Martin’s Life creator wins Cork Person of the Month for January

Cartoons focus on comical misunderstandings between Martin and his Cork parents

He came to prominence with his wickedly funny take on the marriage equality referendum but now the creator of Martin's Life has been honoured for his series of hilarious cartoons about a Cork family by being chosen as Cork Person of the Year for January.

The series has received millions of hits online and focuses on the comical misunderstandings between Martin and his Cork parents.

True to form, the creator of the series has opted to accepted the award while continuing to protect his anonymity.

“I feel there is nothing to be gained from being known, and am just happy that people enjoy the videos” said the creator.

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The series capitalised on generational misunderstandings on everything from Skinny Jeans to Game of Thrones, Skyping the Sister and the Rugby World Cup.

Cork Person of the Month Award organiser, Manus O’Callaghan, said that he was happy to respect the creator’s wish to remain anonymous.

"This award celebrates the creativity of the young man from County Cork and his work which has promoted the wit and charm of Cork to a national and international audience, receiving millions of hits on YouTube for Martin's Cork family", said Mr O'Callaghan.

"A few years ago, we acknowledged the on-going success of the Sminky Shorts cartoons, and now Martin's Life is another internet success which was recently screened at both New York University and the University of Southern California as part of the Irish Screen American Festival," he added.

To mark his achievement in winning the Cork Person of the Month Award for January, the creator of Martin's Life has released a new video focussing on what else - Martin winning Cork Person of the Month Award.

“Anyway I won an award for it - Cork Person of the Month,” says Martin. “Cork Person of the Month - sure they’d give that to anyone?” says his mother. “Didn’t they give to that statue before,” says his father. “What statue?” says Martin. “That simple old cratur up in Cork who thinks he’s a statue!”.

The creator now goes forward for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year at a Gala Awards Lunch in mid-January 2017, at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times