Cork scoops culture capital title

Cork originated as a monastic settlement

The city of Cork in the south of Ireland is to be Europe's Culture Capital in 2005.

The city won the title in an all-Ireland competition judged by a European Union delegation.

Cork will receive at least IR£500,000 (£398,820) in funds from the EU and is likely to receive an additional boost to its economy.

St Finbarr is Cork's patron saint

"It is a very prestigious title to win and it is up to the city of culture to make the most of the opportunities it opens up to them," said an EU spokesman.

The culture capital is extensively promoted and is seen as an opportunity for a city to advertise itself across Europe.

This will be the second time the annual award has come to Ireland as Dublin held the title for 1991.

Cork is the first recipient under a new system whereby each of the EU member states is given the title for a year and cities from that country are asked to submit proposals.

There were four entries from Ireland - Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Cork.

Representatives from all of Cork's cultural events - from the jazz festival to the film and choral festivals through literature, music, painting and sculpture - helped put together the city's application.

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"It is a great honour for us to get this reward," said a spokeswoman for Cork Corporation.

"We are happy that this will bring in even more visitors to our city and put Cork on the European map."

Cork-based MEP Pat Cox also welcomed the news.

"There has been a lot of investment in Cork, especially with urban renewal, and I am happy that it has paid off."

In 2001, the European Cultural Capital's are Porto and Rotterdam.