Acclaimed actor and playwright is Cork Person of the Month

Acclaimed actor and playwright, Shane Casey, has been chosen as Cork Person of the Month for January in honour of his unwavering commitment to the arts, education and community service.

Casey embarked on a transformative journey at the age of 21 when he chose to leave behind his apprenticeship as a painter/decorator to pursue a career in acting. Since then, he has emerged as a leading figure in the Irish entertainment scene, achieving widespread acclaim for his breakthrough role as Billy Murphy in ‘The Young Offenders’ film and subsequent TV series.

His artistic talents extend beyond the screen, as he has also earned acclaim for his work as a playwright. His play ‘Wet Paint’, has graced the stages of iconic local venues and successfully toured nationally in 2019, showcasing Casey's ability to create accessible and thought-provoking content.

In addition to his contributions to the arts, Shane Casey has been actively involved with Cork's Graffiti Theatre Company for over a decade. He has been instrumental in conducting resilience and well-being workshops for secondary school students, showcasing his commitment to fostering creativity and mental health awareness in the community.

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT

Commenting on his work, Casey stated, "I wanted to make a show that was accessible to people, without being pretentious. Humour is a very safe approach because then the subtext can be about mental health or how men talk about their problems, or whatever you want."

Beyond his artistic endeavours, Casey is recognised for his philanthropic work, notably supporting the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind. His multifaceted personality, from his dynamic acting career to his community involvement, reflects a genuine and warm individual committed to making a positive impact.

The forthcoming return of Shane Casey to ‘The Young Offenders’ in the upcoming fourth season, expected to air on the BBC this year, followed later on RTE, has heightened anticipation among fans. In the meantime, Casey is captivating audiences with his second self-penned play, ‘The Man Who Talks to Statues’, a testament to his continuous creativity and dedication to the craft.

Shane’s name will

now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at the annual Gala Awards Lunch in January, 2025.

‘AFTER ALL’, SIMPLY BETTER

Separately, Cork Persons of the Year for 2023 were recently announced as The Frank & Walters Band, 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 on Friday, January 26th before an invited audience of 200 guests, who represented all sectors of Cork life.

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.

OTHER AWARDS

At the January awards ceremony Cork’s literary luminary, Alice Taylor was also celebrated, being inducted into the Hall of Fame. While the Honorary Cork Person Award was presented to broadcaster Dáithí Ó Sé, who co-hosts the RTÉ Today Show alongside Maura Derrane from the RTÉ Cork studio for many years.

(Pic: Brian Lougheed) Cork band The Frank and Walters who received the Cork Persons of the Year award at the 31st annual Cork Person of the Year awards which took place The Metropole Hotel, Cork in January. From left: Cian Corbett, Paul Linehan, Ashley Keating and Rory Murphy. Included are Daithí Ó Sé, Honorary Cork Person recipient and Alice Taylor, Hall of Fame recipient.Also included are Ann Doherty, chief executive of Cork City Council and Valerie O’Sullivan, chief executive of the Cork County Council

(Pic: Tony O’Connell Photography) JANUARY CORK PERSON OF THE MONTH. Pictured at the award presentation, actor and playwright Shane Casey together with his wife, Dr Honor Casey and his parents, Sean and Eileen Casey, along with, back l-r: Manus O’Callaghan, awards organiser; Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, AM O’Sullivan PR; George Duggan, Cork Crystal and Eoghan Hedderman, The Metropole Hotel.

(Pic: Brian Lougheed) Glanmire’s Mark O’Donoghue (2nd from right), the December Cork Person of the Month recipient from 2023, with his wife, Claire Desmond, son, Michael and daughter, Roisí, at the 31st annual Cork Person of the Year awards at The Metropole Hotel, Cork.

(Pic: Brian Lougheed) Community activist and October Person of the Month winner (2023), John Arnold, from Bartlemy, with his wife, Mary and daughter, Orla, at the 31st annual Cork Person of the Year awards in Cork recently.