Tom Spalding: North Main Street
North Main Street and South Main Street
In this interview, Tom Spalding, a local historian and author, discusses his research methods and interests concerning the development of the North and South Main Street area over time. His interest lies primarily in what he calls “street furniture” – street signage and other fixtures on the street within public areas (such as benches, bronze plaques, and post boxes). When prompted, he discusses the nature of changing street names within Cork: streets like Wellington Road will have multiple other street names associated with them and for which the properties receive their own address numbers, such as Montpellier Terrace, Connaught Place, and Garfield Terrace. Tom also lists Paradise Place on the corner of South Main Street and Castle Street, as another example of this phenomenon and describes the history behind the name “Paradise”. He also states that names may have been changed on paper, which can be traced through painstaking archival research reaching back 150 years, but that street names did not necessarily always catch on “on the ground”. Another topic of discussion is where North Main Street ends and South Main Street begins. Tom presents evidence for the divide occurring at the Liberty Street and Castle Street junction, explaining that Washington Street would have been cut through the medieval part of the city in the 18th and 19th centuries. There is some discussion of local pubs and businesses that Tom frequents: Leaders, the Benny McCabe pubs, the Raven, the Vicarstown, and the Castle. Lastly, Tom gets into a discussion of renovations and construction over old ‘street furniture’ evidence of prior businesses and old artisanship within the city. Some examples he lists are the renovation of North Main Street “20 years ago” (in the 1990s) as well as City Council pedestrianizing Prince’s Street in the 1980s. He advocates keeping things that are of heritage value that are still in functioning order and do not present a hazard to pedestrians.
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Cork Folklore Project
14 January 2015
Interviewee: Tom Spalding
Interviewer: Margaret Steele
Cork Folklore Project
<strong>Other Interviews with Tom Spalding:<br /></strong><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/81" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00636_spalding_2017</a><strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Other Interviews in the Collection<br /></strong><br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/64" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00536_oleary_2015</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/65" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00537_hanover_2015</a>;<br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/67" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00539_hUigin_2015</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/68" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00543_obrien_2015</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/69">CFP_SR00544_comber_2015</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/70">CFP_SR00545_leader_2015</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00546_creedon_2015</a>;
<br /><br />
<div class="element-text">Penny Johnston based a digital oral history mapping pilot project called ‘Cork’s Main Streets’ on the audio interviews from this collection in 2016, as part of her PhD research. The 2018 website and the map layer can be viewed at: <a href="http://corksmainstreets.corkfolklore.org/cms/">http://corksmainstreets.corkfolklore.org/cms/ </a><br /><br />Penny’s PhD dissertation can be accessed at: <a href="https://cora.ucc.ie/handle/10468/5469">https://cora.ucc.ie/handle/10468/5469</a></div>
<div class="element-text"><strong><br /></strong><strong>Other Material Relating to Cork's Main Streets:</strong><strong></strong><br /><br />CFP_SR00448_hinchy_2012: Interview of ex-Beamish Brewery (South Main Street) staff member Ed Hinchy.<br /><br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/90">CFP_SR00532_davis_2014</a>: Interview with the former manager of The Other Place Resource Centre (South Main Street), Clive Davis, conducted by Stephen Dee and Dermot Casey, as part of the LGBT Archive Collection <br /><br />CFP_SR00535_wilkins_2014: Mark Wilkins was interviewed by Aisling Byron on the music scene of Cork City in the 1980s and 1990s: the interview contains an in-depth discussion of South Main Street music venue Sir Henry’s and of the South Main Street pub The Liberty.</div>
<br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/cmm/neatline/fullscreen/cork-memory-map#records/34"><strong>Click here to access Tom's entry on the Memory Map</strong></a>
1.wav File
English
Sound
CFP_SR00538_spalding_2015
Cork; Ireland; 1800s - 2000s;
Johnny Chris Kelleher: The Evening Echo, Schooldays, Tuberculosis
Life History:
Johnny Chris was born in 1929 in Fair Lane, later called Wolfe Tone Street. His mother, Mary Margaret Kelleher (1901 - 1970) was married twice; her first husband died of TB in 1924; she had to get a job selling newspapers to support her family. His father was Tommy Kelleher; he later lost his legs. His sister lost an arm in an accident at O’Gorman’s hat factory. Johnny Chris still sold newspapers into his 80s, to keep agile and to meet people.
He lists some of the old lanes of the Northside. He describes the housing on Corbett’s Lane. The areas of Shandon Street and Ballymacthomas were close to the country, and men worked as cattle drovers for farmers, bringing cattle to fairs in the county. Without a social welfare system, people turned their hands to all kinds of menial work. There was nevertheless a good quality of life.
Johnny Chris talks about people’s sports and past-times. He praises the rise in the standard of living but laments the loss of a sense of community. The character of the Northside was formed by social housing and the movement of masses of people who lived side by side to new housing there, again side by side. He talks about the street names and the lanes of Cork.
He discusses his schooling and the teaching of the Irish language.
Johnny Chris recalls the editions of the Evening Echo newspaper printed during World War II, and his working life selling the newspaper. How he heard about the death of Christy Ring; telling Taoiseach Jack Lynch the news. The different newspapers reflected people’s political persuasions; the Echo was for working people.
He talks about Blackpool, its residents and industries.
He recalls the North Infirmary, and how it was used by people; how his father had a leg amputated there. He remembers hearing about his sister’s industrial accident.
He worked for Cork Corporation. People didn’t really take holidays. Johnny Chris then describes working life at The Cork Examiner newspaper, and how the Evening Echo was distributed.
How drisheen and tripe were eaten is also discussed.
He recalls Father O’Flynn, who had a method to cure stammering; the BBC made a documentary about him in 1948; he went over to help King George VI.
He relates a funny story about the Corporation making and storing coffins in case of any local bombing casualties during World War II; they were gradually stolen and sold on to undertakers for money to buy drink. He tells another story about Whacker, a local character.
Cork Folklore Project
Cork Folklore Project Audio Archive
Cork Folklore Project
21 July 2010
Interviewee: Johnny Chris Kelleher
Interviewer: Michael Daly
Cork Folklore Project
<div class="element-text"><strong></strong><strong>Other Interviews in the Colection:</strong> <br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a><br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00387_sheehan_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00388_sheehan_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/103" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00389_healy_2010</a>;<br /><a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00391_crean_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/106" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00392_mckeon_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/107" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00393_twomey_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/108">CFP_SR00394_stleger_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/3">CFP_SR00395_speight_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/109" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00396_lane_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/110" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00397_obrienoleary_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00398_jones_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00399_saville_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/113" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00400_magnier_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/114">CFP_SR00401_marshall_2010</a>;<a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/115" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> CFP_SR00402_marshall_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/116">CFP_SR00403_murphy_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/117">CFP_SR00404_prout_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/118">CFP_SR00405_walsh_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/119" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00406_prout_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/120">CFP_SR00407_newman_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00408_newman_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00409_leahy_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/123" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00411_newman_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/124" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00412_newman_2010</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/125" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00413_finn_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/126" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00414_ohorgain_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/127" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00415_oconnell_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00416_sheehy_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00417_mcloughlin_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00418_gerety_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00419_kelleher_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00420_byrne_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00421_cronin_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00422_ohuigin_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00423_meacle_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/136" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00424_horgan_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00425_lyons_2012</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/138" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00427_goulding_2011</a>; <br /><br />CFP_SR00491_fitzgerald_2013. <br /><br /><strong>Heritage Week 2011:</strong> <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/139" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00429_casey_201</a>1; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/140" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00430_tomas_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/141" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00431_newman_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/142" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00432_stillwell_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/143" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00433_oconnell_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/144" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00434_lane_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/145" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00435_montgomery-mcconville_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/146" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00436_ocallaghan_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/147" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00437_corcoran_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/148">CFP_SR00438_jones_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00439_ohuigin_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/149" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00440_mccarthy_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/items/show/150" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00441_crowley_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/151" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00442_obrien_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00443_jones_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/153" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00444_mcgillicuddy_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/154" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00445_delay_2011</a>; <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/archivecatalolgue/document/155" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CFP_SR00446_murphy_2011</a>; <br /><br /><strong>Video Interview:</strong> CFP_VR00486_speight_2014</div>
<div class="element-text"><br /><strong>Published Material: </strong> <br /><br />O’Carroll, Clíona (2011) ‘The Cork Memory Map’, Béascna 7: 184-188. <br /><br />O’Carroll, Clíona (2012) ‘Cork Memory Map: an update on CFP’s Online Project’, The Archive 16: 14. <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/archive16.pdf">https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/research/corkfolkloreproject/archivepdfs/archive16.PDF</a> <br /><br />Dee, Stephen and O’Carroll, Clíona (2012) ‘Sound Excerpts: Interviews from Heritage Week’, The Archive 16: 15-17. <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/archive16.pdf">https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/research/corkfolkloreproject/archivepdfs/archive16.PDF</a> <br /><br />O'Carrol, Clíona (2014) 'The children's perspectives: Place-centred interviewing and multiple diversified livelihood strategies in Cork city, 1935-1960'. Béaloideas - The Journal of Folklore of Ireland Society, 82: 45-65. <br /><br />The Curious Ear/Documentary on One (Cork City Memory Map) <a href="http://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/2011/0816/646858-curious-ear-doconone-cork-city-memory-map/">http://www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/2011/0816/646858-curious-ear-doconone-cork-city-memory-map/</a></div>
<br /><strong>To view the Cork Memory Map Click </strong><a href="https://corkfolklore.org/memory-map/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Here</strong></a><br /><br /><strong>Click <a href="http://corkfolklore.org/cmm/neatline/fullscreen/cork-memory-map#records/8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a> to access entry on the Memory Map</strong>
1 .wav File
English, Irish
Sound
CFP_SR00390_kelleher_2010
Cork, Ireland, 1900s, 2000s