'A true champion of the arts': Tributes paid after death of Cork broadcaster Elmarie Mawe
It was in The Everyman bar, after a 1997 production of The Stepping Stone that she was first introduced to her future husband Conor Tallon. File picture
Tributes have been paid to Cork broadcaster, actor and teacher Elmarie Mawe, who has died.
For more than a quarter of a century, Ms Mawe was host of on and , where she earned a reputation as a leading voice for the arts in Cork.
Ms Mawe’s own love of the arts began early, when she first appeared on stage in City Hall at the age of five during the Cór Fhéile competition.
She would go on to host several major civic and cultural events and concerts on that same stage, including the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Gala.
Ms Mawe had a passion for teaching, working in Gurrane NS, having previously taught violin at the Limerick School of Music, and speech and drama at the Cork School of Music.
It was in The Everyman bar, following a 1997 production of , in which Ms Mawe starred, that she was first introduced to her future husband, Conor Tallon, who would become her rock.
In 2020, they shared a Cork Person of the Month award for their services to the arts.
In 2023, Ms Mawe was honoured with a Lord Mayor’s Civic Award and Cultural Award for her contribution to the arts.
She had been living with cancer for several years.
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The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Damian Boylan, said Ms Mawe had been “a brilliant broadcaster and teacher, and a passionate and much-loved champion of the arts”.
“Week after week, she brought audiences closer to the worlds of theatre, literature, music, visual arts and community creativity, providing a platform for everyone from household names to emerging artists, to schoolchildren and the often marginalised,” he said.
“Her warmth, curiosity and deep appreciation of the arts shone through every interview and conversation.
“She worked very hard during the covid-19 pandemic to ensure that the arts remained an essential part of public life.
“And despite her own illness, her enthusiasm was infectious and her commitment to supporting the arts never wavered.”
Broadcaster PJ Coogan said the loss being felt by Ms Mawe’s radio family was immense.
“If I had to describe Elmarie in one word, that word would be ‘gorgeous’,” he said.
“She was a most delightful colleague and a dear friend to have. Although we knew this day was coming, it has still hit us like a bolt from the blue. We’re devastated.”
Eibhlín Gleeson, CEO of Cork Opera House, described Ms Mawe as “the true matriarch of the Cork arts scene”.
“As a treasured collaborator, it has been an enormous privilege to welcome Elmarie to our stage regularly to compère for us - most recently hosting our major 170th Gala performance in March 2025,” she said.
“On such a special occasion for Cork Opera House, she was the perfect host, honouring our history and steering the occasion with her signature humour and warmth.”
In a statement, The Everyman Theatre said Ms Mawe had been a passionate advocate for the arts and for Cork city, a consummate professional, and a welcoming host and interviewer.
“We’re honoured to say that Elmarie had a long history with The Everyman: she graced our stage on many occasions, both as an actor and narrator of concerts.”
Patrick Talbot, former CEO of The Everyman, said The Arts House had achieved legendary status as “an essential first port of call for all cultural events and, thanks to Elmarie's hugely informed and warm style has a huge listenership”.
Tony Sheehan, artistic director of the Triskel Arts Centre, said there was “a little bit less sunshine in the world today” after Ms Mawe’s death.
“She was a true champion of the arts, a genuinely lovely person and everyone at Triskel is deeply saddened,” he said.
“We express our sincere condolences to Conor, her family, friends and all those who loved her.”
Poet Theo Dorgan said Ms Mawe had been a tireless advocate for the arts and a lovely person.
“Elmarie was such a professional – she always took the time to be well-informed, whatever she was discussing, and that’s a great thing,” he said.
“She inspired a lot of people with her courage and her refusal to stop smiling.”
Singer and songwriter Jack O’Rourke remembered “a genuine person who did so much to support the arts” and who “absolutely loved” music.
“My heart goes out to her husband Conor – they were such a duo,” he said.
“Whenever I think of Elmarie, she was always smiling, she was never downcast and she always took every last drop of magic from the world.
“And when she talked about the children she taught, she never lost that joyous ability to see the world through the eyes of a child, and she brought that joy to everything she did.”
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