The Frank & Walters named Cork Persons of The Year

The Frank & Walters Band have been crowned as Cork Persons of the Year at the 31st annual awards ceremony.

Over 200 local figures attended the gala lunch, where the musicians were recognised for their “profound impact on Cork’s cultural tapestry and the arts".

Consisting of Paul Linehan, Ashley Keating, Rory Murphy and Cian Corbett, the renowned group has seen success both domestically and abroad thanks to hits like ‘After All’ – which was voted as Cork’s favourite song.

Drum roll please! 🥁The 2023 Cork Person(s) of the Year are… The Frank and Walters! Congratulations to the winners!🥂#CPOTYAwards #Cork @frankandws pic.twitter.com/2fFqJw1jCH

— Cork Person of the Year (@Cork_POTY) January 26, 2024

"Their win reflects not only their musical prowess but also their unwavering dedication to Cork's artistic scene,” said awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan. “The Frank & Walters have played a pivotal role in making Cork the cultural hub that it is today."

“It’s hard to imagine that thirty years have passed since ‘After All’ became a bona fide hit single and The Frank and Walters shared their dressing room at Top Of The Pops with Paul McCartney, and in other ways, it isn’t,” added Head of RTÉ Factual Content, Colm O’Callaghan.

“Because there’s a timelessness to the great pop songs, and ‘After All’ – like many of the Frank’s songs – is unquestionably one of the great pop songs.”

The awards ceremony also celebrated author Alice Taylor, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Her 1988 work To School Through the Fields is acknowledged as the top-selling Irish published book. Elsewhere, The Honorary Cork Person Award was presented to broadcaster Dáithí Ó Sé.