N.B.A. Flats - National Building Agency

The National Building Agency or N.B.A. was a Semi - State Company established on 13th December 1960 by the Government to tackle the issue of Social Housing in order to facilitate the needs of Industrial Workers.

 National Building Agency logo

They erected the original Deanrock Estate and the 3 - Storey Flat Complexes between 1968 and 1971. To accomplish this , they demolished the old derelict Deanrock House and surrounding walls as well as the workmen's Cottages which fronted onto Togher Road. However , they kept the original tree lined entrance to the house which served as a walkway between the Flats. The old Summerstown Lane was re-routed towards the new Clashduv Road.

Extract from N.B.A. company history document

Perhaps their lasting legacy was the former so called N.B.A. Flats finally demolished in 2005. Not only had they become an eyesore and a pocket of anti-social behaviour , but they also left a bitter taste in the mouths of those who were resident in them. Even though the rest of the sprawling Estate was also built by the National Building Agency , it was the Flats who acquired the hated name of N.B.A. or even " M.B.A. " as local children knew them. No other Estate in Togher had its builders name foisted upon them. Owenacurra Court and most of Shournagh Lawn are no more.

 Original lane into Deanrock House in September 1968

Even the walkways were lifted and now all that remains are the original trees and a stepped walkway leading off the newly named Deanrock Avenue which terminates at a wall. To this day they are the only structures ( apart from the Southside Shopping Centre which was erected on the site of the former Cashduff House ) from the building spree of the 1960s and early 1970s in Togher to be demolished!

N.B.A. estate under construction 1969
*Note flats still under development

N.B.A. estate fully completed 1971
( courtesy of Dave Coughlan )

N.B.A. estate 1973
*Note dirt track across bog

Extract from Social Impact study
 of Deanrock Estate circa 1970s

The following still of the N.B.A. Flats from an 8mm film shot by Denis Long in 1973 shows a group of unknown youths posing for his camera. The Togher Historical Association would like to thank Mr. Long for permission to use this and other stills in various posts throughout the Blog.

Photo still from Denis long 8mm Film 1973

The following photo stills are from a Frameworks Films documentary filmed in 2005 ( see link at bottom of page ) and breathes life into the now gone Housing Scheme. All images are used with permission.

 Original pathway entrance to former Deanrock House

 Rear view of Shournagh Lawn flats

 Shournagh Lawn as seen from Togher Road

 Owenacurra Court and its green courtyard

 View of Owenacuura Court from Clashduv Road

Alternate view of pathway through Owenacurra

The following two photos are courtesy of the O'Riordan Family and show 2 of their siblings in and around the N.B.A. Flats in the early 1980s. The last snapshot shows Eamonn Pearse and family and friends at the bus stop with Owenacurra Court in the background circa 1976. The site to their immediate rear would become the Lough Credit Union in 1981.

 Billy O'Riordan playing by Owenaccura Court

Joan O'Riordan and friend circa 1983

Eamonn Pearse with family & friends circa 1976

The video below shows some of the demolition in progress. Click on the video link to view on YouTube as the owner has disabled viewing on other web sites. It is ironic that a former Big House - the titular Deanrock - was knocked to build the Flats. Now both are gone forever.

  

Demolition of N.B.A. Flats 
a.k.a. Deanrock Complex , Togher

This Video would appear to be publicly shared by Sandymount Productions and is hosted on the blog.

Alternate Video of Demolition 2007


To view Deanrock N.B.A. Flats movie documentary click here!

Newspaper Articles - Blog Archives

This page will house all newspaper articles written about the Blog and its work plus any articles of interest pertaining to Togher as a whole. Thanks to Fergal Dennehy for setting up various meets and for submitting the written pieces about the Blog to regional Newspapers. Also thanks in advance to any authors who pen pieces promoting Togher in general.

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The first article was submitted to the Evening Echo by Togher Community Association Secretary Fergal Dennehy concerning the Blog's original incarnation as the Togher History Society. That group was disbanded in late 2016 having fulfilled its work. It saw print in the Monday edition of the  Evening Echo dated 2nd September 2013. It basically informed the public at large of the existence of the newly formed Society and highlighted the forthcoming Open Day.

Evening Echo says Togher has a  History Society!

The Blog was next featured in the October edition of the Bishopstown News. Editor Eddie Lyons kindly attended the Blog's Open Day on Sunday September 14th 2013 and mentioned his admiration for what it was trying to achieve. He also took some photographs of various attendeess , 3 of which saw publication as seen below. Thanks to Fergal Dennehy and Eddie Lyons for their hard work in helping to promote the Blog.

Bishopstown News - October 2013 

article with photos of some members

While this newspaper article is not strictly about the Blog , it does merit inclusion. It looks at the important issue of funding for the regeneration of the old N.B.A. site. The piece featured in the Monday December 9th edition of the Evening Echo.

Evening Echo Monday December 9th 2013

A D.J. from 96FM gives his view on the proposed development on the old Deanrock Site in the 3rd April Issue of the Cork Independent. This followed on from a couple of  Radio spots where local residents and businessmen discussed the topic , with a unanimous call for its refusal by the Togher people.

Cork Independent April 3rd 2014 

In early July , newly elected Cllr. Fergal Dennehy contacted Billy O' Brien for a brief article outlining the forthcoming Boundaries Debate at the Togher Community Centre ( 13th July 2014 ) for inclusion in the local news section of the Evening Echo which saw publication in the Monday edition on 23rd July 2014. The Blog wishes to thank Fergal for his continuing support in helping to promote its work.

Evening Echo July 23rd 2014

The thorny subject of boundaries reared its head at another meeting of the Blog on Sunday July 13th 2014. Fergal submitted an article based primarily on the discussion which took place to the Evening Echo edition of Monday 4th August 2014.

Evening Echo August 4th 2014

Dave Hannigan , a Togher Ex-pat living abroad submitted this article to the Cork Holly Bough last year outlining an informative and interesting history on Sport in Togher down through the years. Thanks to Daniel O'Riordan for scanning and archiving this brilliant expose.

Cork Holly Bough Winter 2013

The Blog featured in the Monday edition of the Evening Echo dated 27th July 2015 in connection with a meeting of Councillors with a view to putting forward a Proposed Protected Structures list to both City and County Council.

Togher Historical Association with Councillors

Article in Evening Echo Monday 27th July 2015

New Houses planned for Deanrock Site
Evening Echo Monday 21st January 2016 

New houses for Deanrock Site

Cork Independent 21st January 2016

SuperValu Togher

Planning Information 21st January 2016

3rd Fieldwork Trip - October 20th 2013

On Sunday October 20th , Billy O'Brien and Eamonn Pearse paid a pre - arranged visit to perhaps one of the most important people on their must - see list. Wife of Author Tom O'Keeffe ( Togher , A Brief History and Togher Past And Present ) - Kathleen O'Keeffe. The team entered her abode with trepidation and left with excitation. In the interim , they were treated very kindly by their host.

Billy O'Brien and Kathleen O'Keeffe

It was originally envisaged that an hour would be given over to the visit with the remainder of the day going towards two locations - Garrane Darragh House ( which would have necessitated a cross field sojourn ) and a fight with severe overgrowth to attain a photo of the remains of the " Tanning Cottage " off Forge Hill. However as soon as the photo albums were glimpsed , it quickly became apparent to the visitors that everything else was going to take a back seat for the forseeable future. Below are just a few of the fantastic images from the Kathleen O'Keeffe Collection which are reproduced here with permission.

Kathleen O'Keeffe centre back row with fellow 

students of Togher Girls National School 

somewhere on Lehenaghmore Hill mid 1960s

Feirm Bawn in its heyday circa 1996

Locals posing by wall of Liberty Stream circa 1968

Field in background would become new 

Togher National Schools in 1971

Old Togher National School early 1960s

Sweetshop in green to right of building

New straight road ( Togher Road near Deanrock Bar ) 

under construction while old Railway Bridge

 is being demolished circa 1976

Tracks from Cork Macroom Direct Railway 

through Togher being lifted circa 1955

School outing aboard Irish Omnibus Company 1930s

Sarsfield Lodge near Togher Cross circa 1940s

Unknown Togher youths 

circa 1920s

The Sarsfields circa 1946 with Maurice Sexton

2nd Fieldwork Trip - October 12th 2013

On October 12th , Billy O'Brien and Eamonn Pearse undertook a second Fieldwork Trip - this time though the event and places to visit were planned in advance. So it was with a 3 hour window for light , that the team headed over the hills and far away. The first objective was a place that many would not even consider , given that it really doesn't exist any more - Doughcloyne House off  Spur Hill. This was listed in OSi maps even in the 19th Century as being in ruins and is not to be confused with another two old houses that also used the name in the area. All that remains of the structure are its boundary walls which follow the road. It is situated directly across from  Spur Hill Farm ( shown below ).

Spur Hill Farm wall signage ( a.k.a. Chetwynd House )

The following 3 photographs give a good indication of the condition of the remains which all front onto the road. Nature has certainly taken its toll on much of that which survives. The actual entrance into the house is shown in the first shot which now serves as a gateway to a grazing field. Originally the doorway to the structure would have been a little in and to the left of the rounded corner wall.

First Doughcloyne House remains - original entrance

First Doughcloyne House - Blocked up Gate 

Entrance to Orchard

First Doughcloyne House - dilapidated Wall

Their next stop was in off the roadside and down to the left side of Doughcloyne Bridge , opposite of the location of St Bart's Well. The trek down is not for the faint hearted and only for the sure footed. The reason for journeying here was to visit the Reservoir located up above Eagle Valley Estate which also gives a commanding view of much of Togher. This structure which supplies water to much of the surrounding region was built back in the 1970s and was initially painted white. Weathering has all but extinguished its once bright coat.

Togher Reservoir above Eagle Valley Estate

Views of Eagle Valley Estate and the 

SRR Flyover in the distance

Back on the road once more , the Team made its way to Sarsfield House ( former Doughcloyne House ) located just off the Sarsfield Road. Now converted to various offices it has since the 1970s been known as the " White House " to locals. Of particular interest was the stained glass window sporting the Family Crest of the long departed landlords.

Front view of the former Sarsfield House

Oblique view showing ancient tree all but denuded

Reverse exterior view of stained glass 

window showing Sarsfield Coat of Arms

Next on their whistlestop tour de force was the famed Wella! Acting on information gained from locals by Eamonn Pearse they traced this " lost gem " to the banks of the Tramore River just below the footbridge before Pouladuff Bridge. Even though the outpouring of its hallowed waters now reside outside the study areas Territory , its source still lies inside the Townland of Freagh & Vicars Acre , marking it as Togher's own. During construction of the South Ring Road , the well was capped and piped into the Tramore River. It extrudes from a concrete base at the bank side of the stream which is all but hidden from the casual daytripper. To view it , you would normally have to get your feet wet! However , some enterprising soul had deposited a wooden pallet in the shallow course of the stream to enable a leisurely looksee. It has been renamed as All Saint's Well and chiseled to that effect. Well worth a look - just remember to bring wellies! The team also took time out to have a look at the wall plaque of the new Pouladuff Bridge erected in 1995 which serves as a physical boundary between Togher and Ballyphehane. The bridge is located just metres back from the new location of the Wella.

The Wella - alive and well in its new location

A birds eye view of the famous Wella

Wall plaque of the new Pouladuff Bridge

As they were in the general area , they made a brief stopoff to pay silent tribute to a bastion of times gone by. The News Brothers was a redistribution centre for imported comics and newspapers from the U.K. and delivered to newsagents the length and breath of the country. Sadly now abandoned , it is apparently on the market looking for a potential buyer.

News Brothers in Togher - comics and 

newspapers distributors of old

Tired but never flagging , the team next made its way back up Lehenaghmore to capture some roadside images of the new Lehenaghmore Park grounds. This project has been possible through the dedication and hard work of the Togher Community Association. Although incomplete and searching for major funding , it certainly looks very impressive.

Left side front wall entrance of Lehenaghmore Park - 

Togher Community Association signage

Right side front wall entrance of Lehenaghmore Park

Panoramic view of the entrance to the new Sports Ground

As the light was now beginning to fade , it was decided to wrap things up with a quick visit to one of the most iconic natural features of Togher. So it was that the team arrived finally at the Glasheen Stream. Looking very ominous in the twilight with its gated banks and metal pipes protruding Chernobyl - like from its sides , this eerie image was softened by a gathering of ducks who swam silently in its placid waters. An end to a day full of memories , which hopefully will never be forgotten.