Cork City is to get nearly £1 million of an extra £9 million authorised by the Government last week for expenditure on millennium projects.
A new footbridge will be constructed across the River Lee, at a cost of about £500,000, with money from the millennium fund, and all 14 road bridges in Cork City will be illuminated, at a further cost of £300,000. The projects will form part of a much wider programme of work, amounting to £5.1 million which has been planned by Cork Corporation to revitalise the "Banks of the Lee", particularly within the Mardyke area of the city. Dublin was the main beneficiary from the first tranche of £5 million in millennium funding, details of which were announced some months ago. Flood-lighting of 11 city bridges and a boardwalk along the Liffey were approved at that time.
Some £3 million of the £9 million agreed by Government will go towards events in small towns and villages and a special attempt will be made to take the focus away from midnight-based events and to concentrate on "Last Light of the Millennium" ceremonies, as the sun goes down.
A scheme to preserve old lighthouse homes around the coast and make them accessible to the public has attracted funding of £500,000. The Irish Landmark Trust will take charge of the project and 10 houses are involved. The structures, in isolated areas, are being made available for refurbishment through open-ended leases by Irish Lights.
A millennium liaison officer is to be appointed in each local authority area, following agreement with the Minister of State to the Taoiseach, Mr Seamus Brennan. Up to 20 projects - attracting grants to a maximum of £5,000 - will be eligible for funding within each county and a wide variety of proposals have already been received.
Mr Brennan said he was particularly pleased by the positive response city and county managers had given to the appointment of millennium officers who would co-ordinate events, assess awards initiatives and distribute information. The last of these appointments will be made this week.
Public safety was one of his key concerns, Mr Brennan said. Arising from his consultations, he was now satisfied, as chairman of the national committee, that a comprehensive plan to deal with any emergencies would be in place in each county in advance of the millennium celebrations. The millennium was more than one big party. It was a noteworthy date in the Christian calendar. It was a time for reflection and family gatherings as well as street parties and celebrations.
"The millennium can be a wonderfully uplifting experience for everyone if we treat this remarkable moment in history with the respect it deserves. We must take every precaution possible to make sure it is not marred by tragedy.
"We do not want to stop anyone having a good time. However, we feel the entire celebration of the millennium should not be concentrated on the one night. In an effort to allow everyone to feel part of this momentous moment in history we are finalising a ceremony that will be built around the fading of the last natural light of this millennium, which at that time of the year will begin on the east coast shortly after 4 p.m. but will occur up to half-an-hour later further south.
"It will be an enormously symbolic occasion and we intend that everyone in the country, regardless of age, religion, belief, health, income or location, can participate in marking the last sundown of a century and a millennium with a truly memorable ceremony that will involve candles, music and verse," Mr Brennan said.
In an effort to prevent overcharging by hotels, restaurants and licensed premises on the occasion, the Minister has had meetings with the various representative bodies involved.