23rd January 2026 REPRO FREE Fergus Finlay who was the recipient of the Cork Person of the Year Hall of Fame Inductee at the Cork Person of the Year Award in the Metropole Hotel. Photo. Darragh Kane

23rd January 2026 REPRO FREE Joe Duffy who was the recipient of the Honorary Cork Person Award at the Cork Person of the Year Award in the Metropole Hotel. Photo. Darragh Kane

Seated L to R., Brian Crowley MEP, Lord David Putman, Robert Heffernan, Corrk Person of the Year, Honorary Corkman. Actor Jeremy Irons, Sharon Ni Bheolain RTE. L to R., Standing, Manus O'Callaghan, ( Awards Organiser ), Tom Crosbie, Irish Examiner, Willie O'Reilly RTE, Bishop Paul Colton and Bishop John Buckley. Tom Murphy, Irish Examiner. Picture. Martin Collins.

Hall of Fame award recipient journalist Fergal Keane OBE; Ireland rugby head coach Joe Schmidt who received the 'Honorary Corkman' award and passport with event founder Manus O'Callaghan pictured at the Cork Person of the Year gala. Pic Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

President Michael D Higgins ( Guest of Honour ) Speaking at the Cork Person of Year Awards at the Rochestown Park Hotel also in picture Maura Derrane RTE and Brian Crowley MEP. Picture. Tony O'Connel Photography.

President Mary McAleese, guest of honour.

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