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

Togher Tidy Towns - Invitation Meeting

On the 30th March 2015 Billy O'Brien and Kathleen O'Keeffe on behalf of the Togher Historical Association received an invitation to sit in on a Meeting of Togher Tidy Towns at the Togher Community Centre. Also present were members of the Togher Community Association , the Community Warden Geraldine Sutton and Cllr Fergal Dennehy with the event being hosted by Ken McCarthy - Secretary T.T.T. A 3 to 5 Year Draft plan was presented to the various groups for discussion ( see below ) with the Historical Association being asked to comment on 2 of the proposals : the first centered around the Boundaries of Togher with the second relating to the upcoming 1916 Rising Centenary Celebrations.

T.T.T. Minutes of 3 - 5 Year Plan

Billy O'Brien gave a formal introduction on the Togher Historical Association to the various groups before explaining the convoluted boundaries of Togher with respect to Religious , Political and Historical borders. Many ideas were discussed by the Community Association and Tidy Towns bodies about the possible citing of Identity Plaques being erected to properly recognize Toghers entrance points. 

It was also explained to those present by the Historical Association viz a viz the 1916 Rising , that although Togher had many associations with the future War Of Independence , no historical record existed of an involvement in the Rising which was largely though not exclusively a Dublin Event. The Community Association hope to erect a Plaque in honour of the Rising near Coffey's Field.

Welcome to the Togher Blog!

Welcome to the Togher Historical Association. It is the working title for this blog and the user name for the blog author Billy O'Brien when acting in a collective capacity with collaborators engaging in fieldwork. The blog was previously known as Togher History Society which was a group project founded by the Blog author in the summer of 2013. It was disbanded in December 2016 after the 3 year project had achieved its aims. 

Cyclist at Togher Cross 1930s

The blog will serve as both an on-line diary of events covering the activities of the Togher Historical Association as well as acting as a repository for articles of interest covering many subjects both historical and current all pertaining to the district. Please note however , that while the Authors strive to make every post as accurate as possible , nothing here is official , authoritative or exhaustive - rather it is a work in progress and may be subject to frequent updates as more information becomes available.


The blog must pay tribute to the works of two Authors without which much of Togher's past would have gone undiscovered and to whom a huge debt is owed - Richard Henchion and Tom O'Keeffe. Between them , they have uncovered a tremendous amount of material relating to our Community for which eternal gratitude is due.


The blog's mission will be to build upon and hopefully expand on the already existing documentation which is now available and to create an historical database for all Togherites. More interviews , articles and extensive fieldwork trips will be added to the already existing roster.


It is envisaged that as time goes on , video will be the predominant medium for showcasing various locations around the Togher district. The blog also hosts 3 Facebook groups " I'm From Togher , Boy " - home to Togher people all over the world! And " Tramore Road " which concentrates on the old secondary school's 20 year tenure which taught a legion of Togher boys. The blog also hosts the Togher Community HUB which carrie all manner of topics that are relative to Togher. See links under Labels on main homepage.

Enjoy your past!
An Tochar Abu!

Togher Historical Association©
                                    est. 2013