Paddy Crosbie was born in Dublin in 1913, educated at St Paul's CBS, St Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra and University College, Dublin. He was the famous creator of such radio and television programmes as The School Around the Corner, Back to School, Tug O'Words and Paddy's Playground, and made frequent appearances on The Late Late Show. In 1979 Paddy Crosbie was honoured by Pope John Paul II with the Papal decoration Benemerenti. He died in 1982.
An established Irish language author, Máire published many highly acclaimed volumes of verse, articles, short stories and translations. She died at the age of 99 in October 2021.
Dr Frank Cullen is Head of School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology in the Dublin Institute of Technology.
Phillip Cullen grew up in Dublin and studied classical animation at Ballyfermot College. He loves to draw cute, weird and wonderful creatures. After a period living in Japan, he now lives in Dublin with his wife.
TV personality and hotelier Noel Cunningham has always had a passion about manners and etiquette. Noel has a long and distinguished career in Hotel Catering and Tourism. He has worked on some of the great ocean-going liners and is well acquainted with the grand hotels of the world. He has always been of the opinion that the well-mannered young person, aware of the social niceties, and well versed in the requirements of proper etiquette, will have the perfect head start in life! He has met film stars and royalty, politicians and primates, and the wonderful Joe Soaps. He suggests we can learn from people in all walks of life as good manners are not just the preserve of the High Born!
No one is sure where Bob Curran comes from. Tradition says that one moment he wasn’t there and the next moment he was in County Down. He has, however, held various jobs – including gravedigger, hospital porter, civil servant and teacher – has studied History and Education at the New University of Ulster, and has received a Ph.D. in Educational Social Psychology. Bob has a strong interest in local history and folklore, and has both written and lectured on these subjects; he is a frequent contributor to radio, and has appeared on television co-presenting programmes on heritage and history. It is said that Bob currently lives somewhere in north Antrim, with his teacher wife and two small children; but it is difficult to be sure, as he is seen only ‘between the lights’ (at twilight), and then only by a fortunate few.
Judi Curtin is the best-selling author of the ‘Alice and Megan’ series, the 'Eva' series and the 'Time After Time' series, about Beth and Molly, accidental time-travelling best friends. Judi won the Children's Book of the Year (Senior) at the Irish Book Awards in 2017 for Stand By Me. Her current series, about Lily, is set in the famous Lissadell House in Co Sligo.
Gordon D'Arcy is an artist inspired by nature. He has been he has been drawing and painting since childhood. Birds are the main theme but he also depicts plants, animals and landscapes and other nature themes stimulated by travels in Europe, Africa and America. His works include commissions for public art work for Local Authorities and communities. His many poster commissions include work for the Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Parks and Wildlife Service and BirdWatch Ireland.
