President pays tribute to the

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese officially unveiled Cork as European Capital of Culture on Saturday as 85,000 people poured into the city to mark the historic year.

The president was joined by ambassadors and citizens from across the European Union for the official opening ceremony at City Hall, as the street carnival kicked off across the city.

President McAleese, who jokingly referred to Cork as the "real" republic, said this was payback time for the city and a vindication of its legendary citizens, including short story writer Frank O'Connor.