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Paul Hosford: Cork shines as the best foot Ireland can put forward to kick off EU presidency

A two-day event which kicked off Ireland's EU presidency saw all 27 European commissioners, the Irish Cabinet, and the president of the European Commission descend on the 'Real Capital' to set out the agenda of the continent for the next half year

Tánaiste Simon Harris (front row,centre left), Taoiseach Micheál Martin (front row, centre right) and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen (front row, centre) pose for a family photo with government ministers and the 27 EU commissioners at University College Cork as Ireland begins its presidency of the EU Council. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

Fri, 03 Jul, 2026 - 19:30

Paul Hosford

In a throwaway moment at the tail end of his media appearance near the Donovan Rd entrance to UCC, Tánaiste Simon Harris dropped a line that could lead to more coalition tension than any policy.

"It's not all about Cork," Mr Harris said in an answer intended to espouse the wonder of his native Wicklow. But for two days, the body politic of the EU had to disagree.

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