Dave Mac’s Cork History Matters

19th of May 2022

Cork History Matters-Donal Gallagher on Brother Rory Irelands Greatest Bluesman

Ireland’s first great rock icon was Cork’s Rory Gallagher…this is the first part of his story, as told to Dave MacArdle by proud brother and long-time manager Donal, taking him from Ballyshannon in Donegal to Derry to MacCurtain street in Cork, to school in the North Mon to the first guitar from Crowley’s right up to the formation of the soon-to-be world-conquering legendary three piece Taste.

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14th of May 2022

Cork History Matters – Tom Spalding on The Cork International Exhibition of 1902 to 1903

The Cork International Exhibition of 1902 was an enormous feat of organisation that hosted some 1.8 million visitors and attracted enormous international attention on Cork. It was decided that a similar exhibition would be held in 1903, it was too a triumph and was visited by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Held on what is now Fitzgerald park – named after the Lord Mayor who first proposed and then spearheaded the massive undertaking – it’s a story that will delight & surprise in equal measure. From nationalists to unionists to bellydancers to the Japanese Imperial Navy, it’s got the lot.

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4th of Mar 2022

Cork History Matters – The Tale of The West Cork Fisherman & DJ Andrew Weatherall’s Tattoos with Gerard Sheehy

The Tale of The West Cork Fisherman & DJ Andrew Weatherall’s Tattoos ‘Fail We May, Sail We Must’ Dave chats to Gerard Sheehy from Baltimore in the latest edition of Cork History Matters. You also have the option to watch the full podcast conversation in our video section here.   You can listen to more episodes of Dave Mac’s Cork History Matters on our website here: https://d21uc2jkdtk9j5.cloudfront.net/shows/dave-macs-cork-history-matters/

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15th of Feb 2022

Cork History Matters – 1922 From Handover to Civil War

Gabriel Doherty of UCC History department discusses Cork & Ireland in 1922. From the British handover to Michael Collins at Dublin Castle in January to the civil war that broke out 6 months later. Includes in-depth discussion of how these events of 100 years ago continue to have ramifications for us today.

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17th of Jan 2022

Cork History Matters – Mountain Dew Festival Macroom

In this Cork History Matters podcast Dave Mac delves deep into the story of Ireland’s first outdoor music festival in Macroom in the late 70s in the company of Cork author & publisher Roz Crowley whose book Macroom Mountain Dew, available at Waterstones, Nano Nagle Place on Douglas Street and online. The Mountain Dew festival first featured Marianne Faithful in a dome borrowed from the Rose of Tralee committee and then by Cork’s very own local hero, the international rock superstar that was Rory Gallagher. Other acts to feature include Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, The Chieftains, Paul Brady, Horslips, Paul Young, The Dubliners, and many more. Gripped by festival fever, each year the town staged a programme of community events including pig races, glassy alley competitions, talent shows, slow bicycle races, historical lectures, brass and pipe band recitals, barbecues and football matches. It was a festival for Ireland, and for the people of Macroom. You can listen to more episodes of Cork History Matters here

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28th of Sep 2021

Cork History Matters – Truce, Treaty, Free State & Civil War

The latest in a series of conversations with UCC historian Gabriel Doherty who takes Dave through the dramatic events of the Truce in summer 1921, the Treaty in late 21, the foundation of the Free State in early 22 and the outbreak of Civil War in the summer of 1922…includes the intrigues of Collins & Dev, the amphibious invasion of Cork by Free State forces and the murder of Collins at Beal Na Blath.

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5th of May 2021

Cork History Matters – The Dramatic First 6 Months Of 1921

Dave Macardle continues his series of conversations with UCC historian Gabriel Doherty who takes him through the dramatic events of the first 6 months of 1921 in Ireland’s War of Independence. From Tom Barry’s dramatic escape at Crossbarry to the beginnings of the truce negotiations and lots more besides.

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15th of Feb 2021

Cork History Matters – The story behind Skellig Night (Shrove Tuesday) & Bonna night (St. John’s Eve)

In this latest Cork History Matters Podcast Dave Macardle is in conversation with local historian Dunmanway man Kieran Connolly – author of ‘Sam Maguire: The Man and The Cup’ – who tells of the old and rather strange traditions associated with ‘Skellig Night’ that occurred on Shrove Tuesday or the eve of Lent. He also talks of the traditions of St. John’s Eve (June 23rd) or ‘Bonna Night’ as its still known in Cork. Image: James Beale, Skellig Night on South Mall Cork 1845, 1845. Collection Crawford Art Gallery, Cork

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16th of Dec 2020

Cork History Matters – Cork’s GAA Holy Trinity: Archbishop Croke, Liam McCarthy & Sam Maguire

Ahead of this weekend’s All-Ireland Football final Dave Macardle spoke to Dunmanway author Kieran Connolly – author of ‘Sam Maguire: The Man & The Cup’ – about Cork’s GAA Holy Trinity of Archbishop Croke, born in Kilbrin, North Cork, Liam MacCarthy, born in London of Ballygarvan parents and fellow-Dunmanway man Sam Maguire. The task was to find out: who were these men? And why were their names selected to adorn both the key trophies and principal stadium of the Gaelic Athletic Association?  

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27th of Nov 2020

Cork History Matters – Bloody Sunday, Kilmichael & The Burning of Cork

From Bloody Sunday to Kilmichael to The Burning of Cork the concluding events of 1920 discussed in detail with UCC historian Gabriel Doherty

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10th of Sep 2020

Cork History Matters – The Double…How Cork Made GAA History in 1990

In this episode Dave talks to author Adrian Russell to pick apart a story full of stories set in an Ireland now gone, then in transition, a sun kissed summer of Ole Ole’s as ‘Italia 90’ fever raged and Prince brought sex and outrage in equal measure down the Pairc, a summer culminating in two epic weeks in September when Cork swept all before them and everyone with them… From The Canon O’Brien’s statement of intent number plate 90-C-27 to Babs Keatings infamous Donkeys Don’t Win Derbies to a game for the ages where the Rebels overcame Cyril Farrell & Tony Keady’s tribesmen 5-15 to 2-21 for their 27th Liam McCarthy. From Billy Morgan’s Fk The Bus We’ll Walk and Lock The Gates & Make Them Watch to two consecutive final defeats to Sean Boylan & Gerry McEntee’s Meath before the win over Mayo set up a double within a double & royal county redemption 11 to 9 as Cork’s 4th final in a row saw Sam Maguire return home for the 6th time It’s a story full of stories & full of characters from Thomas Mulcahy to Larry Tompkins To Kevin Hennessy John Kerins Ger Cunningham the double winning Teddy McCarthy and of course the special sauce that glued them all together John The Kid Cronin. So settle back and join Dave in the company of Adrian as they delve deep on The Double.

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1st of Jul 2020

Cork History Matters – The Death of Terence MacSwiney

In episode two of the ‘Cork History Matters’ podcast Dave Mac is in conversation with UCC History Department’s Gabriel Doherty as together they chart the dramatic story of Cork and Ireland through that most tumultuous of years, 1920. Taking up the story from the assassination of Cork’s Sinn Fein Lord Mayor Tómas Mac Curtain in March, to the death of his successor as Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, following a 74 day hunger strike in Brixton prison, in October. It was an event that garnered global attention and proved an inspiration to such diverse world figures as Gandhi and Ho Chi Minh. Future episodes will take in the infamous Kilmichael ambush in November and the burning of Cork in December. It was an extraordinary, defining year in Ireland’s history and this podcast series brings it to life for you.

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20th of Mar 2020

Cork History Matters – The Centenary of Tomás Maccurtain’s Death

Dave Mac sat down for an hour long chat with UCC historian Gabriel Doherty on the life of former Cork City Lord Mayor Tomas MacCurtain as we mark the centenary of his death on the 20th March 1920. Maccurtain was shot in front of his wife Eilís and family at his home at Thomas Davis Street, Blackpool, Cork City

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