Allens Of Doughcloyne

There is a site on Doughcloyne Hill directly across from Feirm Bawn which has a legacy and history going back to the very foundation of the Nation. It is Togher's link with the distant past and an iconic marker for all to see until recently. The building is no more but the story of the man who once lived there can now be told.

 David Allen 1883 ~ 1950

 Allen House Doughcloyne , Togher 2016

Allen House inside gateway showing orchard wall to right

David Allen was born on October 8th 1883 in Ballinaclashet , Belgooley , Co. Cork. He was a qualified Carpenter and lived in and around the Kinsale district for much of his earlier life. He married Mary O'Halloran from Carrigaline in 1907. They had eight children ; Frances b.1908, Margaret ( Birdie ) b.1910 , Nellie b.1911 , Kathleen ( Kitty ) b.1913 , Christine b.1914 , Jim b.1917 , Theresa b.1921 and Robert b.1923.

 David with mother Margaret 1890

The family initially made their home in Kinsale but later moved to Blackrock and finally about 1916 arrived in Doughcloyne , Togher where David purchased a plot of land and built a house overlooking Togher Cross. Their home was surrounded by a high stone wall and a beautiful garden with orchard which held commanding views of the area. Their nearest neighbour was Feirm Bawn directly across the road and further down Sarsfield Lodge and the Forge. Back in the 1920s and up to recently the land between the Allen House and Sarsfield Lodge was the property firstly of the Sarsfields and then the S.M.A. and was marked by high ditches. Today the modern Estates of Forest Ridge Crescent and Sandown Crescent are sited there.

 Nellie , Theresa , Chrissie & Kitty

Allen House , Doughcloyne , Togher 1920s

The family was marked by great personal tragedy as several of the Children died very young. Frances , the eldest passed away while they still lived in Kinsale when only 2 years of age. Kitty passed away when she was 13 years old , Nellie passed away when she was 16 years old and baby Robert , the youngest passed away at only 3 days old on March 3rd 1923. The last 3 of the children were born in Togher ; Jim , Theresa and Robert. Sadly , David's wife , Mary died on 12th March 1923 from a brain  tumour , just a week after the death of her last baby.

Chrissie Allen ( on right ) circa 1940

Theresa Allen with husband John Sisk at the Cuttings

David  , in common with other people in Togher , was actively involved with the struggle for freedom during the War of Independence and was a close personal friend of Michael Collins. An old abandoned building across the road from the Allen House known as Coventry House was used for storing guns and ammunition which were hidden under the floor boards. The house was booby trapped and had to be blown up following a raid by the Authorities. It was only demolished as recently as 1950. The owners of Sarsfield House allowed its outbuildings to be used for secret storage as well which found favour with the I.R.A. David also served as a Judge on the Sinn Fein Courts during the conflict and later became a member of the old Cumann Na nGaedheal party. He would go on to become Foreman at Ford's Factory during the 1920s and 1930s and eventually started his own building firm. During the Emergency of 1939 ~ 1945 , he was a member of the L.S.F. ( Local Security Force ) which was based in Togher. David was also very much involved in Public Life as he served on the Fisheries Board , Allied Builders Board and was Chairman of the Cork Branch of Fine Gael.

1920s OSi Map showing location

David Allen L.S.F. ( seated right of Garda Sergeant )

David Allen giving speech

1948 general election candidates FG 

David Allen ( Togher ) , Tom O'Higgins & Stephen Barrett

Report on Funeral in Cork Examiner 1950

 

Letter sent to David's grandson in 1969

Perhaps his most lasting legacy was his founding of the Togher Community Association in 1946 where he served as its first Chairman. Through this body , he was instrumental in securing street lighting and sewerage pipes for Togher as well as providing a dedicated bus service for the area , all within a short period of time. Togher Road was tarmacced for  the first time and in 1947 , a Post Office was opened. In 1948 , he contested the General Election as a Fine Gael candidate but was unsuccessful. He passed away 2 years later in 1950 at the age of 67.

 David Allen with eldest daughter 
Birdie in later life

The eldest girl Margaret ( Birdie ) went to live with a friend of the family , Mrs. O'Donovan in Kinsale following her Mother's death. Theresa went on to marry John Sisk of The Cuttings. Her sister Christine ( Chrissie ) was a regular visitor and is fondly remembered by her Niece , Ann O'Neill ( nee Sisk ). Sadly Chrissie passed away at only 42 years old in 1964 from a brain tumour. Jim Allen , David's son , took over the family home in 1950 after the death of his father and was himself a Carpenter by trade. He married Carrie Hewetson from Crookstown and they had 2 children , Dave and Frank. Jim passed away in 1980 and Carrie , his wife died in 1999. The house was finally sold off and demolished in 2018 bringing to an end a Century of local Togher history.

 1951 aerial photo of Allen House ( bottom left )

showing unimpeded view of Togher Cross

1967 aerial photo of Allen House with new

private builds across road

Allen House being demolished 2019

Allen House finally gone 2020

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Donal O'Keeffe : " Was very friendly with both Dave and Frank Allen growing up in Togher.
Their house was full of unusual memorabilia like spears and shields from darkest Africa. Unusual wall hangings, a didgeridoo if I remember correctly. A totem pole. Samurai swords , accordions, a piano.
And guns of course. As a young boy I was allowed to fire a few shots from various guns kept in the house. This was a great thrill for a young fella. They were very musical also. Hens were everywhere.
Apple Trees and flowers. Mrs. Allen used to come down to our house to use the phone. She became good friends with my mother. They were nice people and I was always very welcome in the house.
I often think of them still. "

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Maureen Kiely ( shown below ) is related to David Allen , her Father being his Nephew. As a child Maureen lived on the Bandon Road but her family moved to Clareville , Pouladuff Road in the Lough Parish where her Father built a house for them. Below are her recollections of her visits back in the 1940s to the Allen house.

Maureen Kiely

Maureen Kiely : " David Allen of Doughcloyne was My Fathers Uncle. They had a lot in common as my Dad was also a Carpenter. I can remember going with my Older Sister and Father to the Big House behind the gates up the Hill from from were the Bus stopped and turned to go back to Town. The House was on the left hand-side , inside the gate and also on the left were lovely gardens , leading to Uncle Davids workshop. I have memories of Saws hanging on the Wall and wood shavings on the floor. But the favourite place was the Orchard right by the House. When no one was looking , we would shake the tree to get the best Apples. We always went home with a bag of Apples. My only memory of the House , is a big room with a China Cabinet with very pretty China. Uncle David was always very nice to us and from the kitchen he would bring some biscuits and milk out and we would sit on the steps leading to the garden. I was very young , I remember Jimmy Allen , Davids Son. He came to our House a lot and played the Fiddle at my Wedding. Our Family has a lot of Davids , including my Brother and my Son , I would think all called after David Allen of Doughcloyne .

Maureen Kiely ( centre ) 1948 aged 4

with her Brother and Sister

We used go to the house regularly as kids in the 1940s/50s. Uncle David was always in his workshop. He was widowed early in life. But his Son Jimmy played the fiddle and we danced around that kitchen and always went home with bags of apples even out of season as he kept them in one of the sheds in straw. He also kept greyhounds. That House was amazing. It had beautiful Orchards and gardens. Loved going up there as a child. Most of the land would eventually be bought for housing schemes. "

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 The blog would like to thank the following for their invaluable assistance which included information , photographs and memories in researching this article: Gerard Allen , Tom Allen , Adam Duggan , Maureen Kiely , Donal O'Keeffe & Kathleen O'Keeffe.

Deanrock Estate - 1967 ~ 2020

Future Deanrock site 1967 showing original Deanrock House 
and other buildings to top of photo with Caravan Park near bottom

Between 1967 and 1969 , a plot of land in Deanrock was to be forever transformed when the Corporation employed the National Building Society to build a new social housing estate. The contract was given to Sisk builders who in turn contracted various tradesmen to undertake the work for a set fee and not the traditional wage. All land and property ( from a point at Summerstown Lane proceeding along Togher Road and ending at Deanrock Terrace right back to the Glasheen River ) therein was compulsorily purchased by Cork Corporation and former occupants housed elsewhere. Much of the land known as the Heighties was owned by local dairy farmer Henry Hosford who had leveled the land prior to sale. Ironically a short while later he was ordered to sell his own land for the purposes of another building scheme!

Ground level view of site owned by Mr. Hosford

The Blog made contact with Martin Casey , a plasterer , who was contracted by Sisk Builders for the duration of the scheme. He recalls that at the initial stages of construction , the old stone wall to the right of Deanrock Terrace was partially demolished to provide access to the workers and their machinery. He remembers that the housing scheme was begun from the Togher Road end and proceeded back to the Glasheen River. The old Deanrock House and various smaller holdings were immediately knocked and the work began in earnest. The cottages on Togher Road were the last to be demolished and were used as storerooms for the duration of the project.

Deanrock Estate 1969 showing N.B.A. flats 

still under construction

Drains and foundations were the biggest and most time consuming part of the job. However once this was finished , the overall operation proceeded at alarming speed. Cranes were brought onto the site to put in place precast concrete walls for the terraced houses. Once this was completed , work began on the roofs which were fitted with roof tiles. The empty shells were then given a wooden staircase and upper storey. Finally , pre-assembled wooden shells were lifted into place to seal off both front and rear of each unit. The timber was specially treated and imported from Holland. The next stage of the operation saw the insertion of windows and doors into the wooden frames. The front facing sheds were then erected. A whole host of tradesmen including electricians , painters and carpenters completed the work on each block. Each terrace was worked on in turn before moving onto the next. Each block once finished was almost immediately let out to tenants.

Argideen Lawn as seen from Togher Road 1968

Martin remembers leaving work at the end of the day with only the foundations of a particular terrace in place but upon returning the following morning seeing all the walls and roof already in place. Concrete footpaths and off road steps connecting the terraces were laid down while the loop road and access points were tarmacadamed.

Clashduv Road being laid down near old Summerstown Lane 

off Togher Road 1968. Note N.B.A. flats not yet in situ

The flats were the last phase of the scheme and these were composed of concrete shells constructed off site and delivered and lifted into place by cranes with the sheds added thereafter. Concrete steps were next installed and wooden facades fitted front and rear of each unit. The flat roofs were sealed with torch on felt. The original entrance road to the former Deanrock House was preserved as a walkway between the flats with most of the original tress left intact.

Deanrock Estate 1970s showing Bog in foreground

Martin shared two incidents from his time on the scheme which he stated will stay with him for the rest of his life. One was funny whilst the other was not so funny. A fellow worker used to turn up each day dressed in what could only be described as rags. As time wore on , a stores was erected on the site to secure the trademens tools and various materials needed for the day to day operations. The unnamed worker was offered the job of storeman and promptly turned up for work the following morning wearing a nice suit! The other incident involved Martin himself. While working on a terrace roof he heard a strange noise and before he could act found himself falling through and breaking his leg which lost him several months of work.

Deanrock Estate 1973

The builders parting shot to this old part of Togher was to demolish the cottages facing the Togher Road along with the remainder of the stone wall. Local resident Thomas Hayes recalls : " My mother Mrs. Hayes , Mrs McGrath and Mrs Clarke actually cleaned all the houses built in the initial NBA after the builders finished for about 18 months after they were finished. "  

Old cleared N.B.A. site  prior to new building scheme

As time wore on , various infill housing schemes were completed to cut off so called " rat runs " to combat anti-social behaviour. The N.B.A. flats themselves were finally demolished in 2007 effectively wiping out a local address - Owenacurra Court - and in 2020 the new Shournagh Grove was completed forever changing the landscape.

Local Interviews - 09 - The Delaney Family - Joe Murphy House & Deanwood Place , Togher

 Harry Delaney

In early December 2019 , the Togher Historical Association met with members of the Kelleher family in Ballincollig. The aim was to trace the Togher connection and story primarily of the Delaney family from the 1920s up to the mid 1990s and their bloodline with the Murphy family of Joe Murphy fame. This entailed going back through Shirley Kelleher (nee Delaney) to her father Harry Delaney to his mother Mary Delaney (nee Murphy) sister of hunger striker Joe Murphy who died in 1920.

 Extended members of the Delaney Family at 50th Anniversary 1970

of Joe Murphy at his grave in republican plot in St. Finbarr's Cemetery

 Mary Delaney ( nee Murphy ) centre behind grave

Patrick Delaney ( left of photo ) 

& Harry Delaney ( left of Mother )

The Delaney Family connection with Togher began with the marriage of  Patrick Delaney , a mason from Macroom to Mary Murphy of Pouladuff Road in the 1920s whose brother was famous hunger striker Joe Murphy who had died in Cork Gaol in 1920. Mary's twin brother Richard had been forced to leave Ireland for America that same year. Mary was actually born in Boston , Massachusetts , U.S.A. in 1896 but returned with her family to Ireland in 1901 and grew up in present day Joe Murphy house. On marrying , her husband Patrick built a new house onto her old family home. This would go on to become known as the Blue House to locals in the vicinity. The Delaneys would eventually move into Joe Murphy house when Nora Murphy died in 1945. The Blue House would remain largely idle for many decades being used as a storeroom for the market garden. Mary Delaney passed away in 1973 while her husband Patrick Delaney died in 1982. The House passed out of family hands in 1998.

Blue House next to Joe Murphy house 2019

Original residence of Delaney Family

Blue House left of Joe Murphy in 1960

Note original pillars outside residence

The Delaney children were as follows ; Mary , Denis , Noreen , Joe , Harry , Richard and Anna. Harry was born in 1930 and attended Togher National school along with the rest of his siblings up to the early 1940s. All of the children helped out in the market garden where they grew cabbage , turnips , potatoes and kept some chickens. Harry was a keen road bowler and lover of Irish History. He also developed a love of opera and classical music. He was a drummer with the Cork I.V. Band where he would eventually become Drum Major. He is also the longest living serving member of Sinn Fein.

Harry Delaney on drums centre foreground

I.V. Pipe Band Golden Jubilee 1964

Harry Delaney ( 2nd from left centre row )

Mary Delaney ( nee Murphy ) 

Harry's Mother 1972

Harry worked for Lee Garage in the City where he would qualify as a Mechanic in 1953. He married Sheila Hammond of Templeacre Ave., Gurranabraher in 1954 and moved into Churchfield Ave. on the Northside. Their children were as follows :  Miriam , Padraig , Phonsie , Goretti , Henry and Shirley.

Mechanic Trade certificate 1953

Harry Delaney & Sheila Hammond

Engagement

 Harry Delaney & Sheila Hammond

Wedding 1954

Miriam , Padraig , Phonsie and Goretti

In the 1960s he was gifted some land adjoining Joe Murphy house and set about constructing his own Car Dealer shop and garage complete with pumps and forecourt. This was achieved by clearing away the old high ditch-line which ran along Pouladuff Road at the time. The official name of the premises was H.J. Delaney & Sons but was more commonly known as Pouladuff Motors. His Daughter Miriam was in charge of accounts and his son Padraig sold cars from the premises while Harry repaired vehicles. Later on his other two sons Henry and Phonsie both qualified as mechanics and also worked in the garage. They had contracts with Aer Lingus and eventually Southern Fruit when that business first opened near Togher Cross in 1973.

 Pouladuff Motors 1960s with Harry on right

 Forecourt showing Deanwood Place in left background

Pouladuff Motors 1970s

Harry had previously decided to move his family from the Northside to Togher in 1970 to be nearer to his place of work. They moved into Deanwood Place in a quite cul de sac off Deanwood Ave. facing a field. Shirley recalls that plans were in place to construct more houses but never came to fruition. Sheila soon became involved in the Barrs Bowling club where she chaired the Ladies Committee. Harry retired in the late 1980s and sold the business to Lee Metals , a scrappage firm. The new owners constructed the present day wall for safety and security reasons soon after. Denis , Harry's brother would become the last Delaney to live in Joe Murphy house thus ending a 70 year association with the area and Togher in particular.

Lee Metals 2019 formally Pouladuff Motors

Shirley's brothers inherited the family trait of road bowling and won many trophies alongside their father. Shirley attended Togher Girls National School from 1971 to 1979 making her Communion in 1974 and Confirmation in 1979. She later married Sean Kelleher of Ballyphehane and moved to Ballincollig in 1992. They have two children James and Louise. Currently both Shirley and Louise are heavily involved in a major project based on the life and death of Joe Murphy.

Shirley ( on Mother's lap ) with siblings 1968

 Shirley Delaney with Phonsie during his Confirmation

at Deanwood Place 1970

 Henry Delaney Communion 1971

Shirley Delaney Communion 1974 with Parents

Shirley outside home in Deanwood Place early 1970s

 Shirley Delaney aged 8 at Togher Girls N.S. circa 1975

Shirley Delaney Confirmation 1979

Sean Kelleher : " The Blue House had a wall and railings to its front much like Joe Murphy House. I'm not sure why they were removed but they were gone by 1987. I also remember there used to be a lane-way alongside the left side of the Blue House which lead to a gate and the market garden. There were lots of plum trees growing there as well. This was before Vicar's Road was laid down in 1970. "

Henry Delaney 21st Birthday Party
 Ardmanning Pub 1985

Sheila Delaney presenting trophy at Barrs Club

Harry Delaney and Padraig Delaney 

Barrs Bowling Club displaying their winning trophies

Shirley & Sean Kelleher Wedding 1992

Wedding photo outside Togher Church

Sadly Sheila Delaney passed away in 2003 and Harry now resides in Ballincollig Nursing Home. The couple had moved out of Togher in 1995 considering the house to be too large and settled in Ballincollig where all their children and grandchildren now reside to be closer to them. In 2019 Harry was Guest of Honour at a special ceremony in City Hall for the posthumous awarding of a War of Independence medal to Joe Murphy.

Sheila Delaney 70th Birthday Party

Harry Delaney 80th Birthday Party

Harry Delaney at City Hall 2019

Posthumous award of Medal for Joe Murphy

Louise & Shirley 2019