Good luck shines Leeside as Capital of Culture uncorked

Luck shone upon Cork on Saturday as a one-day window in the weather opened up to allow the city celebrate the start of its reign as European Capital of Culture.

Cork 2005 director John Kennedy credited the divine intervention of St Finbarr, Cork's patron saint, in bringing good weather for the 85,000 that had turned out to watch the opening spectacular along the river Lee.

The day before the fireworks and outdoor carnival in the city had seen gale force winds and driving rain. And only a few hours after the ceremony the rain and wind returned. To say lucky is an understatement.