Person to Person: Getting the message out about Corkmas

TELL us about yourself:

My name is Shane O’Sullivan, I am 30 years of age and I’m a Digital Specialist working in Cork City Council’s Communications Unit.

In a city of over 222,000 people, with 1,600 staff working in the organisation, delivering over 1,074 public services to the people of Cork city, and so many exciting projects underway, it is a challenging but rewarding role.

Before this, I worked at Bewley’s Tea and Coffee, the Irish Examiner, Maxi Zoo Ireland, and H&A Advertising. Like many my age, I also had a stint in Canada.

One of the main projects I’ve been working on for the past number of months, is the city’s new Christmas campaign, Corkmas. 

This is all about encouraging people to support local when buying presents and catching up with friends and family this Christmas.

It’s about celebrating all that makes Christmas in this city so unique, promoting the incredible retail, hospitality, and cultural offering that Cork boasts.

As part of Corkmas, the team in Events also brought SOLAS and the ferris wheel to town. SOLAS is the large lighting installation on Emmet Place and is well worth strolling down to. We’ve lots of music and entertainment there at weekends and you can interact with the lights.

Outside of work, my passions are rugby and music. I’ve been a Munster rugby fan since I was a toddler and like to get to as many games as I can. I also collect records; my tastes are pretty diverse – everything from Dean Martin to Garth Brooks.

Where were you born?

The Lough, Cork.

Where do you live?

The Lough, Cork. I haven’t managed to get on the housing ladder, but yeah, hopefully in 2024.

Family?

I have a large enough family of five brothers and three sisters ,with family living in Ireland, Australia, and the UK with two great parents, my mother Mary and father Ollie. Luckily, I don’t have my father’s height!

Best friend?

I’m really lucky. I have lots of good friends so I wouldn’t single one out. One thing is in common, we all like to support Cork’s night-time economy as much as we can.

Earliest childhood memory?

One memory that I still laugh at these days is when I was aged 4 or 5, Santa gifted me a Little Tikes red and yellow cozy coupé car. I could barely reach the floor sitting in it, but somehow managed to fling both myself and the car down our steep driveway – like Everest to me at that age. I landed in a bush. My poor grandfather pulled me out, dusted the leaves off me, and sent me on my way again. My friends would say that my driving hasn’t improved to this day.

Person you most admire?

As clichéd as it may be, Ronan O’Gara is someone that I would admire. As a massive Munster and Irish rugby fan, I’ve many memories from watching him over the years. I also would say that the way he has successfully adapted to new roles in management over the last number of years is something that I find very admirable. Of course, it helps that he’s from Cork.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Last summer, for my 30th, I went to Nashville with my mates, Dave and Mark. All I can admit to was great times were had and it exceeded my expectations. The rest, well, I won’t put into writing!

Favourite TV programme?

I’d find it difficult to pick between Suits or Seinfeld, to be honest. I’ve binged both more times than I’d like to admit at this stage.

Favourite radio show?

More of a podcast fan. I listen to podcasts when I’m walking in and out of work. My go-to podcast is Steven Bartlett’s ‘Diary of a CEO’, his eclectic mix of guests is incredible. Nothing like the Tommy, Hector, and Laurita podcast though, some craic is had in every episode.

 It always keeps me entertained; they are liable to discuss anything over a glass of porter.

Favourite restaurant?

For dinner, it 100% has to be Market Lane on Oliver Plunkett Street. For me, the food never disappoints, it’s always great value and the customer service is second to none. I have to say though, for lunch the Black Swan Café in The Lough, aka The Hawthorn, is incredible. I highly recommend the open Honey Glazed Ham Sandwich.

Last book you read?

Green Lights, by Matthew McConaughey. It’s a collection of diaries over decades of his life and gives insight into the man, his career, and the rewards to be gained from taking risks in life.

Best book you read?

First Man In, by Ant Middleton, the former UK Special Forces Solider. I’m kind of fascinated by military strategy and how it is designed and implemented.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Higher, by Chris Stapleton.

Favourite song?

Music would be one of my biggest hobbies, especially collecting vinyls and going to gigs, and I have a very eclectic taste. Trying to pick a favourite song is fairly hard, but if pushed for one, 9 Crimes by Damian Rice. His album 9 was one of the first albums I bought, and the first time I heard Lisa Hannigan also, two Irish musical geniuses in my mind. It would be close to Springsteen’s Atlantic City.

One person you would like to see in concert?

There’s a long list, mostly country to be fair. I’d love to see Chris Stapleton live next year when he tours Ireland and the UK.

Do you have a pet?

Well, our family pet is Mia, a huskie.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

I was looking at the council’s plans for the next phase of Marina Park recently, particularly what’s planned around the Atlantic Pond. It will be fantastic when it’s completed. 

I’d love to see something similar done at The Lough. It’s a fantastic amenity but it would also benefit from renewal.

What makes you happy?

It would be the simple things really. I have a severe coffee habit, so give me a cup of coffee and a stroll down a beach and I’d be a pig in muck, to be honest. In my opinion, you can’t top a rugby day out either, meet up with my uncle, Christy or mates, sometimes both, have a few pints in my local Cissie Young’s, top spot, on Bandon Road and watch the rugby.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Well, I will be graduating from my project management course at MTU this month, so I am happy to get another one under my belt. I am also looking at starting another master’s in communications in 2024.

However, I am mostly looking forward to the Christmas break and seeing family and friends, but I am also looking at going to Australia for the Lions Tour in the summer of 2025. It would be a bonus as I have a brother, sister, and my niece, Meabh, and nephew Darragh over there. So, it would be a great trip.

The ferris wheel on the Grand Parade is open every day from noon to 9pm until early January. SOLAS, the interactive lighting experience on Emmet Place, is open daily from 4pm to 11pm and there is festive entertainment and live music on the Corkmas stage in Emmet Place every weekend until December 17. See www.corkmas.ie