Easter Rising Centenary - Good Friday 2016 - Togher Community Centre

On Good Friday 25th March 2016 at 11.00 a.m. a special commemorative event was celebrated at the Togher Community Centre to honour all those who had taken part in the 1916 Rising in Dublin and other parts of Ireland. Alas , through sheer confusion at the time , Cork was to pay no part in the Historic event which marked the birth of a Nation ; although popular mythology has it that an unknown Corkman actually walked to Dublin upon hearing of the news!

Close up shot of 1916 Memorial Placue

1916 Memorial Placue located in Community 

Garden just inside right of main gate

The event was organised and planned by the Togher Community Association with members of the public and some high profile Politicians being invited along - including Fianna Fáil Leader - Michael Martin and Sinn Fein T.D. Donnchadh O'Laoraigh - a Togher native and resident.

 Michael Martin T.D. 

one time resident of Togher circa 1975

 Donnchadh O'Laoraigh T.D. with Pat O'Rourke

The itinerary consisted of a flag raising ceremony conducted by former Lord Mayor - John Dennehy of Westside Estate , Togher ; a reading of the Proclamation by Community Assoc. member Kieran O'Connell and the unveiling of the specially commissioned placue by Community Assoc. Secretary Cllr. Fergal Dennehy. Community Assoc. Chairman Niall McCarthy and Assoc. Member Noreen also gave speeches and laid the wreath. Musical accompaniment was provided by Charlie Horgan ( man with hat ) , Shaun Forde and Donal Heffernan (drums and trumpet). Fr. Brophy P.P. was at hand to officially bless the occasion.

Niall McCarthy T.C.A. Chairman 

with Fr. Brophy P.P. giving official blessing

John Dennehy former Lord Mayor 

from Westside Est. raising the Flag

Shaun Forde ( Drum ) , Donal Heffernan (Trumpet)

Charlie Horgan ( Drum )

Keiran O'Connell Community Assoc. 

reading the Proclamation

Community Assoc. Secretary Cllr. Fergal Dennehy 

performing the unveiling of the 1916 Memorial Placue

Noreen & Niall McCarthy Community Assoc. Chairman

 at podium giving speeches

Noreen Community Assoc. laying the wreath

1916 Placue with Wreath

The Togher Historical Assoc. was present to record the days activities with Pat O'Rourke acting as interviewer with his daughter Alana taking up camerawoman duties while Eamonn Pearse snapped copious amounts of photos for posterity. Below is a gallery of snapshots of the entire proceedings.

Pat O'Rourke with Noreen Community Assoc.

Kathleen O'Keeffe T.H.A. & Pat O'Rourke

Local Resident with Donnchadh O'Laoraigh

Donnchadh O'Laoraigh , Pat O'Rourke 

( with Daughter Alana ) & Kathleen O'Keeffe T.H.A.

Meet & Greet - Michael Martin T.D. , 

Donnchadh O'Laoraigh T.D. , 

Pat O'Rourke T.H.S.

and Cllr Fergal Dennehy

Group photo of T.H.A. with Elected Politicians

Noreen Community Assoc. 

performing Wreath laying ceremony

Local Residents in attendance for historic occasion

Paparazzi with cameras in action in Togher

Alternate view of 1916 Memorial 

in Community Garden

Togher Residents and Representatives - Past & Present

National & Local Representatives - Past & Present

Kathleen O'Keeffe T.H.A. & Pat O'Rourke

with Political Representatives

Pat O'Rourke with Fr. Brophy P.P

Group chat with T.H.A. and Representatives

T.H.A. with Keiran O'Connell Community Assoc.

Pat O'Rourke with Noreen at 1916 Memorial

Alana O'Rourke - 

Camerawoman of the 1916 Event in Togher

As mentioned previously , the Togher Historical Assoc. took the opportunity of such an important historic occasion to interview several notable Citizens beginning with local man Donnchadh O'Laoraigh who was recently elected as a T.D. The Blog would like to apologise for the poor audio quality due to excessive wind on the day. In this first video interview , Pat O'Rourke asks Donnchadh about his early days in Togher and what if any changes he has personally noticed over the last few years. Donnchadh also talks of his time with the Rainbow Club.

Donnchadh O'Laoraigh T.D. Interview

Pat O'Rourke next chatted with Michael Martin and introduced the Togher Historical Assoc. & Blog. Amazingly , Michael informed Pat that he had once been a resident of Togher back in 1975. Michael pointed out that this information had been published in a “ Guess who this is? ” article in the Evening Echo some years ago. Unfortunately the strong background wind and noise picked up by the mic makes most of the interview inaudible.

Michael Martin T.D. with Pat O'Rourke

Lastly , the Togher Historical Assoc. descended upon Noreen of the Community Assoc. where she regaled them with tales and information pertaining to the Placue and the flag. All in all , a truly memorable day for those who attended and a lasting tangible reminder of the day in the shape of the newest addition to the Community Garden - the 1916 Memorial Placue. The Blog would like to thank most sincerely Alana O'Rourke who performed Video Camera duties on the day.

T.H.A. discuss placue with Noreen T.C.C. Manager

Easter Rising Centenary - Easter Sunday - Togher Church

On Easter Sunday 27th March outside Togher Church , local residents gathered to pay homage to the Centenary of the 1916 Rising which culminated in ex-Army man and resident of Sycamore Place - Joe Spillane - reading the Proclamation. Also Niall McCarthy , Chairman of the Togher Community Association informed the gathering on the history of the Tricolor Flag. In addition Nancy Glavin a member of the choir gave a rendition of the National Anthem outside the entrance to the Church. The Togher Historical Assoc. were represented by Pat O'Rourke ( cameraman ) and Kathleen O'Keeffe. Fr. Rob Brophy acted as M.C. for the event.

Joe Spillane , Sycamore Place

reading the Proclamation

Niall McCarthy explaining 

the origins of the Tricolor

 Fr. Rob Brophy speaking to

the Gathering

 Kathleen O'Keeffe

Togher Historical Assoc.

Fr. Rob Brophy with Nancy Glavin
who sang the National Anthem

Local residents gathering

Ministers & Mothers - Mother's Day Special

Mother's Day is a special time for children in Togher in that they honour their " Mam ". However those who tread the halls of power are no strangers to this custom and this short blog post highlights two Politicians who likewise celebrate the women who gave birth to them and raised them. One is a newly elected T.D. - Donnchadh O'Laoraigh whilst the other is Michael McGrath who although he hails from Passage West has strong links to Togher through his Mother. All images are taken from the Evening Echo Saturday March 5th 2016.

Donnchadh O'Laoghaire T.D.

with Mother - Sorcha

Michael McGrath T.D.

with Mother - Maria

 Michael McGrath Article - Evening Echo

Kathleen O'Keeffe - Archives Revisited

On Sunday 21st February 2016 , Billy O'Brien and Eamonn Pearse met with fellow Togher Historical Assoc. member Kathleen O'Keeffe to once more trawl through her Private Collection. It never fails to amaze that on each visit something new and wonderful presents itself for inclusion in the Archives. This visit would turn out to be no exception to the rule.

Billy O'Brien with Draft copy of 

Togher , A Brief History by Tom O'Keeffe

First up for viewing was this exclusive draft copy of Tom O'Keeffe's first book - " Togher , A Brief History " ( see photo above ) which was the brilliant precursor for " Togher Past And Present ". Whilst there were many similarities with the second book in terms of content , there was also enough of difference to consider it as a fantastic work in its own right and a much sought after collectors item.

Kathleen poses with two of her paintings

 depicting scenes from bygone days of Togher

The group was next treated to two hidden gems from Kathleen O'Keeffe's Private Collection. These took the form of two original Paintings - The Snotty Bridge and The Forge at Togher Cross ( see above and below ) using old photos as source material composed by Kathleen herself. Kathleen utilised local knowledge to embellish the canvas giving extra detail such as the bend in the road above the old Railway Bridge. Eamonn also commented on the fact that a crabapple tree overhung from the archway. Mention was also made by Kathleen of a woman who used to wait next to the bridge with a stick to warn children if a stranger was loitering nearby back in the 1960s.

 Snotty Bridge - Cork Bandon Railway - Togher

The Forge - Togher Cross

The following are a fascinating trip through time and show some amazing snapshots of life as it was then. The first photograph shows some unknown youths playing in the pool of Lehenagh House off Matthews Hill. The pool was fed by a channel being cut through the grounds which allowed the waters of the Liberty Stream to flow through into a dug out plot and back out again to rejoin the stream. The pool is now long gone.

 Unknown youths playing in pool 

- Lehenagh House 1960s

 The next photograph is a rare capture of Cottrells House in Lehenaghmore , which was later demolished in the early 1960s in order to accommodate the building of Cork Airport.

 Cottrells House - Lehenaghmore , Togher

These three ladies posed for the camera back in the 1940s as evidenced by their hairstyles and clothes. Hannie Roche is the  Aunt of Kathleen O'Keeffe. It is thought this was taken somewhere on Doughcloyne Hill.

  Hannie Roche ( nee O'Donovan ) ,  

Ann/May Hosford  

& Joan Sexton from Doughcloyne

circa 1940s

This photograph was taken circa 1939. The house was located off Woulfes Lanes , Lehenagh and sadly is long demolished. The youth in the pram - Pat Walsh - turns 80 years of age soon. The lady holding the baby is Kathleen's Grand Aunt.

 Katie Walsh( nee Donovan ) 

with baby John in arms 

and Pat in pram , 

Woulfe Lane , Lehenagh late 1930s

These three young ladies show what costumes for Hallowe'en looked like back in the 1950s. Far simpler affairs than those of today. The shot was taken in the grounds of Lehenagh House off Matthew's Hill.

 Eileen Porter , Annie Quinn & Edie Cottrell

Hallowe'en costumes 1950s near Lehenagh House

This photograph was given to Kathleen O'Keeffe by the Devery Family and shows two of their siblings in a pram on the main Togher Road in 1947. The location is slightly up from the Cross and depicts the stream wall on the left and the footpath and wall of Lehenaghmore House on the right.

 Neil Devery's siblings in pram , Togher Road 1947

A bowling group shot taken by Togher Cross in 1955. The bowlers are posing outside the entrance gates ( see pillars ) of Sarsfield House across from the site of the Forge. The houses immediately to the right are still present - i.e. the two yellow houses at the beginning of Doughcloyne Hill.

Bowling photograph in Togher 1955

The trip down memory lane concluded with an up to date photograph of the in progress construction of the new porch for the Community Centre. Tastefully executed , it should enhance this ancient hub of education in Togher.

Porch under construction at Togher Community Centre

Helen O'Sullivan - Surprise Visit & Presentation

On Sunday 21st February 2016 , a very special occasion took place at Westside Estate in Togher. Two co-workers and old friends had arranged through family and friends to meet up to renew their friendship - Helen O'Sullivan nee Molloy and Kathleen O'Keeffe nee Roche. The visit was to have a twofold function , for unbeknownst to Helen , members of the Togher Historical Assoc. - Eamonn Pearse and Billy O'Brien - were waiting to surprise her with a special presentation on behalf of her late Father Billy Molloy. The group had interviewed Mr. Molloy at his home at Togher Square in 2014 ( see here ).

Helen ( 2nd from left ) & Kathleen ( right )

 in Guys Printing Press ( later Waterstones )1973

Helen O'Sullivan & Kathleen O'Keeffe 

- February 2016

Helen was accompanied by her Daughter Lisa ( who had co-operated with the History Society in planning the surprise ) and Grandchildren. After the initial shock of meeting Billy O'Brien ( whom she had babysat for as a child ) the discussion quickly became a trip down memory lane - where private moments were recounted. Thoughts soon turned to Guys Printing Press where both Kathleen and Helen had worked as youths back in the 1970s. Another common trait shared between the two old friends was the fact that they both married in 1975.

 Billy O'Brien presenting Framed Photos to Helen

 Lisa & Children with DVD Interview

After refreshments Eamonn captured the special event with a photo shoot while Billy O'Brien on behalf of the Togher Historical Assoc. presented Helen with some momentos of her Father's interview - two framed photos and a DVD of the video interview. The afternoon finished with a promise to keep in touch. All in all an absolute pleasure where people who had been out of touch for 40 years had the opportunity to talk and laugh and share some stories. And all cemented by one common bond - Togher!

Cork City acknowledgment of Billy Molloy

A fantastic finishing touch to the story of Billy Molloy came in the form of a Special Sympathy Notice from Cork City Council which was presented to the Molloy Family. The Blog felt that this was a moving acknowledgement by the City of one of its Citizens.