THE MEMORIAL GARDEN

A bagpiper in traditional Scottish attire plays next to a memorial plaque, while a large blue flag waves above him. The crowd gathered includes members connected to The Hegartys of The Laurels, part of the esteemed Hegarty Collection.

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 Remembrance 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.

A light blue flag from the Hegarty Collection features a black rifle with gold cursive script overlaying it, flying outdoors against a cloudy sky with tree tops visible below.

A woman wearing a ceremonial chain and navy coat speaks at an outdoor microphone stand. Behind her are community posters, a red car, and grass—part of The Hegartys of The Laurels event from the Hegarty Collection. A folded umbrella and bag are on the ground nearby.

A woman stands at a microphone reading from papers outdoors, while four older adults sit on a bench behind her. Banners and houses are visible—perhaps this community gathering honors the legacy of The Hegartys of The Laurels or the Hegarty Collection.

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.

A woman wearing a ceremonial chain and a man with a medal on his lapel stand outdoors, smiling. The man holds a book from the Hegarty Collection, The Heart of the Island by Jim Hegarty. Houses and a fence are visible in the background.

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.

Members of The Hegartys of The Laurels stand outdoors on a grassy area, playing guitars and other instruments while singing together. Trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background, reflecting the spirit of the Hegarty Collection.

Five people dressed in traditional Scottish kilts and jackets stand on grass, each holding bagpipes. This scene from the Hegarty Collection captures The Hegartys of The Laurels, with trees and buildings visible under a cloudy sky.

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.