Explosive end to Capital of Culture status

FOUR tonnes of fireworks will explode over Cork in a 15-minute burst of colour, marking the end of the city’s 2005 European Capital of Culture celebrations.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to watch tonight’s pyrotechnic display which will be launched from Collins Barracks at 8pm.

The organisers say the finale will be as spectacular as the fireworks display which opened the year-long celebrations last January.

The display is being organised by world-acclaimed pyrotechnic experts Merlin Fireworks, who will also launch comets, shells, flares and mines into the night sky.

The event is free and no tickets are required.

“The best way to watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve will be to pick a vantage point in the city centre with a view to Collins Barracks, where the fireworks are being launched,” said Martin Barrett, Cork 2005 special events consultant and director of Solas Festival of Light.

“We’re encouraging everyone in Cork to be a part of the final closing celebrations by watching the fireworks in the city and making the most of this wonderful New Year’s Eve finale,” he added.

In addition to the fireworks, the organisers have commissioned Belfast-born Noel Eccles, of Riverdance and Moving Hearts fame, to write a piece for a team of classical percussionists and community groups from all over the city to perform.

New Dawn, New Beat will be performed in Cork’s City Hall during the day at noon, at 3pm and 6pm and all 3,000 tickets for the event have already been snapped up.

That event is being produced by RTÉ Lyric FM’s Evelyn Grant and will also feature the Boomerang Theatre Company and members of the Cork Youth Orchestra.

Joining the community groups involved will be professional percussionists from Ireland and Britain. Many of these musicians have been involved in other Cork 2005 events during the year, including the European Union Youth Orchestra, the Cork Music Works disability arts project and the CIT Samba Band.

The month-long series of closing celebrations is sponsored by the major new supporters of Cork 2005 Ascon/Rohcon, Frinailla Developments, Kenny Group and Wilton Group.