After decades of under-investment in the second city, significant funding is being released and growth is happening. But it must be pointed out every European nation worth its salt places a special focus and funding programme on its second city. We want to do that and Cork City Council is happy to take the lead. Cork is already a WHO Healthy City, a Unesco Learning City, a Rainbow City, and a City of Welcomes. Valerie O’Sullivan is chief executive, Cork City Council

Source: Irish Examiner February 27, 2026 13:10 UTC