Music man Bob is 2017 Cork Person of theYear
A MAN whose ground-breaking work in music education on the northside of Cork City was last Friday unveiled as the 2017 winner of the prestigious Cork Person of the Year award.
Bob Seaward, who founded the Cork Academy of Music in 1994, was given a standing ovation as he collected the award at a gala lunch in The Rochestown Park Hotel attended by more than 250 invited guests.
This was an extra special occasion as the awards scheme, founded by Mallow-man Manus O’Callaghan, this year celebrates 25-years of honouring Corkonian’s for their outstanding successes and achievements.
Overseen by MCs for the day RTÉ Prime Time presenters Miriam O’Callaghan and David McCullough, the event also incorporated presentations from guest of honour Micheál Martin TD (who launched the awards in 1993), Tánaiste Simon Coveney, RTÉ director general and Irish Examiner chairman Tom Crosbie.
Mr Seaward, who set up the voluntary Academy aimed at providing an education in music literacy and instrument skills to people in one of Cork’s traditionally high-unemployment areas, beat off stiff opposition from the eleven monthly winners to win the 2017 Cork Person of the Year crown.
The north and mid- Cork areas were well represented among the monthly nominees, which included Lombardstown nun Sr Philomena O’Sullivan, Mallow’s Stefanie Preissner and Denis O’Donovan from Blarney.
Speaking after accepting the award from The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Tony Fitzgerald and County Mayor Cllr Declan Hurley, Mr Seaward said he was “honoured and delighted”.
“Our original aim was to use music as a tool for social inclusion, so we located the Cork Academy of Music in an area of the city with relatively low educational achievement and high unemployment levels,” he said.
“Since then, the Academy has provided a music education for many thousands of people and created a pathway to both work and, indeed, further education. We have also fostered important relationships with individuals and groups in the local community, focusing on combating disadvantage and helping to promote social inclusion,” said Mr Seaward.
Manus O’Callaghan said Mr Seaward was a “worthy and popular winner” of the award.
“His contribution to music education in disadvantaged areas of Cork has been phenomenal and has opened the world of music to so many young people that otherwise would not have had that opportunity,” said Mr O’Callaghan.
“Bob has also steered young people from his music tuition back to mainline education courses in other areas to help them secure employment,” he added.
Mr Seaward was not the only person to be honoured on the day with a special Hall of Fame award to mark the 25th anniversary of the awards presented to Ted Crosbie for his contribution to Cork over the years through the Irish Examiner.
July - Tony O’Connell:
‘A professional photographer, Tony was honoured for his work as the Cork City Sports International Athletics Committee’.
August - Stefanie Preissner:
‘Mallow woman Stefanie is a writer and actor who is regarded one of the most influential voices of her generation.’
SeptemberDominic Casey:
‘One of the world’s top rowing coaches, Dominic has trained numerous rowers to Irish, European and world glory’.
October - Capt Michael McCarthy:
‘ The commercial manager of the Port of Cork Michael was honoured for his work increasing cruise liner traffic to Cork’.
November - John Caulfield:
‘Leeside’s ‘ Mr Soccer’, John led Cork City FC to a famous league and cup double in 2017, restoring the former glory days of Cork soccer’.
December - Denis O’Donovan:
‘ The Blarney man raised more than €120,000 for Cork and Kerry charities through his Mercy Recycling Campaign’.