'Young Offenders' actor Shane Casey becomes Cork's Person of the Year

The double Olympic women’s lightweight boxing gold medallist Kellie Harrington was made an ‘Honorary Cork Person’ at today's ceremony

Actor Shane Casey (second from right) with his parents Seán and Eileen and his wife Dr Honor Carroll (right) after winning the Cork Person of the Year award on Friday. Shane said he was 'shocked and kind of lost for words'. Picture: David Creedon

The latest Cork Person of the Year winner may be best known for his hardman character Billy Murphy in hit TV series The Young Offenders but he’s also a noted playwright, community leader and charity advocate.

Shane Casey started out at 21 as an apprentice painter and decorator but has since climbed a different kind of ladder becoming a leading figure in the country's entertainment industry.

His play Wet Paint (2019) received critical acclaim and toured nationally. He has also been actively involved with Cork's Graffiti Theatre Company for over a decade, hosting workshops for secondary school students which notably fostered creativity by emphasising the need for more awareness about mental health issues in the community.

It was also Mr Casey's dedication to philanthropy that caught the judges’ eyes, notably his support for the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

He was chosen from a list of 12 monthly award winners by the judges, Valerie O’Sullivan and Moira Murrell the respective chief executives of Cork City Council and Cork County Council.

Mr Casey got a standing ovation from the almost 200 people who attended the event and said he was “shocked and kind of lost for words". He said he was somewhat “embarrassed” to get the accolade considering the calibre of the other nominees.

(Left to right) RTE presenter, Miriam O'Callaghan, Olympic Gold medal winner Kellie Harrington and RTE presenter Anne Cassin at the Cork Person of the Year awards on Friday. Picture: David Creedon

There were other popular award winners as well with double Olympic women’s lightweight boxing gold medallist (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) Kellie Harrington being made an ‘Honorary Cork Person’.

Ms Harrington was presented with a Republic of Cork passport and an inscribed piece of Cork Crystal by the Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Dan Boyle and the Mayor of the County of Cork, Councillor Joe Carroll.

Two more back-to-back Olympic gold medallists, Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, were inducted into the Cork Person of the Year Hall of Fame. The Skibbereen rowers made the country proud in 2020 and again last year by winning the Olympic lightweight double sculls.

Paul is no stranger to the Cork Person of the Year awards having scooped that title jointly in 2016 with his brother, Gary.

Skibbereen Rowing Club also scooped the ‘Supreme Cork Award’ which was accepted by its club president Nuala Lupton and club coach Dr Dominic Casey.

Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan at the Paris Olympics last year. They were inducted into the Cork Person of the Year Hall of Fame. File picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

For the first time new “In Memoriam” honours were bestowed at the ceremony designed to recognise those who touched the lives of so many Cork people but who’re sadly no longer with us.

The first accolade went to the late husband and wife broadcasters Gay Byrne and Kathleen Watkins who were represented by their daughters, Suzy and Crona.

Around 30 years after his death legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher, an adopted son of Cork, was also remembered. He was represented at the event by his nephew Eoin Gallagher.