(BREAKING NEWS! Jim Hegarty's film has also been selected for the Cork Indie Fest in Co. Cork, Ireland in October in Ireland https://indiecork.com/)
Lord Mayor chain with Hegarty artifacts
Jim Hegarty, the author of “The Hegartys of the Laurels” will be attending iBAM! 16 and his book will be available at our event as it is not available in the United States. 
He will also be showing his just released movie based on the book, The Hegartys of the Laurels at iBAM! 16, November 17, 2024 - He will be bringing some artifacts with him as well. SAVE THE DATE!
He is also looking for those who may have stories and information on others who helped in the War of Independence and can be contacted at 
Jim addressing a full City Hall audience at the screening 
Reproduced weddings scene: (l to r): real people involved, and the actors related to, and portraying them
The Hegarty siblings put their young lives at risk on many occasions and documents in the Irish Military Archives have revealed details of their activities.
Their parents Patrick & Elizabeth (née Walsh from Grenagh) supported and encouraged their children and allowed their home, The Laurels, to be used as an arms dump, Brigade House, bomb factory, safe house, and intelligence hub.
John Joe, Mamie and Nan like so many others never spoke of their experiences during the War of Independence and Civil War.
The Hegarty’s stories are unique to them and highlight their commitment, dedication, loyalty and courage.
Jim Hegarty and the 2024 lord mayor of cork 2024, Dan Boyle
John Joe Hegarty was born on 25th September 1897 to his parents Patrick Hegarty, a market gardener and Elizabeth Hegarty (nee Walsh) originally from Grenagh, Co. Cork
With his sisters Nan & Mamie he attended Togher National School and upon leaving took up full-time work in the family business as a Market Gardener with his father Patrick. He also became skilled as a blacksmith during this time.
As a boy and young man John Joe had many interests including G.A.A with St.Finbarr’s, road bowling and was also involved with the Cork National Hunt Club which his father and neighbours helped to establish. 
Jim and Michael Martin In Taoiseach office - Michael now Minister for Foreign Affairs
War of Independence
While an active Officer and Volunteer John Joe was a member of H Company, 2nd, Battalion, No. 1 Cork Brigade, and took part in many of the major raids and ambushes in the city and environs.
One of the many raids included T.W. Murray’s Gunsmith shop on Patrick Street to secure guns and ammunition for the Volunteers. Another member of that raiding party was Sean O’Sullivan whose daughter Mary later married John Joe’s son, Edward.
Working with his parents and sisters, ‘The Laurels’ became an arms dump where bombs, landmines, and John Joe’s blacksmithing skills were put to use making and repairing weapons such as croppy pikes.
A Market Gardener by trade this gave him the ability to travel around the city freely making deliveries to markets and more importantly to R.I.C. Barracks without arousing suspicion. John Joe became a Section Commander and later Lieutenant in ” H ” Company with 60 local men under his command.
Joe Murphy, a lifelong friend and neighbour died while on hunger strike after 76 days. He died on the same day as Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney. It was John Joe who returned Joe Murphy’s body to his family and arranged a military funeral for him.
Determined that the sacrifice made by Joe Murphy would never be forgotten, John Joe Hegarty was instrumental in organizing and arranging a memorial plaque in his honor.
Mamie Hegarty joined Cumann na mBan and was responsible for establishing several branches in Cork City as well as Lehenaghmore in Togher, Ballygarvan and Ballycotton in East Cork.
Song composed by John Murphy
Like her sister Nan, she carried arms and dispatches around the city and county as well as monitoring enemy agents around the greater Pouladuff area.
The Americans were brought into the First World War following the sinking of the Lusitania and Cobh/Cove (Queenstown) became one of their Naval Bases. Mamie was by then engaged to John Forde (“H” Company Volunteer) who was employed by S. Moynihan, Midleton Street, Cove as an undertaker.
This firm had an exclusive contract with the Americans to embalm and bury their casualties of the war in Europe. This gave John and Mamie access to Irish American sailors who expressed sympathy for the Irish cause.
Jim and Jack Hegarty at the opening of the Garden of Remembrance and Reflection
They gained valuable intelligence and an opportunity to obtain arms and ammunition. The deceased soldiers were embalmed and dressed in military uniform with sidearms. Many of those sidearms were removed and found their way to The Laurels to be used by “H” Company and the Cork IRA Brigade.
Deirdre Ford Lord Mayor of Cork 2023 the photo was taken at the opening of the Garden of Remembrance and Reflection.
Nan Hegarty (Johanna) was the youngest of the Hegarty siblings and was known for her kindness and gentle ways.
Just like her parents and her siblings, Nan wanted to play her part in the struggle for Irish Freedom and joined Cumann na mBan and eventually became a Captain in the Lehenagh Branch.
Nan attended meetings and received training in First Aid, weapons handling, and helped to organize military parades. In 1918 she campaigned on behalf of Sinn Fein candidates standing in the General Election.
Throughout the War of Independence, she worked tirelessly secreting intelligence, arms, and ammunition for the Volunteers.
Nan also cared for the families of Volunteers who were in prison or on the run. The Mitchell family in Kerrypike were one such family. Food parcels, money and clothes were delivered by Nan to the family as they had no means of support while Sean Mitchell was on operations throughout Munster.
Accurate intelligence was crucial to the Volunteers and Nan regularly met with Herbert (Sean) Mitchell to deliver arms and messages. She also traveled to Tipperary and beyond to deliver dispatches and arms to Commandant James Leahy.
Assisting Nan with her Cumann na mBan activities were the Sarsfield and Manning families. Captain Sarsfield was sympathetic to the Irish cause and as a British Army Officer he was never stopped and questioned. Thanks to the Sarsfield family Nan travelled to Tipperary under their protection and as their travel companion, she avoided suspicion and made her deliveries undetected.
The Sarsfields also allowed Nan to store arms and ammunition on their property and as they were seen by the RIC and the British Army as being above suspicion. This arms dump was an invaluable resource for the Volunteers.
