A call has been made for a park and ride service for Shannon Park, Carrigaline to be included in plans for the proposed Luas light rail system for Cork city.
The issues was raised at a recent meeting of Cork County Council’s Carriagline municipal district meeting in a motion placed by Sinn Féin councillor for the area, Eoghan Fahy.
His motion followed the theme of a previous motion, in which Mr Fahy called on the municipal district to make a collective submission in relation to the Luas, requesting the inclusion of Carrigaline and surrounding areas in the plan.
He pointed out that Carrigaline has the largest population growth rates and the heaviest traffic in the region.
“The 2022 county development plan shows that nearly 80% of Carrigaline residents commuted to work by car. We have continuous issues with our public transport, and in its current form, we are not going to get people out of the cars and into public transport,” said Mr Fahy.
He said that while there have been what he described as “positive investments” in active travel over recent years, more was needed to alleviate “the major issue that faces Carrigaline with traffic.”
“This issue has knock-on effects in terms of proposed housing developments and the expansion of Carrigaline. This is undoubtedly achievable as the land was available at the location and a route along the existing N28 Carr’s Hill Rd was in place,” said Mr Fahy.
He went on to point out that when the Shannon Park masterplan was published a decade ago, a park and ride or “transport hub” was a central element of the proposals.
“We now need to return to this proposal, whether at this site or elsewhere, we need movement on this because people in Carrigaline need a wide range of transport solutions,” said Mr Fahy.
His party colleague, Cork South-Central TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said traffic is one of the biggest issues in the area, and people are “frustrated at spending so much time in their cars, but without having enough alternatives”.
“We need to scale up significantly the public transport offering. In the longer run, in my view the Luas proposals need to be extended south, but that is some years away. In the interim we need to ensure the 220 is dependable and we also need to return to the proposal of a park and ride,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire. “We owe it to people in Carrigaline and indeed the surrounding areas to be constantly seeking solutions to the traffic grid lock and offering alternatives.”
Pitches opened to honour former Carrigaline GAA chair
A historical day in the annals of Carrigaline GAA was recorded on June 14 when two new juvenile pitches were officially opened and blessed.
The large gathering at the event was welcomed by club executive Alan Murphy, who had a special welcome for the family of the late former club chairperson Willie Walsh.
Current chairperson Philip O’Reilly paid tribute to Mr Walsh who played such a great part in the development of the club, and his old friends from Na Piarsaigh who came to pay their own tributes on the occasion.
Club sponsor Stephen McCarthy of Astra Construction, and close friend of the late Mr Walsh, initially priced the development at €130,000.
However, as time went on and the new flood lit walkway was added to the project, the final figure is nearer a half million euro.
Mr McCarthy said: “It is not the cost that mattered, it is getting it right is what matters”.
John Walsh, Willlie’s son, spoke on behalf of the family.
The new pitches were blessed by Canon Elaine Murray and Fr James McSweeney. The south east board was represented by vice chairperson Kevin O’Donovan and treasurer Declan O’Neill. The ribbon was cut jointly by Willie Walsh’s widow Mary and Mr McCarthy.
A plaque saying: “Juvenile pitches and walkway generously sponsored by Stephen McCarthy and Astra Construction in memory of his good friend Billy Walsh former Chairman of Carrigaline GAA Club Officially opened on 14th June 2025”, was unveiled by Willie Walsh’s sons John and Liam, and his daughter Aisling.
Piper Jason Deasy led the parade of the U9s who played exhibition football, camogie, and hurling matches on the new pitches — which will be known as pitch number five and pitch number six. All present were treated to hospitality afterwards in the club pavilion.
All aboard for Crosshaven sail anniversary weekend
Knock places available
A number of places are available for the Carrigaline two-day pilgrimage to Knock, which will leave from the church at 8am tomorrow.
The spiritual director is Fr Liam Brady, SMA who will lead the pilgrims in prayer. The bus will have stop at the Inn at Dromoland for breakfast and should arrive at Knock House Hotel shortly after noon giving all Saturday afternoon to attend the ceremonies and get confession etc.
Dinner and overnight at Knock House Hotel giving the full Sunday to visit the numerous shrines and the museum.
The bus will leave after the ceremonies on Sunday, call to the Inn at Dromoland for dinner and plan to be home before 11pm. Enquiries to Aislinn 087 9699 488 or Mary 021 437 1025.
Fort to Fort cycle a success
Well done to the Carrigaline and Harbour Lions Clubs on the successful running of their recent annual fort to fort cycle rally in aid of the Mercy Hospital Foundation and the Cork Lions Clubs.
Two hundred and eighty cyclists took part in the round trip from Camden Fort Meagher, Crosshaven to Fort Davis via the cross-river ferry and back with water and food stations enroute.
All were presented with medals and treated to hospitality when they arrived back in Camden Fort Meagher.
Carrigaline on national stage
Carrigaline was one of four towns that were selected to participate in a special large urban centre 32-county competition to chose Ireland’s best kept towns 2025.
Organised by the Department of Community and Rural Affairs and the North of Ireland Amenity Council, Nass, Co Kildare was declared winner of the large urban centre at the awards ceremony at Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park. Carrigaline Tidy Towns were represented by chairperson Niamh Brody, Kathryn Barry joint PRO, Hazel Kelleher, and Marie O’Mahony.
The other large urban centres in the final were Derry, Co Derry, and Omagh, County Tyrone. The only other Cork location in the overall competitions was Eyries in the village category.
Tracton gears up for festival
The 10th annual Traction Music and Arts Festival will take place from Thursday, July 3 to Sunday, July 6, with organisers promising a packed weekend of concerts, film, comedy, outdoor experiences, food, and “fun for all the family.”
Musical highlights will include gigs by Mary Coughlan, Neil Young tribute band Harvest, a cross-cultural musical celebration featuring African Queens & Rasa Nua, and a performnce by the Meloria Quartet.
The Inkwell Theatre will also host a lunchtime performance of Roald Dahl’s Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf on Sunday.
Other events across the weekend will include canoe trips along the River Minane, an arts and crafts workshop, history and art talks, a nature walk, and the ‘juggling dancer’ circus show.
The full festival programme and ticket information are available at www.tracton.org.
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