Cork 2005: The front garden of the City Hall became a dance-floor for the launch of the Céilí Mór project planned for September 10th.

This is a city council initiative managed by Martin Barrett, who, with Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, is organising a marathon of Irish dancing aimed at winning an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Lord Mayor Deirdre Clune showed a neat pair of dancing feet in an invitation to Corkonians to join in what it is hoped will be a gathering of 10,000 people. Grand Parade and South Mall will be enhanced by seven platforms, on which céilí bands will play, beginning with the Siege of Ennis. It is run with the Cork Folk Festival. Dancers - no experience required - can sign on at the Triskel Arts Centre, or through 021-4272022, corkceilimor@triskelartscentre.com, www.triskelart.com.

The Grand Parade, South Mall and Parnell Place will be closed to traffic from 7am to 6.30pm that day.