Date of Birth: 20th July 1931

Place of Birth: Saunderscourt, Crossabeg, Co. Wexford

Date Interviewed: 15th March 2011

Summary: Ian Hearn was recorded in March 2011 by Alan McGuire. Ian spent his first 8 years in New Ross, where his great grandfather had founded the business of M.Hearn & Son-Merchants, which included farm machinery. His grandfather John S, Hearn J.P. and Frederick H. Keane ME of R & F Keane Engineers, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, were major investors in establishing the Wexford Engineering Co. Ltd. in 1897. The Hearn family moved to Wexford in 1939 and his father took over as MD in 1942. Ian who was also a director describes the reasons for the establishment of the company on three acres of reclaimed land on Wexford Harbour. He refers to his article in the 2002-03 Journal of the Wexford Historical Society and to his talk on "The Employers Perspective" at the WHS Seminar of Feb 2011 commemorating the 1911 Lockout.