Pearse is very much a person of Cork City having been born and reared at the end of Barrack Street not far from the South Gate Bridge. It was inevitable that he would be educated in St. Nessan’s Christian Brothers School just around the corner from where he lived. He subsequently transferred to the North Monastery for secondary school and then to the School of Commerce. On leaving school he found employment in Hipps Ltd., gentlemen’s outfitters, in Patrick’s Street. His manager there, Read more [...]

Tomas Ó'Canainn was born in Derry and his wife, Helen in Belfast. Traditional music was an important part of his family background,his grandfather and mother both playing the fiddle. Thomas and Helen’s three children are all expert musicians. He studied Electrical Engineering at Queens University Belfast and spent a number of years working in industry, before doing a Ph. D at Liverpool University and going on to lecturing staff there. While in Liverpool, he became deeply involved with Read more [...]

2010 marked the centenary of the death of Mr. John Fitzgerald, also known as "The Bard of the Lee". Today he is perhaps best known as the writer of the song "The Green Hills of Cork", or, as it is more popularly known, "Beautiful City". He was a founder member of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society and contributed many articles to its journal. He was born in Hanover Street in 1825 and was a cabinet maker and woodcarver by trade. However, Mr. Fitzgerald was also known Read more [...]

I’m delighted to be present at the launch of the 29th Cork Youth International Film & Video Festival and I am very pleased to be in my good friends company again.  This Launch facilitates our recognition of decades of achievement in film and youth filmmaking by Helen Prout. Earlier this year Helen received a civic award from my predecessor – Cllr.Donal Counihan in recognition of her singular contribution to the encouragement and promotion of the art of film making among young Read more [...]