New Abbeyville Veterinary building
on site of former TSB bank
Recently erected signage
Former Bog now Clashduv Park
Official Council erected plaque listing Estates
Rear of Plaque with Irish inscription of Deanrock
Top view of Plaque with unknown detail
Unusual metal sculpture side inset
Opposite side metal sculpture side inset
Time was then spent reminiscing about the now extinct N.B.A. flats complex which still left ghostly traces of its past in the ground. Original parking areas and steps are still in situ including the trees in the middle of the field which would have lead to the big Deanrock House ( demolished in the late 1960s ) and preserved later as a walkway between the flats. There have been many protests from locals about the possible future of the site in recent times but hopefully it will be resolved soon and treated in a tasteful fashion.
Remnants of Original walkways and car park
Original treeline of old pathway to Deanrock House
Original Treeline which also served as walkway
between N.B.A. Flats
Alternate view of site from Shournagh Lawn
Walking at a slow pace and taking in the surroundings , the team made their way towards the Devils Rock. This famous Togher landmark is the last remnant of the old Quarry , which in days gone by was known as The Heighties and now has been partially converted into a Grotto by the R.C. community. The rock itself went by the name of The Citadel. Children from near and far would travel down the old Summerstown Lane ( now partially preserved as the Deanrock Avenue ) and play in the disused Quarry which during World War II served as a Turf Depot , where the various nooks and crannies gouged out by former stonecutters served as holders. Believe it or not , in later years still , when the rains would fill these pockets , youngsters would swim in them! However , the owner burned off any remaining turf residue and returned the Quarry to pasture before finally selling the land off by Compulsory Purchase Order to the Corporation for local Authority Housing in the late 1960s.
Devil's Rock a.k.a. The Citadel
now partially converted into R.C. Grotto
The team next approached the Glasheen River which serves as both Deanrock Townland's northern border and indeed that of Togher. First port of call was to the footbridge which was constructed in the 19th Century to enable access to St. Joseph's Church of Ease erected by the S.M.A. fathers. This beautiful stone arched structure is over 140 years old! Nowadays it is surmounted by iron railings ( installed in the early 1970s as a safety measure with access gates on both sides on Deanrock side ) as is the entire length of the river as it journeys through Deanrock. But it was the pipes which drew everybody's attention. Running at odd angles over the surface of the stream , they have in the past been used as playthings by local children who would shimmy across them , whilst still others would construct makeshift rafts out of plastic cutoffs and travel upriver as far as the Electricity Station located off the now Sarsfield Road! Some parts of the river are absolutely serene and peaceful , being home to Herons and other water fowl.
Southside of Deanrock Bridge with
famous pipes running at odd angles
Widescreen shot of opposite side of Deanrock Bridge
Close up view of arched stone bridge
constructed in the 19th Century
Beautiful view of the Glasheen River
to rear of Clashduv Park
North facing flow of Glasheen River
opposite side of Deanrock Bridge showing waterfowl
Moving onto the main Clashduv Road and the concrete bridge of the same name , the team stopped just long enough to cast an eye on this late 1960s structure , built at the same time as the new road to enable access across the river. The actual bridge itself and its standing walls are slightly misaligned. Another pipe makes itself visible just under the square underpass. Alas , as in the case also of the older bridge upstream , heavy vegetation and litter detracts from the overall ambience.
Inside view of concrete Bridge near Clashduv Road
Close up of Clashduv Bridge showing pipes
underneath amid extensive overgrowth
Over shot showing concrete plinth and litter
Close up view from Clashduv Road showing
misaligned plinth and build up of sediment
beneath bridge
While not venturing into the Park itself , much thought was given to the " Bog " , both now in its current state and its more adventurous former life. Children of the early 1970s will remember it as a wonderland of fun and games , splashing around in the cobbled banks of the sluice which ran in a V shape from the Glasheen River from roughly where the Clashduv Bridge is now to the centre of the land. Much of the Bog was marshy and heavy with vegetation and tree lined in a haphazard fashion before being used unceremoniously by the Corporation as an infill building materials dump in the mid 1970s. In the late 19th Century and early 20th century , it was the site of an outdoor skating rink , where the owner , a Mr. French , who resided in the extinct Clashduv House ( now site of Lidl and the old Five Star ) would regularly dam off the Glasheen River and flood the bog during Winter to create an ad hoc skating arena , where the City's Upper Classes would pay for the privilege of engaging in sporting activities. Tar barrels would be lit at night and a band would play incidental music while finger food would be served to the participants! It should be stated that the ordinary locals would use the Lough as their place to indulge in the same albeit free gratis.
Panoramic view of " The Mountain "
near Hazel Road
Last stop on the tour of the Bog was at another famous limestone outcrop. Located in front of the Hazel Road Estate and fronting onto the Clashduv Road , this bears the rather grandiose title of " The Mountain ". Another playground and climbing apparatus for children of the 1970s , it once hugged the bungalow of Hosfords and was only accessible through " Hozzies Lane " form the main Togher Road up to the late 1960s , when the old Stone wall which hid it and the Big House and Dairy Farm , were bulldozed out of existence. It should be noted that the wall which fronted onto Togher Road began up by Ardmanning House and terminated by the old N.B.A. site.The team then promptly set off for Lehenagh where some surprises were waiting for them!
Pilgrims return to " The Mountain "
The Mountain as viewed from Clashduv Road
Continued in Part 02 ...
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