The Hegarty's of the Laurels

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:05]Dear Samari is Lord Mayor of Cork. I'm honored to introduce this very special film, The Hagerties of the Laurels. The Hagerty family, like so many other families, risked their lives to secure freedom for Ireland. And this film gives an insight into the struggles and the dangers that they and so many other faced in their very young lives. John Joe Nan and my Hagerty with the support of their parents Liz and Patrick allowed their home the laurels on Polar Road to be used as an intelligence hub, a safe house and an arm stump. Nan and my were officers of common and were instrumental in setting up branches all over Cork City and County to gather intelligence and to support the volunteers. The film highlights the role so many brave women played in our fight for independence.

[00:01:03]John Joe Hagerty was an officer in H company and one of his men Con Harrington was personal assistant to the Lord Maris McCarten and Terrance Mweeny.

[00:01:13]The Hagerty siblings were very familiar with the corridors of city hall. The vital intelligence gathering by John Joe and Nan Hagerty was passed via Con Harrington to the top ranks of the Irish volunteers.

[00:01:27]Another member of H company Joe Murphy died on hunger strike on the very same day as Torren Mcweeny. He was John Joe's best friend and his sacrifice will never ever be forgotten. In 1956, John Joe led the funeral cartage of Lord Mir and fellow volunteer pal Mcguire through the streets of Cork.

[00:01:51]Founder of Club Coyhan Morestin read the book by Jim Hagerty and felt that the story should be told on film.

[00:01:59]So with a vision of what the film could become, he approached Cork City Council and Jim Hagerty who agreed to fund the production as a part of the decade of centineries. And over two years, this film became a passionate project for all involved. Something that has resulted in this wonderful short film. John's greatgranddaughter Abigail plays her great grand nan in the lead role with members of the Hagy, Fennel and Ford families taking on roles which makes this film extra special and a wonderful record of how one family risked absolutely everything so that we can enjoy the hardearned freedom today.

[00:02:44]The year 1919 saw the beginning of the war of independence in Ireland. The laurels in Cork City was both our home and a thriving market garden. When my sister and I joined Knean and our brother John joined the Irish Republican Army, the Laurels became a safe house, landmine factory, arms and ammunition stump and a base for intelligence gathering.

[00:03:12]My name is Nan Hagerty and this is the story of the Hagerties of the Laurels and our fight for Irish freedom.

[00:03:22]>> OPEN UP ROY AND STANBURY.

[00:03:24]>> MAN, quick take the guns out to the pigsty the rest of the arms.

[00:03:29]>> Davey, lie down in the celery patch outside and do not move until we give you a signal. Do you know where it is?

[00:03:34]>> Me and my planted half that garden. Of course I know where the celery is. Well, >> go on then.

[00:03:50]Hello, Constable.

[00:03:52]>> Miss, if you tell us what it is you're looking for, maybe we can help you.

[00:03:56]>> We're here investigating suspicious activity.

[00:03:59]>> What kind of suspicious activity?

[00:04:01]>> Trouble up in the barracks.

[00:04:04]>> But sure, no one's been in the Toker barracks in years.

[00:04:06]>> Well, they were there last night, burning to the ground. You wouldn't know anything about that now, would you?

[00:04:12]>> No, sir.

[00:04:13]>> Because it would be a shame for a pretty girl like you to be mixed up with a crowd like that. Keep your hands to yourself.

[00:04:21]>> What is your name? Ginoccupation?

[00:04:23]>> My name is John Joe Heggerton. This is my sister.

[00:04:29]This is our family home. Do >> you live here alone?

[00:04:33]>> Her parents are sleeping upstairs.

[00:04:42]Is there anyone else in the house at the moment?

[00:04:45]>> Yes, our youngest sister. None.

[00:04:48]>> Can you explain what you were doing out there?

[00:04:50]>> I can't quite see.

[00:04:55]>> And why is that?

[00:04:57]>> I can't believe it. You were smoking.

[00:05:00]She was smoking.

[00:05:02]>> I was not.

[00:05:03]>> Yes, you were. I can smell it on you.

[00:05:05]>> Were you in?

[00:05:07]You see, it is true. Oh, how could you not?

[00:05:10]>> Who gave them to you?

[00:05:11]>> No. What? So, you stole them?

[00:05:13]>> I wasn't smoking.

[00:05:14]>> What does mom always say? What does mom always say?

[00:05:18]>> Sure.

[00:05:18]>> Ah, you do. She says, "If you ever put a cigarette near your lips, >> if you ever put a cigarette near your lips, >> I'll smack them off your pretty face."

[00:05:27]>> Mommy, I wasn't smoking.

[00:05:30]>> Don't lie, Diana.

[00:05:31]>> I wouldn't dream of it. Well, I was dreaming in my bed soundly until all of this commotion.

[00:05:38]>> Frankly, Johanna, I'm disappointed. Oh, >> mommy.

[00:05:42]>> Really?

[00:05:44]>> Well, I think we'll be off now. Sorry for disturbing her, Mrs. >> That's quite all right.

[00:06:00]>> You did well, ma'am. You did well.

[00:06:02]Thanks to you, Mie.

[00:06:04]>> Mommy, you had me so scared.

[00:06:06]>> But sure, so was I, dear. The trick is not to let them know.

[00:06:10]>> This is true. It's okay to be scared.

[00:06:13]You just have to ensure that your enemy is petrified >> or mortified in this case. Did you see the look on the constip?

[00:06:21]He was like one of the lion faces of the Shandon Tower.

[00:06:24]>> Scarlet fool bus. Mommy.

[00:06:28]>> Mommy, you're freezing.

[00:06:31]Here you go. Grandma had got the story.

[00:06:39]>> What did Michael Collins planned for tonight?

[00:06:41]>> He gave orders to burn all income tax records in the country.

[00:06:45]>> Just imagine the disruption that will cause the British administration. Should they be totally set back without those tax records?

[00:06:50]>> And not to mention, they'll be busy putting out the dozens of bonnets that were set around the city last night.

[00:06:55]>> Is that what brought the RAIC to my door?

[00:06:57]>> No, no, no. They were here regarding Collinsson's other orders to burn all abandoned barracks. In our case, Toker Barracks.

[00:07:04]>> But sure, just been nobody in that barracks for years.

[00:07:07]>> And thanks Dan, John Joe, Joe Murphy, Tim Hurley, Jeremiah Keing, Sean Scan, and the rest of H Company. No one will be returning to Joker Barracks for years.

[00:07:16]>> Imagine if those men knew that the guns used to guard that operation were lying in our pigsty >> and brought here from Joker barracks by our very own nanny.

[00:07:26]Oh no, don't be joking. A storyini.

[00:07:31]Cork city is too dangerous for joking.

[00:07:34]Wasn't Moss McCarten only murdered two weeks ago? Rest his soul.

[00:07:40]>> Amen.

[00:07:40]>> Amen.

[00:07:41]>> Amen.

[00:07:41]>> Our Lord Mayor murdered in his own home.

[00:07:47]I know what those tans can do and I don't want to see it with my own eyes in my own kitchen.

[00:07:54]Don't worry, Mommy. Tommy BL.

[00:08:21]Do you believe that to be true?

[00:08:23]I believe it is. As long as we're fighting, we'll never be safe. And well, if we don't fight, then we'll never be free.

[00:08:38]>> So, we fight on.

[00:08:40]>> We fight on.

[00:08:43]>> Maybe. What happened to your hand?

[00:08:44]>> Oh, it's nothing. I just cut myself off of Davey's teacup. Davey.

[00:08:50]On the 26th of June 1920, at the height of the War of Independence, my sister Mayie married the love of her life and fellow volunteer, John Ford. It was the happiest day of our lives and a welcome break from the continuing fight to free our beloved country.

[00:09:10]>> Well, boys, you two are looking fair.

[00:09:12]Dapper Joe Murphy hardly recognize you without the dirt.

[00:09:15]>> Ah, Davey, you're not looking too bad yourself, boy.

[00:09:18]>> Come here. Are the centuries in place?

[00:09:21]>> Don't fair fa Mitchell. I spotted at least five coming members on my walk up here from the lock. She has them well placed. Indeed, she's a fine woman and the volunteers. Well, you're looking at two of them right here. Three of us will do. So, I am mad. There's volunteers stationed all around the parish. You're going there now, John.

[00:09:41]>> Ma Mitchell has every man and woman on high alert around this church to protect your family and to make sure it all runs smoothly. There's no need to worry, John. There's always need to worry, man.

[00:09:50]Sorry, JJ. You go on in there and we'll have a sort of bridge. No, I'm with you.

[00:09:55]We wouldn't want you missing the ceremony, now would we?

[00:09:58]>> Cheers, Joe. John Joe, you promised me something. Planning, boy. What?

[00:10:04]>> When it's me and my Mary's turn to get married at the altar, you'll be standing out here guarding the church.

[00:10:11]>> As if you'd ever get married.

[00:10:13]>> Watch yourself.

[00:10:16]Rain or shine, have my word.

[00:10:20]>> Run now in with you.

[00:10:22]>> Cheers, Joe.

[00:10:23]>> Go on, beautiful.

[00:10:38]>> The hall in her father.

[00:10:40]>> I must agree.

[00:10:44]>> Father of Flynn. Thank you.

[00:10:46]>> You look quite heavenly, my darling.

[00:10:50]Although I'm not sure what the sanctions are regarding rebels in heaven.

[00:10:56]>> Let us not discuss death on such a delightful day.

[00:10:59]>> Oh, quite right, Miss Joanna.

[00:11:01]>> Oh, call me nan, father.

[00:11:02]>> Oh, of course, Captain Nan.

[00:11:06]>> Is John ready, father?

[00:11:08]>> Uh, not quite yet.

[00:11:10]>> Is he well?

[00:11:11]>> Oh, he's quite well. Isn't he marrying the glorious my herty president of common nan >> imagine the first military wedding you're going to inspire the nation maybe my gosh I mean with all the new branches of the coming in and balarin bal cotton ne you've already inspired half of cork >> thank you again father for your suggestion to wear the traditional dress >> oh of course we couldn't have a bride wearing an army uniform on her wedding day that just wouldn't do.

[00:11:45]>> This day will be remembered. You, father of Flynn, will be remembered.

[00:11:51]>> It will be an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as the Herty family.

[00:11:56]You're just brilliant.

[00:12:07]Is he ready?

[00:12:20]Heat.

[00:12:39]Heat.

[00:12:57]On the 11th of August 1920, 65 men in turned without trial in Cork County Jail went on hunger strike, demanding release from prison and reinstatement of their status as political prisoners. They were joined the following day by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Terrence Maxweeni. A week into the hunger strike, Maxweeni was deported to prison in England. We all felt helpless when it came to supporting these brave men as they suffered.

[00:13:38]Is that Mary Oli back again?

[00:13:42]Indeed, they've been courting for a while now.

[00:13:47]She's been taking care of Joe throughout the whole hunger strike.

[00:13:52]>> She seems to be Joe Murphy's angel.

[00:13:57]It's heartbreaking.

[00:14:00]>> This whole thing is heartbreaking.

[00:14:03]>> Are you comfortable?

[00:14:10]I won't be here tomorrow now, Michael, but Mod and May will be back. Okay, son.

[00:14:30]Slong Sloan. My god.

[00:15:01]In October 1920, the hunger strike claimed the lives of two very dear friends, Michael Fitzgerald and Joe Murphy. Joe Murphy, one of the sweetest people you could meet, died on the same day as Terrence Maxweeney.

[00:15:19]This was a severe blow to us all. A heartbroken John Joe collected Joe's body from the jail and organized the funeral.

[00:15:28]It was as if we had lost a family member. It still stands as one of the darkest moments in our fight for freedom.

[00:16:00]The first 6 months of 1921 saw a spiraling death toll in the fight for Irish freedom with a thousand people including RAIC police, British Army, IRA volunteers and civilians killed. We continued to fight and on the 11th of July 1921, the war of independence in Ireland ended with a truce.

[00:16:37]We took a step back from the brink >> and tried to remember what living in peace was like.

[00:16:46]>> And we dared for a moment to hope our major Good.

[00:17:31]No grave deadly.

[00:17:46]The truce led to peace talks in London and the peace talks led to that damned treaty.

[00:18:02]Do you really think we're still going to need all this?

[00:18:05]>> I don't think the treaty will get us the freedom we fought for.

[00:18:09]>> I hope you're wrong. I hope Michael Collins gets us the Republic.

[00:18:14]>> Fat Collins. I'm telling you, Nan, he still betrayed us. He did what he could in the circumstances.

[00:18:20]>> Oh, really?

[00:18:23]I um I met some of the lads from H companies in town yesterday. JJ, >> what were you talking about?

[00:18:29]>> Sure. The treaty, of course. Some of them want to fight on, but most of us, we just want peace.

[00:18:35]>> Peace? Ah, Christ, Davey. Peace under an English king to be part of an empire.

[00:18:42]Never. Not for me.

[00:18:44]>> A free state is not what we fought for, Davey. Look, if the people vote against the treaty, I'll fight on. But if we vote for it, I'll do my best to live in peace.

[00:18:57]>> Davey, we have to keep going. We have to fight on.

[00:19:00]>> But Nann, you're not tired of fighting.

[00:19:02]>> Sure, we're all tired. But that doesn't mean we give up.

[00:19:07]Look, Davey, I think it's best you leave the laurels while you still can.

[00:19:12]>> Stop it, Jono. Calm down.

[00:19:14]>> No, Nan, it's okay. I'm sure you can manage here by yourselves. I'll see you around.

[00:19:20]>> For your sake, I hope not.

[00:19:38]By early 1922, there was no doubt we were heading for civil war. During the War of Independence, my her husband John Ford used their work as undertakers in Cove as cover to smuggle guns taken from the embammed bodies of US soldiers killed in World War I.

[00:19:58]At the end of March 1922, Shaun O'Herty, the then anti-treaty commanding officer in Cork, approached my plan to get a much larger store of guns and ammunition for the coming fight.

[00:20:14]So, Hallbolan military base is being decommissioned.

[00:20:18]>> Yes.

[00:20:20]>> And all the guns and ammunition are being shipped over to the UK.

[00:20:23]>> Well, that's the plan.

[00:20:25]>> Plan? They can be changed pretty easily.

[00:20:28]May yourself and John now will need to gather more information. Being the official undertakers, you can get in and out of Queenstown and the barracks without any suspicion.

[00:20:39]>> Oh, that's no problem, John. I'll tell John as soon as I get home.

[00:20:44]>> Have you got a map of the harbor? We should do.

[00:21:07]So this is Queenstone and this is where the ship will be leaving from >> the upnor. That's the name of the ship carrying the arms.

[00:21:17]>> Perfect. So this is where the upnor will be leaving. And to get to Devonport, it'll need to be traveling this way. So the perfect place to capture it would be >> Valley Cotton.

[00:21:31]>> Yes, Valley Cotton.

[00:21:34]>> M set up the coming branch in Valley Cotton. I can get in contact with the girls in the morning.

[00:21:40]>> Good. I'll contact Michael Burke about Queenstown. He's got some fine men in his company. And I'll get Martin Curry to wait on the pier in belly cotton.

[00:21:50]Sure. Conan. He's he's one of us.

[00:21:53]>> And sure, we can help carry arms back into the city, too.

[00:21:56]>> Yeah, you can store them here in the laurels or in my house in Green Mount.

[00:22:00]>> Yes, >> I'm sure the Mitchells will be happy to help as well.

[00:22:06]Splendid.

[00:22:08]You Hagerties, you you make a good team.

[00:22:13]>> The Upnar was captured at sea by a few daring men who sailed it to Valley Cotton, working through the night.

[00:22:21]Almost a thousand IRA members and locals unloaded the ship's cargo of machine guns, rifles, revolvers, ammunition, and explosives. Our fine work was splashed across the newspapers. The Irish Independent called it an amazing exploit and the London Times referred to it as a clever and daring coup across the Atlantic. The New York Times remarked that it was a sensational affair carried out with great audacity.

[00:23:02]James Leehy, fancy seeing you here. Do you welcome back to Tipperary?

[00:23:09]>> How was your journey?

[00:23:10]>> Quite satisfactory. The Sarsfield family allowed me to ride in their carriage again, so I travel discreetly.

[00:23:16]>> Tonalat, please thank the Sarsfields for me.

[00:23:21]Their support is much appreciated.

[00:23:23]>> I will of course. How's Dan Breen?

[00:23:26]>> He's doing well. He married Breeden Nolan last summer. Spent the last few months in America.

[00:23:34]He's recently returned to Ireland. He's rejecting the treaty.

[00:23:39]>> The minute that treaty was signed, all the blood shed, lives lost, the hard work done to establish a republic in 1916, all lost.

[00:23:52]I believe there's a civil war coming then.

[00:23:56]>> And here are the arms you'll need to fight that war.

[00:24:02]>> I put some celery in there, too. We had a bumper crop this year. Makes a smashing suit.

[00:24:06]>> Germa, are you fighting any brothers or sisters in this war?

[00:24:13]>> Well, John mainly are anti- treaty like myself.

[00:24:17]There is one man who's the closest thing to a brother.

[00:24:27]>> Watch my There you go.

[00:25:20]Nery status.

[00:25:21]>> No sign, sir.

[00:25:22]>> Come on then. They can't have gotten far.

[00:25:26]As the bloody civil war continued, more and more anti-treaty IRA men found themselves being treated by myself and maybe at the laurels. The irony of having been trained as nurses by the British was not lost on us or the rest of the nurses in common.

[00:25:52]>> How do you know about this? Miss Elwood taught us all in the LNA branch. Now go get the pine jar.

[00:25:57]>> Sure you don't have any poutine.

[00:25:59]>> I know you do. Now give it up.

[00:26:04]>> What's your own name, sir?

[00:26:07]>> Well, I'm N. I'm John's sister. I'm going to take care of you.

[00:26:14]Cheers.

[00:26:20]Should like a drink before we start?

[00:26:32]Welcome to the Lars.

[00:26:40]>> Throughout the Civil War, the Free State Army continuously raided the Laurels, hoping to find a stash of arms or some key piece of intelligence. They never found anything and they never broke our spirit.

[00:26:57]>> DON'T DO HERTY, WHERE ARE YOU?

[00:27:11]>> JOHN JOE HITY, WHERE ARE YOU?

[00:27:19]Fine evening, isn't it, John?

[00:27:23]Relax.

[00:27:25]>> There's nothing here for you, L.

[00:27:27]>> I said there's nothing here for me.

[00:27:30]>> No need to fight, lad. We're just here to take your stuff and go.

[00:27:35]>> Just like the TS in the RC different for >> What's that?

[00:27:40]>> Search the area.

[00:27:43]>> Do you have a problem, dear?

[00:27:47]I >> Mrs. Hegy, >> where are the weapons hidden?

[00:27:58]>> Where are they?

[00:28:00]>> Oh, she's a fight in this one.

[00:28:06]>> Will you tell me where they are?

[00:28:08]>> You bastard.

[00:28:11]>> Sir, there's a motorcycle parked out in the yard.

[00:28:14]could be used for arms and intelligence.

[00:28:25]>> So that's your secret weapon, is it?

[00:28:30]>> Confiscate it immediately.

[00:28:32]>> Yes, sir.

[00:28:33]>> Lads, get rid of the morite.

[00:28:36]>> Any other secret hiding places?

[00:28:41]Go [ __ ] yourself.

[00:28:46]Tell me, John, where are the weapons hidden?

[00:28:49]>> So, they've confiscated them all.

[00:28:52]>> Very well.

[00:29:21]On the 24th of May 1923, the Anti-Treaty IRA conceded defeat. The war was over. For better or worse, Ireland was a free state and we had no choice but to move forward and to reconcile with all that had happened. As a family, we were blessed to have survived.

[00:29:45]>> You know, Nan, I was thinking, >> oh, here comes trouble.

[00:29:50]>> I was thinking about New York.

[00:29:53]I was chatting to Conan and Jerry O'Brien about us.

[00:29:57]I think I might go away. New York.

[00:30:00]Haven't heard that one before.

[00:30:04]>> The neck on this fell. I swear to God.

[00:30:06]>> I asked him to come.

[00:30:09]Hi, Davey.

[00:30:11]Thanks for coming. How's your mother? I heard she had a fall.

[00:30:15]>> She's all right then, thanks.

[00:30:17]>> She's just looking for attention.

[00:30:19]>> How are you?

[00:30:20]>> Yeah, grand. Come on. I was just about to pour the tea.

[00:30:25]JJ, Nan was saying that you might need some help around here with the farm.

[00:30:30]>> Nan has lost her marbles. We're fine, thanks. Sorry she wasted your time.

[00:30:35]>> Look, I knew this was a bad idea.

[00:30:37]>> If you pour that man a cup of tea?

[00:30:40]>> No, look, n it's fine. I'll go. I'll leave you in peace.

[00:30:44]>> Peace? What bloody peace?

[00:30:46]>> Well, it's better than what we had. The Free State is a stepping stone.

[00:30:49]>> The Free State is a farce.

[00:30:50]>> The Free State is the only way for a lasting peace. Michael Collins even has a plan to get the six counties back. And what use is that now? A dead man's plan.

[00:30:58]You know, you're not that special, JJ.

[00:31:00]We've all been fighting our whole lives.

[00:31:01]It's not my fault you picked the wrong side.

[00:31:04]>> Enough.

[00:31:06]>> I am sick of all this nonsense.

[00:31:11]People have sacrificed and fought and died for you, for us.

[00:31:22]We are the lucky ones.

[00:31:25]We get a second chance and we have to move forward together.

[00:31:33]John Joe Hagerty, if you don't sit down and have a cup of tea, I swear to God, I'll go to New York myself and I'll never come back.

[00:32:16]So what's all this about New York then?

[00:32:18]himself is off. His grand plans to make a big in America.

[00:32:23]>> Is that true, JJ? Are you really leaving us?

[00:32:27]>> Yeah, I was thinking about it. I need a change.

[00:32:32]Nan could do with some help on the farm.

[00:32:35]Would you be interested?

[00:32:45]When Ireland's freedom was denied and its people were down.

[00:32:52]When brave young heroes risk their lives to take part in the fight.

[00:33:00]I'll tell you of the Hagerties who will never be forgotten.

[00:33:07]In County Clark, they went to work and vote to put things right.

[00:33:14]Marketing was their trade on land blessed by the heavens to their door. Be there, rich or poor.

[00:33:25]The citizens were fed.

[00:33:29]John worked harvesting crops. where I'll store the weapons.

[00:33:36]Potatoes, bronze, and tin can bombs.

[00:33:40]Alongside the planting, they joined the fight against the might of tyrant stands and tummies.

[00:33:50]They went to war with those next door and beat them and blue.

[00:33:58]They saw the call of old John the nation without morals.

[00:34:05]Now show your class and raise your glass to the laurels and maybe join the first inception.