Cork ready to party as carnival of culture kicks off
Cork 2005 organisers last night encouraged people to turn out in force to help celebrate the historic event.
Up to 80,000 people are expected to attend the day-long carnival.
Major diversions are in place and severe traffic disruption is expected.
People were encouraged to use public transport and the park-and-ride facility at Black Ash to access the city.
The LE Eimear also docked in the city last night. Security operations for today's events will be coordinated from the vessel.
The party will kick off just after 2pm when more than 300 performers from all over Europe take to the streets for a huge carnival.
Up to 26,000 people are expected to line the city's quays from 5pm for the Awakenings opening ceremony and its massive fireworks display.
Hundreds of technicians braved atrocious weather last night to put the finishing touches to the ceremony. Up to 3,500kg of fireworks fired by 11 miles of cabling were finally put in place.
RTÉ and the local Chorus channel will broadcast the fireworks display.
Met Éireann issued a severe weather warning last night but said most of the bad weather should have cleared by this afternoon.
President Mary McAleese will be among the guests at today's ceremonies. She is due in the city just after 1pm to ring the famous Shandon bells ahead of the formal opening ceremony.
Mrs McAleese and her husband Dr Martin McAleese will be joined at Shandon by Arts Minister John O'Donoghue, Cork 2005 director John Kennedy, Lord Mayor Seán Martin, city manager Joe Gavin and other dignitaries before travelling to City Hall. There, the President will officially declare Cork European Capital of Culture before watching musical drama Red Sun, a specially commissioned theatre performance featuring Cork's Children's Chorus.
Meanwhile, Belfast and Cork City Councils announced a cultural partnership yesterday.
A number of events involving artists and arts from both cities will take place in Cork during the year.
