8 May 2013
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
It’s official – the Rebel County has become the People’s Republic of Cork
with the very first Rebel Passport hot off the press!
The organisers of the forthcoming Cork Rebel Week (October 14th – 20th),
the flagship Gathering event for Cork, have begun distributing the much
anticipated Rebel Passports to the county’s finest.
To date, more than 3,000 Rebel Passports have been granted, with a further
7,000 remaining up for grabs for the Leeaspora and Leesiders.
Festival organisers have been inundated with applications from Corkonians
at home and abroad since the news of an official Cork passport first hit
the headlines some months back. The news travelled fast around the globe on
social network sites, and generated a fantastic response from those who
dreamed of being home by the Banks and elicited a resounding “nice wan”
from Cork people everywhere.
Plans for Cork Rebel Week are now gathering pace and the full line-up of
events will be officially launched soon; with some big names already on
board to support the initiative including Bord Gais and Cork Airport.
Meanwhile, nine towns across the county are gearing up to welcome scores of
international marching bands from as far away as Guatemala in Central
America into their homes for a cup of Barry’s Tea and some craic ahead of
an international event in the city on October 19th. Each town is organising
its own mini-festival with a packed line-up of events to entertain the
visitors.
Rebel Week will also see a Global Economic Forum & Networking Event
featuring international business figures with Cork links take place in the
City and County on October 17th and 18th.
Corkonians home for Rebel Week will be able to display their passports
proudly while taking a stroll over the Shakey Bridge, “Doing Pana” or
sinking a pint of Murphy’s in Bantry Bay during the first ever festival
dedicated to the People’s Republic of Cork.
Cork singer songwriter John Spillane became the first Corkonian to be
presented with an official passport today when the musician came out to
have a skanse at his passport and help launch the momentous occasion.
But while returning Leesiders will qualify for a passport by providing
proof of international travel, Corkonians here will have to earn theirs
through a points system
The notion of a “Cork passport” to promote the City and County was first suggested by Cork City Cllr Laura McGonigle in 2011
Deputy Lord Mayor Emmet O’Halloran has welcomed the launch:
0508 PASSPORT 01 dep lm emmet ohalloran welcomes it
