A History of Cork - A Proud City, Ireland 1963

Cork is a place with a long and varied history and citizens who are sure of themselves and the place of their city.

JJ Horgan, formerly Cork County Coroner, is typical of the Cork spirit and has much to say about his city.  Horgan describes the historical background to Cork from the invasion of the Danes to the Normans and the Saxons. It was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that the native Irish gained control of Cork.

"Dane and Norman and Gael are we,
We are all of us Gaels in our tribute to thee, Corcaigh."

Over the years Cork became famous for its patriotic activity and boasted the fact that it was known as the ‘Rebel’ county. In 1929 Cork lead the way with the passing of the first City Management Act, which was subsequently adopted by all other cities.

Horan also provides a brief history of the industrial life of the city from the tanneries, the breweries, and the distillery to the butter market and the spinning factory.  The city also had the theatre and the old opera house.

The people of Cork, who are the fundamental fabric of our city were not very different from the descendants today. Then as now, they are kindly, hospitable, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, often superficial, easy to know but difficult to understand, and most irritatingly sure of themselves and of their city.

Cork has a long history of trading which has helped to shape its people.

This episode of ‘Broadsheet’ was broadcast on 4 February 1963. The narrator is Eddie Golden.

‘Broadsheet’ was a magazine style, nightly review of people and events introduced by John O’Donoghue and presented by the Broadsheet Unit.