OM History Consultant

11/09/2026

Ten years ago when I first met FDNY Fireman now retired , Danny Manning, he gave me a hat to “never forget” and over the years we have met many times and kept in contact , it was an honour to assist with today’s events , in the background at the Ringfinnan Garden Of Remembrance 9/11 Commemoration. Today was the first day that hat was worn as a tribute to my friend who served that day and for many days after at ground zero. This FDNY connection has grown stronger having only recently discovered a cousin who was involved in the FDNY and the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes and Drums , a cousin who had lost touch with the family.

Thinking of you all today and my friends in NY.

If you wish to hear Danny’s story , he was on air with PJ Coogan and Neil Prendeville this morning -interview on the relevant podcasts for each show on 96fm and Redfm and also on Cork Creative podcast.

Liz Hurley WAFF 48 Cork County Council Flux Learning Fergal Barry FDNY EMERALD SOCIETY New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Cork's 96FM Kinsale Fire & Rescue Fraher media ONE Cork City BranchThe Southern Star FDNY Foundation Gillian Coughlan Jerry Buttimer Dave McGilton Mary ComertonMary Haislip Hilary Beirne Cllr Ann Bambury Bandon Kinsale Deirdre Kelly Cork's Red FM Martin Southern

11/09/2026

Today was a day of reflection, a day that I was lucky to spend with family and friends and members of the FDNY who attended the 25th anniversary commemoration of 9/11 at the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance outside Kinsale , what a lovely tribute unfolded at the Garden , the names of the 343 were read aloud, the public, locals , visitors , firemen from New York stood shoulder to shoulder with their Irish comrades and other members of our defense forces today,

the garden has a new website which I encourage everyone to visit and learn about “how the garden came to be” , the history of the garden is also recorded in song also to be found on the website
Huge thanks to all involved in today’s special commemorative event as they continue Kathleen Murphy’s Legacy
The Southern Star Cork County Council Cork's 96FM

➡️ https://remembrancegarden343.com

fans Gillian Coughlan Dave McGilton Kinsale Fire & Rescue Flux Learning FDNY EMERALD SOCIETY New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Fergal Barry Mary Comerton Liz Hurley WAFF 48

FDNY Memorial at the Ringfinnan Garden of Remembrance

01/09/2026

19/08/2026

In Cork City and County Archives all
Day today , delivering two talks as part of their Heritage Week lectures. Delighted to meet the recently elected Lord Mayor of Cork City Cork City Council who officially opened proceedings this morning

Two talks -Famine in Cork Worhouse - if the Walls could talk !

The Moylan Brothers of Cork - Remembered in America forgotten at Home

Many thanks to the staff at the Archives for extending the invitation today to deliver talks for heritage week

Brian McGee Dave McGilton Cork City and County Archives Cork City Libraries Cork County Council fans

18/08/2026

In case you missed this morning’s interview with PJ Coogan on Cork's 96FM it was all about Dunmanway’s Circus Tradition with the Duffy Family and the collection of the late James Noonan aka Rainbow the Clown -take a listen

Fundraiser for the local hospital on Saturday 22nd 12-5pm exhibition Atkins Hall Dunmanway
Details in the interview

Thanks to the team at the Opinion Line for giving us airtime🙏🤡🤡🎪🎪

Daniel Sexton for West Cork Dunmanway Historical & Cultural Association Liz Hurley WAFF 48 Christopher O'Sullivan TD Maureen Power Brian McGee Mary Comerton ‘Dave McGilton Fergal Barry

Listen to Dunmanway Is Not Clowning Around With Its Secret History As Corks Circus Town from Cork's 96fm Opinion Line. PJ hears about schoolkids practicing the flying trapeze between classes and a massive collection of vintage clown figurines from Michelle O'Mahony and Suzanne Donoghue The Clown Mem...

18/08/2026

It's Heritage Week and I am delighted to be delivering two talks at Cork City and County Archives as part of their Genealogy & Archives Day on Wednesday, August 19th.

First Talk : "If the Walls Could Talk" centres around Cork Union Workhouse and is based around my book Famine in Cork City published by Mercier Press. Mercier Press

Second talk: "The Moylan Brothers of Cork - More Famous Abroad than at Home" and who are largely forgotten over here, yet they had left a legacy of some outstanding contributions and support to the founding fathers of America during the revolutionary period.
Brian McGee Liz Hurley WAFF 48 fansDunmanway Historical & Cultural Association Mary Comerton Dave McGilton Cork City and County Archives Cork City Council Christopher O'Sullivan TD

16/08/2026

It’s always a pleasure to receive a gift from a historical foundation outside of Ireland , I so look forward to delving into these books in the Autumn /Fall which Liz Hurley Liz Hurley WAFF 48 kindly brought with her on her trip to West Cork Ireland - books on Huntsville Gardens and the pioneering women of Huntsville Alabama by Donna Castellano.

Thank you Historic Huntsville Foundation and Liz, and also thanks to Tommy Battle for his letter to us delivered by Liz when she attended the Homecoming Gathering , 🙏🙏

Also I love collecting Christmas ornaments from various places so this festive season I’ll be hanging a clay ornament from for the .

09/08/2026

National Heritage Week is nearly upon us and it is one of my favourite weeks in the year. There are always so many interesting talks and events scheduled for the week.

I am delighted to announce I will be delivering two talks on August 19th at Cork City and County Archives- places are limited so please follow the link below ⤵⤵⤵⤵⤵👇thank you to archivist Brian McGee for inviting me to participate in the City and County Archives lecture series for Heritage Week 2026.

https://www.corkarchives.ie/what_s_on/events-and-exhibitions/national-heritage-week-2026-at-cork-city-county-archives/

fans Dunmanway Historical & Cultural Association Cork County Council Flux Learning Fergal Barry Deirdre Kelly Maureen Power Mary Comerton fans