In these somewhat straightened times, the issue of homelessness in Cork is rising to the surface at a fast pace. Last week Cork Simon launched their strategy for the next three years which detailed how Simon plans to move forward over the months an

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"I am looking forward to experiencing my first Corona Cork Film Festival as Festival Manager. There is so much to choose from in this year's programme." She may be new to the post but Ann Lawlor, a native of Tulamore, Co Offaly, has clearly bought

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The monthly winners that make up the shortlist for the Cork Person of the Year awards is, as these things so often tend to be, a typically eclectic gathering of people from all walks of life.

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Amy is just like any other Cork twenty-year-old. She enjoys spending time with her friends, spending Saturday's browsing through the shops and taking regular trips to the cinema. However, for Amy, accessing all of these services that many take for

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Ask Cara O’Sullivan what it takes to become an opera singer and she will give you one answer: hard graft.

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As another September dawns, one staple musical event in Cork is notably conspicuous by its absence. For the past 28 years, the Cork Folk Festival has, whatever the circumstances or financial restrictions, routinely taken place with folk, roots and

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As a chef, TV presenter, journalist, teacher and mother, there’s no denying that Rachel Allen is more than just a little busy and with a new series and a new book about to be released as well as a new arrival on the way, it’s hard to imagine how

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For many people, retirement is about winding down and taking a step back from the working world while for others it is more about embarking in a new, equally challenging career which opens new doors and presents even more opportunities. One Irish man

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She may be one of the most hotly tipped young women to scoop the crown at this year's Rose of Tralee, but, as the festival gets underway, the modest Cork Rose Niamh O' Hanlon is happy to steer clear of the speculation and enjoy the days ahead.

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As the new president elect of ASTI, the Association of Secondary Teachers, Pat Hurley has vowed to fight against any cutbacks on spending in education.

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The wedding of your dreams may be just within reach with the next series of the hugely popular RTE programme Brides of Franc.

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There's an old saying that goes 'A week is a long time in sport'. If that's true, then measuring 52 years would, in all likelihood prove an impossible task for even the most dexterous and mathematically inclined of minds.

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I grew up in Cobh and was always terrified of the surrounding islands. Some mean old man told me that they made robots in Irish Steel and those robots were fuelled by mashed children! I was also convinced that a prisoner would escape from Spike I

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For Noel Harrington, the recently inaugurated Mayor of County Cork, the coming year in office is, first and foremost, an opportunity to address the pressing issue of what he refers to as "domestic immigration'.

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With an honours degree in Law and German under her belt, Claire Tadla has the world at her feet. Yet, instead of seeking out a high-flying career for herself, the 23-year old, UCC graduate has decided to give something back.

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Few could claim to have the needs of Cork closer to their heart than the city's newly elected first citizen, Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Brian Bermingham.

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How does one go from having no serious interest in boating to running one of the largest regattas in the world? For Tony Donworth it all started when he bought what turned out to be a winning raffle ticket. His prize? A National 18, or in layman

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As one of the most pre-eminent chef's to ever emerge from Cork, Ross Lewis was a natural choice to front the inaugural Taste of Cork Festival.

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She may have travelled the world and lived far and away in Germany, Donegal and Dublin, but, for  Dyane Hanrahan,  Cork is where the heart is and she’s now on a mission to raise the profile of the city both nationally and inter

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I wake up at around seven. One of the family plugs in my nebulizer and puts the mask on me. Usually I get them to put on my cd player as well and my earplugs.  Nothing like killing two birds with the one stone!!! My favourite is- boys might be s

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John McCarthy is a man on a mission, and the mission he has chosen to accept is one of bringing madness to the people.

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A burlesque queen going by the name of Miss Cherry Ripe and a troupe of Irish Dancers, complete with golden ringlets, were on hand at Fitzgerald’s Park yesterday (Wednesday, May 14) to launch, with typical bravado, the programme for this years

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Purists may zealously argue the point that art and commerce cannot co-exist side by side. The fact of the matter is however that both entities, for all their apparent juxtapositions, have been willing cohorts for the vast duration of both of their

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Mary Crilly, Director of Cork's Sexual Violence Centre can only be described as the heart and soul of the Cork centre since she has stood firmly by it from it's early establishment in 1983.

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First Minister of Northern Ireland and Veteran Politician and Church Leader Ian Richard Kyle Paisley was in Cork last Friday night to address the 50th Annual Dinner of the Cobh and Harbour Chamber of Commerce at the Commodore Hotel.

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Born in Chicago, Illinois, Kathy Sinnott has been a regular contributor to the political debate in Cork for many years now.

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This June people from across Cork will have their say on the Lisbon Treaty and will decide whether Ireland should accept or reject the document. With less than two months to go before Ireland casts its vote on the treaty, Mary O' Keeffe spoke to

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For more than 30 years Robert Fisk has been reporting on the Middle East. Resident in Beirut the English journalist needs little introduction to those with even a passing interest in world affairs.

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It may be more than two decades since Eddie Hobbs first left Cork, but today his heart still remains at the city by the Lee.

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Kieran Kennedy, Director of Shine Ireland hasn’t stopped working in “plugging the gaps in service provision for autistic children left by the Government” since 2001 when he established what was then called the Irish Progressive Association for Au

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In a week where The Blackrock Castle Observatory won the prestigious Thea Science Award for 'Outstanding Achievement' the Cork Independent talked to Claire MacSweeney, facility manager at the Observatory to get more of an insight on the exciting wo

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Pat Fitz is simply buzzing- going from the studio, to doing radio interviews to gigging in bars around Cork, the musician is making the most of his new found fame.

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From the air-waves of 96FM, to lights, camera, action it’s been an exciting time for journalist and broadcaster Audrey McGrath since replacing Karen Koster on TV3’s Ireland AM.

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Well-known Cork scribe Tom MacSweeney was honoured this past week at the annual Maritime Ball in Galway, a worthy fundraising event for the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, when he was named Maritime Person of the Year.

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The appointment this past week of John X Miller to the position of ‘Honorary Consul of Hungry’ in the City of Cork will have come as little surprise to those who know him best.

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In the pre-Celtic-Tiger-era many of Ireland's youth were forced to emigrate in search of job opportunities. The country was in the financial doldrums, with unemployment levels sky-high and poverty widespread.

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" I suppose you could say I lived a good country life growing up," says Allin Grey, the man who recently took over the reins at the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras.

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She may have conquered Everest, completed the world's Seven Summits and seen some of the world's most amazing sights on the way but, for Cork woman, Clare O' Leary there is no place like home.

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Few could pertain to having the needs of Cork closer to their heart than the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Donal Counihan.

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It’s one of the most commonly uttered phrase’s in relation to football, but the old adage of it being ‘a funny old game’ certainly rings true. Take Damien Richardson for example.

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We hear Neil Prendeville's voice daily on the airwaves, he's caused controversy and generates both good and bad press. His morning talk show on 96FM is a platform for many important Cork issues. We all know his radio persona but what about the m

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Fin Costello may not be a familiar name to many music fans, but the mans work is ensconced in millions of peoples records collection the world over.

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In his debut feature length film Strength And Honour, Cork born writer, director and producer (and actor and songwriter) Mark Mahon crafts a simple, old-fashioned tale of good overcoming evil, of triumphing in the face of adversity. It’s a trai

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AS a boy, Matt Cooper would play with his friends in the ruins of the old waterworks on the Lee Road.

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“I don’t know where jazz is going,” the great Thelonious Monk once said. “Maybe it’s going to hell. You can’t make anything go anywhere. It just happens.”

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As you read this you are probably already aware that the Corona Cork Film Festival is currently in full swing in theatres big and small, right across the city. Now in its 52 year, the Festival has attained a level of popularity and respect not

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