And now...a large city centre concert

IF you thought Saturday’s 2005 celebrations were good, then watch this space because there’s more on the way.

A large city centre concert is now being planned following the success of Saturday’s European Capital of Culture Awakenings ceremony, Cork 2005 director John Kennedy revealed yesterday.

“We had a lot to prove. It was a very complex day to put together,” said Mr Kennedy last night. “It was a unique event for Cork. The success of Saturday shows that the city is now under no illusions about what it is capable of. So let’s get on with the rest of the year,” he said.

Mr Kennedy said plans are already underway to stage a major concert in the city later in the year, but would give no more details.

The weather gods smiled down on Cork on Saturday as 26,000 lined the quays for the Awakenings ceremony.

Miraculously fine weather, a giant serpent, three and a half tons of fireworks and a blazing sliotar combined in one of the most spectacular outdoor events the country has ever seen. Confetti rained down on the crowds along the quays as the spines of a 600m white serpent emerged from the river just after 5pm.

As over 70,000 people watched on big screens around the city, Cork hurling star Sean Óg Ó hAilpín fired a burning sliotar from the quay walls at the serpent’s burning head to represent the beast’s mythical slaying by St Finbarr.

It signalled the start of a massive 20-minute fireworks display. As the event drew to a close, soprano Cara O’Sullivan sang the European Union anthem Ode to Joy as dazzling white fireworks arced over the river.

Gloria and Stewart Coughlan from Ballinlough watched from Merchant’s Quay with their children Gemma, four, and Angelica, six.

“The fireworks were great,” Gloria said. However hundreds of spectators complained about not being able to hear John Spillane’s performance of Farranree or the commentary during RTÉ clips from Gougane Barra. Mr Kennedy blamed the glitch on Friday night’s bad weather, which prevented a full technical check.