Man who made Queen laugh is person of month

A Cork fishmonger who gained international attention when he made Queen Elizabeth 11 burst out laughing during her historic visit to Ireland has been named Cork’s Person of the Month.

When the Queen visited Cork’s English Market in 2011, she wandered over to talk to Pat O’Connell at his family fish stand.

When he whispered to the monarch that he hadn’t been that nervous since his wedding day, she threw back her head in laughter and the resulting picture became an iconic image of Cork and Ireland.

Presenting this month’s prize to Pat O’Connell, organiser of the Cork Person of the Month award, Manus O’Callaghan said that “that image alone has helped promote the best of Cork around Ireland and around the world”.

He said Pat was also chosen for the award to mark his promotion of family businesses and his ongoing promotion of Cork’s English Market.

Never lost for words, Cork’s best-known fishmonger said he hoped the award would further promote “the great Cork tradition” that is the English market.

“The English Market is very much a trading market, depending on local customers to buy our meat, vegetables, fish, poultry, cheeses, artisan food delicacies and much more.

“Most stall holders are small family businesses continuing a tradition going back centuries. I hope this award will further promote that great Cork tradition” said Pat.

His name now goes forward, with the other Persons of the Month chosen later this year, for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year 2014.