Galway and Cork have been shortlisted for the European City of Culture, 2005.
The two cities, along with Limerick and Waterford, were the four bidders for the title.
Dublin is ineligible because it was awarded City of Culture status a decade ago.
This is the first time that cities have bided against each other for the accolade but the decision to eliminate two candidate cities was not expected.
Judges from the European Commission will now visit Cork and Galway next week to assess the infrastructures and merits of the respective bids.
It is thought that the final decision will be announced next month.
