The Laurels - Hegarty Family - Part 03 - Mamie Forde

This article will briefly explore the life of Mary Francis Hegarty a.k.a. Mamie after the War ( click here for her War Years ) and her subsequent awards and deep personal tragedies. A true heroine like her sister Nan who both were born and raised in Togher at The Laurels on Pouladuff Road.

 

 

John Forde & Mamie Hegarty

wearing Volunteer Uniform 

and National Costume ( on display in Cork Museum )

1920

Cumann na mBan Membership Book

Interior showing Mamie's name and monthly subscription of 6d

Mary Francis Hegarty was born in 1893 in The Laurels , Pouladuff Road , Togher and was known as Mamie throughout her life. From 1916 to 1923 she was actively involved in Cumann na mBan , being President of her own group and a member of her local Lehenagh branch in which her sister Nan was a Captain. During the War Of Independence she would marry John Forde who was a member of " H " Company in which her brother John Joe was a Lt. Section Commander. Later in life , her Sons would call their first born sons after John Forde and first born daughters Mary - Francis after their mother Mamie.

John Forde , Dee , Mamie ,

Eileen & Paddy

 

Mamie and her husband John Forde moved from Greenmount ( where they lived during the War Of Independence ) to their new home at the top of Keyser's Hill off Barracks Street in 1922 to be nearer to the family business on Frenches Quay. Fordes funeral home was situated both sides of Keyser's Hill and is still operational to date. The couple would go on to have nine children : Denis ( Dee ) , Paddy , Eileen , Hillary , Lilly , Teddy , Mary , Rita and Babe.

John Forde - Founder of Forde's funeral homes

John Fordes Service Medal

Mamie Forde wearing Service Medal

In 1941 both Mamie and her husband John were awarded the Service Medal with Bar for their outstanding contributions during the War Of Independence. It is one of the few examples in Ireland of a couple being decorated by their Country who were actually married during the Tan War. They also hold the distinction of being the first couple to marry in Republican Uniform!

Sample letters from Brigade & Cumann na mBan Officers
re. Pension claim 1945

Tom Croft letter of recommendation 1945

*sample*

Tom Croft signature at end of letter

*sample*

Capt. Richardson letter of recommendation

*sample*

Additional supporting letter

 *sample*

Unbelievable tragedy was to visit Mamie in the early 1940s when her three youngest children Mary , Rita and Babe all died very young in the same year with her husband John passing away the following year. Mamie now had the task of running a business in a man's world. She also applied along with her sister Nan for her Service Pension. There was no shortage of support from past Brigade and Cumann na mBan Commanders who gave glowing reports ( see above - samples from a much larger collection ) of her valour and courage.

Obituaries for Mamies Husband and Children

Mamie's children L-R: Teddy , Hillary , Eileen ,

Lily ( Bride ) , Paddy & Dee

Teddy & Paddy with their mother Mamie

Mamie , John ( Grandson ) , Lily , Kitty ( Daughter-in-Law ) & Dee

Mamie's son Dee took over the business as a Funeral Director while Hillary worked in the Building trade with Paddy entering Politics and going on to be elected as a T.D. in 1969 ( Sadly Paddy passed away in 1972 at the young age of 50 ). Teddy went into the Publican trade while Eileen and Lily both married Farmers. At Lily's Wedding both she and her sister Eileen would wear the same brooches which Mamie had worn on her Wedding Day back in 1920. Mamie would pass away in 1967 at the age of 73.

Paddy Forde 1960s Political Ad

Paddy Forde T.D. d. 1972

Forde's funeral home , Frenches Quay

Mamie's National Costume ( which she wore as her Wedding Dress ) and Service Medal are currently on display in Cork Museum where just recently Joe Murphy's Service Medal was handed in by his Grandniece Shirley Kelleher. Two Togher icons under the one roof. A proud past of which both families are justifiably proud of! Togher Historical Association would like to thank Jim Hegarty and members of the Forde family for their invaluable contributions including information and photographs of which just a small selection were used for the article.

John Joe Hegarty

 ( 3rd from left , second row from back ) 

& Dee ( 3rd from left behind soldier )

Thomas Kent ceremonial Collins Barracks 1970

Mamie's Wedding Ring
Inscription ~ 26-6-20

Mamie Forde ~ President Cumann na mBan

 

~ Service Medal with Bar ~

 

d. 24th November 1967 ~ R.I.P.