JOHN CREEDON: Cork Person of the Year for 2021
RTÉ broadcaster John Creedon was named Cork Person of the Year at a Gala Awards Lunch at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork.
John received the award for representing the best of Cork City and county through his broadcasting and writings over the years. The judges also praised John for igniting a new love of Ireland during the recent lockdown Covid period through his television series ‘ Creedon’s Atlas of Ireland’ and book ‘ That Place We Call Home’, published by Gill Books. A third series of Atlas of Ireland will air on RTÉ this summer.
The John Creedon award-winning evening radio show broadcast from the local RTÉ Cork studios was also noted as attracting a huge home and international audience.
STANDING OVATION
Award scheme organiser, Manus O’Callaghan, said “John Creedon is the quintessential Corkman and indeed the Creedon family have always been one of Cork's first families. John loves Cork, his sense of place and his own tribe. His most recent TV series and book show the layers of meaning behind place names of Ireland’s 63,000 townlands and reveal stories about our country and the people who walked it before us”.
On receiving the award, John Creedon received a standing ovation from an invited audience who represented all aspects of Cork life.
HALL OF FAME
The Hall of Fame award was presented to Caitriona Twomey of Cork Penny Dinners. Caitriona and her volunteers supply thousands of freshly-made meals every week to those in need and she has also added new free services over recent months.
Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, award organiser said, “Penny Dinners must be one of the most admired and loved organisations in Cork. They always keep an open door, no questions asked.”
OTHER AWARDS
Honorary Corkperson designations were bestowed on international singer-songwriter Donovan and his wife Linda, who have lived in North County Cork for many years. Donovan Leitch burst on to the international music scene in the mid-sixties with hits such as Catch the Wind, Mellow Yellow, Sunshine Superman and many many more. He is still performing today at 75 years of age and his wife and muse Linda Lawrence is a collage artist, transcendental meditation promoter and environmentalist.
The Irish Examiner were also honoured to mark the 180th anniversary of the newspaper group. Managing Director of the Irish Examiner and The Echo, Mr. Mikey Sheehan, accepted the award and spoke about the newspaper's history and more recent national award winning digital service and also the recent Journalists of the Year in Ireland award wins by Irish Examiner journalists.
The Cork Person of the Year was chosen from the Cork Persons of the Month selected over the past year.
Speakers at the awards lunch included Dee Forbes, Director General of RTÉ; Minister Michael McGrath and bishops Paul Colton and Fintan Gavin.