Voices Of Pres Voice Of Cork

S.2 Ep. 11 - Storyteller & Adventurer Harry Cussen

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:41:50 GMT

We dive into a life shaped by curiosity, courage, and a touch of Cork mischief with Harry Cussen who joins us all the way in Toronto. What begins as a nostalgic look at youthful antics in Cork quickly turns into something far more extraordinary — the story of a teenager bold enough to run away to England, already showing the restless spirit that would define his life. From wheeling and dealing on the Coal Quay to setting off for Toronto joining the Canadian RAF, this isn’t just a story about the past. Well into his eighties, he’s still in motion — still doing business, still telling stories, and still deeply connected to the arts, helping bring theatre like Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer to new audiences. It’s a portrait of a true Cork character: enterprising, adventurous, and proof that the drive to keep going never really fades.

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S.2 Ep.10 - Former Deputy Principal Marian Carey

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:34:31 GMT

Marian Carey's career at Pres spans over nearly three decades encompassing an array fo roles from PE teacher, to rugby coach, TY coordinator and eventually Deputy Principal. The latter move marked a significant change in Pres as she became the first female to take on a senior management role in the once male dominated school. As rugby coach Marian has had the pleasure of seeing the raw rugby talent of many players who graced the pitch and she reflects fondly on those who made it to the big teams thereafter. It's a heartfelt conversation and she chats about the characters she worked with and the changing culture of the school.

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S.2 Ep.9 - Ireland Rugby International Michael Bradley

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:29:46 GMT

Ireland rugby international Michael Bradley has seen it all from the muddy pitches along the Mardyke to stadiums across the world. From his early days at Pres to representing Ireland and the British & Irish Lions, and later to coaching stints that took him from Connacht to Edinburgh, from Georgia to Italy, Michael’s career has been marked by adaptability, leadership, and a deep understanding of the game and its people.

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S.2 Ep.8 - Legendary Rugby Correspondent Edmund Van Esbeck

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:12:38 GMT

The legendary rugby correspondent for the Irish Times Edmund Van Esbeck joins podcast producer Eanna O'Loinsigh for an in depth chat about life as a journalist on the sidelines. Edmund has been writing about the game since the 1960's. He's written multiple books on rugby and has seen every celebration and commiserations on the muddy pitches. He also recalls some of the great rugby players that graced the hallways of Pres.

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S.2 Ep.7 - Italian Author Alessandro Gentilli

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:06:20 GMT

This one is for the writers, poets and literature enthusiasts as we have a man who has introduced the famous poets of Ireland to the enthusiasts of Italy. Alessandro Gentili translated the works of poets in 'Soundings' into Italian and continues today to translate the works of Seámus Heaney to Leanne O'Sullivan cross country. What sparked the flame for his interest in Irish literature? Well he's joined by podcast producer Eanna O'Loinsigh and actor and former Pres teacher Kieran Ahern as they decipher the words and works of literature.

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S.2 Ep.6 - Presenter And Author Christy Keneally

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:56:56 GMT

Christy Keneally has had an interesting life since leaving the doors of Presentation Brothers College Cork. He's a prolific writer, a former television presenter, a communications consultant, lecturer and ordained priest. Christy entered the doors of Pres as a chaplain in the 1970's, however his life path has had many interesting twists and turns. He has written 5 novels, 4 books of poetry, 3 autobiographical works and 2 non-fiction. He encompassed this all, while overcoming the grief of losing his mother at a young age. Well we don't want to give everything away at once, tune in to hear a tale of warmth, humanity and unconditional kindness.

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S.2 Ep.5 - Team Power of 1 Sailor Conor McCarthy

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:50:23 GMT

Five Irish fathers versus one vast Atlantic ocean. Former pupil Conor McCarthy alongside his comrades 'Team Power of 1' reflects on rowing the gruelling 5000km across the Atlantic in honour of his friend's daughter Saoirse O’Driscoll in an effort to raise funds for Children’s Health Foundation and Heart Children Ireland. From sleepless training to storm-tossed miles, they battled waves, wind, and exhaustion until the grit turned to glory. They did it in 39 days and 14 hours placing third overall, while raising more than €400,000.

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S.2 Ep.4 - Rowing The Atlantic With Seán Underwood and Eoin O'Farrell

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:39:32 GMT

Keeping on deck with this maritime running theme, we brace ourselves for the gruelling and strenuous row across the Atlantic as alumni Seán Underwood and Eoin O'Farrell bring us through their harrowing journey. Through sheer perseverance, determination and stubbornness, they took on the challenge of rowing from Cork across the shattering swells of the Atlantic to be be greeted by cheering family and friends. But with that came huge questions of self-resilience, one they credit their former school Presentation Brothers College for. Batten down the hatches and prepare yourself for an inspiring tale.

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S.2 Ep.3 - National Treasure of Irish Sailing Donal McClement

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:33:17 GMT

Regarded as a national treasure in Irish sailing Donal McClement has sailed across the Atlantic dozens of times. His grá for sailing anchors in his family and upbringing. Here he recounts his adventurous life, which commenced in the classroom at Presentation Brothers in 1953. Following his time at school, he joined the Royal Air Force in 1964, while in 1979 he skippered the winning yacht in its class in the Fastnet Race. Life has been all go for Donal and this one is for the adventurous and adrenaline chasers.

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S.2 Ep.2 - Broadcaster & Maritime Enthusiast Tom MacSweeney

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:25:20 GMT

Former pupil, RTÉ Southern Correspondent, presenter and podcaster Tom MacSweeney is reeling in the years of his life in journalism in print and television broadcasts. Tom was the host of the much beloved maritime programme 'Seascapes' despite coming from a non-martime background. He reflects on his days on the beat as a journalist which brought him across the country including a stint up the North during the Troubles. He returns to the classroom and reminisces on his school days in Pres which became the catapult in launching him into a lengthy career.

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S.2 Ep.1 - Brother Jerome Kelly Former Principal

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:37:56 GMT

Season 2 is back and no better way to start than to remember the inspirational, innovative and revered former principal Brother Jerome Kelly. We hear about his early beginnings on life growing up in the Beara Penninsula from his brother Dónal Kelly. While past colleagues and pupils share their stories from the school hall, reflecting on his interest in letter writing, his kindness, compassion and dedication to education. Brother Martin Keneally shares stories of life in the Presentation Brothers and anecdotes of Brother Jerome's quick thinking in sourcing helping hands to help get his in inventive ideas up and running, while using his charisma to convince high profile people to get them over the line.

*Season 2 is in dedicated to former teacher Caleb Sheehan who sadly passed away in June of 2025. Caleb was the innovator in introducing podcasting to the school which had a ripple affect across schools in Cork. We continue to create this podcast in his memory.

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Ep.10 - A Passion For Pres

Fri, 17 May 2024 22:04:46 GMT

We have two men who hold an incredible passion for Presentation Brothers College Cork. UP first is Dan Donovan where he talks passionately about his time in Pres in the 1930's and 40's including detailed descriptions of Brother Connolly and Loyola and shares lovely sketches and appreciations of the teachers who taught him in those years, both. To close out the series and in such a fitting manner, is the man whose innovation to creativity and teaching, introduced podcasting to PBC. Caleb Sheehan sat down as he reflects on his time teaching at Pres, his absolute passion and love for the school and his outlook on life now facing MND. It is a very striking

interview and perhaps shows more than any interviewee on the series, just how much Pres can mean to one person.

This podcast is presented by PBC alumni George Hook and Ronan McAuliffe. It was produced by PBC teacher Éanna O'Loinsigh with Elaine Smith on sound and post production and piano composition by PBC student Liam Ring. Thank you to our contributors for sharing the stories and fond memories and to Presentation Brothers College Cork for their continued support.

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Ep.9 - Memories Of The Past, Plans For The Future

Fri, 17 May 2024 10:01:07 GMT

We hear from memories on the pitch with PBC rugby and in particular from one of the legendary figures of Pres, Munster and Irish rugby in the 1960's and 70's - the great Barry McGann who is also, as far as we know, the only Pres boy to line out against the Dutch football wizard, Johann Cruyff in a competitive international. We also revisit some sadder moments in PBC rugby history as Barry remembers Pat Barry and Noel Walsh recalls his death at Thomond Park in 1965. Ray Clarke who was present as a member of the Senior Cup team at training in Wilton on that fateful day in 1979 remembers Des Barry. To hear about the future of the school, Jack O Sullivan, Chairman of P.B.C. Board of Management reflects on his time at Pres while Michael Sexton outlines his role as CEO of the PBST and his vision for the school.

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Ep.8 - Success Beyond School

Fri, 17 May 2024 09:00:10 GMT

We hear some stories from those who had success outside of the school grounds, by those who had success in Cork and beyond. Musician Johnny Campbell recalls his time at Pres and his musical career touring Hamburg in 1966 with the legendary Rory Gallagher. Olympic swimmer Brian Clifford remembers representing Ireland at the 1972 Games while only 16 as well as his selection for the first Ireland Schoolboys rugby team. To close the show Declan Hasset reminisces on his long life in journalism and the arts as well as his recollections of Pres in the 40's and 50's.

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Ep.7 - Culture And Cork

Fri, 17 May 2024 08:15:01 GMT

It's an eclectic mix of stories from society, culture, history and what Cork was like way back when. Firstly, we focus on a very interesting aspect of Presentation Brothers College history and indeed Cork social history: Pres and the Jewish community. We begin with a brief segment from Dan Cowhie as he recounts the Jewish students in his class in Pres in 1934 before moving onto an interview with David Goldberg who tells us about his father, Gerald, a Pres boy and the first Jewish Lord Mayor of Cork. We feature an interview with Fergus Finlay, a Pres student in both Pres Bray and Pres Cork who talks about Pres and his career as a political advisor with Labour and CEO of Barnardos. To close, we feature an interview with the late Kieran Clancy on his schooldays in Pres in the 40's and early 50's as well as his wartime memories and the pub trade in Cork.

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Ep.6 - A Sporting School

Fri, 17 May 2024 08:00:02 GMT

It's not just rugby that the school is renowned for, given its stunning location on the banks of the River Lee, it was inevitable that rowing would play a part in the sporting history of the

school. Dan Cowhie recalls sitting on Tivoli Docks watching regattas in the early 1930's. We hear from former principal, Michael Hennessy who was instrumental in the resurrection of rowing in Pres in the 1970's, 80's and indeed right up to the present day. Moving to the field, soccer in Pres and its long history is recounted by Noel Spillane while Larry O Neill tells us about his father Liam and Ken O Riordan talks about schoolboy soccer in Pres and Cork in the 60's. Another sport that would be inevitable considering the proximity to the Cork Cricket club, we hear about the great tradition of one of the oldest games in the school with reminisces from Noel Walsh and also Peter Dineen on a great Pres cricketer, his father Pat and finally we link back to cricket and Pres in 2024.

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Ep.5 - Voices Of Pres

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:45:15 GMT

Let's take walk throught the school halls and hear from those who graced the classes with the voices of Pres alumni, men now in their late 70's and early 80's who reminisce on their time in the school but also

focus on their lives after they left the front gates here on the Mardyke for the last time. We hear from former Lord Mayor Michael Ahern, a Pres scholarship student whose political leanings were fostered selling newspapers door to door in the poverty-ridden Marsh here in Cork City in the late 1940's. Entrepreneur, Michael O Connell, cornered the lucrative 3 stripes Adidas market in this country in the 1960's and recalls selling gear to the Irish rugby team from the boot of his car. Another incredibly successful entrepreneur and financial giant, Brian McCarthy of Fexco discusses his career after Pres. Finally to lands beyond the school, Father Gerry Murphy talks about his life as a Columban Father and his mission in the Philippines.

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Ep. 4 - Voices Of Cork

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:15:44 GMT

Let's take a trip down memory lane to Cork in the 1920's with Dan Cowhie who paints a picture of our beautiful city at the time and remembers the trams and bustle of the city centre in the 30's. What did school children do in their spare time back then? Well, Michael O'Callaghan talks about his childhood games and road bowling in the 1930's over Cork's Viaduct. Onto more difficult times, Seamus O'Mahony remembers the scourge of the 40's and 50's - TB and Polio while Eoghan Harris reminisces on his mother and the poverty in the Cork of his childhood. To close out, Brother Matthew and Kieran Clancy remember World War 2 in the city and the first time oranges made it to the shores of Cork.

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Ep.3 - Scholars Of The Arts

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:05:17 GMT

We look at the Arts in Pres as we go down memory lane with Oxford Professor and award winning poet Bernard O Donoghue as he recalls his year in Pres in 196/62. Eoghan Harris talks about debating in Pres in the 1950s and recites a poem he wrote as a 15-year-old. We're graced by a song from Noel Walsh who remembers Gilbert and Sullivan musicals during his time in Pres. Renowned actor, Kieran Ahern talks about his acting career and his 6 decades spent in Pres as a student and teacher including the establishment of a media center in the school by Brother Jerome in the 70s. To close out the show Dan Donovan recites a piece from the archives and talks about acting and theatre as a student in Pres in the 1940s.

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Ep.2 - Rugby, Rivals & Favourable Results

Fri, 17 May 2024 07:00:18 GMT

Rugby has been a resounding part of PBC's identity, it has created some sporting legends within in the school and has maintained a rich rivalry with fellow Cork schools and beyond. We go back as far as the 1930's here with Dan Cowhie taking us back to his time playing Junior Rugby and the Cagney Shield with Pres in the mid-1930s. Ever heard of the Golden-Half Mile on the Mardyke? Well, Moss Finn is the man for that story. Onto rugby rivalry, we jump forward to Pres’ Senior Cup win against Christians in 1952 with Kieran Clancy reminiscing on his time in the school and to greater rivals beyond Cork, Jimmy Bowen talks about the famous match against the All Blacks.

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Ep.1 - Voices Of Pres Voices Of Cork

Fri, 10 May 2024 10:00:12 GMT

In this debut episode of this historical archive, travel back to 1878 with the founding of the Presentation Brothers and hear stories of explorations of Presentation Brothers from Brother Martin and Brother Matthew who travelled the world in a time much different to now. Take a step back in time to Cork in the early 1900’s with historian and current Lord Mayor Kieran McCarthy who paints a picture of the Mardyke Walk and city as it was way back then. Brother Jerome Kelly features through a reading from ‘Gentlemen of the Presentation’ and finally current Deputy Principal, Enda O'Regan describes a year he spent with the Presentation Brothers in St Lucia at the start of his career.

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