One of the first events to open in a programme which will continue throughout the year is "Enlargement" at the Vision Centre, introducing the new EU entrants through such aspects of their culture as music, art, cuisine, crafts and literature.

Seven speeches for one opening are at least four too many, and the five Estonian artists representing their country did so through large photographic posters of themselves, a scattering of little scarlet buoys alongside the resident model of Cork city and a group of suspended baking tins containing small pieces of metal-work and jewellery.

But European Parliament President Pat Cox applauded the theme of Enlargement, describing it as "a Cork Epiphany", with Estonian Magi coming from the eastern edge of Europe to the city of Finbarr on the western edge.