Charlie Hennessy

This recording was made in the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork, during the last weeks of Charlie Hennessy’s long and eventful life. His courage and enthusiasm for all things cultural was quite evident in this recording. Charlie Hennessy grew up in George’s Quay. His father was a blacksmith who provided the service of rubbish collection for Cork Corporation. Charlie attended Presentation College, and he recalled his time in education. The recording continued with his great memories of the Cork Opera House, and his position there as Chairman. He said that Cork was a great opera city and recalled that the Opera House would be packed every Monday night. He gave great credit to the James Stack School of Music. Charlie explained how he became the first ‘Cha’, and performed in the stage shows. He had fond memories of the old original Opera House, and of the great outpouring of emotion and feelings of loss when it was burnt down. He also spoke about the trust-fund set up by the Cork people, and of his great ambition to turn the Opera House into a municipal theatre owned by City Hall. This is indeed a most valuable recording, compiled with one of Cork’s most beloved citizens.