Families of men who left note in Cork's Metropole Hotel in 1969 traced

The search for four tradesmen, who worked on Cork’s Metropole Hotel in the late 1960s, has ended as links to each of their families have been found.

During recent refurbishment at the venue, workers uncovered a swatch of wallpaper dating back to July 1969, which had been signed by four men who were working on the hotel’s lobby.

The note read “with love from” Tommy Ross (electrician), Jerry Higgins (carpenter), Steve Casey (painter), and John Keogh (plumber).

Following the discovery earlier this week, the hotel launched a public search for the men, hoping to invite them to the venue once renovations are complete.

John Keogh 

Within hours, John Keogh, who is now 86, appeared on Cork’s 96FM on The Opinion Line with PJ Coogan, where he said that he would “love” to return to the space to see how the current renovations will look and to share his experience of working on the hotel more than 50 years ago.

Steve Casey 

A number of days later, May Casey, who is the daughter of the late painter Steve Casey, reached out to the radio station to let them know that she recognised her father’s distinctive handwriting.

“He had lovely hand, that was definitely his,” said Ms Casey.

She remembered offcuts of the hotel’s wallpaper being used to cover her schoolbooks in 1969.

Steve worked on some of Cork’s most iconic buildings, including the Cork Opera House and North Cathedral, and he was one of four generations of painters in the Casey family.

Tommy Ross

David Ross, son of the late Tommy Ross, reached out to share memories of his father’s work ethic and character.

Tommy, who passed away in 1995, worked with Fitzgerald’s Electrical on Grand Parade and helped wire rural homes across West Cork during Ireland’s rural electrification drive.

“He’d head off on a BSA motorbike at 4:30am on a Monday morning and be back Friday or Saturday,” said Mr Ross.

David’s brother, Thomas, served his apprenticeship with their father, and has worked on hotels like Actons in Kinsale.

Jerry Higgins

Providing the final piece of the puzzle, Richard Higgins, who is the son of carpenter Jerry Higgins, also reached out to Cork’s 96FM to share insight in to his father’s career.

Jerry worked under J Horgan Bros Builders, of Henry St, and was based at The Metropole for decades.

“I’d say he worked there for 30 years. He was very loyal to The Metropole — any family event, The Metropole was the place,” said Mr Higgins.

Jerry retired in 1975, at the age of 70, and passed away 10 years later.

Mr Higgins shared that Jerry’s granddaughter, Anna, held her wedding reception in the hotel the same year the note was signed.

Recalling the little workshop his father kept at the hotel, Mr Higgins said: “He’d sprinkle sawdust on the floor to make it look busy if the boss was due to visit!”

The Higgins family, much like the Casey, Ross, and Keogh families, were touched by the rediscovery, saying that it would be “an honour” to return to the space.

The Metropole Hotel has now framed the wallpaper swatch and plans to install a permanent historical display at the venue, once renovations are finished.

The hotel is now planning a special reunion event next month to mark the official reopening of the refurbished reception, with representatives of each of the four men’s families invited to attend.