European Capital of Culture

The City of Cork launched its year as European Capital of Culture with an international carnival, a street party for 80,000 revellers in the city centre and a massive firework display (pictured).

President Mary McAleese officially opened Cork 2005, at a civic reception in City Hall, in a ceremony that included the première of a specially commissioned theatrical production ?The Red Sun?, written by Ray Scannell. Hundreds of performers from all over the world took part in the street festival which was billed as the largest outdoor event ever staged in Ireland. Over 200 large-scale events will feature as part of Cork?s Capital of Culture year, ranging from sporting events to a literary festival.