Blog Visit to Togher National School - 20th March 2017

Back in the summer of 2013 , the Blog met with the Principals of both National Schools in Togher with a view to planning a local history talk with the pupils. However due to work constraints and ongoing fieldwork research the project had to be cancelled. However , acting on a direct request from the new Principal of Togher Boys National School - Mr. Keiran Kelly and liaising with teacher Mr. Olan Murray and School Secretary Ms. Ethna Murphy , a date and time was set. The assembly hall would be used as the meeting place and the audience would be made up of the 5th and 6th Classes of both Boys and Girls Schools. So it was on the morning of March 20th Monday at 11 O'Clock that the Togher Historical Assoc. would give its presentation to 120 school children plus Teachers which would consist of two parts : Billy O'Brien gave the first talk on an introduction to local history whilst Special Guest Speaker - Shirley Kelleher would give a talk on Volunteer Joe Murphy who died on hunger strike back in 1920.

Preparing selection of photographs for display boards

Classes assembling prior to Talks

The first talk with its premise as a brief introduction to local history was made up of 3 distinct parts : Geology of Togher and its relation to the local landscape ; inhabitants of Togher down through the ages and finally a nod to one of Togher's finest - David Allen. The entire event was videoed as can be seen in the video player below. The talk concluded with a slide of an old poem written about Togher School , author unknown , possibly at the turn of the 20th Century. The children broke into an impromptu reading of the script which was surprising but enjoyable to see and hear.

Teacher Mr. Olan Murray , Shirley Kelleher , 

Kathleen O'Keeffe & Billy O'Brien ( note Visitors Pendants )

Billy O'Brien prior to First talk on local history

Background view of Assembly - Togher N.S.

Poem which resulted in impromptu recitation

During the interim , the Blog played a short video slideshow of Togher landmarks showing the old and modern perspective on certain locations. Children were also free to view the stands composed of rare and early photographs and aerial maps of Togher. Ultimately it was felt that the mission of awakening interest in local history in all its forms was achieved. It was necessary to cherry pick certain historical events to paint a broad canvas while at the same time being slightly entertaining.

Students viewing historical photographs

Display board Number 01

Display boards Numbers 02 & 03

Shirley Kelleher began her talk after the short interlude and immediately captivated her audience receiving a tremendous feedback from all in attendance. Many were certainly interested in her Great Uncles escapades and sad demise. It was felt overall that children had gained a new knowledge of a forgotten Togher hero. It behoves the Blog to mention that Shirley was a classmate of a Grand Daughter of Terence McSwiney!

Guest Speaker - Shirley Kelleher - Talk on Volunteer 

and Hunger Striker Joe Murphy

Enthusiastic audience which kept the speaker busy

A window of knowledge was opened in Togher!

The Togher Historical Assoc. & Blog would like to thank most sincerely the Staff and Students of Togher National Schools for their brilliant assistance and interest in the talks. Special thanks are extended to the Principal Mr. Keiran Kelly for his kind invitation and to Ms. Ethna Murphy and Mr. Olan Murray for their help and enthusiasm and for making the group very welcome. The Blog would also like to thank the school Caretaker - Mr. Pat O'Connell for his work in setting up the displays and equipment. It is very much hoped that the Togher Historical Assoc. can make a return visit at some future time.

Blog visit to Togher National Schools
Click on video window to play

Scanning Of Archives - Togher Boys National School - Oct 4th 2013

Following on from the meeting with the Principal of Togher Boys N.S. , Billy O'Brien and Eamonn Pearse arrived at the School on a dark Winter's night on Friday October 4th at 7 pm. The school was hosting the Returning Officers for the Seanad Referendum and prior permission had been granted to use the Canteen to scan any available archives. The team was met by the ever helpful Pat - Schools Caretaker. One of the first things to catch their eye was a framed photograph of the Old Cottage School taken before demolition. It was definitely a euphoric moment as this was the last captured image ever taken of the building. This excited them no end and set the mood for the rest of the night.

 Photograph taken circa 1992 of Old Cottage

 School prior to demolition

The team quickly busied ourselves setting up the scanning equipment and began the arduous task of trawling through the old School Registers. Of course , they felt a natural bias towards their own particular entries and a sense of elation was felt when they eventually discovered them! Legalities prevent the Blog from showing most of the entries except for their own. This is a project to which they will certainly return in the future , if only to completely digitize what is available for easier study in the coming years. A lot of the Registers are very old and crumbling in places. Care was taken whilst handling them so as to guard against any possible damage.

School Register which goes up to 1891.

This is from the Old Cottage School!

Aside from old Roll Books and Registers they unearthed some retro film and slides which would have been used as educational aids back in the early to mid 1970s. These were pure gold opening up a World few have seen for nearly 40 years! While much work still needs to be done in order to preserve them in digital format , the following gives some account of these little nuggets of wisdom from the past.

Original Education Board Film Reels from the 1970s

Irish Language lesson film 3rd Class 1976

Reeling in the years with this slide!

They spent a few hours altogether roaming the corridors of time , scanning and photographing much material which the blog will showcase at a later date. Suffice it to say , many thanks to Jack Durkin and Pat for their help and enthusiasm in pandering to the groups needs and providing them with the facilities to study their Archives. They are forever in their debt. This is just the beginning!

Visit to Togher Boys & Girls Schools - September 23rd 2013

On Monday , September 23rd 2013 , the Blog paid an official visit to both the Boys and the Girls National Schools in Togher. Fergal Dennehy had set up the meeting with the Boys Principal Jack Durkin and Vice Principal Teresa Allen had contacted the Togher Historical Association through Facebook to arrange a meeting with the Principal of the Girls School - Mrs. O'Driscoll. So it was at 12 O'Clock that Billy O'Brien Past Pupil ( 1971 - 1979 ) entered the grounds of Togher BNS for the first time in over 30 years!

The meeting with Jack Durkin was very pleasant and rewarding , as he entertained with tales of various Teachers and gave some valuable insight into the Board of Management. Jack was very enthralled by the Association's research to date and more than impressed by their collection of old photographs and maps. Of course most of the interview will have to remain private , but special mention was given to Author Tom O'Keeffe and Past Principal Flor Dullea. He suggested a possible end of 3rd Term tour for the 5th and 6th Classes. This is now in the pipeline with hopes to extend it to a full day of events with the Togher Historical Association for hopefully March - 2015.

Billy O'Brien was next introduced to the Schools Caretaker - Pat. An incredibly amiable and likeable character , he went out of his way to be helpful - giving the Blog full access to the Schools Archives. A promise was made to return to scan as much of this material as possible.

Next port of call was the Principal of the Togher GNS - Mrs. O'Driscoll . Having first been met by Vice Principal Teresa Allen , Billy O'Brien had an in-depth conversation in the Principals Office where the Blog's Portfolio was discussed and poured over by both. Mrs. O'Driscoll is a native of Togher and has many a story to share and tell. Again , a plan to host a tour and talk with the students of 5th and 6th Classes for March 2015 is being worked on.

All in all , the experience was a good one and hopefully will be of mutual benefit to the Schools and the Historical Association. It also served as a primer for future Fieldwork Research Trips.