note mini culverts and how close to Glasheen River the line runs

The age of railways encroached upon Togher in the 19th Century with the Cork Bandon line cutting through Garrane Darragh and Doughcloyne. However the later Cork Macroom line decided to traverse the 2 townlands boggy terrain directly. To enable the workers to lay down tracks , trees were first laid down and covered by stone to prevent the line from sinking. To overcome the obstacle of the various channels linked to the Glasheen River , 6 mini stone arched culverts ( see map above ) had to be built to carry the railway line across.

Example of typical stone arched mini culvert

As time wore on a new form of transport entered the arena and spelled the death of the Cork Macroom Direct Railway. C.I.E. , which was formed in 1945 introduced Togher to its first bus service in 1946. Less than 10 years later they were tearing up the Cork Macroom railway tracks circa 1953 with its close neighbour the Cork Bandon line being removed in 1961. It left a ghostly permanent way in its wake which quickly became the playground for countless children in the vicinity who reveled in the excitement and danger of the area. Numerous bog holes , streamlets and the Glasheen River itself were places of adventure where locals hunted for frogs and constructed small rafts on which to navigate the wetlands.

1990s constructed riverbed channel
Note : No mature treeline on embankment

However time waits for no man or boy and nothing stays the same forever. An idea first mooted in the 1950s was about to become a reality. A new National Road was to be laid down in lieu of the old Railway line. So it was that the Cork South Ring Road began construction in the early 1990s. The builders wisely chose to follow the old route of the Cork Macroom railway line. But to achieve this , first work had to commence on clearing the channels which had been cut out in the 19th Century. This also meant removing all the old stone culverts ( see above ). 

Newspaper account of objection to diverting of Glasheen River
Note : Photo shows original course of Glasheen River 
with its original mature treeline in background

Only 1 channel was allowed to remain based on the fact that it had a source back near Togher Cross which ran into the Glasheen River and can still be seen today. Perhaps the most incredible part of all the work of creating the Cork South Ring Road was the decision to move a portion of the Glasheen River further north to facilitate road widening. This met with much opposition from the residents north of the Glasheen River in Donscourt in the townland of Farrandahadore More. A new riverbed and embankment was dug out by heavy machinery to form a straighter course and a portion of the original route of the Glasheen River along with its original mature treeline was gone forever. This new portion is very much evident by the lack of mature trees on its banks when compared to the original sections it joins. The photo above shows that original section of the Glasheen River which is now gone forever.

Course of spring near Spur Hill to channel
adjacent to The Headlands

Course of spring alongside Sarsfield Lane

Treeline at top shows course of spring from Spur Hill
Treeline running at right angles shows channel 
which meets up with Glasheen River at bottom

Of course other natural features and man made solutions to the never ending problem of drainage enter the narrative as well. Firstly , a drainage pit was created during the construction of Garrane Darra housing complex. It is thought this was piped through to a natural stream which emanated from the bogland just south of the N40. In turn this stream was diverted back into the Glasheen River north of the N40 and under the Sarsfield Road Flyover. And just east of that is a natural boghole north of The Headlands. Added to all of this is the mysterious culvert which runs along the entrance to Elm Park. It consists of 2 entrance bridges. It is not known to date if this was again a modern drainage scheme.

Water Drainage pit installed during construction 
of Eagle Valley 1990s

Drainage pit near  The Headlands and Eagle Valley
Now heavily overgrown

Fenced off Boghole between Sarsfield Road Flyover 
and The Headlands

Channel under Sarsfield Flyover
diverting stream from nearby marsh

Culvert flowing into Glasheen River

Culvert alongside Elm Park

Elm Park channel

Morrison's Ravine

Morrrison's Ravine , Knockalisheen , Togher

 

Morrison's Ravine 1900
Note track-way delineated by double dotted line

 

An ancient forest which hugs the Glasheen River as it descends through Knockalisheen has for many years been known as Morrison's Ravine. It forms part of the natural north eastern boundary of the Townland and was named after a local farmer , Alexander Morrison whose family owned the nearby farm and Knockalisheen House up to 1952. As the watercourse flows under the stone arched bridge at Spur Hill , it emerges into a thick canopy of vegetation and trees and falls rapidly towards Waterfall where it is joined by another streamlet flowing in from Kilmurriheen. 

 

Glasheen River as it approaches bridge

Spur Hill

Turnstile Entrance off Spur Hill

Walkway looking back at Spur Hill

Glasheen River as it enters Morrison's Ravine

Glasheen River inside Morrison's Ravine

Both watercourses then make their way northward with the Bandon Road as its companion before detouring around the present day South Ring Road and meandering its way around Deanrock to turn sharply left at Clashduv Bridge leaving Togher behind before eventually merging as a culvert with the Curraheen River which empties into the River Lee.

 

Gateway entrance off Bandon Road

 

A well worn trackway leads from a turnstile ( see above ) at Spur Hill all the way down to the Bandon Road and a gate. Access is fraught with danger being located off a main thoroughfare. The gate is a handy marker which acts as a separation point between 2 Townlands , with Knockalisheen on its left and Kilmurriheen on its right. The stream itself is located some meters in behind the ditchline.However , the entrance top side has recently been fitted with CCTV and a " Keep Out " warning sign , both nailed to a tree located just inside the turnstile.

Alternate aerial view of Morrison' Ravine
showing possible large ring fort to its south in Kilmurriheen

The wooded enclosure , believed now to be designated as a game reserve , is a remnant of a much older covering and is a prime example of how much of the region looked going back several centuries before the trees were cleared to make way for agricultural and grazing lands. It should be noted that the Glasheen River , which emanates from a spring near the Airport was once a dis-tributary , with its southern cousin flowing slightly south of its northern brethren. It too up to the 19th Century displayed woodland along its banks until it was dammed off in the early 20th Century. However the old course of the now extinct branch of the Glasheen River can still be deduced from aerial maps with some of its old woodland still in place.

31st Fieldwork Trip - 17th April 2021- New Builds & Old Builds & Glasheen River

Togher Historical Association undertook its first Fieldwork Trip since November 2019. Due in large part to Covid-19 restrictions it was impossible to carry out any on the ground research for 2020 and much of 2021. However once the opportunity presented itself the group set out to have a closer look at the new Estates springing up in Togher with a nod and a wink towards those which have been here for many years.

Billy O'Brien , Councillor Thomas Moloney
& Kathleen O'Keeffe

First port of call was to the home of Councillor Thomas Moloney on Elm Road. Thomas has been instrumental in acquiring material for the Historical Association over the years from plans of older Estates to general information including road signage and much more. The Association would like to formally acknowledge his silent contribution to the research of local heritage and to his family for welcoming them into their home.

Shournagh Grove as seen from Clashduv Road

Boulder landscape in centre of Shournagh Grove

Looking back from Shournagh Lawn

Shournagh Grove on Togher Road

Next stop was to Togher's newest Estate , Shournagh Grove. Built on the site of the Old Owenacurra Court the buildings are quite modern with solar panels installed on the roofs of all builds. The new address loops around from Togher Road , Clashduv Road and back on itself to emerge onto Shournagh Lawn and back around onto the Togher Road. While admiring the new houses , it was also discovered to have an unusual feature in the form of a rock. It is not thought this is native and may have been specially fitted to enhance the landscape.

Deanwood Avenue

During the visit , the group paused to take in some of Togher's older places. Deanwood Avenue was built in 1964 and the old tree overlooks the entrance. Carmelville is one of Togher's very few listed buildings. And last but not least , Solas , Togher's only conical shaped residence.

Carmelville

Solas ( corner of Vicars Road and Togher Road )

The group then made its way over to Togher's newest construction , the as yet unnamed Estate off Sarsfield's Road. The former scrub-land has been completely transformed and work is well underway. The land itself has been deeply excavated with the result that the houses are below the surrounding road.

As seen from side of housing scheme

Foundations in place for builds

As seen from main road

The team then made their way to the townland of Knockalisheen to capture some moments of the Glasheen River in full flow as it descends from the Airport and passes under a bridge and carries on through Morrisons Ravine towards Waterfall to begin its journey around Deanrock and on to the River Lee. Sadly a swivel gate which allows access to the Glasheen has now been cordoned off with warning signs and CCTV camera mounted on a tree.

Glasheen River as seen from roadside in Knockalisheen

Closer view of the Glasheen River

Video showing Glasheen River before it flows under bridge

Panoramic view of Glasheen River as it emerges
from under bridge to flow into Morrison's Ravine

The group then made its way to the former home of an as yet unnamed family. Sadly the old building is badly dilapidated and its grounds are extremely overgrown though the locked gate looks new. A million memories have tragically been returned to nature. It is not known what future lies in store for this place which once was full of life.

Entrance to old house

Close up view of house on Spur Hill

The whistle-stop tour concluded with visits to four separate houses dotted around the region.  First up was Marian House which was radically altered in 1954 and renamed to coincide with the religious festival. Next was a flyby of the home of the Walsh's , whose family were involved in the War Of Independence , a fleeting glimpse of the former labourer's cottage once the home of Mossie Sexton ; and lastly a visit to Ardan Mhuire which over the years has been home to Nuns. It is planned to present articles on each house in more detail for the blog very soon.

Entrance to Marian House

Side Entrance to Marian House

Walsh's House Lehenaghmore off Matthew Hill

Mossey Sexton's old labourer's Cottage

Ardan Mhuire

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