- Rory Gallagher: Blues and rock guitarist, singer, songwriter from Ballyshannon, County Donegal, but raised in Cork City, County Cork from age eight. Born March 2, 1948 Died June 14, 1995. A legendary guitarist, Gallagher sold over 30 million records with hits like “Whiskey in the Jar” as part of Taste and later as a solo artist. He won a talent competition in Cork City Hall around 1960 and is commemorated with Rory Gallagher Place in Cork City.
- Seán Ó Riada: Composer, arranger, traditional musician from Cork City, County Cork; lived in Cúil Aodha (Coolea), County Cork. Born August 1, 1931 Died October 3, 1971. A pivotal figure in reviving Irish traditional music, Ó Riada founded Ceoltóirí Chualann and composed scores like Mise Éire. A statue in Cúil Aodha honors his legacy.
- Elizabeth “Bess” Cronin: Traditional singer from Ballyvourney, County Cork). Born 1879 Died 1956. Known as the “Queen of Irish Song,” Cronin preserved hundreds of traditional songs, including “The Blarney Stone.” Her recordings are archived in the Irish Traditional Music Archive.
- Jimmy MacCarthy: Singer-songwriter from Macroom, County Cork. Born 1953. Known for writing songs like “Ride On” and “No Frontiers,” covered by artists such as Christy Moore and The Corrs, MacCarthy is a key figure in Irish folk and pop.
- John Spillane: Singer-songwriter, traditional musician from Cork City, County Cork. Born 1961. A versatile artist blending folk and traditional styles, Spillane graduated from University College Cork and is known for albums like The Man Who Came in from the Dark.
- Mick Flannery: Singer-songwriter from Blarney, County Cork. Born November 28, 1983. Flannery’s introspective folk-rock has earned him critical acclaim, with albums like Evening Train and I Own You. He won the Meteor Choice Music Prize in 2008.
- Sinéad Lohan: Singer-songwriter from Cork City, County Cork. Born 1971. Known for her folk albums Who Do You Think I Am and No Mermaid, Lohan’s song “No Mermaid” was covered by Joan Baez.
- Freddie White: Singer-songwriter from Cobh, County Cork. Born September 1951. A folk and blues artist, White is known for his intimate performances and albums like Do You Do. He has toured extensively in Ireland and abroad.
- Cathal Coughlan: Singer-songwriter from Cork City, County Cork. Born Circa 1960 Died May 18, 2022. Frontman of Microdisney and The Fatima Mansions, Coughlan was celebrated for his provocative lyrics and post-punk style, with albums like The Clock Comes Down the Stairs.
- Talos (Eoin French): Singer-songwriter, electronic pop musician from Cork City, County Cork. Known for his atmospheric electronic pop, Talos released albums like Wild Alee and Far Out Dust, earning praise for his emotive sound.
- Cara O’Sullivan: Coloratura soprano, opera singer from Cork City, County Cork. Born 1962 Died January 26, 2021. A renowned opera singer, O’Sullivan performed with the Welsh National Opera and was awarded the Cork Person of the Year in 2019 for her contributions to music.
Musicians
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Cork:
Ireland’s county Cork blends historic sites with scenic beauty, with Cork City’s English Market and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral offering cultural and architectural depth. Blarney Castle, home to the famous Blarney Stone, provides historic allure, while the coastal town of Kinsale offers sailing and seafood. Other attractions include the Beara Peninsula’s rugged trails. Cork is Ireland’s largest county by size (7,460 sq km) and third largest by population (584,156). Population peaked at 854,118 in 1841 (when Cork was Ireland’s most populous county) and reached its lowest point, 330,443 in 1961. In terms of hospitality, Cork is Ireland’s second most visited tourist county with around 1,228,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837– 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
