THE MEMORIAL GARDEN
The Memorial Garden
Cork City Council and their Parks Department kindly donated a section of Clashduv Park, Togher to Togher Tidy Towns to enable the creation of a Memorial Garden in honour of Nan & Mamie Hegarty.
With the support of the Ballyphehane 1916-2016 Commemorations Committee, the garden was designed and construction began in January 2023.
As part of the Decade of Centenaries programme, Cork City Council have highlighted the role played by women in the Irish War of Independence and it was decided to dedicate the Memorial Garden to local women. At the suggestion of The Togher Historical Association, the Hegarty sisters from Pouladuff were selected to be honoured.
Invitation
The Hegarty, Fennell and Forde families were honoured to be invited to attend the Official Opening of the Hegarty Garden of Rembrance and Reflection which took place on Easter Saturday, 8th April 2023.
Opening Ceremony
Kieran O’Connell was M.C. for the ceremony and he welcomed the large crowd to Clashduv Park. The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Deirdre Forde and students from Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa were invited to unveil the Memorial Stone at the centre of the garden.
A very poignant blessing was given by Church of Ireland Dean, Nigel Dunne.
The Memorial Garden was then officially opened by The Lord Mayor of Cork, who spoke of the bravery of the Hegarty sisters and other women throughout those times, many of whom their stories have been forgotten.
Ciara O’Mahoney from the Ballyphehane 1916 – 2016 Centenary Commemoration Committees also spoke and acknowledged the contributions made by so many to make the Memorial Garden a reality.
Chairman of Togher Tidy Towns, Fergal O’Connor also expressed his thanks to all who had helped to complete this very special project. He encouraged members of the local communities to get involved and volunteer to work on their many upcoming projects.
Jim Hegarty spoke on behalf of the Hegarty Family and thanked the City Council, Togher Tidy Towns, Ballyphehane 1916 – 2016 Centenary Commemoration Committee and Togher Historical Association for their commitment to the history of the area and for choosing to honour Nan & Mamie in such a remarkable way.
The design of the Memorial Garden included trees native to Ireland and as part of the official opening ceremony, two trees were planted by the Lord Mayor in honour of Nan & Mamie.
The trees are named “Liberty” and “Equality” and were donated by The Togher Community Garden, Green Spaces for Health.
The Ballyphehane Pipe Band performed “Minstrel Boy” and “Let Erin Remember” during the ceremony. Adam Duggan (a cousin of the Hegarty Family) played a beautiful lament “The Dawning of the Day” in front of the Memorial Stone. They closed the ceremony with “Amhrán na bhFiann“
Club Ceoil from Ballyphehane sang “Grace” which was dedicated to the women of Ireland who sacrificed so much during the struggle for Independence.
The Song
Mamie Hegarty’s Great Grandson, Danny Dineen performed “The Hegartys of The Laurels”.
The ballad was written by Cork singer/songwriter John Murphy and it was very fitting to have Danny perform it for the first time in public.
Gallery
Video courtesy of Frameworks Films, Cork
Lament – “Dawning of the Day” performed by Adam Duggan
Jim Hegarty speaking at the official opening
