The people of Cork will wake up tomorrow as residents of European Capital of Culture.
Cork 2005 officially begins on January 8th but preparations for a spectacular street festival and international carnival are gathering pace.
The President, Mrs McAleese, will officially open Cork 2005 at a civic reception in City Hall on the afternoon of January 8th in a ceremony which will include a specially commissioned theatrical production, Red Sun, performed by 106 children from the Cork Children's Chorus.
Some 180 performers from all over the world will take to the streets of Cork for a street festival expected to attract 80,000 people into the city centre to see a range of characters from giant puppets to feathered carnival queens and fiery dragons.
The highlight of the opening ceremony promises to be Awakening - a unique event on the River Lee created by the Waterford street theatre company Spraoi, which was specially commissioned by the European Capital of Culture and sponsored by the National Lottery.
The director of Cork 2005, Mr John Kennedy, said: "The River Lee is central to the pulse point of Cork life and so we are very excited to mark the beginning of such a momentous year by presenting the river, the harbour and Cork's own myths and legends in the most contemporary of ways.
"Awakening will bring to life a huge serpent stretching over 600 metres of the River Lee which will rise from the water and span three city centre bridges in an explosion of light and fire with water effects, pyrotechnics, lighting and music combining for an amazing display."
Following Awakening, the Ten Alps company will stage the biggest fireworks display witnessed yet in Ireland, when between up to four tonnes of fireworks will light up the night sky over Cork.
Access to the quays for Awakening is by ticket only but tickets are free and will be available from most SuperValu and Centra outlets throughout the city from noon tomorrow.
Before the official opening, Corkonians can look forward to a New Year gala concert when the National Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ireland takes to the stage of Cork City Hall on Sunday.
The orchestra - which is this year celebrating 35 years in existence - will be under the baton of Japanese maestro, Takua Yuasa, and will be accompanied by acclaimed young Finnish pianist, Antii Siirala, while they will be joined by Cork-born soprano, Cara O'Sullivan.