The Laurels - Memorial Placue Unveiling

Billy O'Brien at The Laurels
June 2016


In June 2016 , Togher Historical Association paid a brief visit to The Laurels on Pouladuff Road. A decade later and what transpired in the interim was the stuff of dreams! Interviews with several family members , articles on the blog , plays , songs , book , movie , memorial park and worldwide media attention followed. To have played a small part in the fantastic events which unfolded was so rewarding for the Association and the blog. This article rounds things off nicely 10 years later with the official unveiling of a placue on The Laurels to honour the members of the Hegarty family who fought so gallantly for Irish freedom over a hundred years ago.

Billy O'Brien at The Laurels
June 2026

Previous to arriving at The Laurels to take part in the unveiling , it was decided to pay a visit to Frenche's Quay and highlight the Togher connection. Fennell's garage ( Nan Hegarty ) and Forde's funeral home ( Mamie Hegarty ) had their genesis in 1920s Pouladuff Road. Members of Nan's family and Mamie's family run both establishments and Keyser's Hill leads up to Mamies old home off Barracks Street. The region is wrapped around ancient history in the form of Elizabeth Fort. Notice was taken along the way of road signs pointing the way to Togher right out to The Laurels ( John Joe Hegarty ) to complete the pilgrimage. 

Fennell's garage , Frenches Quay

Forde's funeral home , Frenche's Quay

1926 Census showing John Forde , Mamie and family

Keyser's Hill which leads up to Mamie's old home

Togher road sign on Bishop's Street
opposite St. Finbarre's cathedral

On Sunday 14th June 2026 at 1.00 p.m. , the official unveiling of a placue at The Laurels on Pouladuff Road in honour of the Hegarty family took place. Following speeches by Jim Hegarty and Lord Mayor , Fergal Dennehy , the placue was revealed for all to see. Thanks were given to the current owners of the property , the O'Sullivans for permission to erect the oval shaped stone placue ( see below ) commemorating all of Cork No.1 Brigade and Cumann na mBan ; specifically H Company and Lehenagh Branch of Cumann na mBan. 

Placue above doorway of The Laurels

In attendance were all branches of the family , including Hegarty's , Forde's and Fennells. Also present were many friends and people from various local interest groups , including Billy O'Brien representing the Togher Historical Association , Fergal O'Connor of Togher Tidy Towns and Kieran O'Connell of the Ballyphehane 1916 Committee. Also present were Shirley Kelleher , grandniece of Joe Murphy and John Murphy , composer of " The Boy From Pouladuff " ( Joe Murphy ) and " The Hegartys of The Laurels " ( Hegarty family ).

Flag drape previous to unveiling

Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy
unveiling the placue

Billy O'Brien T.H.A.
Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy
Author Jim Hegarty

Jim Hegarty , L.M. Fergal Dennehy 
& Paul O'Neill ( Ann Sisk's husband )

Members of the Hegarty , Forde & Fennel families

Togher Historical Association touched base with Ann O'Driscoll ( nee Hegarty ) who pointed out the extent of the old market garden which was bounded by the second lightpole on the left and the end of the semi detached houses on the right. It was revealed that family members seldom used the front door instead entering and exiting by the side yard door. Also present was Paul O'Neill , husband of the late Ann Sisk , cousin of the Hegarty family. The entire project has proven to be very fruitful over the last decade and it is felt that the placue will stand as a lasting legacy to one of Togher's finest families who quite rightly have been so honoured. Billy O'Brien also provided the lyrics to a new song " The Pride of Togher " with vocals and music by Mureka Ai to honour the occasion which name-checks John Joe Hegarty and Joe Murphy and indeed all of H Company and Lehenagh Cumann na mBan.

Second pole in distance marking southern extent
 of Market Garden

End of row of semi-detached houses marking 
northern extent of Market Garden

Replica movie poster
on boarded wall placue

Song : " The Pride of Togher "
Lyrics : Billy O'Brien ' Music/Vocals ; Mureka Ai

The Hegartys of the Laurels - Poem by John Murphy

The following blog post includes the lyrics to The Hegartys of The Laurels written by John Murphy. The video below allows the reader to listen to the song as sung by John Murphy. It was written as a tribute to John Joe Hegarty and his two sisters Mamie and Nan who all fought in the War of Independence and Civil War. A Garden of Remembrance and Reflection is soon to be opened in Clashduv Park honouring the two sisters where Mamie's GreatGrandson Danny Dineen will perform the song live at the ceremony.

 The Hegartys of the Laurels
Lyrics by John Murphy

When Ireland’s freedom was denied
and its people were downtrodden.
When brave young heroes risked their lives
to take part in that fight.

I’ll tell you of the Hegartys
who should not be forgotten.
In County Cork
they went to work
and vowed to put things right.

Market gardening was their trade
on land blessed by the heavens.
To their door be they rich or poor
the citizens were fed.

John Joe worked harvesting crops
but also stored the weapons.
Spuds onions and tin can bombs

longside the planting beds.
                                                               
     Chorus

They joined the fight
against the might
of tyrants tans and tommies.
They went to war
with those next door
and beat them black and blue.

They saw the cull
of old John Bull
the nation without morals.

Now show your class
and raise your glass

to the Hegartys of the laurels.


Nan and Mamie joined the Cumann
from its first inception.
they quickly moved up through the ranks

as officers they served.

They carried arms to local battles
avoiding interception.
Bombs and bullets rifles guns
completely unobserved.

Weekly visits to Cork prison

to sit with starving comrades.
They held their hands and mopped their brows
with care and dignity.

And when these men at last succumbed
to the ravages of hunger.
The sisters charged the jailors

with murder first degree.


Repeat Chorus

In the grim, Cork County jail

The year of nineteen twenty.
Joseph Murphy gave his life

so Ireland could be free.

He served his country with distinction
and with courage plenty.
Up to the end his greatest friend
was John Joe Hegarty.

Mamie wore full uniform

the day that she was married.
And Nan with pride stood by her side

two soldiers on parade.

They had no time to celebrate

the wedding party parried.
Til Ireland can be free at last

the party was delayed.


Repeat Chorus x 2 & End

The Hegartys of The Laurels

© John Murphy

 
 
Jim Hegarty has also authored a book on the life and heroic exploits of his father and aunt's entitled "The Hegartys of The Laurels " which is available for purchase from Lettertec by clicking on the link below. 

 

 

Purchase book here

The Hegartys of The Laurels - Official Book Launch - April 7th 2022

The Hegartys Of The Laurels book cover

Jim , Anne , Pauline , Eileen & Jack Hegarty

outside The Laurels 2022

On Thursday evening on April 7th 2022 , the Official book launch of " The Hegartys of The Laurels " by Jim Hegarty took place at Cork City Library on the Grand Parade. By personal invitation of Jim Hegarty , the Togher Historical Association turned up to archive the entire event. A great turnout by Togher was very much in evidence as Tidy Towns and Community Association also gave their support. Following is a fantastic showcase of photos and videos of the nights proceedings.

Act 1 Military re-enactment members

 

 

Visitors to the event were treated to an extravaganza of War Of Independence memorabilia from the front door to the main hall. Members of Act 1 reenacted Irish Citizen Army soldiers ( with their trademark Slouch hat and white linen kit bag ) and Irish Volunteers sporting bandoliers ( shown above ). The foyer was laid out with enclosed glass cabinet displays detailing the archives of John Joe Hegarty and his two sisters Mamie Forde and Nan Fennell including a display dedicated to Joe Murphy who served under John Joe Hegarty in H Company.

Book launch stand at entrance to foyer

 

 

Display showing John Joe Hegarty's memoribilia

and the uniform he would have worn while in action
 

John Joe Hegarty's medals and awards

 

 

Mamie Fordes display showing her Wedding Dress

worn in the Lough Church in 1920

 

Mamie Fordes marriage certificate 

and photo showing her sister Nan as bridesmaid

 

 

Joe Murphy's display cabinet
 

The main hall of the Library was given over to the evenings event with a stall serving refreshments to the right and a table laden with the new books for sale to those present. The left side of the room was decked out with seating for members of the Hegarty clan and invited members of the public. Facing this was the speaking podium with banner stands in the background showcasing Togher Tidy Towns , The Hegartys of The Laurels and Togher Historical Association. Before the evening started , Billy O'Brien and Kathleen O'Keeffe touched base with Jim and his sisters Ann and Pauline. Fergal O'Connor of Togher Tidy Towns also touched base to discuss ongoing projects which the Historical Association are involved in. These include plans to build a replica well near Togher Cross and the recent developments around a Peace Park dedicated to the Hegarty sisters in Clashduv Park.

The Hegartys of The Laurels book stand

 

Adam Duggan and Act 1 Military procession

with Lord Mayor & Jim Hegarty

The hall was soon packed out and the event commenced with Adam Duggan piping in the Volunteer actors followed by Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher and Jim Hegarty. Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher gave the opening speech remarking on the huge turnout despite the event not being publicised. Jim Hegarty then gave his introductory speech on the background to the book and his Father and Aunts involvement in the War of Independence and Civil War. Togher Historical Association made a special presentation of a placue to Jim Hegarty in honour of his Father , John Joe Hegarty ( see below ). The event closed with photoshoots which saw everybody from former T.D.s and Lords Mayor ( John Dennehy - Togher's only Lord Mayor to date ) to the Bishop of Cork! Such was the importance placed on this event , that the Togher Community Association cancelled their meeting to attend the book launch. All relations of the Hegarty , Forde and Fennel clan were present to celebrate their families legacy and lineage.

 

Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher opening speech

Jim Hegarty speech at City Library

 

 

Kathleen O'Keeffe - Togher Historical Association

with Anne O'Driscoll ( nee Hegarty )

 

Jim Hegarty , Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher & Bishop Buckley

 

 

Placue presentation by Togher Historical Association

 

Jim Hegarty's family with Bishop Buckley 

and Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher

Members of Forde and Fennell family 

with former Lord Mayor John Dennehy seated centre

Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher , Kathleen O'Keeffe & Billy O'Brien

 - Togher Historical Association , Fergal Dennhey

 -  Togher Community Association & Jim Hegarty

Gus Fennell ( Nan Fennell's son ) 

& Jack Hegarty ( John Joe Hegarty's son )

 

 

Shirley Kelleher ( Joe Murphy's grand niece ) & Jim Hegarty

Jim Hegarty & Helen Van Lakem ( nee Carroll )

Andalucia , Spain 13th May 2022

Eileen , Pauline , Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher , 

Jim , Jack & Anne at Book Launch