Tributes are pouring in following the passing of a lifelong advocate for the arts in Cork after a long cancer battle.
Elmarie Mawe, who hosted popular show ‘The Arts House’ on Cork’s 96FM and C103, has sadly died age 55. The dedicated presenter had run the Sunday morning broadcast for over 25 years with help from her husband and collaborator Conor Tallon – helping to highlight Cork’s theatre, showbusiness and cultural scene.
Even when off air, the Cork woman was still deeply involved with the performing arts. Over the years, Elmarie had acted and narrated at The Everyman Theatre on a number of occasions. She met her husband at the theatre’s bar in 1997 after starring in a performance of The Stepping Stone by G.P. Gallivan.
Elmarie also regularly graced a number of other stages in Cork city to host a range of major events. This included Cork Opera House, for their 170th Gala performance last year, as well as City Hall for the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Gala.
The radio host was also a passionate teacher, and had previously taught violin for the School of Music in Limerick as well as speech and drama in the Cork School of Music. She had further worked as a primary teacher and Deputy Principal at Gurrane’s National School.
Elmarie Mawe – RIP
Elmarie and Conor were both honoured with a Cork Person of the Month award in December 2020 for their contribution to Cork’s arts scene during COVID-19. Elmarie was also nominated for a civic award from the Lord Mayor in 2023 for her lifelong contribution to the arts.
The Cork woman had opened up last year about how she was undergoing chemotherapy for stage 3 ovarian cancer, which had returned for the fourth time since 2018.
Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Damian Boylan, has shared a touching tribute to Elmarie online, writing: “It is with great sadness that I have learned today of the passing of Elmarie Mawe, a brilliant broadcaster and teacher, and a passionate and much-loved champion of the arts. Her contribution to the cultural landscape of Cork and Ireland is immense.
“As host of The Arts House on Cork’s 96FM and C103 for almost quarter of a century, she was the voice of the arts in Cork and beyond, and a regular feature of people’s Sunday mornings. Week after week, she brought audiences closer to the worlds of theatre, literature, music, visual arts and community creativity, providing a platform for everyone from household names to emerging artists, to schoolchildren and the often marginalised.
“Her warmth, curiosity and deep appreciation of the arts shone through every interview and conversation. She worked very hard during the COVID pandemic to ensure that the arts remained an essential part of public life. And despite her own illness, her enthusiasm was infectious and her commitment to supporting the arts never wavered.”
He said that after first performing at City Hall as a five-year-old during the Cór Fhéile competition, she later went on to host a number of major events on the same stage, including the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Gala.
Elmarie Mawe and Conor Tallon after being named as Cork Persons’ of the Month in December 2020
He added: “Those who had the privilege of working with her have spoken of her warmth and kindness, her professionalism as a broadcaster and as a teacher, and especially of her bravery and positivity during her illness.
“My thoughts are with Elmarie’s husband Conor, her family, friends, her colleagues in broadcasting and those in Gurrane NS School, and the many artists and organisations whose lives she touched throughout her long career. She leaves a lasting legacy. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.”
The Everyman Theatre also paid tribute, with a spokesperson saying, “Sunday mornings on the radio and opening nights at the theatre won’t be the same without her.” They added: “We are so deeply saddened to learn of the death of Elmarie Mawe. For decades, Elmarie has been the voice of the arts in Cork as host of The Arts House on Cork’s 96FM and C103.
“Elmarie was a passionate advocate for the arts and for our city, a consummate professional, and a welcoming host and interviewer. We’re honoured to say that Elmarie had a long history with The Everyman: she graced our stage on many occasions, both as an actor and narrator of concerts; and it was in our theatre bar where she first met her husband and long-time collaborator, Conor Tallon, in 1997 after a performance of The Stepping Stone by G.P. Gallivan, in which Elmarie was starring.
“We will her miss Elmarie dearly.”
The Everyman team also sent condolences to Elmarie’s husband Conor, her family, friends, and the staff of Cork’s 96FM and C103.
The CEO of Cork Opera House, Eibhlín Gleeson, also shared a touching tribute to the Cork radio host, describing her as a “treasured collaborator” and “the true matriarch of the Cork arts scene.” She said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we learned about the passing of our great friend Elmarie Mawe.
“Elmarie was a champion, an advocate, a supporter and a friend to all of us in the arts in Cork. She took us into her heart and made space for all of our hopes and dreams. Through her radio show, she gave us a platform to share our ambitions, talk directly to our audiences and celebrate our achievements. I have enjoyed many conversations, both in and out of the studio throughout my tenure, and we often laughed about how there was never enough time to cover all the things we just had to talk about!
“As a treasured collaborator, it has been an enormous privilege to welcome Elmarie to our stage regularly to compère for us – most recently hosting our major 170th Gala performance in March 2025. On such a special occasion for Cork Opera House, she was the perfect host, she honoured our history and steered the occasion with her signature humour and warmth.
“She was the true matriarch of the Cork arts scene. She was universally adored by the entire sector. She will be truly missed. Our sympathies now go to Conor, her family and all her many, many friends at this very sad time.”
May she rest in peace.