Liverpool 1, Cork city 0

LIVERPOOL is hosting the European City of Culture in 2008. Having visited the city last year, I can say they are very organised and eagerly awaiting the occasion.

I could not help comparing Liverpool with my own city of Cork. There are a lot of similarities — our love of sport, marine activities, and the knowledge that each city is the ‘real capital’ of its respective states — but the glaring difference between us is friendliness, or lack of it.

I’m not talking about the people, but rather the city councils. Liverpool city council go out of their way to make your trip as enjoyable as possible. Unfortunately, it is the opposite in Cork.