Sinn Féin MEP to travel to Cork - European Capital of Culture 2005

7 January, 2005

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún will travel to Cork later today to take part in the celebrations marking the launch of the city‚s celebration as the European Capital of Culture for 2005. Ms de Brún has congratulated all those involved in the tremendous achievement of winning Capital of Culture status for Cork for the year ahead.

As part of the events to mark the coming year, Ms de Brún will participate in the launch of ‘The Lagan to the Lee’ programme, organised jointly by Cork and Belfast City Councils.

Speaking before her departure Ms de Brún said that ‘this should be a celebration not just for the people of Cork, but also for Irish people as a whole. We should use this year to reflect, and be proactive in ensuring respect for cultural diversity’.

Speaking today Ms de Brún said:

“I am pleased to have been invited to Cork, as the city begins to celebrate its status as the European Capital of Culture for 2005. This is a tremendous achievement and I congratulate all those involved in winning Capital of Culture status for Cork for the year ahead. Cork has long been recognised throughout Ireland as a city of vibrant cultural activity. Now that recognition will be even more widespread than before. I wish the people of Cork well in the year ahead. They will make excellent ambassadors for Ireland on both the European and world stages.”

Speaking about “The Lagan to the Lee” programme, Ms de Brún said:

“I am delighted that Belfast City Council will be playing such a prominent part in Cork‚s Capital of Culture launch and that Cork City Council will come to Belfast as part of our 2006 celebrations. The events that have been organised jointly by Cork and Belfast City Councils will serve to further strengthen the bond between our two cities.

“The Lagan to the Lee programme of events represents the celebration of the cultural partnerships between our two cities and I am very much looking forward to attending these events. We can use this year to reflect, and be proactive in ensuring respect for cultural diversity, ensuring also the inclusion of ethnic minority communities in the year‚s events, and in society as a whole.”ENDS

Note to editor:

Among the events Ms de Brún will attend at Cork City Hall are:

  • Launch of “The Lagan to the Lee” a collaborative programme of cultural activities between Belfast and Cork’s City Councils
  • Official Opening Ceremony of the European Capital of Culture 2005
  • Civic Reception in honour of President Mary McAleese Uachtarán na hÉireann

Belfast City will be celebrating a year of culture in 2006