Frank and Walters named Cork Persons of the Year while Dáithí Ó Sé made honorary Corkman

Members of the The Frank and Walters (rear) Cian Corbett, Paul Linehan, Rory Murphy, and Ashley Keating are the Cork Persons of the Year 2023. Front, from left: Dáithí Ó Sé was awarded Honourary Cork Person with city council CEO Anne Doherty, county council CEO Valerie O'Sullivan and Hall of Fame recipient Alice Taylor. Pictures: Larry Cummins

Four band members in the music business for more than 30 years and a writer of 20-plus books scooped the top awards at this year's annual Cork Persons of the Year.

The ceremony in the Metropole Hotel saw The Frank and Walters band scoop the coveted Cork Persons of the Year Award, while Innishannon-based author Alice Taylor, best known for bestseller To School Through the Fields (1989), was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In addition, the Honorary Cork Person Award was given to broadcaster and Kerryman Dáithí Ó Sé, who has presented the Today afternoon show from the RTÉ Cork Studios for many years.

Since moving to work with the national broadcaster he’s appeared on the likes of Living with Lucy, Winning Streak, and The All-Ireland Talent Show.

Kerryman and broadcaster Dáithí Ó Sé is widely known for his co-hosting role on RTÉ's 'Today' afternoon show, which is broadcast from Cork. He was presented with his award by Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy, the Mayor of the County of Cork Frank O'Flynn and Annemarie O'Sullivan of  O'Sullivan PR.

More recently, he's become nationally regarded for co-hosting Today, TG4’s weekly chat show Seal le Dáithí, and for being the presenter of the annual international Rose of Tralee contest.

The Frank and Walters band members Paul Linehan (lead vocal and bass guitarist), Ashley Keating (drums), Rory Murphy (lead guitarist) and Cian Corbett (keyboards) were presented their Cork Persons of the Year Award by the Mayor of the County of Cork Frank O’Flynn.

In 1992 the band celebrated their first classic hit 'After All' which was recently voted Cork’s favourite song in an online poll organised by Cork City Library in association with Creative Ireland.

The Frank and Walters are the Cork Persons of the Year 2023 with Mayor of the County of Cork Frank O'Flynn at the Metropole Hotel.

The quartet became so noteworthy they actually shared a dressing room with Paul McCartney when they both appeared on Top of the Pops. They're also known for a classic appearance in The Young Offenders TV series and continue to sell-out tours of Europe and the US.

Alice Taylor received a standing ovation when inducted into the awards Hall of Fame.

Innishannon-based author Alice Taylor was a Hall of Fame Award winner.

Her breakthrough book To School Through the Fields became a best-seller and she continues to capture the essence of rural Ireland through her prolific writing which has resulted in the publication of more than 20 other books.

She said her first book, which detailed her young life in rural Ireland, was a time when people “respected God, nature and talked to their neighbours.” 

Ms Taylor said sadly this had been largely lost and people should put away their mobile phones a bit more and engage with each other.