At the 31st edition of the annual Cork Person of the Year Awards, held on Friday January 26th, The Frank & Walters Band were crowned as the Cork Persons of the Year for 2023, in recognition of the band’s profound impact on Cork’s cultural tapestry and the arts over an illustrious 30-year plus career.
The Gala Awards Lunch was held at the Metropole Hotel before an invited audience of 200 guests, who represented all sectors of Cork life. The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Kieran McCarthy along with the Mayor of Cork County, Councillor Frank O’Flynn, presented the awards, underscoring the unity of the city and county in recognising exceptional contributions, while masters of ceremonies (MC) duties were in the capable hands of broadcasters Anne Cassin and Marty Morrissey.
‘AFTER ALL’, SIMPLY BETTER
The Frank and Walters are a renowned Cork-based band that have achieved international success with their classic Indie hits, charting both inside and outside Ireland. The group’s longevity and the enduring popularity of their music, including the Cork Anthem ‘After All’, which was voted Cork’s favourite song, showcase their unique position in the music world.
Known as strong ambassadors for Cork, the band members are lead vocal and bass, Paul Linehan; drums Ashley Keating, lead guitar Rory Murphy and keyboards Cian Corbett. The band continue to be a major presence with a vast catalogue of albums and singles that are widely acclaimed and sold globally.
Head of RTÉ Factual Content, Colm O’Callaghan wrote: “In many ways, it’s hard to imagine that thirty years have passed since ‘After All’ became a bona fide hit single and The Frank and Walters shared their dressing room at Top of the Pops with Paul McCartney, and in other ways, it isn’t. Because there’s a timelessness to the great pop songs, and ‘After All’ – like many of the Frank’s songs – is unquestionably one of the great pop songs. Not arrogant, just better, ‘After All’ is the best of The Frank and Walters, and the Frank and Walters are the very best of us. They stand for everything that sets Cork apart.”
With awards organiser, Manus O’Callaghan, also commending the band.
“Their win reflects not only their musical prowess but also their unwavering dedication to Cork’s artistic scene. The Frank & Walters have played a pivotal role in making Cork the cultural hub that it is today.”
HALL OF FAME
The awards ceremony also celebrated Cork’s literary luminary, Alice Taylor, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame by last year’s recipient of the Honorary Cork Person of the Year, broadcaster Mike Murphy. Alice Taylor, celebrated for her ground-breaking contribution, ‘To School Through the Fields,’ acknowledged as the top-selling Irish published book, persistently captures the spirit of rural Ireland in her prolific literary works.
KERRYMAN – MADE HONORARY CORK PERSON
The Honorary Cork Person Award was presented to broadcaster Dáithí Ó Sé, who co-costs the RTÉ Today Show alongside Maura Derrane from the RTÉ Cork studio for many years. “Dáithí’s infectious energy, humour, and optimistic spirit have brought laughter and joy to audiences across the nation for over two decades,” awards partner and organiser, Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, said. “This award recognises his incredible journey as a beloved TV presenter and media personality, who is doing it all here from RTÉ’s Cork studios.”
Speakers at the lunch were Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath; Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney; iconic broadcaster Mike Murphy; Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ Director General; Bishop Paul Colton and Bishop Fintan Gavin, along with organisers Manus O’Callaghan and Ann-Marie O’Sullivan.
