Torrential rain and driving winds meant that less than 1,000 people ventured out to watch the fireworks display on Saturday night marking the end of Cork's tenure as European Capital of Culture, writes Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent
In expectation of crowds, the quays around the north channel of the Lee were closed.
However, spectators were scarce and security staff joined spectators to huddle for cover under bus shelters and in doorways.
At Emmet Place, around 100 well-clad souls sheltered at the Opera House and under the canopies of Luigi Malone's restaurant as they watched rainfall pepper the streets like bullets.
The fireworks display by Merlin Fireworks was due to start at 8pm but heavy winds forced a delay and the crowds instead had to be content with Rocking Around the Christmas Tree and White Christmas blasting from the speakers set up along the quays.
Eventually, with Mangan's clock on Patrick Street showing 8.20pm, the familiar pulsating rhythms of U2's New's Year Day came blasting across the squally night, and the first salvo of fireworks was launched from Collins Barracks high above the city.
For 15 minutes, the rain was ignored as Merlin wove its magic and unleashed four tonnes of pyrotechnics which fizzed and sparkled through the atrocious weather.
The Pogues' Sally MacLennane had revellers dancing a jig near Patrick's Bridge, while Thin Lizzy's Dancing in the Moonlight got a few more hoofers in the mood, but most just stood, tilted back their brollies and watched the sky light up.
Cotton balls exploded into reds and silvers, horse tails whirred and spun around, streamers shot up like tracer fire, before yet more fireworks burst into gold and purple cascades of lights and showered down over the city.
As the European anthem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy, blasted out on the sound system, the already-impressive firework display simply took off to a higher level.
Piling on the pyrotechnics to match the rising notes of Ode to Joy, Merlin set off another barrage from the top of Easons and Roches Stores in Patrick Street and the Royal Liver building on Patrick's Quay.
Among the 300 or so people gathered at the top of Patrick's Street and enjoying the farewell ceremony were Peter and Eilish Cronin from Whites Cross, and their children, Billy (6), Gavin (4) and Penny (almost 2), who were all well made up for the weather.
"It was absolutely brilliant, so good that you hardly noticed it was raining," said Eilish.
"The kids loved it - they were so taken with all the colours, they thought it was magical. We thought it was the best fireworks display ever in Cork."
