25th Fieldwork Trip - 9th June 2018 - New Fellowship House & Deanrock Site

On Saturday June 9th 2018 , Eamonn Pearse and Eamonn Twomey of the Togher Historical Association undertook the 25th Fieldwork Trip to date , by visiting the new Fellowship House complex at Doughcloyne Hill. The entire site had been upgraded to a high standard with the former Phillipine House being rebuilt as an exact replica. The old enclosed orchard had been completely leveled with the front wall removed and partially re-stoned. The site also boasted a new gateway entrance which added to the overall ambience. Eamonn Pearse photographed key areas within the location and also videod the various new builds.

 Gateway with new signage at entrance

 New builds with titular signage above wooden facia

 Replica of old Phillipine House with extensions

Close up of new Phillipine House with arched doorway

 Ancillary offices and outbuildings

 Rear view of new Phillipine House from courtyard

 Alternate view of new Phillipine House

Various outbuildings and courtyard

 Close up view of new builds

 Interior view of new builds inside orchard grounds

View of side exit from old orchard

Video of new Fellowship House site

Whilst the Fieldwork Trip was mostly concerned with the new Fellowship House complex , a quick visit was also made to the Deanrock site on Togher Road to view the progress of the newly named Shournagh Grove. It is envisaged that work will now be proceeding ahead in the very near future to complete Togher's newest estate.

Panoramic view of Deanrock site showing work in progress

Togher , A Brief History - Book Launch

In 1998 a very special book was launched in the Doughcloyne Hotel. Entitled " Togher , A Brief History " , it was the first published book dealing exclusively with local Togher history. The cumulative efforts of Tom O'Keeffe and his Wife - Kathleen , who was herself a local Togher woman whose family can be traced back to the 19th Century resulted in this now much sought after book. Kathleen recalls how she and Tom would go cross country in search of old buildings and ruins all in an effort to gather as much information as they could. Tom would often spend hours in the County library trying to find anything related to the locality. What must be remembered nowadays is that despite the absence of Internet and Social Media which is commonplace today , the book is all the more fascinating in that it contains so much detail , an indication of the sheer amount of work which went into its making. The comb bound manuscript was sold for the princely sum of £5.99 and is now a collectors piece.

Although not a complete work in itself , it inspired many others to pursue further research and resulted in the formation of the Togher Historical Association many years later and this very Blog which carries on the work with the help of Kathleen O'Keeffe. The newspaper clipping below shows Tom and Kathleen with their children at the launch of the book in 1998 at the Doughcloyne Hotel.

Tom & Kathleen O'Keeffe with their family

Many local dignitaries turned up for this special occasion , including Kathleen's relative - the renowned bowler - Mick Barry - whose Wife , Betty Roche , was her Father's sister. Also present on the night was Principal of the Boys School - Flor Dullea and teachers Ted & Eilish O'Sullivan. Kathleen's cousin Professor Padraig O Rian gave a speech at the event during which he told the audience that he used to spend many hours with Jimmy Roche listening to his stories about Togher. John Russell acted as M.C. for the launch. Also present was former Lord Mayor , John Dennehy and Toddy O'Sullivan. Mrs. Martin of the Muintir na Tire also attended. A huge crowd thronged the hotel that night and all copies were signed. John O'Mahoney of Deanwood Avenue was the photographer on the night.

 Mick Barry , Tom O'Keeffe & Flor Dullea

Tom O'Keeffe himself was inspired to write a second more professional book a few years later entitled " Togher , Past And Present " which is still available in bookshops. It is also known that Tom recorded many local personalities interviews and they are now archived on cassette tape. A fascinating insight into a Togher which has now gone forever but which can be relived through its pages every time.

Review of first published book on Togher

Togher Learning Neighborhood - 25th April 2018

 Program of participants 

at Togher Learning Neighbourhood

On Wednesday 25th April 2018 , Keiran O'Connell of Togher Tidy Towns hosted a Togher Learning Neighbourhood program in the Assembly Hall of Togher National School. A special invitation was extended to the Togher Historical Association which was represented by Kathleen O'Keeffe. Also present were representatives from Ballyphehane 1916 Group , Togher Music Project , Tidy Towns and Cork City Partnership. All had fantastic stands on display , most notably the Ballyphehane 1916 and Togher Historical Association.

John Dennehy addressing the hall

Cork City Partnership stand

Ballyphehane 1916 Group stand

Togher Tidy Towns stand

Togher Music Project stand

Kathleen had an amazing array of extremely rare photographs of Toghers past with the emphasis being placed on the old National School and its students throughout the years. Also present were two books penned by the late Tom O'Keeffe - Togher , A Brief History and Togher Past And Present. Various classes from the Boys and Girls Schools arrived during the morning to view the stands and ask questions.

 

 Kathleen O'Keeffe

Togher Historical Assoc. stand

Kathleen related one girls query on Lehenagh House and when told that Father Matthew regularly stayed there with his Brother in the 19th Century , stated wide eyed - " So , that's why it's called Matthew's Hill! " A very enjoyable day was had by all and a great opportunity to educate Togher's youth about their amazing past. The blog would like to thank Keiran O'Connell for the invitation and the chance to showcase local history.

News Bros.

News Bros. premises as seen in 2011

News Brothers Limited was a wholesale news agent and distributor which began life in Cork City on 20 Bowling Green Street circa 1900 before finally settling in their last premises on SiteCast Industrial Park in Togher in the 1970s and ultimately dissolving on 24/07/2013. Many local people from the Togher region were employed there up until its closure a few years ago. Situated quite literally over the dividing wall next to Greenwood Estate ( accessible from Pouladuff Road ) , it provided not only all the local corner shops , Post Offices and Newsagents with a daily delivery of comics and broadsheets , but most of the greater Cork district as well.

News Bros site as seen in October 2013

On October 13th 2013 . the Togher Historical Assoc. visited the site ( see photo above ) to photograph it for posterity acting on information that it was soon to be demolished. It should be noted that the premises also boasted its own petrol pumps and employed many local people from Togher. It is still fondly remembered to this day. * Staff photographs shown below courtesy of Noel Kelleher *

Staff in Canteen

Staff in dispatch Department

Staff in Dispatch Department

Staff in Dispatch Department

Eamonn Pearse : " My own late Mum worked there in the canteen for many years. I remember she would bring me to work with her when I was too sick to go to school. I was very young at the time and have a very hazy memory of the place. Only they had a telephone in the canteen and the staff used to ring me for a chat on it as I had never used a phone before. I remember them being very friendly there unlike a lot of the other places she worked in. " 

Veronica Creamer : " My mam worked there in the 80s - Mary Creamer was her name. My cousin was also there , her name is Mary Creamer-Hallahan. "

Theresa Morey : " It was a fabulous place to work in , best place ever , lots and lots of memories , great group of people working there. I came from Earlwood Estate originally. "

New premises EPH on the site of News Bros.

Majorettes & Tamborettes

 MAJORETTES

The Majorette movement came to Ireland in the early 1980s and soon groups representing every Parish and District of Cork City were springing up. Togher was no exception! Wearing bright uniforms of dark green, tall white fur hats and twirling batons , it endured for only a couple of years. Yet it is still fondly remembered by all and especially by those who were a part of it.

Togher Majorettes with Lord Mayor Toddy O'Sullivan 1981

Green Box located to right of Togher GNS

The Majorettes was very much a community affair with everybody getting involved in some shape or form. This ranged from local Army Soldiers John Cummins of Cherry Tree Road , Pat Jones of Argideen Lawn and Gus Sheehan drilling the members in marching formations to various Mothers designing and creating uniforms including Mrs. Pearse of Araglen Court. The Girls typically trained in the grounds of Togher Girls National School and the Green Hut located nearby which provided a centre for many sporting groups in the area. The Majorettes would enter competitions against other groups in Cork City and of course take part in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

TAMBORETTES

Running in tandem with the Majorettes were the Tamborettes , swapping batons for tambourines. Sporting blue skirts , waistcoats and hats with white fur trim , they more or less performed the same tasks as the Majorettes , including putting on displays outside Togher Church. Sadly like their counterparts , the Tamborettes gradually ceased their activities. However , even to this day , they are remembered with fondness and are assured their place in Togher history.

Tamborettes on display at Togher Church

Linda Lowther Quinn , Catriona Pearce 

and Gillian Cotter

Unknown , Catriona Pearce and Susan Kent

Togher Girls National School

Togher Tamborettes at a competition

Lehenaghmore House - Kathleen O'Keeffe ( Author )

Lehenaghmore House was built circa 1730 by the Newenham Family who had been granted most of the Townland during the Cromwellian Confiscations of the 1680s. It would appear that from the outset the Family intended to simply let the land to tenants and built two other houses - Lehenagh House ( famous for being the sometime home of Fr. Theobald Matthew ) and Marian House around the same time to entice wealthy patrons.

Only photograph of Lehenaghmore House

In 1857 the House and 57 Acres were sold to John Gibbings under the Encumbered Estates Act who passed the house onto William Gibbings who died in 1912. As before the house was let out to various tenants including the Brownes and Cotters. In 1919 Lunham Bros. and Henry Denny & Sons leased some of the land for disposal of slaughterhouse waste which resulted in an influx of rats. In May 1924 the House and 16 Acres were sold to John Collins , an Accountant who lived on Togher Road. In June 1932 he sold the House and some land around the House to Cecil Guy Marlow.

Nora ( Ciss ) Ryan 1970

In November 1941 , Patrick Ryan who had come home from America after winning the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes , bought Lehenaghmore House and 14 Acres plus another 63 Acres from A.H. Good which included a milk round known as Lehenaghmore Dairies. They employed a lot of local people on the farm and in the House , including their cousin Jimmy Roche , Father of local Kathleen O'Keeffe of Westside Estate ( Jimmy's Aunt " Ciss " was married to Paddy ) .

 Original wooden milk crate found in House

( Photo courtesy of Derek Good )

During the Emergency ( a.k.a. World War II ) the entrance pillars leading into the house had the titular " Lehenaghmore House " removed for fear of invading British or Germans so as not to inform them of their location , as did all other Big Houses in Togher. It should be noted that Jimmy Roche helped plant the row of palm trees with Patrick Ryan in the early 1940s which like the pillars are still there. It should also be noted that the Pillars are one of only two structures in Togher legally protected and listed! In the early 1960s Patrick Ryan sold some of his land to Bradley Bros. who built Greenwood Estate. In May 1973 , the house and lands were finally sold off and ultimately in 1979 , Palmbury Orchard was under construction. During this interim , the house fell into disrepair and was subject to vandalism and inevitably was demolished by O'Brien & Flynn builders.

Noreen Ryan 1960s inside 

walls of Lehenaghmore House

Paddy Ryan died in 1973 while his wife " Ciss " passed away in the 1980s.
Paddy's son Jimmy still lives in Doughcloyne and his two Daughters Noreen and Margaret now live in Bishopstown. All are in their 70s now. One other sibling - Patrick jnr - lives in Kilcully. Two siblings Jerry and Thomas passed away some years ago.

 

 Jimmy Roche with Patrick Ryan jnr.

Kathleen O'Keeffe: " ....I remember my Father coming home with a bucket full of rosy apples that my Grand Aunt had given him....was so honest he wouldn't take them himself....I loved going up there as a child....It was like being in a different era...I was always fascinated by that house , the very size of it alone . I can still see my Grand Aunt Ciss and Paddy sitting at each side of the fireplace. "

 Gates to former 

Lehenaghmore House

All that remains of the once great house are the Pillars and several remnants of the Orchard walls and partial segments of the roadside wall which can still be seen today in Palmbury Orchard Estate and at intervals along Lehenaghmore Hill. At present the Tidy Towns committee are undertaking a long overdue restoration of the Pillars and Gate.

 Entrance lined with original
Palm trees from 1940s

Remains of Orchard Wall

Remains of Roadside wall across from former

Southern Fruit premises

19th Century OSi Map of Lehenaghmore House

1951 Aerial Photo of Lehenaghmore House