Cork's Lord Mayor Cllr Deirdre Clune was invited to Belfast last Saturday for the launch of the city's 15 -month programme of cultural celebrations.

The invitation from Lord Mayor Cllr Wallace Browne was a recognition of the "Lagan to the Lee" programme which united Belfast and Cork through the Cork 2005 Capital of Culture designation. This collaboration, in which both Arts Councils and City Councils shared ideas, events and participation, could be one of the most important aspects of the "legacy" expected to flow from Cork's year as cultural capital of Europe. This is a timely enough celebration for Belfast, too, marking the centenary of Belfast City Hall and, especially in the new atmosphere of this last week, presenting the city as a cultural destination.