7th Fieldwork Trip - 13th September 2014 - Corcoran's Bridge , Original Water Pump & Chetwynd House

Acting on the spur of the moment , Kathleen O'Keeffe ( acting as Driver ) and Billy O'Brien ( acting as photographer ) of the Togher Historical Association decided to do a tour d'horizon of Lehenaghmore and Chetwynd Townlands. Of course attempting to take in everything in a 2 hour session proved impossible so certain targets were discussed and agreed upon before setting off. The brilliant sunny weather aided in no small measure to ensuring a fantastic day jaunting around Togher's splendid hinterland.

 

 Liberty Stream flowing from Marsh 

towards Corcorans Bridge - Airport side

Liberty Stream entering Corcoran's Bridge

 - Airport side

First port of call was the roadway across from the North runway of Cork Airport. This particular bend carries the name of Corcorans Bridge and it was here that the day's activities began. The bridge is important for one main reason - it is the first man-made structure that the Liberty Stream passes under , on its downward journey to Togher Cross and then out to sea. Previous to any investigation , it was thought that the " Bridge " was simply a concrete pipe. But after clambering down to have a look , Billy O'Brien was delighted to report it was an actual bone fide bridge , with cut limestone blocks arranged in an arch with keystone in place and a block floor beneath to prevent erosion. Even though the stream technically begins a little further back as a rivulet from the exotically titled Cumar na dTrí nUisce or Meeting of the Three Waters , a natural spring which through underground pressure slowly empties the vast aquifer that lies beneath the Airport and surrounding lands and runs off in three different directions - West , South and North ( towards Togher ) , it is the marsh at the end of the Airport runway which is mostly looked on as its starting point. Replete with bull-rushes and furze bushes , this marsh slowly squeezes out its watery deposits which forms a pool in a gulley infested with water skaters and other small marine life before flowing under Corcoran's Bridge.

Corcoran's Bridge - Close Up 01 - Togher side

Corcoran's Bridge - Close Up 02 - Togher side

Corcoran's Bridge - Wide Angle - Togher side

Liberty Stream heading away from 

Corcoran's Bridge

Liberty Stream - stone escarpment - before descent

A failed attempt to abseil unaided down the opposite side of the road to have a closer look at the other side of the Bridge soon resulted in a frantic search for an alternative route. Turning a corner , the team found a spring loaded farm gate and lost no time in entering the field and trekking down to the stream's edge. Here the view that greeted them could only be described as breathtaking. The full grandeur of Corcoran's Bridge presented itself in all its glory for anybody who cared to see. Local rumour has it that two brothers of the titular name built the quaint structure , but whether they were farm labourers or stone masons is unknown. Suffice to say , the bridge must be of ancient origin , such is the quality of its stonework , which is sadly lacking today in this age of precast concrete and self assembly. Further down from the flow of water , there is a stone escarpment , which rather unnervingly leads the stream down a vertigo inducing drop of 400ft , progressively as it moves through the gradient which dips in 50 foot increments until it reaches Togher's second original stone arched bridge at Togher Cross , this particular one being all but made invisible by tarmac and overgrowth. It should also be noted that the stream takes its name - Liberty - from the old now defunct South Liberties of the County of the City of Cork. Kathleen also mentioned that a " second " Liberty Stream exists in a westerly direction from this location and may be a dis-tributary of the original ( this location will be visited soon ).

Original Water Pump and Enclosure 

- Doughcloyne Hill

Original elevated and stepped former 
Water Pump - Spur Cross

The teams next stop was to visit what is arguably Togher's last remaining authentic hand powered Water Pump. This now de-commissioned relic is housed inside a three walled enclosure just in off the road next to Joan Sexton's house on Doughcloyne Hill. Originally the hand operated pump had a plunger which when pulled up by the action of depressing the handle would create a vacuum , thus forcing well water to fill same and gush forth from the spout and into a waiting bucket. Another location at Spur Cross was visited which sported the same style of enclosure but with an elevated and stepped platform. Alas , only the base of the Water Pump remains today.

Marian House aka Hayesleigh near Cork Airport

Marion House was the next brief stop for a quick photo opportunity. This building has recently been renovated by its new owners. Originally this would have been called Haysleigh and even before that was known as Cruiskeen Lodge and is quite near the modern Airport.

Frontal View - Chetwynd House off Meaghers Lane

Of course no sojourn of Toghers wide open spaces would be complete without a visit to Chetwynd House. This is reached by traveling over a small stone railway bridge ( which the old Cork Bandon train would have traveled under before engaging with the famous Chetwynd Viaduct ) before driving down a steep road and turning in left to a narrow lane. This house was the seat of the Meaghers and it is from that name that the lane acquired its moniker.

Side View - Chetwynd House 

with later added single storey outhouse

Seperate Workhouse adjoining forecourt

Next on the agenda was the old Hegarty's House up Doughcloyne Hill ( the man of the house being a bus driver ) who subsequently sold up ( due in no small part to the fact that they had no running water and also because they were on the Corporation waiting list at the time ) and moved to Hazel road. This now abandoned quaint old structure now lies derelict and locked behind a metal gate and guarded by high stone walls.

Abandoned Hegarty House up Doughcloyne Hill

 Gated entrance to Hegarty House

A fleeting encounter was made with the Teampaleen , Cros na Gol aka Cros na Scoil and sundry others , but they will be the subject of a future visit such is the comprehensive history that is associated with them!

Local Interviews - 04 - Kathleen O'Keeffe - Westside Estate , Togher

Jimmy & Margaret Roche 1940s

 

On Saturday the 13th September 2014 at 6.00 p.m. at her home in Westside Estate , Billy O'Brien had the pleasure of interviewing a Togher legend - Kathleen O'Keeffe. The meeting was poignant and long awaited for two reasons ; Kathleen is the wife of the late Tom O'Keeffe - author of " Togher , A Brief History " and " Togher , Past & Present " plus her family tree on the Maternal side in Togher extends through an unbroken line all the way back to the mid 19th Century.

Roche Family group photograph 

( Kathleen on right )

Her Grandfather , Michael O'Donovan was born in 1881 in Ashgrove , Togher and was a pupil of the old Cottage School ( now demolished ) located next to Muintir na Tire Cottage ( also demolished ) which has a family link as well. His occupation all his life was as a Horse Handler and he worked for the Hayes in the present Marion House ( previously called Hayseleigh ). Sadly he passed away at the ripe old age of 85 in 1966. One historical footnote worthy of mention , is that Michael was a cousin of the famous O'Donovan Rossa!

Michael O'Donovan's former home in Ashgrove

Kathleen with family and relations in 1960s

at her Communion ( left at Front ) - 
Michael O'Donovan on right

 

Her Mother , Margaret O'Donovan , was born in 1926 and attended the old National School ( Now Community Centre ) which had been built in 1891 to replace the over crowded Cottage School across the road. The land and adjoining playground had been donated free of charge by the Sarsfields , prominent local landowners , with a pedigree themselves stretching back over two Centuries. She married local man Jimmy Roche ( born 1919 in Doughcloyne ) in 1947 , a Farmer's Labourer who later turned Builder's Labourer to work on the future Deanrock Estate in the late 1960s!

Maggie Roche , Mossy Roche , unknown and Jimmy Roche
Early 1920s Doughcloyne

He also had a turn as Nightwatchman on the Estate with his hut located near the Devil's Rock ( The Citadel ) , where he possibly played as a child when the area was known as the Heighties and the shored up Glasheen River bore the title of the Rampart. Kathleen recalls visiting him by walking down the walled Summerstown Lane past the Workmens Houses and skirting Deanrock House itself , resplendent in its brightly painted hue of Yellow! Prior to that in the 1930s Jimmy had even helped to plant the trees leading into the now Palmbury Estate!

Jimmy and Margaret Roche 

1947

James & Kathleen Roche ( Grandparents )

 

 

Kathleen's Great Grandmother
( and one of her Aunts ) 1920s

Jimmy Roche and Margaret
Wedding Day 16th August 1947

 

Jimmy Roche with baby Seamus and Michael 1949

Jimmy Roche late 1960s

 

 Kathleen's Father , Jimmy was the nephew of Ciss , who was married to Paddy Ryan who won the National Sweepstakes , which saw him buy Lehenaghmore House in the 1930s and adjoining lands all  the way back to the present Togher Flyover near the Deanrock Pub. It was one of his new properties , Muintir na Tire which became the home of the Roches and saw the birth of Kathleen's brother in 1949 and sister in 1951. In the mid 1950s , the Family moved to Rochestown and a lodge where Jimmy worked on the farm for a while. But they were destined to return once more to Togher making Glenanaar in Lehenaghmore their new abode with baby Kathleen.

Kathleen outside her former home - Glenanaar

Kathleen and Grandfather Michael - Communion

Jimmy Roche also served his Country during the Second World War ( known as The Emergency in Ireland ) from 1939 to 1945 as a member of the Local Security Force or LSF. Though not armed as their successors the Local Defence Force or LDF ( forerunners to the F.C.A. and now R.D.F. ) were , they nevertheless played a vital part in security operations in Togher during those turbulent years acting as ad hoc Postmen , patrolling the neighbourhood and directing traffic. Jimmy along with many of his comrades who came from all parts of Togher and beyond was awarded the Emergency Medal and Ribbon upon being demobbed in 1945.

James Roche LSF with Medal and Ribbon

Kathleen Communion studio photo

 

 

Kathleen started her studies , like her Parents ( Mother - 1930s ; Father - 1920s ) and her Grandfather ( 1880s ) before her , in the Togher National School as Ireland entered the 1960s. However , with the start of a new Decade came the exciting prospect of a brand new school built on a pocket of private land adjacent to Muintir na Tire and the old Cottage School.

Kathleen's Confirmation Day

The Girls Principal of both the Old National School ( which with the transfer of the Girls became solely a Boy's School in 1961 ) and the new Girls National School was Ms. McCarthy. Another Teacher from those days was Mrs. Deasy. Besides the usual lessons learned at School during those days , the Girls also were instructed in Needle work , crocheting and occasional Cookery classes. To that end , Ms. Bridgit McCarthy from the Cork Gas Company paid a one off visit centred around safety in the use of gas while preparing culinary delights.

 

Kathleen in an Irish Stepdancing Class

Kathleen recalls that even with the new larger School , that overcrowding rapidly became a problem and to help combat this , the cloakroom was converted into a makeshift classroom! However , as the 1960s progressed and the influx of people settling in Togher in the newly built Estates grew exponentially , even the cloakroom became insufficient to meet their needs , and 3 Prefabs had to be brought on site to cope with the deluge.

Kathleen with neighbours ( left of doll )

Kathleen O'Keeffe and classmates outside home 1960s

L- R Marian O'Brien , Marie Roche , Kathleen Roche ,
Teresa Hayes , Eileen Crowley
In front Mary Hayes

Kathleen related how as a child one of their favourite games was sitting in the garden and making daisy chains besides scampering off to great adventures in the nearby fields with her friends. Other games would have included hop scotch , blind man's bluff and skipping. One abiding memory though wasn't so pleasant and that was the trek home from school under the Snotty Bridge particularly in the darkness of Winter time!  From walled up Lehenaghmore House right up to the ominous overpass , the trees on both sides arched over like skeletal phantoms and bathed the walk in perpetual twilight even during Summer. Children only breathed a collective sigh of relief once past this location and out into the open countryside again. There was also a makeshift dirt track on the right past the bridge which lead up to the railway track. To further worsen affairs for the local students making their tentative steps towards home was the prospect of strangers lurking above them as they passed under the Bridge! Indeed different dubious characters used to loiter about on the top of the railway track overlooking the road beneath! This dangerous location was made all the more safer when in 1977 it was finally demolished.

Kathleen with friend Marian Crowley 

up the African Missions lane

Another popular feature of Togher back in he 1960s was the Community Games , hosted in the neighbouring Coffey's Field ,which ran for the latter part of the decade and was eventually reinstated as the Togher Festival in the late 1970s and early 1980s , only to be discontinued thereafter. Many a future athlete had his or hers start on the turf that bordered the Tramore River as it wound its way past the hallowed grounds of Togher. Another venue which acted as an outlet for youthful pursuits was the Munitir na Tire , which organised outings , table tennis and activities of all kinds for kids and adults alike. It also became a meeting house for many local groups as well as serving as an impromptu Credit Union in its formative years.

Kathleen O'Keeffe as a teenager at rear of home early 1970s

Togher Sports Day - 1967 - Coffey's Field

Kathleen and Marian Crowley on wall 

of Liberty Stream near Greenwood Estate

Kathleen fondly recalls the emergence of the new Local Authority Estates and Private Developers Builds during the 1960s  especially those closer to home , such as Greenwood Estate ( built on land sold by her Grand Uncle Paddy Ryan ) , constructed in two phases , known locally as the Old Part and the New Part ( across from the now Community Centre ) . Indeed , her own father , Jimmy would go on to switch trades and assist in the building of Deanrock Estate in the late 1960s. Kathleen's Parents eventually lived out their lives in Sandown Crest.

Tom and Katheen O'Keeffe 

- Wedding Day 1975

Kathleen and Tom 1976

Kathleen would go on to work in Guy's Printing in 1969 off Patricks Street until she married Tom O'Keeffe - future local History Author in 1975 making Westside Estate her home in Togher in which she resides to this day. It is perhaps poignant to note , that with the graduation of her Daughter , Alex in 2014 - a link with all Togher Schools has finally been broken. A record had been set which saw members of the Family serving in the Cottage School , the old National School ( both as an integrated School and a Boys School ) , the old Girls National School and the new Boys and Girls National Schools - from 1880s to 2014 - crossing 3 Centuries!

Kathleen and Tom - Lourdes 2005

The Blog would like to thank Kathleen O'Keeffe and her family for being so generous with their time during the researching of this article. It is hoped that it will shine some more light on the past of Togher before and during its remarkable transformation from a rural agricultural community into one of Corks modern suburbs complete with its own traditions and those which have since been imported and made its own. Tribute must also be made to Tom O'Keeffe for his complete devotion to preserving the local history of Togher through his research and his books. Our eternal thanks ... TOGHER HISTORICAL ASSOC. & BLOG.

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Togher Boys Communion Photos

This page will serve as an archive of every Communion group photograph taken at Togher Boys National School that is available. The Blog needs your help in identifying each child in the photographs shown which will be displayed chronologically. Who knows , you may be in one of them! Also if you have any years that are missing please submit them to the Facebook Group at imfromtogherboy. The photographs will be displayed in sequence beginning from the oldest and ending with the present. It is hoped to build up a comprehensive volume with your help! In time the gallery will be made up of group shots not just from the present National School , but from the older School ( Togher Community Centre ) as well. We welcome all contributions and credit will be given. Please keep checking back as we add more photographs. In the absense of official group photos , any solo shots from the missing Communion Year would be appreciated.

Communion - 1974

 

 Billy O'Brien with Cousin at Gurranabraher


 Communion - 1976

Mrs. Kiely ( directly beneath left to right - Eamonn Pearse , Paul O'Brien & Jim O'Rourke )
with Brian Corcoran , Valentine Ivors , Jim Meskell , Patrick Rowe , William Ahern , Alan O'Leary, Arthur Walsh , Garry Morley , Arthur Walsh , Alan O Keefe , Sean O'Sullivan , Oliver Leahy , Don O' Halloran RIP , Tony Williams , Alan Walsh , Leslie Nolan , Paul Walsh , Damian Barret & Tony Mason

 

 

Communion - 1978

 

 

 

 

Togher Boys Confirmation Photos

This page will serve as an archive of every Confirmation group photograph taken at Togher Boys National School that is available. The Blog needs your help in identifying each child in the photographs shown which will be displayed chronologically. Who knows , you may be in one of them! Also if you have any years that are missing please submit them to the Facebook Group at imfromtogherboy. The photographs will be displayed in sequence beginning from the oldest and ending with the present. It is hoped to build up a comprehensive volume with your help! In time the gallery will be made up of group shots not just from the present National School , but from the older School ( Togher Community Centre ) as well. We welcome all contributions and credit will be given. Please keep checking back as we add more photographs. In the absense of official group photos , any solo shots from the missing Communion Year would be appreciated.

Togher BNS Confirmation 1973

Togher BNS Confirmation 1975

Togher BNS Confirmation 1978 - 1

 Togher BNS Confirmation 1978 - 2

Togher BNS Confirmation 1978 - 3

 Togher BNS Confirmation 1979

Togher BNS Confirmation 1985

Togher BNS Confirmation 1989

Togher BNS Confirmation 1991

Togher Girls Communion Photos

This page will serve as an archive of every Communion group photograph taken at Togher Girls National School that is available. The Blog needs your help in identifying each child in the photographs shown which will be displayed chronologically. Who knows , you may be in one of them! Also if you have any years that are missing please submit them to the Facebook Group at imfromtogherboy. The photographs will be displayed in sequence beginning from the oldest and ending with the present. It is hoped to build up a comprehensive volume with your help! In time the gallery will be made up of group and solo shots not just from the present National School , but from the older Boys & Girls School ( presently Togher Community Centre ) and the " new " Girls School erected in 1961 as well. We welcome all contributions and credit will be given. Please keep checking back as we add more photographs.  In the absense of official group photos , any solo shots from the missing Communion Year would be appreciated.

To start off in spectacular fashion as is only fitting for Togher , here is the earliest to date photograph of a Communion in the Gallery. Kindly submitted by Kathleen O'Keeffe. Her Mother -  Margaret O' Donovan later Roche would have attended the old Togher Boys and Girls National School , now the present Community Centre. She would of course had made her Communion at the Lough Church over 80 years ago!

 Togher Boys & Girls 
National School - 
Communion - 1933

Margaret O' Donovan


Togher Boys & Girls 
National School - 
Communion - 1954

Breeda Mitchell


Togher Boys & Girls 
National School - 
Communion - 1973

Letitia Murphy & Frances Hayes
23 Argideen Lawn Deanrock Estate


 Togher GNS Communion 2010

Back Row L-R :
Ms. O' Shea ( Teacher ) , Ava Collins , Nicole Ogbeber , Ciara Cotter , Carolanne Sexton , Jasmine Pujao O' Leary , Jill Sheehan , Emesha Babu , Naomi Senneye , Chloe Sweeney , Elizabeth Sheehan Murphy ( Principal )

Middle Row L-R :

Kay McCarthy ( Assistant  ) , Ifeoma O' Hams , Laura O' Leary , Cliona Hallahan , Leanne Murray , Sarah Hayes , Ilda Geraldo , Phoebe Bailey , Tia McGrath , Aoife O' Neil , Fatima Geraldo , Jackie ? ( Assistant )

Front Row L-R :
Shantel Lawani , Erica Birmingham , Alice Rowland , Courtney Dorgan , Kelsey O' Connor , Shauna Kelleher , Alex Maher ( O'Keeffe ) , Magdalena Barczak , Aoife Foley Landers

Togher Girls Confirmation Photos

This page will serve as an archive of every Confirmation group photograph taken at Togher Girls National School that is available. The Blog needs your help in identifying each child in the photographs shown which will be displayed chronologically. Who knows , you may be in one of them! Also if you have any years that are missing please submit them to the Facebook Group at imfromtogherboy. The photographs will be displayed in sequence beginning from the oldest and ending with the present. It is hoped to build up a comprehensive volume with your help! In time the gallery will be made up of group shots not just from the present National School , but from the older School ( Togher Community Centre ) and the " new " Girls School erected in 1961 if Confirmations were made there as well. We welcome all contributions and credit will be given. Please keep checking back as we add more photographs.   In the absense of official group photos , any solo shots from the missing Communion Year would be appreciated.


Here we have the earliest to date group photograph of a Girls Confirmation from Togher. Kindly submitted by Kathleen O'Keeffe , the photo below shows her Mother - Margaret O'Donovan. Other people unknown at this time.

Confirmation - 1938

Margaret O' Donovan 2nd in from right


Togher GNS Confirmation 1980

Submitted by Carol Brown ( nee Molloy ) 
- 3rd from right at front


Togher GNS Confirmation 2014

Back Row L-R : 

Wola Ololade , Ava Collins Nicole Ogbeber , Ifeoma O' Hams , Maria Doolan , Chloe Sweeney , Ilda Geraldo , Fatima Geraldo , Jill Sheehan , Naomi Senneye

Middle Row L-R : 

Ms.Keohane ( Teacher ) , Saoirse Sheehan , Cliona Hallahan , aoife O' neil , Magdalena Barczak , Aoife Foley Landers , Jasmine Pujol O'Leary , Shantel Lawani , Mrs. Karen O' Sullivan ( Principal )

Front Row L-R : 

Allanah Hegarty , Carolanne Sexton , Ciara Cotter , Katie Horgan , Shauna Kelleher , Erica Birmingham , Leanne Murray , Phoebe Bailey , Alex Maher ( O'Keeffe )