Doughcloyne District Ratepayers Assoc. - Letter from 1955

Pauline Murphy of Spur Cross submitted the following archives to the Togher Historical Association. They afford a unique and intriguing insight into the past and are deserving of a special place in the local historical narrative. Dating to 24th August 1955 they consist of a 3 page handwritten letter penned by the secretary of the Doughcloyne District Ratepayers Assoc. to the County Council outlining the urgent need for the tarmaccing of the Doughcloyne Road ( possibly the Lehenaghmore Road by virtue of its proximity to the Liberty Stream ) due to flooding caused by extensive rainfall. Many country roads and lanes were still dirt tracks back in the 1950s.

 Letter Page 01

 

 Letter Page 02

 

 Letter Page 03

Also included is a 3 page list of actual Ratepayers. What is enlightening is the connection with Togher which copper-fastens many Townlands affiliation to the suburb. Also Lehenaghmore is stated as both Togher and Pouladuff , though the latter simply alludes to the road and not any cessation. Of course the Togher confirmation as stated and signed off on by the occupiers ( which included Doughcloyne , Lehenaghmore , Lehanaghbeg , Gortagoulane , Knockalisheen , Knocknamallavoge , Kilmurriheen & Chetwynd )  provides proof from a modern perspective of the historical claim of the region to which these Townlands truly belong. Of interest is Feirm Bawn which listed itself in the titular.

 Ratepayers List Page 01

  Ratepayers List Page 02

 Ratepayers List Page 02

Long's Farm - A Famous Photograph

Not many communities can boast of an iconic photograph which is widely known and associated with a particular region. Togher has just such a photograph. Published by the Evening Echo circa 1951 , the photographer ( unknown ) captured a harvest scene in Togher Farm , owned and operated by the Long Family. The head of the household - Patrick Long , first purchased the farm back in the early 1920s and for the next 4 decades together with his wife , Hannah and their children worked the land right up until a compulsory purchase order was placed on their farm circa 1961 and they had to sell.

Long's Farm , Togher circa early 1950s

Eddie Long ( 2nd from left ) , 

Claire Long ( holding teapot ) 

& Denis O'Leary ( 2nd from right )

They say a picture paints a thousand words , but a photograph reveals a million facts. The famous harvest scene shows Togher as it was almost 70 years ago. Back then , as can be seen in the shot , the main Togher Road was a very narrow affair , walled and hedged for much of its length right down to Togher Cross. Togher then was composed primarily of small farms and market gardens ; Togher Farm a.k.a. Long's Farm was both! As can be seen , the house on the brow of the hill is one part of a semi-detached house belonging to the O'Driscolls. Their neighbor , Kerrs , ran a small dairy farm. Both houses are still there today. The Long's house was out of shot and was sited a little further south and was near Ardmanning Cottages ( now also gone ) Ironically , the Long's new abode would be sited directly across the road from the Kerrs/Russell homesteads in the early 1960s.

Ardmanning Cottages which were just below 

Long's House on Togher Road circa 1961

The photograph shows 2 members of the Long Family : Eddie Long ( 2nd from left ) whose Niece - Therese Murphy - remembers as a gentle giant of a man who was reserved and mild mannered. The girl holding the Teapot was his sister - Claire Long. The man ( 2nd from right ) has since been identified as Denis O'Leary ( see below ) . Many farmers back then would have hired casual laborers during harvest time. The photo displayed here shows the old scene in a modern setting. Many thanks to Eamonn Pearse for his research into the positioning and overlaying of the photo and to Kathleen O'Keeffe for providing the photo of Denis O'Leary.

Old photograph overlaid on modern setting

Denis O'Leary ( seen in old photo 2nd from right )

The Long's story is peppered with sadness , not least the tragedy of losing their Farm and Home , which broke the heart of Patrick Long. Eddie moved into the new house on Earlwood Estate , next to the Ardmanning House along with his siblings. Born in the 1920s , he never married and died relatively young in the 1970s. His sister , Claire , married but had no children , and now lives in the house. Sadly she suffers from dementia. She is currently 86 years old.

Kerrs/O'Driscoll Houses ( 2 story semi-detached building )
Only remaining artifact from old photograph 

The Kerrs/O'Driscolls house ( shown above in its modern setting ) as featured in the famous photograph is still standing and remains the only relic of the 1950s harvest scene still intact. The other row of adjacent bungalows are thought to have been erected in the late 1950s on privately bought plots of small land. The famous photograph is on display in several locations , most notably the Lough Credit Union , Togher Branch , but what is less well known , is it's display in West Gate nursing home in Ballincollig , which Billy O'Brien discovered completely by accident ( see below ).

West Gate nursing home , Ballincollig , Co. Cork

21st Fieldwork Trip - 3rd June 2017 - Green Shield Stamps , Big Houses and A Bridge Too Far

On Saturday June 3rd 2017 , the Togher Historical Assoc. undertook its first Fieldwork Trip of the year with several goals in mind. Eamonn Pearse and Billy O'Brien were joined by historical enthusiast Eamonn Twomey and set off in search of green shield stamps , a couple of big houses and quite literally , a bridge too far. First appointment was at Edward Walsh Road to meet Anna Marie O'Shea in her home. The team literally paid a flying visit but nevertheless uncovered some priceless gems in the form of a sheet of Green Shield Stamps and an original Rent Book ( thought to be either attributed to an address at Shournagh Lawn or Argideen Lawn circa 1969 - Anna Marie's family home ). Also of historical interest was an old E.S.B. bill , possibly dating to the 1970s , which belonged to her Grandfather , who lived at Tramore Road. It is hoped to flesh out the Family history in the near future. The blog would like to thank Anna Marie for her warm welcome and look forward to a return visit.

Anna Marie with her Green Shield Stamps

E.S.B. bill ( possibly 1975 ) belonging to John O'Shea

Grandfather of Anna Marie O'Shea

Anna Marie - Communion 1973 - with her Father

Anna Marie with 1960s Corporation Rent Book

Next port of call was a return visit to Garrane Darragh house which was accessed from the car park at Bishops Court Shopping Centre. It was just over 3 years since the Historical Assoc. had last paid a visit and this was evident by the complete boarding up of the old abode. It was remarked by those present that the house bore an uncanny resemblance to the now sadly demolished Phillipine House over in Doughcloyne in that it is a double pitched construction. The grounds were once more investigated with a visit to the gate which would have originally lead into another field which was of old bisected by the railway track of the Cork Bandon line , which lives on in a reincarnated state as its former wooden sleeper beams are in situ as a fence.

Rear view of the boarded up Garrane Darragh house

Alternate view showing dilapidated outhouse

Gateway to former line of Cork Bandon Railway

An elevated view of the Grove of Oaks

Video of Garrane Darragh house and grounds

Phillipine House once more came calling and the group returned to the site of the former Fellowship House to view the progress. Thankfully 2 sides of the Orchard wall remain intact with foundations already in place for construction of various dwellings. A quick walkabout ensued in the ground directly beneath the site which resembled a field of gold ( see video below ). Eamonn Twomey was on hand with metal detector but sadly no buried treasure resulted from the search.

View of construction site at former Phillipine House

Field of Gold beneath Fellowship Site

Old rock hued treescape severely cut back

Alternate angle view of beautiful field

Possible elevation slab for water hand pump

Video of field of gold below Phillipine House

The group next set off for Chetwynd House , the former seat of the Meagher's in Togher. In fact the laneway off Maher's Lane is named after them. Time however was given to a brief stopover to photograph the Welcome To Togher signpost next to St. James Cemetery. From there it was homeward bound for what is now Togher's oldest house. The visit was videoed as shown below. Eamonn Twomey remarked about the positioing of an old gaslight about the doorway. Much speculation ensued as to the archway to the left of the door , now blocked up , which may have served as a possible coal bunker door. It was also noted that construction of private residences continues unabated , which now virtually surround the structure.

View of sign next to St. James Cemetery , Chetwynd

View towards Maher's Lane , Chetwynd , Togher

Video of Chetwynd House , Togher

 Angled view of Chetwynd House , Togher

New houses under construction near Chetwynd House

The team next moved swiftly onto Fernwood where the opportunity presented itself for 2 short video shoots of the Liberty Stream , which is piped under the access road there. Of note was the massive concrete pipe and two rounded slab stones which posed more questions than answers. The stream and foliage and birdsong were positively dreamlike at the location as evidenced by the videos shown below.

Video showing Liberty Stream near Fernwood

View of Liberty Stream as it passes former

Southern Fruit premises

Last port of call was an unintended date with destiny. Working on the premise of a childhood memory , Billy O'Brien donned wellington boots and stepped into the Liberty Stream by Coffey's Field and trod through the waters right up to the overhang by the new Turkish Barbers. What greeted the explorer was heart-stopping and reassuring all at the same time. The old stone arch bridge which up to the late 1970s could be viewed from the entrance to Greenwood Estate was in plain view , albeit hidden from modern day eyes , by virtue of an extended overhang constructed late 1990s to meet with the new precast concrete gully walls which replaced the former banks and riverbed. The approach to the overhang is an eerie experience , where the unwary needs to tred carefully in light of the muddy deposition. A series of circular cement buffers flank the overflow runnel and newly expanded concrete floor. The right side of the old stone bridge has been rendered with cement and the entire painted white. The additional overhang slab can be viewed from beneath and is clearly visible , being placed on top of the old shorter slab , which in days gone by acted as a foundation for a pump house.This now confirms that the stretch of road from the Community Centre to Togher Cross is home to 3 Bridges all under the road! This concluded the Fieldwork Trip which proved to be both educational and enlightening for all concerned. The Blog would like to thank Eamonn Twomey for accompanying the group for the day and for his sheer enthusiasm for local history.

Video of trek to overhang in Liberty Stream
across from Community Centre

Video of return trek from overhang to Coffey's Field

 Close up view of old stone arched bridge

 View under overhang showing runnel

View of tunnel towards gully end

Lehenaghmore Park - Official Opening - 20th May 2017

On Saturday 20th May 2017 , the official opening of Lehenaghmore Park in Togher took place. The formerly known Green Patch had now become a fully fledged Sports ground. As it was a Togher Community Association undertaking from the very beginning , it was heavily represented by members including John Dennehy , Niall McCarthy ( Chairman ) and Fergal Dennehy , who also acted as Lord Mayor for the day. Performing the official cutting ceremony and delivering the keynote speech was County Mayor - Seamus McGrath. Also in attendance was his mother Marie McGrath , sister of Kathleen O'Keeffe who represented the Togher Historical Assoc. Afterwards refreshments were served in the local Community Centre.

 Fergal Dennehy 

& County Mayor Seamus McGrath

 John Dennehy , Seamus McGrath ,

Niall McCarthy & Fergal Dennehy

 Cutting the tape ceremony

Seamus McGrath with mother Marie McGrath

Niall McCarthy & Kathleen O'Keeffe

 City Mayor vs County Mayor

 Panoramic view of official opening

 After-talk back at Community Centre

Phillipine House - The End - 1639 ~ 2017

There is nothing quite so sad as watching history quite literally disappearing in front of your own eyes. Unfortunately though structurally sound , the former seat of the Ronaynes and Sarsfields was uninhabitable by modern standards and no choice remained but to consign it to the wrecking ball. Whatever the factors involved in deciding its fate , it was still a numbing experience to witness almost 4 Centuries of local history being eradicated for evermore.

Eamonn Pearse & Kathleen O'Keeffe

Eamonn Pearse and Kathleen O'Keeffe of the Togher Historical Association were specially invited on Thursday May 18th 2017 onto the site after intensive negotiations between local community stalwart Keiran O'Connell and the site manager in charge of the works. Eamonn quickly lost no time in setting up several cameras to capture the whole process of leveling the ancient abode.

Kathleen witnessing the passing of history

Kathleen remarked on the sheer width of the walls which were approximately 4 feet in thickness! Obviously built to last and last it did from 1639 which was a whole decade before Cromwell landed in Ireland right up to the close of the second decade of the 21st Century! That is almost 380 years old!

Original door defiantly standing amongst the ruins 

of its former home

The team were even invited to tea during the proceedings by the friendly workforce who were very obliging and sympathetic to the reasons for the visitation. Togher has lost its oldest house forever. However out of the ashes of the old will rise a similar building which will be a close replica of its former self. The video below has been rendered up x6 times original speed as the shoot captured over 2 hours of continuous footage. At the end is a short history of the now gone house and its many names and uses.

Full video of demolition of Phillipine House

May 18th  2017

UPDATE 4TH NOVEMBER 2017 : The Team made a brief visit to the site of the Fellowship House building project to check on the progress to date. While they were denied access by the Site Manager due to safety regulations , they were able to take a photograph from a safe distance at the gate. The Site Manager hinted that access may be granted in the near future when building is completed. It can be seen that the replacement build for Philippine House is an almost exact replica as can be seem by the twin pitched roofs.

New Fellowship House under construction

UPDATE 11TH NOVEMBER 2017 : The Team made a return visit the following week to document the progress of the new build. The photos below show side and front views of the development. The short video shot from the lower field shows the near completion of the replica build.

 Front View of new build from lower field

 Side View from main gate of Fellowship site

 Video of near completion of new Fellowship House

Phillipine House - The Fireplace

On Tuesday 16th May after plans put in place by the Togher Historical Assoc. and Keiran O'Connell of the Togher Community Assoc. a visit was paid to the Phillipine House to undertake a poignant mission - the removal of a fireplace which had in part been in situ for almost 4 Centuries! The outer casing is a blue marble pillar of Victorian vintage with the inner metal insert of Cromwellian age , possibly earlier. Quite aside from this amazing fact was the historical connection with the Sarsfield Family - who used it as their home in the distant past. Added to this was the news that Phillipine House was slated for demolition the following morning. Time was of the essence and local resident , Keiran McCoy of McCoys Memorials , a qualified stone-cutter from Palmbury Est., graciously offered his services free gratis.

Fireplace before extraction

The photos above and below show the fireplace site pre/post extraction. As the house was awaiting the wrecking ball , the operation was a simple destruction rather than the usual careful piecemeal chizel and hammer approach. It was noted that pre-extraction that the fireplace bore an old crack , which was judged to be a simple repair task. Unfortunately , such was the age of the object , even with careful work , it ultimately came out in 20 pieces. However , a colleague of Keiran McCoy has kindly offered to undertake a restoration job which may take up to a month. It is hoped that the much wished for Togher Museum can now become a reality and the fireplace become literally the hearth of it all. The Blog would like to thank Keiran O'Connell ( Togher Community Assoc. ) and Keiran McCoy ( McCoy Memorials ) for their hard work and dedication in preserving a part of Toghers past history for future Generations to enjoy.

Site after extraction
...to be cont'd ...

Long's Farm , Togher Road - An Introduction

On Saturday 8th April 2017 at 12.30 ,  Billy O'Brien met up with Therese Murphy for an interview regarding her Grandfather Patrick Long of Togher. The encounter was an excellent opportunity to gain exclusive information and pour over rare never before seen photographs. The Togher Historical Assoc. & Blog would like to thank Therese for her time and for the history she has passed on to the people of Togher about a time sadly forgotten but now hopefully remembered and added to the historical record for posterity.

Therese Long ( aged 9 ) 1960

Therese Murphy ( nee Long ) 2017

It may be difficult even impossible for modern day residents of a certain part of Togher to imagine quite what the area looked like in the past before any development took place. The region in question is a plot of land which stretched in a line North to South just below Ardmanning Avenue and culminated ( lands of O'Riordans ) approximately where Rose Lawn is today and bordered on Togher Road on its Western axis right across to stop just short of Pouladuff Road on its Eastern axis. This land was Long's Farm but known more colloquially as Togher Farm. Primarily a Dairy Farm , it also served as a Market Garden. Adjoining houses in the nearby vicinity were known as Ardmanning Cottages. All are now gone. To understand the full story it is necessary to go back to the 1920s.

Paddy & Hannah Long

Paddy Long with horse and cart delivering milk 
in Cork City - Holly Bough 2009

The story of Long's Farm begins in the trenches of France during World War I between 1916 and 1918. Young Patrick " Paddy " Long was a young Irishman who found himself caught up in the Great War in France along with thousands of his fellow countrymen. Enduring two horrifying years in No Man's Land , he finally succumbed to a gas attack and was blinded. Repatriation back to Ireland was his ultimate reward. However the story does not end there. With each ending , there is a new beginning. Remarkably two years later Paddy Long regained his sight! As the 1920s dawned , he went on to purchase a small farming interest in the then agricultural hinterland of Togher and worked and raised a family and lived contentedly for the next 40 years. During that time , the couple raised a family of 3 boys and 4 girls : Daniel ( a.k.a. " Donal " - Therese' Father ) , Edward & Patrick ; Vaunie , Therese ( a.k.a. " Terry " ) , Margaret & Claire ( girl in famous photograph ).

Edward Long ( 2nd from left )

 & sister Claire Long ( holding teapot ) 

with labourers during harvest time in early 1950s.

  Kerr's Farmhouse on brow of hill

Throughout the intervening decades , he tilled the land ; milked his cows , the produce of which he sold to the bigger Dairies in the locality and with his wife Hannah , ran a market garden growing vegetables including carrots , cabbages and onions. It was during the early 1950s that Therese' Uncle Eddie and Aunt Claire featured in an iconic photograph ( see above ) depicting a harvest scene in September. Therese remembers that the Long house was situated on the flat at the bottom of Ardmanning Hill where the present day entrance to Edward Walsh Road is now. The only landmark from those halcyon days still standing today is the house of the Kerr's' and the O'Driscolls which formed the backdrop to the famous photograph ;  everything else being leveled and erased from memory.

Old lady with paper bag collecting shamrock

on Long's Farm ( name and date unknown )

During the 1950s his Granddaughter , Therese would regularly be brought by her Mother from Cait O'Sheas Lane where they lived to visit and play on the land which included jaunts on a pony called Royal Tan , reputedly a former Grand National winner and helping her Grandmother , Hannah , picking blackberries in the garden. Sadly her Father , Daniel " Donal " Long ( born 1918 & married 28th June 1949 ) had succumbed to throat cancer when Therese was very young. As she grew older , she would accompany her Grandfather Paddy in his van delivering milk to the producers which may have included Hosfords Dairy Farm across the road.

Therese Murphy ( nee Long ) with Aunt Terry

 at Long's Farm 1952 ( house in background )

As time wore on in the Long farmstead , the dawn of the 1960s heralded tremendous change for many local farmers and market gardeners in Togher when the Corporation encroached with Compulsory Purchase Orders for the sale of the lands to construct much needed housing schemes for the increasing population of Cork City. Paddy Long was paid the princely sum of £64,000 for Togher Farm in 1962. His neighbours also lost much or all of their former lands ; Murphy's ( Joe Murphy house ) to the east and O'Riordans to the south ( Vicars Road area , Deanwood Ave ). Therese also recollects playing with the children of Bannon's house which was situated across from her Grandfather's farm. It may have at one time served as a lodge , as she recalls a green wooden door/gate opening on to a path with gardens on both sides leading onto a 2 storied big house - which can be inferred as being Clashduff House!

 View from Ardmanning Hill 15th October 1961

Longs farm on left ; O'Bannon's House on right

Paddy bought one of the new houses which would become Earlwood Estate as a replacement for the family home which was situated next to  the Ardmanning House. Later he would build a confectionery bakery for his daughter Vaunie ( who never married ) adjacent to the house. Here Vaunie baked cakes and other confectionery for the locals of Togher up until her sad demise in the 1980s from bowel cancer. She was a wonderful baker and lived for her work. Therese remembers : " I have happy memories of all the time I spent helping. I started when I was about 5 years old until my late teens. Magical ; loved every minute and she was spotless. " Vaunie , often incorrectly known as " Bawnie " is still to this day remembered fondly by the people of Togher.

 

Long House at top of Ardmanning Hill

with " Bawnie's " bakery to rear

Claire Long who famously featured in the harvest photograph holding the teapot ( married in her 40s but regrettably had no children )  now resides in the family home. Brigette Byrne remembers : " My Uncle , Jack Linehan married Claire Long at the Lough Church in 1974. She wore a beautiful lilac dress. We thought he would never marry as he was a confirmed bachelor. " Therese Murphy remembers : " Jack brought great happiness to her life as she thought she would never meet her soul mate. His death was such a terrible loss. "

 Long's new house under construction 15th October 1961

Therese remembers as a child being brought by her Grandfather Paddy to view the construction of their new house ( shown above ) and distinctly recalls the sadness in his eyes at the loss of his beloved farm which proved too much and he passed away at age 63 a few short years later. Below are some photos from the Family album showing cousins and friends.

Abina Lucey R.I.P. 2005, Glasheen ; 

Claire Long - fathers sister ;  

Nora O'Brien ( married - Newman ) mothers sister 

still alive at 85. Abina and Nora- first cousins

Uncle Steven O'Brien - mothers brother; 

Gerry Lucey - Albinas brother ; 

Margaret Long ( check skirt front of pic ) ; 

others unknown

Cousins group photo - Long's ; O'Brien's & Lucey's