Mary Hegarty : Short Biography

Mary graduated from Sydney University in 1927 at the age of nineteen with first class honours in Latin and a Diploma of Education. She taught History and Latin at country and city secondary schools, retiring in 1961. In 1948 she made the first of several visits to Ireland, retracing her mother’s steps to Knocknagoshel and joining the celebrations in Dublin of the Republic of Ireland Act. Mary wrote articles and essays about Ireland, and Irish and Irish-Australian affairs. In 1954, with two others, she founded the Aisling Society of Sydney. She was the Society’s Secretary from its inception until 1975, apart from two years as President. She was an inspiration to all those who have followed her.

This Chronicle has been adapted by kind permission of the Aisling Society. The content has been inspired by the Aisling 20/20 Vision project, which forms part of a programme marking the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the Consulate General of Ireland to New South Wales. 

The Aisling Society is an Irish Australian cultural society whose main interests are the study of the history, life, and culture of Ireland, and the effect of Irish heritage on Australian life.