Looking ahead to 2008, Dave MacArdle says: "I'd say to the people of Liverpool 'If the official programme doesn't include anything which interests you, do it yourself!' Make it happen!"
Cork 2005's director is John Kennedy - a man with a thick skin. Which, it seems, is just as well.
He says of the criticism: "It hasn't upset me. You have to be open to it and accept the official programme is never going to meet everyone's expectations. One person's idea of culture is not necessarily another's.
"We never claimed to have all the answers, or to be the owners of culture in the city for the year."
Mr Kennedy accepts that the information centre could have been opened in January, but stresses that Cork 2005 did launch a "public call for ideas" ahead of the year, which attracted 2000 proposals (the official programme includes 236 creative projects) - and he insists: "I think the year's gone very well so far and I can back that up with visitor numbers and hotel bookings.
"In addition, local groups have formed network relationships with their counterparts in other countries - that's what the arts community wanted, to broaden its horizons." While accepting that a city only gets "one shot" at Capital of Culture, he stresses: "This is a beginning and we may only be able to measure its success five years down the line."
"And I must say the number of people saying positive things about the year has markedly increased as it has progressed."
Looking at what Liverpool could learn, he says: "Having all your money in place before you put your event management team and programme together is pretty key." (Cork, the smallest city to ever be awarded Capital of Culture status, received 15 million euros of public funding and 6 million euros in sponsorship - but while it may be a relatively small city, many people feel it needed a much bigger cash boost).
And Mr Kennedy adds: "A citywide network needs to be in place. I'm talking about business, government agencies, community groups and anyone who is interested in the success of the year being on the same page before work starts - and I'm not sure that was the case here."
. If you're visiting Cork and would like more information, go to www.cork2005.ie and www.wheresmeculture.com
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