Corkonians have decided what their favourite Cork-related song is

The results are in: Listen below to ten songs Corkonians love the most.

Corkonians proved, within the initiative by Cork City Libraries, there are plenty of songs about or related to their home city and they have chosen their favourite one.

Cork City Libraries, which ran a poll between November 2019 and January 2020, hoped to get as many Corkonians as possible involved to find locals’ favourite song about the city.

“The objective is to encourage people to ponder, look back, reminisce….unearth stories and tales that contribute to the Cork of today,” Senior Executive Librarian Patricia Looney from Cork said upon the launch of the initiative.

People had submitted more than 80 songs before a shortlist of 10 favourite songs was announced at the end of January. The Frank and Walters song “After All” was crowned winner.

WINNER: “After All” by The Frank and Walters

This indie pop song made it to the top five in Ireland when it was released in 1992. Although it does not mention Cork, it was recorded by Cork-based group The Frank and Walters.

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“The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee” by Billa O’Connell

The beautifully written Irish folk song talks about a man’s childhood memories of growing up in Ireland, specifically around the River Lee in Cork. It comes from the province of Munster, of which Cork is the best-known city.

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“Beautiful City” by Billa O’Connell

Another popular Irish folk song about Cork, which is described as a haven of rest. The lyrics says it all: “I have roamed through all climates, but none could I see like the green hills of Cork and my home by the Lee. Beautiful city, charming and pretty. Beautiful city, my home by the Lee.”

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“The Boys of Fair Hill” by Jimmy Crowley

A very distinctive, and one of the most popular folk songs from Cork, has changed its lyrics a few times over the years. It celebrates traditional hobbies and mentions several landmarks, including Fair Hill and Blarney Stone.

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“Going to My Hometown” by Rory Gallagher

This Irish blues-rock performer was raised in Cork. The song appears on his album Miscellaneous.

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“The Langer” by Natural Gas

This Irish song is a fusion of music and fun popularised by Tim O’Riordan and Natural Gas. What do Corkonians call a drunken lout? A Langer! Let’s not forget a bit of the Irish language can be heard in the song.

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“Princes Street” by John Spillane

The 2002 song gives you a recipe for a great night if you are in love. Head to Cork and dance on Princes Street in the evening, accompanied by streetlights.

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“An Poc ar Buile” by Seán Ó Sé

This is a patriotic song inspired by a poem written by Dónal Ó Mulláin in the early 20th century. Its main symbol is a goat, or a poc in Irish. The goat breaks away from its herd and goes on to warn a town’s inhabitants of coming danger. Based on the story, one of the oldest fairs, the Puck Fair, is held in Killorglin, County Kerry, each August.

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“Safety Rope” by Mick Flannery

The song was written by Flannery, who grew up in County Cork. It appears on his second studio album White Lies (2008).

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“Where’s me Jumper” by The Sultans of Ping

Cork-based punk/rock band The Sultans of Ping FC released the song in 1992, and it opened the doors for them on the British Isles. It is one of very few songs, if not the only one, that mentions Karl Marx. However, the lyrics are very easy and playful. Advice: leave your jumper at home if you go clubbing.

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