Sponsorship Overview

Over 230 companies contributed more than €7 million to Cork 2005, constituting a significant investment in the success of the European Capital of Culture celebrations.

The €7 million raised in cash and benefit-in-kind represented an unprecedented sponsorship figure for cultural activity in Ireland. Constituting one third of the operating budget for Cork 2005, the figure was also nearly three times higher than the average private sector income – 13% of the operating budget – of Capitals of Culture prior to 2005.

Raised over an 18 month period, companies pledged their support to Cork 2005 through a five-tiered sponsorship structure: Premier Partner, Official Partner, Event Sponsor, Official Supplier, and Corporate Club Member.

Premier Partner RTÉ was joined by four Official Partners: AIB Bank, Heineken Ireland, Musgrave Group and Thomas Crosbie Holdings Limited who, as well as partnering Cork 2005, took a specific involvement in various strands of the cultural programme.

Event Sponsors became directly involved with one or more of the hundreds of cultural projects, while official suppliers enjoyed exclusivity in their product category and were licensed to produce various products and services such as wine, car hire, hotel beds, clothing. The final Corporate Club tier afforded businesses of all sizes to fly the cultural flag and promote their involvement.

Sponsorship of Cork 2005 came from every section of the private sector: Financial Services, Retail and Wholesale, Hospitality, Transport, Construction and Property, Drinks Industry, Media and Entertainment. For many companies, it was their first venture into cultural sponsorship.

Cork 2005’s partnership with AIB enjoyed success at the Allianz Business to Arts Awards for Best Enhancement of Corporate Identity in 2005.