17 September 2021
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Every era has its humorists and their fictional characters. From the 1970’s onwards there were ‘Cha and Miah‘ who described themselves as daycent run if the mill Cork working men. Now, there is ‘Reggie from the Blackrock Road’ who is on the high society end of the income spectrum!
Humourist Pat Fitzpatrick – who plays the fictional role of a wealthy Cork socialist called ‘Reggie from the Blackrock Road’ has been announced as the September 2021 Cork Person Of Month. His character ‘Reggie’ boasts of being a Captain of Cork Industry (another term for Merchant Prince) and for living in a €4.8 mansion on the upmarket Blackrock Road (comedy comes from unnecessary specifics). He is a male version of Mrs Bucket… sorry… Mrs Bouquet.
The Blackrock Road is an upmarket area, this can be seen from the amount of greenery
Pat has built a huge online presence over the last 18 months with humorous takes on life in Cork and mocking anyone who isn’t part of his exclusive gang of millionaires.
He is also the man behind the woman that is “Ask Audrey”, a spoof agony-aunt column that appears in the Irish Examiner every Friday.
As well as his journalistic work he has also authored some bestselling books, including “101 Reasons Why Cork is Better than Dublin”, “ 101 Reasons Why Ireland is Better than England” and a parenting book “No Sex, No Sleep”. He supplies a parenting column every week in the Examiner too, as well as a TV review column. Many will know him as a regular on the RTÉ Today Show with Daithí and Maura, giving his views on entertainment and current affairs.
“By his own admission Pat Fitzpatrick has built his reputation and audience by telling Cork people they’re better than everyone else, and that’s never a bad idea”, agreed award organiser, Manus O’Callaghan.
Pat, who grew up in Kinsale, will now go forward with the other Persons of Month chosen this year, for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year.
Pictured at the informal monthly award presentation in the Rochestown Park Hotel, front l/r Lisa Coughlan, Dep., Marketing Manager, Irish Examiner; Pat Fitzpatrick, Cork Person of the Month; Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, AM O’Sullivan PR; second row l/r John Lehane, Lexus Cork; Manus O’Callaghan, Awards Organiser; back row l/r Pat Lemasney, Southern; George Duggan, Cork Crystal. Photographer: Tony O’Connell.
Cork Person of the Month 2021 – Award Winners so far this year
January: Colin R. Morehead, Admiral of Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the world.
February: Br Ben Cusack, pioneer in education and mentoring, Sullivan’s Quay CBS.
March: Roos Demol and Breda Keane Shortt, working with refugees and direct provision.
April: Billy O’Callaghan, internationally acclaimed author.
May: Jerry and Billy Holland, for contributions to Cork, Munster and Ireland Rugby.
June: John Creedon, promoting Ireland through TV series and Book.
July: Professor Linda Doyle, first woman provost in Trinity College’s history.
August: Maurice Gubbins contribution to journalism and community honoured.
September: Pat Fitzpatrick, cork-focused humorist and writer honoured.
