‘Cork passport’ proposed

Long known as the ‘People’s Republic of Cork’, a new proposal by a Cork city councillor goes some way towards seeing that dream realised.

As the European Union and Ireland struggle under mountains of debt, perhaps secession from the Republic of Ireland is the best way to go for the Rebel County!

Fine Gael Cllr Laura McGonigle is not quite proposing that, but she has come up with a novel concept. At this week’s City Council meeting, she proposed a ‘Cork passport’ to let people with a Cork heritage show their pride in their rebel roots.  

The councillor has said the idea is inspired by the Government’s decision earlier this year to launch a Certificate of Irish Heritage scheme for the global Irish diaspora, which has been estimated to be around 700 million. 

She said: "I'm glad that following informal discussions with officials in City Hall that the 'Cork Certificate of Heritage' has received a positive reaction. It is envisaged that the 'passport' could be tied in with the new genealogy centre proposed for Shandon, in the heart of Cork City. 

“Over the past number of days the reaction has been immense. This is an exceptional opportunity for the Cork diaspora or ‘Lee-aspora’ to remember their Rebel roots, by purchasing a ‘Cork Passport’, and at the same time, giving back a little bit to their home city."

Cllr McGonigle has already spent some of her own money purchasing the domain name www.corkpassport.com, in support of her idea.

It has been suggested that the city could use the Cork passport to generate much-needed revenue, which could be used for charitable projects.

The proposed document will be available to people outside Cork who want their Rebel roots to be officially recognised. Anybody applying for the certificate will have to provide proof of their Cork ancestry and connection with the county. 

Only one major question remains: will George Clooney be able to apply for a Cork passport based on the ‘granny rule’?