Work and passion of Cork's Tom Foley and late Alf McCarthy recognised by Lord Mayor 

The work and passion of two prominent Corkonians was recognised by the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Dan Boyle, at an intimate ceremony at City Hall this week.

Historian of the Year and Lifetime Achievement awards were awarded to Tom Foley and, posthumously, to broadcaster Alf McCarthy respectively.

Blackpool native Tom Foley was born in 1943 and grew up near the Grotto, on Dublin St.

In 1994, Tom — together with Jim Fitzpatrick and several others — established the Blackpool Historical Society, which operated out of the Blackpool Community Centre.

Over the years, they organised a great deal of exhibitions and lectures and built up an expansive photographic collection of Blackpool.

They have published two books and have produced a DVD, Blackpool to the Fore.

Alf McCarthy, who passed away in April, previously served as master of ceremonies at the Lord Mayor’s Community and Heritage Concert.

The former RTÉ presenter and producer was a presenter of Late Date on RTÉ Radio 1 until his retirement in 2015. Mr McCarthy was also an award-winning actor and a member of the Everyman Sunday Songbook team.

This week, the Lord Mayor also announced the date of this year’s Lord Mayor’s Community and Heritage Concert — which will take place on September 28 at 7.30pm in City Hall.

“It is indeed an honour to be officiating at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Community and Heritage Concert showcasing Cork’s history, culture, and heritage,” Mr Boyle said. “This social inclusion event not only brings the talent of Cork city together, but it also brings the people of Cork together, bridging all social spheres as an act of integration in our city of welcomes”.

This year’s concert will explore the themes of musicals, movies, and more.

It will feature talented community music groups such as the Barrack Street Band, musicians from the Cork Academy of Music, the Voices of Cork choir, along with well-known singers Linda Kenny, Art Supple, Jimmy Hynes, and Jimmy Brockie, among others.

Tickets are distributed by the Lion’s Club through their community contacts.