Historian named Cork 'Person of the Year'

Despite strong competition from All-Ireland-winning captain Seán Óg Ó Hailpín and rip-off Ireland campaigner Eddie Hobbs, veteran historian John A Murphy has been named Cork 'Person of the Year' for 2005.

At a ceremony in recent days, Mr Murphy (79), UCC's emeritus professor of Irish history, was awarded the title for his work over the decades in scholarship, history and public life.

A senator in the late 1970s and 1980s, he became well known for his commentary on current affairs, especially relating to Northern Ireland. At a local level he was known for his love of Irish language, literature and song.

He was professor of Irish history at UCC between 1971 and 1990 and became an accomplished author. Ireland in the Twentieth Century became his best-known work.

The Cork 'Person of the Year' was chosen from 12 people picked each month last year. Other nominees included Irish rugby international Ronan O'Gara, poet Theo Dorgan, rural campaigner Jack Ryall, foster carer Mary O'Connell, and inner-city parish activist Sr Patricia Donovan.