The Land Development Agency (LDA) and Bord na Móna (BnM) have finalised the transfer of a site with capacity for up to 300 homes on Monahan Road in Cork City Docklands.

Under the agreement, approximately 2.08 hectares (five acres) of land have passed from BnM to the LDA. The state bodies, in consultation with Cork City Council, have collaborated over several years to bring the project to this stage.

The well-located site will benefit from strong links to the city centre. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has announced its preferred route for the planned Cork Luas, which includes Docklands and Páirc Uí Chaoimh stops close to the land. The proposed alignment would run directly in front of Monahan Road, placing the site between the two stops.

The transfer follows constructive engagement between the parties after the land ceased active use by BnM. It forms part of the LDA's programme to bring under‑utilised public land into housing supply, alongside other transfers at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin (Horse Racing Ireland), Wilton in Cork (ESB), Kilbarry in Cork (IDA) and The Gasworks on Dock Road in Limerick (Gas Networks Ireland).

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Cork City Council will use a portion of the site for road widening on Monahan Road, supporting new bus lanes and expanded cycling infrastructure. Future residents will also benefit from outlooks over, and access to, Marina Park.

The LDA will now appoint a design team to prepare a planning application, with a submission due in 2027. Subject to approval, the Agency plans to deliver up to 300 new A‑rated affordable homes to help meet local housing need, alongside associated commercial uses.

The scheme will add to the LDA's wider activity in Cork, where nearly 1,400 homes are in planning or under construction. In the Docklands, the LDA and Glenveagh are building 337 homes at Marina Depot, located across the road from the BnM site, while a further 302 apartments are being delivered at Horgan’s Quay with BAM and Clarendon Properties.

Elsewhere, works are advancing at the former St Kevin's Hospital site in Shanakiel, where the first of 267 homes will complete later this year. The Agency also holds planning permission for 345 homes on former ESB lands in Wilton and for 147 homes at Anglesea Terrace in Cork city centre in partnership with Cork City Council.

John Coleman, Chief Executive of The Land Development Agency, said: "The completion of this land transfer at Monahan Road is an important milestone in our efforts to unlock well-located state land for the delivery of much-needed housing. This site has the potential to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes in the heart of Cork Docklands, a key growth area for the city. We are pleased to have worked collaboratively with BnM, Cork City Council and other stakeholders to reach this point, and we look forward to progressing a planning application and advancing delivery in due course."

Tom Donnellan, Chief Executive of BnM, said: "BnM is supporting Ireland's transition to net zero by delivering renewable energy at scale for businesses nationwide with a development pipeline of 7.5 GW of indigenous sourced, secure energy. As part of our renewed focus, we are pleased to work with the Land Development Agency to deliver a positive outcome for this strategically located site on Monahan Road. We look forward to its transformation into much-needed homes supporting Cork City's growth."