A Guide to The Cork Accent, Ireland 1972

Cork actor James N Healy takes a look at the history of Cork accents through the ages.

There’s one thing about us in Cork. We have a beautiful accent.

Cork man James Healy disputes that Dublin view that the Cork accent goes up and down. He does acknowledge that there is more than one accent in Cork but they are all Cork. He says that the Cork accent was started by Saint Finbarr when he came down to Cork from the west of Ireland in the sixth century to build a church. A Scandinavian touch was added to the accent with the arrival of the Danes a few centuries later. Then came the Welsh Normans. After that, the English would arrive for the summer season and add their bit to the vocal cocktail that is the Cork accent. In the 18th century, the French Huguenots arrived contributing the “harsh, shrill side of our accent”.

The accent ranges from the sound of the Cork street trader to the fruity tones of the Montenotte.

In its extreme form, it’s probably like somebody trying to eat a hot potato while giving a confidential message at the same time.

There is also the “Roches Stores” accent but the most genuinely Cork accent is probably that of Blackpool, the living quarters of the Celts who clustered around the northside of the old city. To hear a genuine accent, visit an old Blackpool pub.

This is somewhat nasal, spoken out of the corner of the mouth and with a sense of irony.

This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 21 October 1972.

Frank Hall’s amusing and satirical series began on 29 September 1971 with the full title “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator” which became known as “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly”.

The series allowed Frank Hall to follow his own interest in the lives of viewers throughout the country. Regarded as RTE’s flagship comedy show, it featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture, as well as parody songs, comedy sketches, re-edited videos, cartoons and spoof television formats. The show ran for 9 series until 1980.

[mrsinn]

What a character, he was ahead of his time.

[Khatoon]

Iam Arabic lady subscriber to several British and American YouTube channels. I learned there are American southern English or Appalachian English. Actually I love both accents American and English but England have great civilization and authenticity but USA have one of most complex cultural identities in world . Thank you for your wonderful cultural documentary channel. Happy Easter best wishes for you your family friends.

[sebastianabsalon]

Amazing! I have never been to Ireland and I would love to visit Cork, now that I have seen this reportage. 🌞

[olanmcevoy]

That's brilliant! I lost my accent when I moved away and now living abroad for years whenever I hear a proper Cork accent it makes me homesick

[brianoc]

hahaha brilliant. He's very good at the accents in fairness!

[jamesbradshaw]

I once asked the man whom I was talking to, what part of Wales do you come from, His accent was very similar to what you would find in parts of Wales, I surprise when he got upset and said he was from Co Cork,

[finolaomurchu]

The Cork Blackpool accent is the best.☘️🧚‍♂️

[Ishkybibble]

This guy reminds me of James “Our Jimmy” Young

[seventus]

Lot of diversity in the accents back then, unlike nowadays.

[Hsalf]

My goodness this sounds like a Newfoundland or Cape Breton accent

[CaapriceTube]

This is where the Jamaican Patois accent comes from.
It was a mix of the West African slaves aiming to speak anglicized- Irish
The Irish have had long historic ties to Jamaica.

[jasonpalacios]

You can hear the Jamaican/Caribbean accent in this man.

[kerinfaulkner]

Brilliant, thank ye, love from Awstraylia ☘️🍀☘️🤣

[terrell]

Who where the Cramer family from Cork? That's my grandfather's father's side DNA through a man name Ambrose Nicolas Yates (Cramer) he took up a man that wasn't his father last name which was (Yates) so my DNA & last name should be of a Cramer.

[RedNightDragon]

"French people called Hugenots, or something like that ..." 😅

[Phoeagdor]

Jaysus sham, might stuff Go raibh míle maith agat (may there be a thousand goodnesses by you). Phoeagdor.