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.
& 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Video showing Glasheen River before it flows under bridge
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.
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.
