The Laurels - Hegarty Family - Part 02 - Nan Fennell

This article gives a brief biography of Nan Hegarty , the youngest of the three Hegarty siblings who partook in the War Of Independence 1919 ~ 1921 and Civil War 1922 ~ 1923 ( click here for her War Years ) and charts her life after the War in 1923 up to her death in 1971. An iconic Togher woman whose sacrifice and courage paved the way to freedom.

 

 Nan Fennell ( nee Hegarty ) 1920

 

Following the end of hostilities in Ireland and subsequent to 1923 , Nan as the youngest of her siblings continued to live in the family home at The Laurels. She was responsible for introducing her friend Liz Allen to her Brother John Joe. Nan later met and married John James Fennell in 1934 and they moved to Inniscarra where they opened a shop. They also had a two and a half acre field adjoining their property known locally as " Fennell's Field ". John's family ran a merchandising business on Kyle's Quay and he himself was a Fitter by trade. They had two children John and Gus. Sadly Nan's husband John James passed away at a young age in 1951.

Nan with children of her sister 1930s

Nan's Pension application

Proof of Cumann na mBan membership & Rank

Testimonial by Nan and Supporting Notes

Testimonial from I.R.A. Commanders to Pension Board

( one of many! )

 

Letter from ex-Brigadier James Leahy

 

In 1941 , Nan along with her Brother John Joe and her sister Mamie , was awarded the Service Medal with Bar for her activities with Cumann na mBan during the War of Independence. Even though Nan was entitled to a Pension for her role as a Captain in Cumann na mBan when the Government first introduced the Pensions Act in 1934 , it wasn't until 1945 that she finally requested one for herself. A letter of support and proof was written by ex-Brigade Commander James Leahy to substantiate her claim and she was successfully awarded her Pension. Lists of Cumann na mBan indicating her rank and various testimonials , just a small example of many , are shown above. Both Cork and Tipperary Brigade O.C.'s forwarded letters of recommendation to the Pension Board in 1945 praising Nan's work and bravery during the Tan and Civil Wars.

 

Nan Fennell's

Service Medal with Bar

 

 

Jim Hegarty recalls that Nan was a frequent visitor to The Laurels when he was a child and often asked her about the War. John Joe Hegarty ( Jim's Father ) had told him that what Nan did was unbelievable! Nan herself would tell Jim about The Laurels being used as a Brigade H.Q. , the attack on Togher R.I.C. Barracks , the Barrs club being used as a meeting place to discuss the Truce , the involvement of the Sarsfield's and the Manning's in supplying Arms Dumps , the British Soldiers being killed in Togher ; but never about herself. Nan sadly passed away in 1971 and the shop was eventually closed and the house in Inniscarra sold off but the land adjoining it remaining in Family hands.

 

 

 

L-R : Stephen O'Donoghue ( Togher - employee of Fordes ) , 

Nan Fennell , with Mamie's Son - Denis ( Dee ) 

and his children Mary Francis & John

1960s

 

 

Jack Hegarty , Gus Fennell , Jim Hegarty , Eddie Hegarty

Ann Hegarty's wedding 1960
 

 

Gus Fennell receiving Greyhound Cup with Jim Hegarty

 

 

Gus spent a lot of time at The Laurels as a child with his cousins the Hegartys. John worked with Fordes Funeral homes and Gus ran a garage on Frenches Quay next door. Sadly John died a few years ago while Gus is retired in Glanmire with his son now running the Garage. Gus' Son is currently planning to build in " Fennell's Field ".

Fennell's Garage , Frenches Quay

Gus Fennel wearing Mother's Medal 

2020

The Togher Historical Association would like to sincerely thank Jim Hegarty and Gus Fennell for their help in celebrating one of Togher's Heroines , just one of the many Women who up to now had been largely forgotten. Almost a Century on , their role in the fight for freedom is finally being recognised:

 

 Captain Nan Fennell ~ Cumann na mBan

~ Service Medal with Bar ~ 

d.1971 ~ R.I.P.

 
Continued in Part 03...
The Laurels - Hegarty Family - Mamie Forde