Chapter 8
The Knocknagree Road
Studying this map from 1942, probably the first map showing the present-day shape of Boherbue, you will notice that since the completion of the Roskeen / Castleisland road, a V shaped effect has emerged with its apex at the village pump and the two arms, one going towards Knocknagree and the other arm towards Kiskeam.
By 1940 the OLD ROAD arm of the V extended along the Knocknagree Road as far as the National School.
The Barrack, J.D. Mulcahy's Grocery, Drapery, Hard-ware , and Milling business, and Farmyard with its herd of Pedigree Jersey cows, McAuliffe's Garage, Farmyard and Grocery,
The Creamery, Tim Mulcahy's Grocery cum Drapery and Drew's Wheelwright and Undertaking business were all on this road.
Massive development has taken place along the Knocknagree Road and to-day
that road is unrecongnisable from the road of 1940.
The Knocknagree Road now extends as far as the Presbytery. Gone is McAuliffe's Garage and Farmyard, replaced by the Emerald Ballroom in 1953, part of which is now a funeral home.
Gone also are the groceries of D. P. O'Sullivan and the J.D. Mulcahy
business is now a B&B and Garage - proprietors Sean and Margaret Murphy.
The Pharmacy opened on June 30th, 1950 by the Galvin sisters, it is now in Tim Mulcahy's shop.
The Drew family, synonymous with the Wheelwright, Banding and Undertaking business in Boherbue is also gone. The Drew Undertaking business is now located in part of the old Emerald Ballroom.
The Knocknagree Road from the Square to the Presbytery now two Housing Estates
as well as many private dwellings. The road also contains a Handball Alley, a Doctors Clinic, a Creche, a Pre-Cast Concrete works, Gneeves Furniture, a Sports Field and a Home for the Elderly.
Three School Pictures from the 1950's
Back Row:- Billy O'Gorman, Maule, Timmy Daly, Village, Donal Aherne, Drominarigle, Jerry Breen, Village, Diarmuid "Lord" Cronin, Dromscarra,
Noel Drew, Village, John Wren, Village.
3rd. Row:- Neily Duane, Keelnahulla, Connie Courtney, Islandave, Davy Dinneen, Knocknamuckla, Eoin Lenihan, Derrynatubrid, Brendan Brosnan, Derryleigh, Johnny "Mattie" O'Keeffe, Village, Teddy Daly, Lisrobin, Larry Wren, Village, Vincent Murphy, Village.
2nd. Row:- Denis O'Connor, Islandave, Liam Moynihan, Ruhill, Jerry O'Riordan, Knocknacurra, Patsy Byrne, Knocknacurra, Mick Greaney, Keelnahulla, Denis O'Keeffe, Coolclougher, Jerry "Corbett" O'Connor, Islandave, Pat O'Connor, Islandave.
Front Row:- Mick Aherne, Drominarigle, Jimmy Buckley, Islandave, Hugh O'Connor, Laharn, Robert Keane, Lomanaugh, Leo Leader, Knocknacorracuis, Con O'Connor, Islandave, Denis Feehan, Mallow Road.
Back Row:- Tadghie Buckley, Islandave, Joe O'Connor, Islandave, Dan Lenihan, Lomanaugh, Paddy O'Connor, Laharn, Dan O'Connor (Smith), Knocknacurra, Danny "Boy" Courtney, Islandave, Christy Doody, Lomanaugh, Patsy Aherne, Drominarigle,
Bill O'Sullivan, Tureenavuscane, Brendan Dennehy, Laharn.
Middle Row:- Jerry O'Leary, O'Carroll Tce, Jerry Courtney, Islandave, Jerry O'Connor' Laharn, Donie O'Keeffe, East End (Village),
John Joe O'Keeffe, Derryleigh, Donal Feehan, Boherbue, Donie Duane, Keelnahulla, Coleman McCarthy, Laharn, Martin Doody, Lomanaugh,
Patrick O'Connor (Smith), Knocknacurra.
Front Row:- John O'Connor, Islandave, Frank Sheahan, East End (Village), Joe O'Mahony, Tureenavuscane, Patrick O'Sullivan (Phil), Boherbue,
Sean Fitzgerald, Knocklaugh, Brendan O'Connor, Islandave, Eugene Guerin, Derryleigh, Tadghie Daly, Islandave, Johnny O'Sullivan, Tureenavuscane.
Boherbue Central National School 1970 - ----
Boherbue N. S. became a Central National School in June 1970 when the schools of Umeraboy, Drominarigle and Glashakinleen were closed and the children were transported by Bus to Boherbue. Five extra rooms were added and a playing field was bought to accommodate the influx. Christy Feehan built the extension and the ground was bought from the Casey family in the Square.
Teachers at Amalgamation
Boherbue:-
Charles L.(Louis) McCarthy - Principal 1970 - 1997
Sheila Buckley V. Principal - 1970 - Sept 4th. 1970
Mary Fitzgerald Murphy - 1970 - 2002
Tess Cronin Sheehan - Retired at Summer Holidays
Josephine Lenihan O'Keeffe - 1970 - 1 - 10 - 1970
Umeraboy:-
Denis J. Murphy - 1970 - 1982
Kitty McSweeney - 1970 - 1973
Pearl Tansley - 1970 - 2000
Glashakinleen:-
John B. O'Keeffe - 1970 - 1978
Jenny Carey - 1970 - 2000
Drominarigle:-
J. Finbar O'Keeffe - 1970 - 2003
New Structures:-
In 1975 a new directive from Dept. of Education brought all National schools under the jurisdiction of Local Boards of Management. On October 21st. 1975, the first Board of Management for Boherbue N.S. was appointed and the members were:-
Chairman:- - Rev. Fr. Gerard Dillon, P.P.
Secretary:- - Charles L. McCarthy.
Parents Reps :- - Mrs Margaret Murphy, Village and Mrs Jack O'Riordan, Knocknenaugh.
Bishop's Nominees:- - Andrew O'Connor and Michael McMahon.
Caretaker:- - Terence Scannell appointed September 1989.
In 1993 a Parents Council was established and the following members attended the first meeting - Theresa Cremin, Irene Ryan, Margaret Hannon, Eileen Buckley, Mary Heffernan, Eileen Murphy, Breda Buckley, Helen Walsh, Helen Enright, Michael Drumm.
The officers elected to serve were:-
Chair Person:- Michael Drumm, Vice Chair:- Mary Heffernan, Secretary:- Catherine Greaney, Treasurer:- Margaret Hannon, P.R.O. Irene Ryan , Theresa Cremin.
In March 1994 Rosalind Lincoln, was appointed School Secretary.
N.B. In 1972-74 Boherbue National School was chosen to pilot the system that was to be called The Drumcondra Intelligence Test.
Famous Past Pupils:-
Academically Boherbue will always do well but in recent times two former pupils are distinguishing themselves in the entertainment world. We are very proud of Liam O'Connor and Lisa Aherne of Liam and Lisa fame.
Jack T. Murphy, Ballyhoolihan, is attached to the Engineering Dept. in U.C.C. and C.I.T.
Playing in an All-Ireland final in Croke Park is the dream of most young men but the added bonus of winning makes it all the more special. Kevin Murphy did Boherbue proud when on September 24th. 2000 A.D. he won an All-Ireland minor medal as Cork's goalkeeper.
Appointments to Boherbue Central National School:-
1973 Nora Ann Curtin succeeded Kitty McSweeney. Retired 1999.
1978 Jim O'Connor succeeded John B. O'Keeffe.
1982 Carmel O'Connor succeeded Denis J. Murphy.
1991 Margaret Collins became the eight assistant - which made the position of Principal - administrative or "Walking" as it was called in less sophisticated times.
1991 Marie Twomey was appointed as Remedial Teacher, (a new post) catering for children in Boherbue, Kiskeam and Ballydesmond.
1997 Charles L. (Louis) McCarthy retired on August 31st. and was succeeded by J. Finbar O'Keeffe. The enrolment at that that stage was 195, a drop of circa 100 since 1970.
2003 J. Finbar O'Keeffe retired in December and Gerard Lenihan, Gneeves became the "New Master". The enrolment is now on the 160 mark and struggling at that but there are still ten teachers on the staff namely:-
Principal:- Gerard Lenihan, Vice Principal:- Carmel O'Connor O'Mahony.
Assistant Teachers:- Jim O'Connor, Margaret Collins Kiely, Marie Twomey, Margaret O'Connor O'Leary, appointed 1999, Fiona Murphy, appointed 2000, Marie Casey, appointed 2000, Mary Carmel O'Connor Landers appointed 2001, Sheila O'Connor, Resource Teacher, appointed 2002.
Gura fada buan ár scoil.
Addendum 2012 Staff:-
Principal:- Gerard Lenihan, Vice Principal:- Carmel O'Connor O'Mahony.
Assistant Teachers:- Margaret Collins Kiely, Marie Twomey, Margaret O'Connor O'Leary, Fiona Murphy, Marie Casey, Catriona O'Keeffe Resource Teacher, Mary O'Leary and Margaret O'Keeffe, Special needs Teachers.
School Staff 1975
L to R:- Finbar O'Keeffe, Mary Murphy, Louis McCarthy, Margaret Tansley, Nora Ann Curtin, John Brendan O'Keeffe, Jenny Carey, Den Joe Murphy.
School Staff 1997
L to R:- Jim O'Connor, Marie Twomey, Nora Ann Curtin, Finbar O'Keeffe, Louis McCarthy, Margaret Tansley, Margaret Kiely, Jenny Carey,
Mary Murphy, Carmel O'Mahony.
School Staff 2003
Back Row:- Jim O'Connor, Margaret Moynihan (Secretary), Margaret Kiely, Fiona Murphy, Finbar O'Keeffe.
Front Row:- Mary Carmel Landers, Marie Casey, Margaret O'Leary, Margaret O'Keeffe, Carmel O'Mahony.
*Marie Twomey missing from photo.
School Staff 2005
Back Row:- Margaret O'Leary, Fiona Murphy, Mary Carmel Landers, Margaret O'Keeffe, Mary O'Leary, Margaret Kiely, Margaret Moynihan (Secretary).
Front Row:- Gerard Lenihan, Carmel O'Mahony Marie Casey, Sheila O'Connor, Marie Twomey, Jim O'Connor.
Charles L. McCarthy 1970-1997
Finbar O'Keeffe 1997-2003
Gerard Lenihan 2003 ----
Jim O'Connor with his class on his retirement Christmas 2011
Third Class 1989 - 1990 with Sam Maguire Cup
Back Row:- Jason O'Shea, Conor Hickey, Conor Cronin, Donnagh Goulding, Barry Lynch, Anthony O'Sullivan, Stephen Enright, Timothy Breen, Roger Casey, John Sheehan, James O'Connor.
Second Row:- Norma Murphy, Karen McAuliffe, Helena Greaney, Catherine Vaughan, Michelle O'Keeffe, Siobhan Daly, Delores O'Keeffe, Dan Buckley, Conor Malone, Brian Leahy, James O'Mahony, Michael O'Keeffe.
Third Row:- Elaine Barry, Helena Fitzgerald, Niamh Brosnan, Claire Casey, Bernadette McCarthy, Norma Vaughan, Orla Hartnett, Carol McSweeney.
Front Row:- Marcella Dean, Brian O'Riordan, Carol McSweeney.
A Confirmation Group from 1977 - 78
Front Row:- Aileen Guerin, Helen Feehan, Margaret Curtin, Grace Linehan, Noreen Bradley, Margaret Mulcahy, Majella O'Keeffe, Mary O'Hanlon,
Mary Murphy.
Back Row:- Noreen Brosnan, Helen O'Sullivan, Noreen Aherne, Catriona Carey, Kathleen Murphy.
Housing Estates on the Knocknagree Road
Up to the year 1949, the size of Boherbue village had remained static for decades. In that year, a new terrace of six houses was opened in Gneeves, on the Knocknagree Road.
Duke O'Carroll Terrace:-
Denis J. O'Carroll, Tureenavuscane, was a member of Cork County Council (1920-25) and a member of the Board of Guardians of Kanturk Union/Hospital. He had been a very popular man and was affectionally known as "The Duke" evidently on account of his dashing apparel. The land was bought from Mrs. David Breen and the building contractor was Jerome C. O'Mahony, Ruhillbeg.
The original occupants were:- Tim Moloney, Mick Daly, Patrick O'Connor, Mary Coffey, Batt O'Mahony and Peter O'Leary.
McAuliffe Avenue:-
Located in Gneeves, containing 21 houses and 2 flats, it was opened in stages between 1982-85.
Paddy McAuliffe from Keelnahulla was a member of Cork County Council from 1942-85 and a T.D. from 1944-69. He represented the Labour Party.
He lost his seat in 1969 due mainly to a revision of the constituencies, which found him living outside his old constituency.
I think the influence of Paddy Mac at County Council level was a great help in securing these Housing Schemes for Boherbue.
The land was bought from Carmel Mulcahy Corkerry and the builder was Thomas Curtin Ruhillbeg.
Two extra houses and two Flats were built at a later date by Denis Cronin, Taur and the occupants were Denis Scannell and Sean Kelleher.
Suburban Boherbue has also grown very much and the palatial dwellings on the approach roads are very impressive!
The original occupants were:- Nellie Lynch, Mick O'Shea, Sean Rahilly, Paddy Angland, Denis O'Keeffe, Dan Breen, James Shine, Terence Keane,
Tim Reidy, Frank Knee, Brian Enright, Tim Kiely, Mick Drumm, Tom Sheahan, Thomas Ankettell, Terence Scannell, Jerh O'Connor, John Lucey,
John Murphy.
One of the oldest families in the parish live along this section of the Old Road. The Ankettell surname, a strange name for this locality, can be traced back to at least the year 1834. The name appears in the Tithes List for that year.
The O'Connor family, (The Con Horans), further west has died out but the residence and the old Forge still remain. Conor, the last of the clan died prematurely a few years ago. Conor was very interested in local history and helped me in many ways.
Paddy McAuliffe
Conor O'Connor
Mike Drew
Grotto Opening 2011
Fr. Jim Kennelly, Pat Joe Walsh and the alter girls at the blessing of the Shrine of Our Lady on 11th December 2011.
Boherbue Handball Club:-
In 1974 the club was formed. The officers elected were:-
Chairman:- Sean Lenihan. Vice Chairman:- Bill O'Keeffe. Secretary:- Davy O'Riordan. Treasurer:- Johnny Lane.
Committee:- Eugene Lane, D.J. Murphy, Paddy Collins.
A MEMORY OF BOHERBUE NATIONAL SCHOOL IN 1958
Grey socks gartered, meeting gymslips blue,
Slight backs straining under school-sacks new.
Dark skies scowling as we scurry out to school,
Worried ,wan and woegegone, with little fists of fuel.
Only yesterday we pitied the poor donkey’s heavy load.
How carefree now he seems to plod along the yellow road.
Oh Summer! You are feckless, you stole away so soon,
You took our reckless freedom, and the jolly days of June.
The “caite” and “coinníolach” we struggle with in vain,
A sparrow flies in freedom outside the window pane.
Naughty nibs escaping from their frozen fingered cage,
Splashing blobs of ugly black across the virgin page.
Old reels of thread, green,white and red, we count along the wall.
The “cigire” is coming, hang those gansies in the hall
The cocoa in the “cófra”, Mrs. O’Gorman’s treasured ale,
A kindly word from Louis when our last defences fail.
Now sadly we are scattered in London, Dublin Cork.
We ply our trades in Boston, in Sydney and New York.
But children are still foolish, they have learned nothing new,
They waste their days with worry, just the way we used to do.
Give me a day in that schoolyard grey, give me my gymslip blue,
And give back my little sack and let me start anew,
And with bird song, I will skip along, and marvel at my fate,
Down that old road of mellow gold, in 1958.
Ann Leader
Ann Leader Timoney is now a consultant Psychiatrist in Dublin.