Trick-or-Treating Warriors: The Legends of Cork
Now, folks, gather ’round because we’re about to dive into a tale that is as rich as the chocolate bars these two men hope to collect this Halloween! Meet Con Prout and John A Murphy—Cork’s illustrious duo of sock-and-sword wielding trick-or-treaters. They’ve been doing this since 1977, long before it was fashionable or even permitted by the local gardaí!
Imagine this: a pair of friends in their twenties, standing on the cusp of a Halloween revolution, way before “Hocus Pocus” put the ‘spook’ in ‘spectacle.’ In a time when Ireland was rolling apples and bobbing along, it suddenly dawned on these adventurers that Halloween was missing a crucial ingredient—trick-or-treating! And look at them now, donning capes and causing chaos one doorstep at a time, transforming the very essence of Halloween in Cork. And let me tell you, if there were awards for pioneering trick-or-treating, these two would be at the front of the queue, racket in hand, scaring the competition off!
Now, it does strike me as a *little* peculiar that in a world where prop swords could cause pandemonium, our heroes faced egg-throwers and rosary-rattlers instead of applause and candy. I mean, can you imagine? A lovely lady peering through her window, seeing Con charging up her drive with a sword, and thinking, “Crikey, it’s the second coming of Beowulf!” Meanwhile, Con’s thinking he’s just there for the sweets! Classic misunderstanding. Couldn’t we all use a little more faith in the masked crusaders at our doors… or at least a few more bags of Haribo?
As for the costume choices, listen, no one ever talks about the stress of deciding between a Viking and Batman. I can only assume there’s a long-standing feud there. We might need a therapist for that one! “Don’t worry, Con, let’s just go as a Viking—everyone loves a good costume that raises eyebrows and evokes jigs instead of shrieks of horror.” But, as it turns out, costumes were not just for dressing up; they were a perfect icebreaker when John A wanted to chat up a pretty girl. Genius! I bet the conversation went something like, “Aha! You want to join my Viking fortress?” And the poor girl, naive as she was, thought, “Sure, what’s the harm?!” Until, of course, dear dad appeared, swinging the gavel of justice. “You shall not pass!” ”
Sweethearts at heart, but ruffians in disguise! If only the police were on standby with candy instead of handcuffs. But let’s face it, not all heroes wear capes—some walk around with treat bags, thrilled to meet the next batch of unsuspecting candy-givers while dodging the occasional egg.
But there’s no stopping our dynamic duo! It appears that as the years roll by, their trick-or-treating acts have expanded from sugared sweets to actually indulging in adult treats—ciders and the likes. They have become the legends of Halloween in Cork, proving that it’s never too late to embrace the child within. “Keep the sweets coming; we mustn’t disappoint the kids!” they say, with a cheeky wink. You can’t help but admire the unabashed spirit—hitting houses for some treats and then hitting them up for a drink too!
And, oh, the camaraderie! Bringing a motley crew of friends along for the ride—Katie the nurse and Martin the decorator—now that’s what I call a Halloween gang! Forget the “sandwiches for everybody,” we’re all about “ipods and drinkies for the grown-ups!”
Conclusion: The Spirit of Halloween Lives On
Whether they are dodging gardaí, egg-throwing youths, or overly zealous parents fearing for their daughter’s safety, one thing’s for sure: Con and John A are not packing in their treat bags anytime soon. Here’s hoping they’ll free themselves from nursing home restrictions to become Cork’s oldest—and possibly most famous—trick-or-treaters to ever grace the streets. They’re the perfect reminder that, at the end of the day, no matter how *mature* we get, a big bag of sweets, a touch of hilarity, and a wild heart can keep the spirit of Halloween alive and kicking! Cheers, lads—now, about that cider…
They’ve faced zealous reactions from residents, with threats of summoning gardaí, being pelted with rotten eggs, and even the recitation of the rosary in defense.
Yet, a duo claiming the title of Ireland’s first and oldest trick-or-treaters insists that such experiences are part of the charm of their Halloween adventures.
The iconic caped duo — Con Prout and John A Murphy — are gearing up to embark on their annual Halloween quest, visiting as many homes as possible in Cork. This spirited tradition traces back to 1977, during a time when trick-or-treating was still largely an American custom and had yet to establish its roots on this side of the Atlantic.
Not content with the simple apple-bobbing that typified Halloween festivities in Ireland during that era, the duo vividly recalls being captivated by trick-or-treating footage broadcast on television.
The best friends and former schoolmates, in their 20s back then, decided that they wanted to infuse their Halloween with excitement, creating their own homemade costumes.
“Back then, Halloween was very boring. We didn’t want to just stay inside and eat an apple like everyone else. The trick-or-treating didn’t always go to plan, but it was still a lot more fun than apple bobbing,” explains John A.
John A from Waterfall was adamant they don Batman and Robin suits. However, Con, residing in Crossbarry in West Cork, had other ideas, insisting on dressing as a Viking.
“We ended up as Batman and a Viking,” John A reminisces. “Con really wanted to go as a Viking, and we weren’t about to fight over it. We’ve been best friends all our lives, and I’m 65 while he is 66. In all that time, we’ve never had a fight despite traveling the world together.”
However, as trick-or-treating was a budding novelty, parading around in costumes sometimes drew unexpected reactions, sparking surprise and even fright.
“One woman saw Con coming with the sword,” says John A. “It was merely a prop for the costume, but she was convinced we meant harm.”
“She got the entire family together to recite the rosary in an attempt to ward us off.
John A fondly recalls how their costumes often made it easier to strike up conversations with girls they were interested in. “It was much easier to talk to girls we liked when we were in costume,” he chuckles. “One time it backfired as it was only the father who was home. He threatened to call the gardaí, convinced his daughter wouldn’t associate with ‘people like us.’ The daughter got a kick out of it when she found out the next day.”
“They don’t like that we are taking their sweets, so we have, in the past, been bombarded with eggs,” John A revealed, chuckling at the memory.
Over the years, Con and John A have welcomed other friends into their Halloween escapades, including Katie Duggan, a nurse, and painter Martin Murphy, creating a larger Halloween gang.
Cork households have evolved to accommodate their older trick-or-treaters by stocking up on an assortment of treats.
“We share the sweets with the kids but we don’t share the drinks. We get ciders, cans of lager, and small bottles of whiskey but don’t touch them until we return home.”
Con asserted that they have no plans to retire from their Halloween tradition anytime soon. “The only time I’ll stop is if I end up in a nursing home and the nurses won’t let me out for the night.”
The duo plans to keep things simple this year, with John A opting for a mummy costume and Con planning on improvising his outfit when the night arrives.
“We were considering a pantomime horse, but that would mean one of us misses out on the entire evening. At this point, I feel I’m too old to elevate things to the next level. We’re quite content to keep it simple,” Con concludes with a grin.
Interview with Con Prout and John A Murphy: Cork’s Legendary Trick-or-Treaters
Interviewer: Good afternoon, Con and John A! It’s a pleasure to have you both here. Let’s jump right in—how did the two of you come up with the idea to start trick-or-treating back in 1977 when it wasn’t a common practice in Ireland?
Con Prout: Thanks for having us! It was a bit of a revelation, really. We were watching Halloween specials on television, and it struck us that this tradition was something we were missing in our own celebrations. We didn’t want to just bob for apples while everyone else had all the fun! We thought, “Why not bring some adventure to the streets of Cork?”
John A Murphy: Exactly! Halloween was pretty dull back then—just some spooky stories and apple bobbing. We figured if we could dress up and knock on doors like those kids in the movies, we could surprise everyone and maybe snag some sweets in the process!
Interviewer: And what were those early experiences like? You mentioned facing some zealous reactions from residents.
John A Murphy: Oh, it was quite the spectacle! Some people just didn’t understand what we were doing. I remember one woman who saw Con come up the drive with his prop sword and gathered her whole family to recite the rosary to ward us off!
Con Prout: (laughs) Yes, that was a classic! We just wanted some candy, but it felt like we were in some wild medieval story instead. A bit terrifying for them, perhaps, but definitely made for a memorable Halloween!
Interviewer: How have your costumes evolved over the years? I imagine there’s been some interesting debates over who gets to wear what!
Con Prout: Oh, absolutely! I’ve always had a soft spot for Vikings. Meanwhile, John A often pushed for the superhero route. We went through a phase of Batman and Robin as well, didn’t we?
John A Murphy: Yes! I think we’ve settled on ‘Viking and sidekick’ as a classic duo for us. But regardless of what we wore, the aim was always to have fun and enjoy the spirit of Halloween!
Interviewer: It seems like you two embody the spirit of Halloween in Cork. Now that you’ve expanded to include some adult festivities, what’s on the agenda for this year’s Halloween?
John A Murphy: (grinning) Well, we’ll definitely be hitting the houses for treats, both the candies for the kids and maybe a few ciders for ourselves! It’s all about sharing the fun with everyone—adults included!
Con Prout: And let’s not forget our friends! We’ve got a motley crew that joins us now, from nurses to decorators. It’s all about building a community spirit and embracing that child-like wonder of Halloween, no matter your age!
Interviewer: It’s clear that you both have created an enduring tradition. What would you like to say to anyone thinking about joining your ranks as trick-or-treaters, young or old?
John A Murphy: I’d say just do it! Halloween is for everyone, and it’s about having fun and creating memories. Don’t let anyone stop you from enjoying a bit of mischief and collecting some treats!
Con Prout: Exactly! Let that inner child out. Whether you’re dressed up as a Viking, a superhero, or something entirely your own, embrace the spirit of Halloween—it lives in all of us!
Interviewer: Thank you, Con and John A, for sharing your incredible journey and enthusiasm for Halloween! Here’s to many more years of trick-or-treating in Cork!
Con Prout & John A Murphy: Cheers! Thanks for having us!
We’re planning to keep things simple this year. I’ll be going as a mummy, and Con, well, he might just throw something together last minute like he always does! Our main goal is to hit as many houses as possible and spread the Halloween cheer. And, of course, we’ll have our treat bags ready for both sweets and a few adult beverages to share with our friends afterward.
Con Prout: Exactly! We like to make sure we have a great mix—some candies for the kids and definitely some ciders for ourselves. But we promise, we won’t touch the drinks until we’re back home, just to keep things festive and safe!
Interviewer: That sounds like a fun and responsible approach! You’ve definitely created quite the legacy in Cork with your trick-or-treating adventures. With all the reactions you’ve faced over the years, what keeps you motivated to continue this tradition?
John A Murphy: Honestly, it’s the joy of seeing people’s faces light up, whether they’re kids or adults. It’s about bringing back that sense of fun and nostalgia that Halloween should embody. Plus, we still get a kick out of the occasional surprised look when we show up at their door!
Con Prout: And let’s not forget the camaraderie! Having our friends come along for the ride makes it all the more special. Our Halloween gang has grown over the years, and we cherish those moments just as much as the treats!
Interviewer: It’s wonderful to hear how much you value the connections built through this tradition. Lastly, what advice would you give to anyone looking to keep the spirit of Halloween alive in their own communities?
John A Murphy: I’d say don’t be afraid to make it your own! Get creative with your costumes, have fun with friends, and don’t let the rest of the world tell you Halloween is just for kids.
Con Prout: Exactly! Embrace your inner child and remember that laughter and happiness are the heart of any Halloween celebration. After all, we’re all just here for the sweets and the good times!
Interviewer: Wise words! Thank you so much, Con and John A, for sharing your delightful Halloween journey with us. It sounds like Cork’s trick-or-treating legacy is in fantastic hands!
Con Prout: Thank you! We can’t wait for this Halloween!
John A Murphy: Cheers to all the givers of sweets and good spirits this Halloween!
