A music producer and creative director of a community recording studio has been name Cork Person of the Year for his work in mentoring young songwriters and rappers.
Garry McCarthy, known creatively as GMC, has been creative director of the hit-producing Kabin Studio, a not-for-profit community recording studio at Knocknaheeny in Cork.
The studio was used to record the hit song "The Spark," which has amassed millions of views on TikTok and on YouTube.
The track was performed by children aged nine to 12 from the Kabin Crew and a number of children from the Lisdoonvarna Crew, based in a direct provision centre in Co Clare.
The Kabin Studio recently opened a second creative space in Knocknaheeny to meet growing demand for their services.
Mr McCarthy has facilitated more than 2,500 musical workshops through his GMCBeats and Song-in-a-Day projects.
These initiatives provide an environment for young people to express themselves and gain experience with recording technology.
His recent work also includes virtually mentoring young international artists and composing the soundtrack for the award-winning Irish film, Christy.
Manus O'Callaghan, Awards Organiser, praised Mr McCarthy’s long-term impact on the community.
"Garry has made an enormous contribution over the last two decades, both to Cork's rap and hip-hop community and to the young people he has empowered to express themselves creatively," he said.
"By engaging with young people in a relatable and innovative manner, through the immensely popular mediums of rap and hip-hop music, he has successfully broken down barriers between communities and created unique and valuable artistic experiences in Cork and beyond."
Mr McCarthy was selected as Cork Person of the Year from the esteemed list of recipients of Cork Person of the Month awards throughout 2025 by judges Valerie O’Sullivan, Chief Executive, Cork City Council, and Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Cork County Council.
Brian O’Donovan, RTÉ Work & Technology Correspondent, announced the winner on stage, before Mr McCarthy was presented with his Cork Person of the Year award by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, and the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley.
In line with the Cork Person of the Year Awards’ aim of recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions to all facets of Cork life, this year’s event featured a number of other awards.
Joe Duffy, who stepped down from his role as RTÉ Radio One’s Liveline presenter last year, was named an Honorary Corkperson.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to broadcasting and public debate, he was presented with a Republic of Cork passport and an inscribed piece of Cork Crystal. This award also served to recognise the 100th anniversary of radio in Ireland.
Former CEO of Barnardos and weekly political columnist, Fergus Finlay, was inducted into the Cork Person of the Year Hall of Fame, in recognition of his contribution to public life and social justice.
Finlay also recently announced the launch of "Grey Matters", a new podcast he is co-hosting with communications consultant Terry Prone.
The Dixies drummer and entertainer, 89-year old Joe McCarthy, affectionately known as "Joe Mac", received a Supreme Cork award in recognition of his decades of contributions to Cork music.
The surprise presentation was made by Cork Person of the Year 2024, Shane Casey.
The event also featured a speech from RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst. RTÉ is a partner of the event.
Masters of Ceremonies were RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan and Marty Morrissey.
