If Cork is back, then why so many empty shops?

The great and the good were in City Hall on Friday night. Tux-clad, I sneaked in to join more than 1,000 others representing a large slice of political and business life in Cork City and county.

There was a fair bit of celebration. After all, Cork is attracting foreign direct investment, employment levels are improving, and property prices are starting to rise.

That’s as good a cocktail for economic recovery as you will find.