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.

Annual Easter Rising Parade - Joe Murphy House

On Saturday April 20th 2019 , the Ballyphehane 1916/2016 Committee hosted their Annual Easter Rising Parade which commenced outside Joe Murphy House , Pouladuff Road , Togher. Aaron O'Connell gave an oration outside the house after which the Parade formally began. In attendance were various groups including the Ballyphehane Pipe Band and special guests James Connolly Drum & Flute Band from Glasgow. Deputy Lord Mayor Thomas Moloney from Elm Road , Togher participated in the parade acting as Banner holder. Shirley Kelleher also gave a speech outside the home of her Grand Uncle while her daughter sang The Boy From Pouladuff composed by John Murphy. These two pieces will form part of a documentary on Joe Murphy's life in the near future. The Blog would like to thank the Ballyphehane 1916 Committee and Shirley Kelleher for the photos and video of the event.

Aaron O'Connell oration outside Joe Murphy House

Parade forming outside Joe Murphy House

James Connolly Drum & Flute Band from Glasgow

Deputy Lord Mayor Thomas Moloney Togher 

marching through Ballyphehane

Easter Rising Parade outside Joe Murphy House

© Shirley Kelleher

New Boundary Extension - May 31st 2019 - Togher

In April , households outside Cork City were posted an information leaflet from Cork City Council outlining the new boundary extension which will come into force on May 31st 2019. It also detailed the transfer of services to the new City Council. The shots below show the leaflet in its entirety. Also included is a full map of the City showing the original boundary and the new extension. In addition , the Blog has zoomed in on the Togher area in general. What can be discerned so far is that Knockalisheen is excluded. Further study on the exact border will need to be undertaken in the near future. However as in the past , any areas of Togher not included in the new Boundary are very much still a part of Togher district.

Cover of leaflet

Interior spread view of leaflet

Back spread view of leaflet

Open view of interior boundary map

Close up view of Togher area affected by Boundary

Preliminary examination of the new Boundary Extension as it pertains to Togher shows that 3 Townlands are still , either partly or wholly in the County. Moving in a southerly direction , Chetwynd is effectively halved - using Maher's Lane as the border between City and County ; Knocknamallavoge and Knockalisheen remain in the County in their entirety. The boundary which skirts these Townlands continues down to Cros na Croha to take in all remaining former County Townlands of Togher including Doughcloyne , Gortagoulane and Lehenaghmore.

Togher region still in County area

Official Hub Opening - Tory Top Library Ballyphehane

On Saturday 13th April 2019 , the Togher Historical Association were invited to the official opening of the Ballyphehane Digital Historical Pod in Tory Top Library which began at 11 O'Clock and continued for an hour and a half. During the event those attending were shown aspects of local history which also included a section on Togher which showcased its own 1916 commemorations at the Community Centre and promoted the Togher Historical Association. Eamonn Pearse and Kathleen O'Keeffe represented the group and were impressed by the work which went into the whole project.

 

 Kathleen O'Keeffe at Hub Opening

The Historical Pod was compiled by the Ballyphehane 1916/2016 Commemoration Committee and covers many related topics including the heroes of the War of Independence and the region before 1946 when the various housing schemes were first constructed. The digital pod is very user friendly and highly recommended for anybody with even a passing interest in local history and heritage.

 

Electronic Interactive Hub

The following shots highlight the entries for the blog of the Togher Historical Association as seen on the digital hub. Opening hours for the Tory Top library are Tuesday to Saturday 10.00 a.m. - 5.30 p.m., with later closing at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays (September to June). The Library is closed on bank holiday weekends (Saturday to Monday inclusive). The blog would like to thank Kieran O'Connell for his kind invitation and for his continued support over the last few years.

 Entry for Togher Historical Association

 1916 Commemoration at Togher

Interviews conducted by Pat O'Rourke

Fellowship House - Official Reopening - 5th April 2019

Commemoration Placue Fellowship House

On Friday 5th April 2019 the Togher Historical Association were invited to the official reopening of the Fellowship House campus off Doughcloyne Hill in Togher. The culmination of two years of extensive work has resulted in a beautiful facility which caters for addiction recovery and support. Finbarr Cassidy who was instrumental in the planning and evolution of the project and who also gave sterling support to the organisation since its foundation in 1989 sadly passed away recently. He was mentioned by all present for his outstanding contribution in this field.

Finbarr Cassidy R.I.P. 

 Manager Fellowship House

To mark the 30th Anniversary since its founding , the staff and invited guests performed a tree planting ceremony in the grounds near the replica Phillipine House , the original which regretfully had to be demolished due to age and decay. John Dennehy of Westside Estate was at hand to partake in the event with Eamonn Pearse videoing the whole affair which is available below.

Management & Dignatories pose with placue

Newly rebuilt Fellowship House Togher

Beautifully planted grounds inside former orchard

 

 

Staff & Management prepare for tree planting ceremony

 

Tree Planting Ceremony Fellowship House Togher

Simon Coveney gave the opening address inside the new build in which he spoke about various social issues which impacted on those suffering from addiction issues. Ciaran O'Driscoll , staff member , videod the entire speech , which is available for viewing below.

 Visitors to the opening ceremony

Visitors to the opening ceremony

 Staff & Local Politicians inside Fellowship House

 Simon Coveney speech inside new Fellowship House

© Ciaran O'Driscoll