The Hegartys of The Laurels - Official Book Launch - April 7th 2022

The Hegartys Of The Laurels book cover

Jim , Anne , Pauline , Eileen & Jack Hegarty

outside The Laurels 2022

On Thursday evening on April 7th 2022 , the Official book launch of " The Hegartys of The Laurels " by Jim Hegarty took place at Cork City Library on the Grand Parade. By personal invitation of Jim Hegarty , the Togher Historical Association turned up to archive the entire event. A great turnout by Togher was very much in evidence as Tidy Towns and Community Association also gave their support. Following is a fantastic showcase of photos and videos of the nights proceedings.

Act 1 Military re-enactment members

 

 

Visitors to the event were treated to an extravaganza of War Of Independence memorabilia from the front door to the main hall. Members of Act 1 reenacted Irish Citizen Army soldiers ( with their trademark Slouch hat and white linen kit bag ) and Irish Volunteers sporting bandoliers ( shown above ). The foyer was laid out with enclosed glass cabinet displays detailing the archives of John Joe Hegarty and his two sisters Mamie Forde and Nan Fennell including a display dedicated to Joe Murphy who served under John Joe Hegarty in H Company.

Book launch stand at entrance to foyer

 

 

Display showing John Joe Hegarty's memoribilia

and the uniform he would have worn while in action
 

John Joe Hegarty's medals and awards

 

 

Mamie Fordes display showing her Wedding Dress

worn in the Lough Church in 1920

 

Mamie Fordes marriage certificate 

and photo showing her sister Nan as bridesmaid

 

 

Joe Murphy's display cabinet
 

The main hall of the Library was given over to the evenings event with a stall serving refreshments to the right and a table laden with the new books for sale to those present. The left side of the room was decked out with seating for members of the Hegarty clan and invited members of the public. Facing this was the speaking podium with banner stands in the background showcasing Togher Tidy Towns , The Hegartys of The Laurels and Togher Historical Association. Before the evening started , Billy O'Brien and Kathleen O'Keeffe touched base with Jim and his sisters Ann and Pauline. Fergal O'Connor of Togher Tidy Towns also touched base to discuss ongoing projects which the Historical Association are involved in. These include plans to build a replica well near Togher Cross and the recent developments around a Peace Park dedicated to the Hegarty sisters in Clashduv Park.

The Hegartys of The Laurels book stand

 

Adam Duggan and Act 1 Military procession

with Lord Mayor & Jim Hegarty

The hall was soon packed out and the event commenced with Adam Duggan piping in the Volunteer actors followed by Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher and Jim Hegarty. Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher gave the opening speech remarking on the huge turnout despite the event not being publicised. Jim Hegarty then gave his introductory speech on the background to the book and his Father and Aunts involvement in the War of Independence and Civil War. Togher Historical Association made a special presentation of a placue to Jim Hegarty in honour of his Father , John Joe Hegarty ( see below ). The event closed with photoshoots which saw everybody from former T.D.s and Lords Mayor ( John Dennehy - Togher's only Lord Mayor to date ) to the Bishop of Cork! Such was the importance placed on this event , that the Togher Community Association cancelled their meeting to attend the book launch. All relations of the Hegarty , Forde and Fennel clan were present to celebrate their families legacy and lineage.

 

Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher opening speech

Jim Hegarty speech at City Library

 

 

Kathleen O'Keeffe - Togher Historical Association

with Anne O'Driscoll ( nee Hegarty )

 

Jim Hegarty , Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher & Bishop Buckley

 

 

Placue presentation by Togher Historical Association

 

Jim Hegarty's family with Bishop Buckley 

and Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher

Members of Forde and Fennell family 

with former Lord Mayor John Dennehy seated centre

Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher , Kathleen O'Keeffe & Billy O'Brien

 - Togher Historical Association , Fergal Dennhey

 -  Togher Community Association & Jim Hegarty

Gus Fennell ( Nan Fennell's son ) 

& Jack Hegarty ( John Joe Hegarty's son )

 

 

Shirley Kelleher ( Joe Murphy's grand niece ) & Jim Hegarty

Jim Hegarty & Helen Van Lakem ( nee Carroll )

Andalucia , Spain 13th May 2022

Eileen , Pauline , Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher , 

Jim , Jack & Anne at Book Launch

Togher Learning Neighbourhood Expo - St. Finbarrs H.F. Club - April 6th 2022

On April 6th 2022 , the Barrs club hosted the Togher Learning Neighbourhood Expo. The event was opened by Cllr. Fergal Dennehy deputising for the Lord Mayor who welcomed all present. The event began with pupils from Togher Girls National School singing a multi lingual song in acknowledgement of the many Nationalities now studying at the school. Next up was a presentation to people of all ages including local legends Donie Og and John Dennehy in recognition of their community activism.

Togher Learning Expo leaflet

Togher Learning Neighbourhood stand

Fergal Dennehy addressing the Expo at the Barrs

The purpose of the Expo was to highlight the various local groups within Togher which included sports , education and historical interests. Togher Historical Association was represented by Kathleen O'Keeffe and Billy O'Brien and the stall attracted much attention. The table was covered with many rare photos from Toghers past including albums for people to browse through at their leisure. Former Barrs player Jim Hegarty paid a visit prior to his book launch the following night. John Dennehy also dropped by to offer his continuing support.

Jim Hegarty - former Barrs player

 Billy O'Brien & John Dennehy

 

 

Fergal Dennehy & Kathleen O'Keeffe

Togher Historical Association table

A quickstop tour was made of other stands which included most of the sporting clubs around Togher and the local primary schools and many others. Below are photos of each stand. Many thanks to all the organisations who turned up to promote Togher as a hotbed of activity for youngsters and matures alike.

Everton F.C est'd. 1958

L'Arche Community

Togher Community Association

 

Mrs. Manning and colleague

Togher Boys National School

Togher Athletics Club

Togher Boxing club

Togher Family Centre

Cork City Partnership

Townlands - 12/15 - Gortagoulane

 Gort an Ghabhláin - Field of the Fork - 401 Acres

Gortagoulane - ( Data from Townlands.ie )

Gortagoulane is thought to have been the seat of the Ui Mc Ceir tribe up to their eventual loss of power in the late 1100s. The fork in its title refers to the various streams which virtually encompass the land ; the Liberty stream which rises at its south eastern tip and flows under Corcoran's Bridge ( built by journeymen masons in the 18th Century and named after the farmers who commissioned its construction ) in a northerly direction meeting up with a winterborne stream which rises near its western boundary and an internal stream which rises inside its territory. The Glasheen River acts as its southern boundary with Doughcloyne making up its western boundary. The land to its extreme north is marsh or bogland and a possible fulacht fiadh ( ancient pit which was used for dyeing , bathing and brewing ) is located on its land where the Gortagoulane stream and the Liberty stream meet.

Remains of old Ashgrove Farm

Gortagoulane stream meets Liberty stream

( Probable site of Fulacht Fiadh )

 

Derelict houses ( bought by Cork Airport ) near Corcorans

Bridge ( Possibly dwellings of Corcoran Brothers? )

There are 2 old houses named Ashgrove House and Ashgrove respectively which appear on 19th Century maps and are farmsteads. Another older residence once existed inland and which was accessed via a long laneway from Lehenaghmore before encountering a lodge ; this was Ashgrove Farm and all that remains of the structure are two right angled high stone walls. The land today houses Richardsons farm which is accessed from Doughcloyne and some private dwellings. In 1911 Census there was a total of only 8 inhabited houses in the entire Townland. Gortagoulane has two internal roads , Matthews Hill ( which emerges from Lehenaghmore and bisects the Townland as it exits ) and Wilson's Lane ( Ashgrove Close ) a.k.a. Ben Deebles Lane. The Townland's south eastern portion takes in part of the runway of Cork Airport.

Corcorans Bridge

Addresses ( Modern Era )

Wilson's Lane
Ashgrove Close
Matthews Hill
Ashgrove House ( Farm )
Ashgrove ( Farm )


Addresses/Structures ( Historical Era )

Fulacht Fiadh
Ashgrove House ( 2 walls remaining )
Corcoran's Bridge

Boundary

From a point near the airport following the Liberty Stream in a northerly direction under Corcorans Bridge to meet with the Gortagoulane Stream and following the direction of the old winterborne stream westwards in a meandering manner southwards until the access road/lodge into Richardsons Farm before moving southwards again to Wilsons Lane before joining the Glasheen River a little further on and tracing the stream all the way back to the Airport where it rises near the Liberty Stream.

33rd Fieldwork Trip - 16th February 2022 - Culverts , Bridges & Progress

On Wednesday , 16th February 2022 , Togher Historical Association took to the road for the first time since September of 2021 to record the progress of the ongoing culvert works on Togher Road.  The immediate and stark changes which presented themselves was the filling in of the Gully by Greenwood Estate next to the Garage and the removal of the old stone wall completely. ( There is a raised surface now present which may accommodate street furniture and a lower hardcore base for a new pedestrian walkway ). Coupled with that was the culverting of the section of stream by Togher Cross and the disappearance of the old beveled stone wall and the cutting down of the trees which lined its banks. The last two sections of stream to remain daylighted since the 1840s was now erased from history and from sight. Liberty Stream a.k.a. Togher Stream is now no longer visible from Togher Cross to Coffey's Field. The New Culvert which has its beginnings alongside the old Southern Fruit Industrial Estate is a mind blowing 4 Metres Wide by 4 Metres Deep and follows a largely linear trajectory from Togher Cross to the Community Centre where it makes a sharp turn to run along Coffey's Field. The section of New Culvert by Southern Fruit is still under construction and will alter the original Stream's flow there into the concrete channel which also has an overflow culvert to cater for sudden rises in water.

Old gully filled in near Garage
( looking North towards Greenwood Estate )

Old Gully across from School
( Looking back towards Garage )

 

 

Looking towards Togher Cross
( Lanes old cottage on corner )

View of Lanes cottage and garage
( Lehenaghmore Road side )

Side view of Lanes cottage and Garage
( Looking back from Lehenaghmore Road to Togher Cross )

Close up view of Lanes garage and covered stream

Alternate view of Lanes cottage and Garage
( Lehenaghmore Road looking towards Togher Cross )

Close up view of Lanes cottage

Location of New Culvert by Southern Fruit

Original Togher Stream next to Southern Fruit
( To be culverted into new concrete channel - see next photo )

Culvert section under construction next to Southern Fruit
( Overflow channel on right )

Interior shot of Overflow Channel

1980s Pipes next to Southern Fruit
( Originally daylighted near stream on Togher Cross )

The group next made its way to the rear of SuperValu for a look at a piece of hisstory hidden in plain sight. The area on view in the photos was once known as Minnie's Orchard and existed right up to the 1960s when the road facing walls were demolished to make way for the then new Togher Shopping Centre in 1968. The surviving walls are encircled by Earlwood Estate which was built between 1958 and 1962.

Original stone wall to rear of SuperValu

Old stone wall to rear of Earlwood Estate

A spot check was made on some of Togher's remaining historical houses on Togher Road and Pouladuff Road. First on the list was a visit to the two storey semi-detached house on Ardmanning Hill which features in the famous harvest photograph from the 1950s. Research is still ongoing with it presently being thought to be Russell's dairy farm. However this has not conclusively been determined. Pouladuff Road beckoned for a brief look at 3 houses which stood before any modern development pre-1960s. The Laurels which is currently for sale with rumours that it is to be demolished to make way for new builds. The house is over 200 years old and is in private ownership. Next on the right hand side past Edward Walsh Road moving south was Bellvue House , an old two storey build and finally an old cottage. Research again is underway to unearth their past.

Russell's Dairy Farm? Ardmanning Hill

The Laurels , Pouladuff Road

Bellvue House , Pouladuff Road

Old cottage , Pouladuff Road

Next stop was a visit up Lehenagh Beg to look at the old Kelly's cottage. The site has been sold and plans are underway to build 16 new houses. The old once more makes way for the new. Evidence that not only is Togher changing , but that it is changing beyond all recognition.

Planning application near roadside

Front view of cottage

Kathleen O'Keeffe , Togher Historical Association

Land to rear to consist of 16 new dwellings

Final visit of the day was to the old railway bridge in Mahers Lane. Hard to believe that trains once ran under it and even harder to believe that it was the first time the group had looked at it. Even harder to believe is the fact that Togher still has 5 railway bridges intact! All part of the old Cork Bandon line. These will be covered in a future article.

Maher's Lane railway bridge
( uphill from Maher's Lane )

Mahers railway bridge looking back towards St James Cemetery

Close up view of Mahers Lane bridge