Plaque unveiled at ‘The Laurels’ home of Cork freedom fighters in Togher

A plaque commemorating the Hegarty family was recently unveiled at The Laurels house on Pouladuff Rd, in Togher, by Fergal Dennehy in one of his last duties as lord mayor.

Welcoming Mr Dennehy to the event, which was attended by Hegarty family members and friends, and local club representatives, Jim Hegarty thanked the owners of The Laurels for their permission to place the plaque in a prominent position. He also thanked the city council and everyone who helped with the project and the other events of recent months.

Jim Hegarty said: “Ever since The Hegartys of The Laurels was first published, there has been great interest in their story and local historians were keen to see a memorial plaque on their former home, The Laurels, on Pouladuff Rd.

“Local councillors also suggested that a plaque be erected on the house. Thanks to the new owners of the house, the O’Sullivans, that suggestion became a reality.”

Stoneman Tom Little

The plaque, which is inscribed ‘The Hegarty home was used by the Cork No 1 Brigade and Cumann na mBan during the War of Independence 1919-1921 and the Civil War 1922-1923’, was created by stonemason Tom Little, from Crossbarry.

Mr Hegarty said: “We worked on the appropriate wording and Gráinne O’Connor very kindly translated it in to Gaeilge for us. Once the wording was complete, Tom began work on the design and included the Hegarty Collection logo.

“The logo includes the Hegarty family crest surrounded by a wreath of laurels. The design Tom created is very special and the Hegarty family are very proud of it.”

On Sunday, June 14, the Hegarty, Forde, and Fennell families, friends and representatives from the city council and local community groups, gathered in front of The Laurels. Jim Hegarty welcomed everyone to the unveiling ceremony and thanked them for their support and enthusiasm for John Joe, Nan, and Mamie’s story.

The then lord mayor was also presented with a poster used to promote The Hegartys of the Laurels film.

Commissioned by Cork City Council

The film, which was commissioned by Cork City Council, focuses on the Hegarty family’s involvement in the Irish War of Independence and the subsequent Civil War.

Their home, The Laurels, served as a safe house, bomb factory, and intelligence hub during this tumultuous period. The Hegarty family, particularly the sisters Nan and Mamie, played crucial roles in gathering intelligence and supporting the fight for independence, often working under dangerous conditions.

At the unveiling, Mr Dennehy, in response, said: “Today, we pause to recognise the significance of The Laurels and the generations of the Hegarty family who made it their home.

“In doing so, we celebrate something deeply rooted in Cork’s character, the importance of family, community, and the quiet, but enduring, contributions of ordinary people whose lives shape the spirit of our city.

“The Hegarty family, as remembered here today, were part of that fabric. Their presence in the Laurels contributed to the life of Pouladuff Rd and the surrounding neighbourhood. The Hegartys helped build a sense of belonging that Cork is so well known for. It is through these connections, often recorded in books or archives, that the real history of a place is made.

“This plaque ensures that future generations will know something of the story of The Laurels and the Hegarty family.

“It invites those who pass by to pause and reflect, to imagine the lives lived here, and to appreciate the continuity between past and present.

“To the Hegarty family and all those connected to The Laurels, today is a tribute to your history and your contribution. It is a recognition that your story matters, that it is part of the wider story of Cork itself.”