The Irish Times

There is such an air of confidence in Cork these days that plans are afoot for a "twinning" with Shanghai during its year as European City of Culture in 2005. Cork and Shanghai? Well, they're both port cities and, in the context of their respective states, second cities too. What they also have in common, according to Cork city manager Joe Gavin, is a "very vibrant cultural scene" and good sporting facilities as well. But that's where the similarities end. For Shanghai is one of the world's mega-cities, with a population soaring above 20 million - more than 90 times that of Cork. And 225,000 is the population of what is now called Metropolitan Cork. Within the city boundary, the 2002 Census recorded a figure of 123,338 - down 3 per cent since 1996 - a trend the city is determined to reverse. And whatever its size in the future, it will always be Ireland's Southern Capital.