Ireland’s second city off ers crime, fi nancial and celebrity stories in a spectacular setting, says Linda Harrison


very dedicated news staff and, politically, we plough an independent furrow. Our recent news stories have been setting the national news agenda regarding a Garda [police] whistleblower and how he and his allegations were treated by Garda management.” Other titles in the city include free weekly The


Cork Independent. The Southern Star, another free weekly, is based in nearby Skibbereen. Various print, online and broadcast media often have southern correspondents based in and around Cork. The other main media employer is RTÉ Cork.


RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann) is Ireland’s national public service media organisation and has studios and correspondents in the city. RTÉ’s radio service started in 1926, and its television broadcasts began in 1961. Local radio stations include Cork96fm and RedFM.


Paschal Sheehy is southern editor with RTE news in Cork. Y 10 | theJournalist


ou’re going to do well to fi nd anyone in and around Cork city who doesn’t truly believe that Cork lives up to its nickname of ‘the ‘real capital’,” says Noel Baker, senior reporter at The Irish Examiner. “Cork is not referred to as


‘the rebel county’ for no reason; there is undoubtedly a strong, independent streak here.” The Irish Examiner has a long history in the city. First published in 1841, the broadsheet has always had its main offi ce in Cork. Today, it is owned by Landmark Media, which also publishes its sister paper the Evening Echo and is the main media employer in Cork. “The Examiner is a unique publication in being the only


national newspaper with a head offi ce outside Dublin,” says Baker. “Our sports coverage is acclaimed, we have a


He says: “I cover the region of Cork and Kerry, and it’s an incredible region to work in for news. Cork is Ireland’s second city, so a lot of news happens here. It’s got its share of crime and fi nancial stories. “I would also argue it’s one of the most spectacular regions


anywhere in the world. We have a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Skellig islands – which act as the backdrop for the recent Star Wars movie – and they’ll be in the next one too. They’re on the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland. “As it’s so beautiful, we get famous people visiting all the time, so we get those stories cropping up on a fairly regular basis.” Cork as a city has a population of just over 100,000 people – it also has West Cork, East Cork and Kerry on its doorstep. Freelance food writer Joe McNamee says: “Cork was built on


marshland – it’s named after the Irish word for marsh – and that is refl ected in the humidity. We get a lot of rain here! A lot of the streets are former canals.”


PATRICK GUENETTE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


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