Joe Murphy Public Meeting - Togher Community Centre

 Proclamation on display at Togher Community Centre

 Ballyphehane 1916 Stand

at Togher Community Centre

On Monday 21st October 2019 at 7.30 p.m. a public meeting was jointly organised by the Togher Community Association and the Ballyphehane 1916 Committee at the Togher Community Centre. The Togher Historical Association was invited to attend and was represented by Billy O'Brien and Kathleen O'Keeffe. The purpose of the meeting was to accept proposals from the public on the following years Centenary celebrations to include the Volunteers who have roads named after them but to centre largely on Joe Murphy. It should be noted that 3 of the Volunteers : Charles Daly , Patrick O'Donoghue and Patrick Trahy are buried in the Republican Plot in St. Finbarr's cemetery with Michael Fitzgerald being buried in Fermoy , Co. Cork.

 14 Lough View , former home of Charles Daly

Charles Daly alone can be claimed as a local man having lived in 14 Lough View , Croghtamore a.k.a. The Lough shown in photo above ( Togher was part of the Lough Parish at the time of naming ). He is one of only two locals to have a road named in their honour in the general vicinity , the other of course being Joe Murphy who has a road in Ballyphehane.

Copy of Flyer at Meeting

Copy of Programme Page 01

Copy of Programme Page 02

The hall was soon filled to capacity with many Councillors and TD's both serving and retired attending. Representatives of the Cork New York Association were also present. Kieran O'Connell hosted the event with Ciara Murphy taking the minutes of the meeting. Pat Smith , Chairman of the Community Association expertly guided events along over the course of 2 hours. Special Guest speaker Gabriel Doherty from U.C.C. gave the opening address encouraging local people to participate in any celebrations and also offering archival assistance for the future.

Pat Smith Chairman Togher Community Assoc.

Gabriel Doherty opening address

John Murphy next entertained those present with a beautiful rendition of his self penned ballad - The Boy From Pouladuff. It ended in a fantastic round of applause from all those present.

John Murphy singing The Boy From Pouladuff

Billy O'Brien gave a brief introduction to the audience about the work of the Togher Historical Association and its Facebook group and blog. Also included was a summary explanation of the Black & Tans in Togher and the Volunteers who engaged them. Next up was Shirley Kelleher who spoke about her Great Uncle Joe Murphy and the family connection. Also mention was made of the successful campaign to claim the War Of Independence Medal after 99 years. Kieran O'Connell who hosted the event throughout the night gave an introduction to the Volunteers who have roads named after them in Togher. A question and answer session was then instigated and ideas and queries were made and asked of the speakers. The Blog met a few members of the Facebook group including Pat Manning and Adam Duggan , Great Grandson of David Allen who participated in the Tan War and founded the Togher Development Association in 1946 , precursor of the Togher Community Association. An exciting proposal was made which would see the Chetwynd Viaduct become part of a greenway walk with suggestions that funding was available for same. The blog would like to thank all who attended and a special mention to Kieran O'Connell and Pat Smith for their work on the night.

 Kieran Edwards & John Dennehy

Billy O'Brien T.H.A., Kieran Edwards , 
John Dennehy & Kathleen O'Keeffe T.H.A.

Billy O'Brien T.H.A , Shirley Kelleher 
& Kathleen O'Keeffe T.H.A.

Irish Pride Plate Collection 1999 - Togher Iconic Buildings

The Blog would like to thank Helen Jones and Padraig Mac Seoin for bringing to light a rare plate collection depicting several iconic buildings from both Togher's past and present. The limited edition plate series which depicts Togher was one of many locations around Ireland which Irish Pride Bakeries est 1989 made available for general sale to the public. Working from photographs , an unknown artist drew spectacular copies of iconic structures present and long gone.

Plate Collection

Each plate featured one location around Togher with the name of the building shown underneath the sketch whilst the district name adorned the top. All plates were decorated with a border motif and 18 karat gold brim.

Rear of plate

At the rear of each plate is the name of Irish Pride Bakeries who commissioned the pieces and the year of manufacture - 1999. Included is the name of the distributors Deco Art Creations Ltd and the series number ; in this case showing the particular collection to be the first in a hundred.

Certificate

The collection comes complete with a certificate of authenticity and an invoice detailing the full cost of purchase. As it is the first in the Togher series , it is undoubtedly a very rare and valuable possession.

Invoice

The first plate of six shows Togher National School , the present day Community Centre as it looked before major refurbishments which saw its entrance and original stone walls radically altered and shifted out to the main road.

Community Centre

The second plate shows Deanrock Public House near the new flyover. The former Deanrock Villa was sold to Murphy Breweries in the late 1960s as a tied house ; in that it sold primarily stout products.

Deanrock Public House

The third plate shows O'Sullivan's Coal Store and Poppy Shop , now sadly demolished with private dwellings on the site.

O'Sullivan's Coal Store & Poppy Shop

The fourth plate shows the old Post Office first opened in 1946 and long since demolished to make way for the present day Dental Clinic.

Old Post Office

The fifth plate shows Togher's Church ; The Way of The Cross which opened in 1972.

Togher Church

The final plate shows the Museum & Heritage Centre a.k.a. Scout Hall which was formally the home of Birdie O'Sullivan ( nee Buckley ).

Scout Hall

This collection is a unique souvenir of Togher's past , particularly given that two of the structures on display are now gone. A fantastic addition to the social history and folklore of Togher.

29th Fieldwork Trip -3rd July 2019 - Benchmarks , New Developements & Boundaries

On Wednesday afternoon , the Togher Historical Association conducted a casual fieldwork trip in the Togher region exploring some features which will be investigated more fully in the future. First port of call was a visit to the Dental Lodge which was formally the Lodge of the Sarsfield's Estate. Built in 1820 , it was for a short time Togher's first official school. 25 years later in 1845 , a benchmark was chiselled into one of its limestone blocks. It is thought that two other benchmarks exist in Togher ; one in Eagle Valley and one on a railway bridge. The whole topic of benchmarks will be covered in a separate article. A brief look was made of the anvil donated by the Dennehy family which is sited out the local Centra supermarket.

Dental Lodge , Togher Cross

Close up view of Benchmark

Finger pointing shows scale of Benchmark

Signage marking site of replica anvil

Next stop was a very brief visit to Morrison's Ravine situated not far from Togher Holstein's and Kingston's Farm. It was intended to photograph the stone bridge which runs under the road but traffic made this impossible. Instead , a quick view of the Glasheen which runs down through the field sporting heavy overgrowth and through to the ravine opposite. A future visit is planned.

Glasheen River approaching bridge opposite Morrison's Ravine

Site of underground stone bridge opposite field

View of Glasheen River as it flows through into Morrison's Ravine

A flying visit was made to the site of the former Chetwynd House off Meagher's Lane off Maher's Lane. This 17th Century house was recently demolished. All that remains are its outbuildings , one of which was attached to the house.

Lean to outbuilding next to site of former 

Chetwynd House showing remains

Outbuilding to left of former Chetwynd House

Outbuilding to right of former Chetwynd House

Acting on Cork City's extended boundary , the group made their way to Spur Hill and the entrance to Maher's Lane which demarcates the new boundary. All land north of the lane now lies inside Cork City with all land east of a point by Spur Hill near Maher's Lane deemed to be in Cork City.

New City boundary on Maher's Lane

Spur Hill showing new boundary to north 

with entrance to Maher's Lane on left

Next the group made a viewing of Shournagh Grove , Togher's newest development now nearing completion. It was also decided to take a look at the entrance to Willow Place , the former Kelly's Lane.

Shournagh Grove as seen from Togher Road

Shournagh Grove towards junction of Clashduv Road

Willow Place formally Kelly's Lane as seen from Togher Road

Former Kelly's Lane looking out to Togher Road

Finally , the highlight of the day was a visit to Greenwood Estate to meet with members of the McCarthy family whose Togher legacy goes back over 63 years. This will feature in a future blog article. Below is a preview of the many photographs from the McCarthy family showing Sean O'Brien , Market Gardener and Siobhan Spillane ( nee McCarthy ). This meeting will feature on the blog in the near future.

Joe Murphy Official Medal Award - City Hall Cork

On Thursday May 9th 2019 , the extended family of Joe Murphy gathered by invitation at City Hall , Cork City for a very special presentation. After many years of campaigning and research the family of the late Joe Murphy headed by Shirley Kelleher were finally awarded the 1917 - 1921 Service Medal with Bar ( for active service ) on behalf of their famous relative who died on hunger strike in 1920.

 Joe Murphy 1895 - 1920

Almost a Century after the tragic event ,  Lord Mayor Mick Finn posthumously awarded the medal to Henry Delaney ( Joe's Nephew ). The Medal was presented on a green velvet cushion and was graciously accepted by the Family members. Shirley Kelleher delivered the keynote acceptance speech as she was joined by family members worldwide for the special occasion. Also present were members of the Togher Historical Association who hope to reawaken the ghost of Togher's forgotten hero to the general public.

Lord Mayor Mick Finn awarding the Medal to Henry Delaney

Henry Delaney and daughter Shirley Kelleher

Shirley Delaney & T.D. Donnchadh O'Laoraigh

Togher Historical Association 

with Henry Delaney

Henry Delaney with Dignitaries at City Hall

 Shirley Kelleher acceptance speech

The description of the Medal is as follows: A circular medal approximately one and three fifth inches in diameter bearing on the obverse the Arm of the Four Provinces of Ireland. In the centre appears a standing figure , facing front , depicting a Volunteer , a member of a guerrilla force – termed “ Flying Column ” – of the period 1917 – 1922 in typical dress ( trench coat and cap with rifle , revolver and bandoleer ). The word “EIRE” ( meaning Ireland ) appears horizontally across the centre of the medal in large letters ( two either side of the figure ). The words “ Cogadh na Saoirse ” which are translated “ The Fight For Freedom ” appear below. The Bar which is fitted  across the ribbon , equal parts black and tan , is " Comrac " which means " Struggle ".

Medal showing front side

Medal showing reverse side

Another surprise lay in store when the Family were given a special presentation of the Defence Forces Medal which is extremely rare and coveted. This was awarded by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Rear Admiral Mellet who also posed for photographs.

Defence Forces Special Medal

Joe Murphy Meeting - Future Plans

On Monday Afternoon 22nd April 2019 the Togher Historical Association paid a visit to the home of Shirley Kelleher and family to discuss future plans to celebrate the life of one of Togher's forgotten heroes - Joe Murphy. Following the official awarding of the War of Independence Medal to the Kelleher family on behalf of the Delaney and Murphy families and indeed all descendants of Joe Murphy in May 2019 , it is hoped to organize a parade from Joe Murphy House along Pouladuff Road and down Tramore Road ( formally Hangdog Road ) and over Togher Overpass to Togher Community Centre , once Joe's school. This would have been the route the young Joe would have taken to his school and so it is felt appropriate to recreate his journey over a Century ago to honour his memory.

Louise Kelleher & Shirley Kelleher

Great Grand Niece & Grand Niece of Joe Murphy

Shirley Kelleher and her daughter Louise were presented with a beautiful portrait of Joe Murphy by the Ballyphehane 1916 Committee showcasing the road named in his honour many years ago. A similar naming ceremony is proposed for the Togher district. It is hoped that funding can be secured for the Centenary celebrations and a combination of Ballyphehane and Togher input considered to highlight the various events planned. Indeed it is also suggested that Togher itself will put forward projects of their own accord.

The Boy From Pouladuff

It is also hoped that local residents in Togher would become involved in the setting up of a Committee to assist in further projects next year to celebrate the Centenary of Joe Murphy's death. A leaflet drop is also proposed to garner interest and galvanize the Togher community at large into recognizing one of its Heroes. Other side projects include the erection of a plaque on the wall of the Community Centre ( old Togher School ) heralding one of its most famous students. Above are shown the lyrics to The Boy From Pouladuff written by John Murphy and sung by Louise Kelleher outside Joe Murphy house during Easter Weekend.