2023 Articles, Recasting Cork 1923

5 January 2023, Recasting Cork: A New Year for Hope and Unity

In his New Year’s message in just over 200 words published in regional newspapers such as the Cork Examiner on 2 January 1923 President of the new Irish Free State or Saorstát Éireann W T Cosgrave gave his core messages to the Irish people. He dwelt on themes of unity and hope with further references to sacrifices made and to make to ensure Saorstát Éireann would work. The President also dwelt on the democratic principle that the Oireachtas established under the Treaty and Constitution must be the sole sovereign authority in the country. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 5 January 2022 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

12 January 2023, Recasting Cork: Visions for Trade and Commerce

In the first week of January 1923, a monthly meeting of the executive of Cork Chamber of Commerce convened. Chaired by Chamber President John Callaghan Foley, John Gamon, American Consul in Cobh, and Mr A Canavan, representative of the United States Lines, Cobh, were also in attendance. The President, in welcoming the representatives of the United States, noted that Ireland owed much to the States for the relief afforded the country not only since the Act of Union, 1800, but especially during the Irish War of Independence. He wished for a formal invitation be issued on behalf of the Irish chambers of commerce to the United States welcoming a delegation of American industrialists and commercial men to Ireland. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 12 January 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

19 January 2023, Recasting Cork: A Vision for Refuse

Cork Corporation records from one hundred years contain very detailed reports on a myriad of topics. One report, which was published in January 1923 in the Cork Examiner, was a report on street scavenging and cleaning. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 19 January 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

26 January 2023, Recasting Cork: Fr Thomas Leaves

The departure of Capuchin Fr Thomas Dowling for the United States in late January 1923 was deemed an end of an era and a distinct loss to the city and the country and a gain for the US. He was bound for mission work in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other places in California. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 26 January 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

2 February 2023, Recasting Cork: The Cork Dockers Strike

The Cork Dockers’ Strike, which began Monday 15 January 1923 and extended all the way to early February 1923, was a quest for better terms and wages within a national pay agreement for transport workers in southern Irish ports. The Cork dockers, coal, shipping carmen, and storemen sections of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union, took a ballot on the proposed national pay deal reduction of 1s per day for full time workers and a pro rata reduction for tonnage workers. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 2 February 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

9 February 2023, Recasting Cork: Amnesty, Arms and Advantage

Pressure continued to mount as calls for peace from civil war intensified in the second week of February 1923. The capture of south of Ireland IRA commander and anti-Treaty advocate Liam Deasy at Tincurry, County Tipperary on 18 January 1923 and his subsequent imprisonment in Clonmel led to his successful request on a stay of his execution in exchange for his appeal to his comrades to end the war. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 9 February 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

16 February 2023, Recasting Cork: A New Motor Association

In January and February 1923, debates by motor car owners on the growth of motor car ownership in Cork led to rising concerns on inadequate road infrastructure and questions on road taxation. A public meeting of owners of private and commercial motor cars was held on the weekend of the 17 February 1923 at Cork’s Victoria Hotel for the purpose of approving the formation of an Association to be known as the Munster Motor Association. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 16 February 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

23 February 2023, Recasting Cork: The Slow Rebuild

In the first two months of 1923, there were some important movements in the reconstruction narrative in Cork City Centre. It was just over two years on from the Burning of Cork in December 1920. By early January 1923, only a few buildings had been rebuilt – namely the Munster Arcade buildings off Oliver Plunkett Street and several buildings on the side streets. However, no rebuilding work had started on St Patrick’s Street. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 23 February 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

2 March 2023, Recasting Cork: Damages to Rail

Late February 1923 and early March 1923 coincided with AGM reports for the Great Southern and Western Railway (GSWR) Company and for the more local railway companies. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 2 March 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

9 March 2023, Recasting Cork: The Irish Chambers of Commerce Come Together

This month Chambers Ireland celebrates its centenary since its formation in early 1923. At the heart of its foundational story is Cork Chamber of Commerce as well as four other Irish chambers of commerce. This story is the subject of a book commission I have been engaged with Chambers Ireland, and which has recently been published. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 9 March 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

16 March 2023, Recasting Cork: The Bombing of St Mary’s Hall

Early Spring 1923 coincided with tit-for-tat skirmishes between Anti-Treaty republicans and the Irish Free State Government. Some skirmishes and events were more extreme than others. For example, on 2 March 1923 St Mary’s Hall, opposite the North Cathedral, was blown up by a land mine by Anti-Treaty IRA supporters. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 16 March 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

23 March 2023, Recasting Cork: Spring Skirmishes in Cork City

Robbery, sniping and arson were all part of the Anti-Treaty IRA movement in Cork City in March 1923. From late February 1923, several postal pillar boxes in Cork were closed off. Of the ninety odd pillar boxes and wall boxes in the city, about forty were not in use. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 23 March 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

30 March 2023, Recasting Cork: Public Health and the Cost of Living

February and March 1923 coincided with a number of important reports published in the Cork Examiner on daily life in Cork. In late February, at a Cork Corporation Public Health Committee, Dr D Donovan reported that 71 case of diphtheria had been notified as against 29 cases the previous year. Dr Donovan commented that the Corporation was partly responsible for its spread through improper dumping of refuse in suburban locations. Cork Corporation was heavily dependent upon heavy rain to clean the streets and wash the sewers. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 30 March 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

6 April 2023, Recasting Cork: A New Customs Regime

At midnight on Saturday 31 March 1923, a new customs regime was inaugurated at all Irish southern ports and approved outlets for ship traffic in the Irish Free State. At the appointed time, customs officers, accompanied by searchers, became active. The officers were attired in blue uniforms, embroidered with gold braiding and with peaked caps to match. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 6 April 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

13 April 2023, Recasting Cork: The Subduing of Liam Lynch

On 10 April 1923 Irish Free State Troops, in search of hideouts of anti Treaty IRA members, advanced over the countryside at the foot of Knockmealdown Mountains in South Tipperary. At one point they were fired upon. The troops returned the fire and Chief of Staff of the Anti-Treaty side Liam Lynch was captured, was severely wounded and died. Several others, including Eamon De Valera and other notabilities, escaped. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article, 13 April 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

20 April 2023, Recasting Cork: The Tragedy of the Stray Bullet

OnSaturday night, 21 April 1923, one of the last tragic deaths pre to the Truce of the Civil War occurred on the streets of Cork City. The Cork Examiner records that William Murphy, 42 years of age, married, a labourer employed at Murphy’s Brewery, and a resident of 24 Ninety-Eight Street (off Bandon road), was fatally shot in St Patrick’s Street. About 9pm an outburst of firing occurred near the corner of Winthrop Street, which was responsible for William’s death. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 20 April 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

27 April 2023, Recasting Cork: The Cessation of Offensive Operations

The 27 April 1923 coincided with frustration and relief in Cork City – and all is one evening. At a meeting of Cork Corporation, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Ellis, presided. When some business had been disposed of, Councillor Fitzpatrick, said he was sorry to see that the Council had proceeded with the business of the evening, considering that ten men had been executed that week in Kerry. He moved that votes of sympathy be conveyed to the relatives of those executed men and that is as a mark of respect the council would adjourn to the following Monday 30 April. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 27 April 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

4 May 2023, Kieran’s May Historical Walking Tours

Welcome to the 1200^th article of Our City, Our Town. Many thanks to all those who support and read the column. It has been an enormous adventure over its 24 years of existence so far. As with previous years, my summer walking tours of Cork’s historic suburbs and parts of the city centre are back. To encourage engagement, the tours have been free for many years. There is no booking required. Just show up on the day. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 4 May 2023 | Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

11 May 2023, Recasting Cork: Meetings with the Post-Master General

On 9 May 1923, Postmaster General Mr J J Walsh TD had a busy set of meetings at Turner’s Hotel on Cork’s Oliver Plunkett Street in receiving deputations and their representative of various interests of the city and region. The minutes of the meetings with the various groups in the Cork Examiner reveal insights into challenges of citizens and the commercial community in Cork in moving away from a dependence on UK markets in particular. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 11 May 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

18 May 2023, Recasting Cork: The Future of the Public Library

May 1923 coincided with more of a focus by the Corporation of Cork in their search for a temporary public library for the city. The Cork Examiner’s columnist with the pseudonym Periscope outlines on the 15 May 1923 the search for a temporary library space and newspaper reading room. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 18 May 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

25 May 2023, Recasting Cork: A Visit by Jim Larkin

Exiled Jim Larkin General Secretary of the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union (ITGWU) made his return to Ireland in April 1923. Subsequently he set about touring the country meeting trade union members and appealing for an end to the Irish Civil War. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 25 May 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

1 June 2023, Kieran’s June Historical Walking Tours

My summer walking tours of Cork’s historic suburbs and parts of the city centre continue for June. To encourage engagement, the tours have been free for many years. There is no booking required. Just show up on the day. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 1 June 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

8 June 2023, Recasting Cork: Re-Creating a Tourism Market

In late May 1923 at a special meeting of the Council of the Cork Chamber of Commerce, its President John Callaghan Foley presided over a debate on tourism promotion in Cork City and the wider region. Mr Alfred Canavan of the United States Shipping Lines (liners), who was interested in developing tourist traffic between the United States and Ireland, attended. The Cork Examiner (1 June 1923) detailed that Mr Canavan articulated that all sections of the Cork community stood to gain by promoting the tourist traffic. He was of the opinion that a tourist promotion organisation was really needed for the South of Ireland. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 8 June 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

15 June 2023, Recasting Cork: A Sweepstake Pitch

In the immediate years of the Irish Free State, hospitals across the country, which for the most part were self-financing, struggled to raise additional finance. Hospitals faced a financial crisis in the early 1920s which threatened their survival. In the past hospitals had survived on large scale public financial contributions. This enabled hospitals to give free treatment to poorer patients. However, war time inflation, public demand for new and costlier medical treatments increased as well as demands to replace old medical equipment and the need for upkeep of old buildings. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 15 June 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

22 June 2023, Recasting Cork: The Ex-Service Men Houses

One hundred years ago, references are made in an editorial in the Cork Examiner on 20 June 1923 to the challenges associated with the construction of First World War ex-servicemen housing. Concern was noted in Cork that there was a delay in providing housing for ex-soldiers and sailors. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 22 June 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

29 June 2023, Recasting Cork: The Cork IDA and its 20^th AGM

By late June 1923, the Cork Examiner records the 20^th year of the Cork Industrial Development Association (Cork IDA), a body, which emerged out of the Cork International Exhibition in 1903, and which promoted Irish products in the Cork region. They had not been able to host an AGM for two years due to the War of Independence and Civil War. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 29 June 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

6 July 2023, Recasting Cork: The Cork Summer Show Resumes

After its cancellation in 1922, the Cork Summer Show run by the Munster Agricultural Society came back for its three days, 3-6 July 1923, in the Cork Showgrounds in Ballintemple. The previous year there were difficult logistical issues due to the ongoing Civil War and the near impossibility of transporting livestock in particular across destroyed roads and rail infrastructure. The 1923 edition was an ideal situation to get the show back ‘on the road’, to show the progress and potential of farming in the Irish Free State and to profile the need for improved farming methods. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 6 July 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

13 July 2023, Kieran’s July Historical Walking Tours

My summer walking tours of Cork’s historic suburbs and parts of the city centre continue for July. To encourage engagement, the tours have been free for many years. There is no booking required. Just show up on the day. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 13 July 2023 | Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

20 July 2023, Spirit of Mother Jones Festival 2023

The 2023 Spirit of Mother Jones Festival will take place in the Maldron Hotel, Shandon from Thursday 27 July to Saturday 29 July.The festival celebrates the life and achievements of Cork woman, Mary Harris. She was born in the Shandon area in 1837 and went on to become Mother Jones, known as the “most dangerous woman in America” due to her activism on behalf of the miners, and exploited workers. J Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 20 July 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

27 July 2023, Recasting Cork: A Fever Hospital Report

The annual meeting of the President and Assistants of the Cork Fever Hospital and the House of Recovery was held on 26 July 1923. The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor W Ellis, presided. Sir John Scott read the annual report for the year 1922, which had been compiled by the hospital’s Committee of Management. Dr A G Sutton, Resident Medical Officer, recorded that the number of cases admitted during the year were 505. Of these 351 were diphtheria, 21 were scarlatina, 47 were measles, 10 were typhoid fever, 31 were pneumonia, 7 were erysipelas, and all other cases 38. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 27 July 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

3 August 2023, Kieran’s National Heritage Week Tours, 12-20 August 2023

Another summer month to come and more opportunities to take a historical walking tour. The tours I have chosen for National Heritage Week this year are all important areas in the city’s development plus they all have a unique sense of place and identity. I will host seven tours, and all are free. There is no booking required bar the one for Cork City Hall for Cork Heritage Open Day. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 3 August 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

10 August 2023, Cork Heritage Open Day, 12 August 2023

Another Cork heritage open day is looming. The 2023 event will take place on Saturday 12 August. For one day only, over 40 buildings open their doors free of charge for this special event. Members of the public are allowed a glimpse of some of Cork’s most fascinating buildings ranging from the medieval to the military, the civic to the commercial and the educational to the ecclesiastical. This event was greeted with great enthusiasm by building owners and members of the public alike in 2022 with an estimated 23,000 people participating on the day. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 10 August 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

17 August 2023, Recasting Cork: Forming the Cork Progressive Association

In the first week of June 1923 and in view of the vital importance to Ireland of the impending parliamentary elections, a preliminary meeting of Cork citizens was held with the object of forming an organisation for safeguarding and furthering the interests of the general community. Several gentlemen, representing all shades of business, were present. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 17 August 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

24 August 2023, Recasting Cork: Sinn Féin Prepares for a General Election

In light of the impending General Election on 30 August 1923, the Sinn Féin election campaign was ramped up. On 24 August 1923 in the city, a public meeting was held on the Grand Parade. Speeches wero delivered by well-known supporters of the Republican movement. The Cork Examiner describes the event. The MacCurtain Pipers’ Band was in attendance. During the meeting bouquets were presented to two of the speakers. Miss Mary MacSwiney and Miss Mary Comerford. Mr Daniel Corkery occupied the chair. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town Article, 24 August 2023 | Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

31 August 2023, Recasting Cork: Results of the 1923 General Election

On 27 August 1923, at the conclusion of the polling for membership of Dáil Éireann in the Cork Borough (one of 30 constituencies) the ballot boxes from the different electoral areas were conveyed to the City Courthouse and launched in the Sub Sheriff’s Office. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 31 August 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

7 September 2023, Launch of Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project, Year 22

It is great to reach year 22 of the Discover Cork: Schools’ Heritage Project. It is just slightly younger than this column but both this column, the schools’ heritage project and the walking tours are all about making Cork and its multitude of local histories more accessible to interested citizens and to empower the next generation to be the next guardians of such a heritage. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 7 September 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

14 September 2023, Launch of New Cork City Revolution Trail

Hot on the heels of a large interest in this year’s National Heritage Week comes Cork City Council’s Cork City Revolution Trail. Recently launched it brings together information on thirty Cork City centre sites associated with the Irish War of Independence. The trail is an online story map and can be accessed on A City Remembers on www.corkcity.ie. It charts what happened on the streets of Cork a century ago during the revolutionary period. Journey back in time and learn about the historical significance of 30 local sites. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 14 September 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

21 September 2023, Recasting Cork: The Naming of Griffith Bridge

A year after the deaths of Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith (August 1922) respectively, in August 1923, proposals to remember their legacy began. One such proposal to remember Arthur Griffith through the renaming of North Gate Bridge in his name drew the criticism of some Corkonians in September 1923. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 21 September 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

28 September 2023, Recasting Cork: Thirty Years of the Children’s Excursion

Bringing 3,000 impoverished children annually to Youghal was a large scale effort by Cork City’s Poor Excursion Committee. It was chaired by William F O’Connor, solicitor, and former Lord Mayor of Cork. In his analysis of the event of the annual event on 19 September 1923 in the Cork Examiner, he was proud to note that the event in 1923 was its thirtieth anniversary and that it was a “eminently successful one”. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 28 September 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

5 October 2023, Recasting Cork: Forming the Munster Tourist Development Association

On 4 October 1923 the second meeting of the Executive Committee of the Munster Tourist Development Association was held at the Cork Chamber of Commerce, Victoria Hotel. Mr John Callaghan Foley, President of the Chamber presided, and there were representatives from Irish and British railway as well as from the City of Cork Steam Packet Company and the White Star Line, and the United States Lines. The Munster Association had been successfully launched and as 95 per cent of tourists coming into Ireland were landing at Cobh, there were opportunities to be developed in the southern region. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 5 October 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

19 October 2023, Extracts: The A-Z of Curious County Cork

My new book, The A-Z of Curious County Cork is available in any good bookshop. Published by History Press UK (2023) the book has been born out of my own personal curiosity for many years now to venture off the main roads of County Cork to explore the curiosities of cultural heritage in County Cork. This week’s column shares more extracts from the new book. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 19 October 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

26 October 2023, Extracts: The A-Z of Curious County Cork

2 November 2023, Extracts: The A-Z of Curious County Cork

9 November 2023, Extracts: The A-Z of Curious County Cork

16 November 2023, Launch of Inniscarra Historical Society Journal 2023

The latest journal of Inniscarra Historical Society, Changing Times, has been published and is available in shops throughout Inniscarra. The society was formed in 2017 and has published four journals now to date. Their aim is to further the gathering of historical data and to promote an interest and awareness of local history amongst their members. The 2023 committee consists of Patrick O’Callaghan, Frank Donaldson, David O’ Brien, Kathleen Flynn, Joseph Ambrose and John Lane. Membership is open to all for an annual subscription of only 10 euros. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 16 November 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

23 November 2023, Launch of First Citizen – Sean French, Cork’s Longest-Serving Lord Mayor

The life and times of Seán French – a 12-term Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor and TD – has now been recorded in a great new publication called First Citizen, Sean French, Cork’s Longest-Serving Lord Mayor. For many years Seán’s life has just been reduced in history to a few words and sentences. However, this new book by Dr Aodh Quinlivan and John Ger O’Riordan has done a superb job in rescuing the memory of Seán from being on the reductive history heap in Cork history and in capturing the everyday life of local politics in early twentieth century Cork. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 23 November 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

30 November 2023, Recasting Cork: The Death of Denis Barry

November 1923 coincided with a newspaper focus on interned anti-Treaty Sinn Féin supporters. Statements issued by the Irish Free State government and published in the Cork Examiner showed that up to 1 July 1923 the total number of internees interned by the government were 11,316. As the summer and autumn progressed, the weekly number of prisoners being released rose steadily. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 30 November 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

7 December 2023, Kieran’s Cork Books for Christmas

It’s only a few weeks to Christmas. There are two publications of mine, which readers of the column might be interested in to buy as Christmas gifts. Both were published in the past eighteen months and are available in Waterstones, Vibes and Scribes, and Easons. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 7 December 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

14 December 2023, Recasting Cork: The Free State National Loan

In the midst of newspapers such as the Cork Examiner in late November and early December 1923, there are several advertisements on the benefits of subscribing to the Irish Free State National Loan. Based on British War Stock loan methodologies, Irish people were asked to invest their savings in a scheme, which would also give a return on investment. Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 14 December 2023 | Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Kieran McCarthy

21 December 2023, Recasting Cork: Cork Corporation in Question

In early December 1923, at a meeting of the municipal ratepayers of the Cork Progressive Association, Mr Thomas P Dowdall presided with many prominent ratepayers present. Mr Dowdall noted that the municipal rates had gone up, but there had been no increase in the operation expenditure of the Corporation or acknowledgment of the increased cost of living. He deemed the expenditure was excessive and the value obtained was unsatisfactory.

Kieran’s Our City, Our Town, 21 December 2023 | Cllr. Kieran McCarthy