Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Gary O'Brien joined local Northeast Ward councillors and Cork City Council Chief Executive Valerie O'Sullivan to walk the new Glanmire Greenway.

The route connects the recently completed link road at Dooley's Lane via the former John Barleycorn site and includes two new pedestrian and cycle bridges: one over the Glashaboy River into John O' Callaghan Park, and another over the Butlerstown River through the former Riverstown Soccer Club to East Cliff Road, where it links with the existing shared cycle facility at Glanmire Bridge.

The greenway is one element of a package of major infrastructure projects representing an estimated €50 million public investment in Glanmire in recent years. The works—at varying stages of planning, construction and completion—span the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme, new roads, upgraded pedestrian connections, additional cycle infrastructure and greenways, new river crossings, and community recreation amenities.

Phase 1 of the Glanmire to City Cycle Scheme, from Church Road to the Dunkettle Roundabout, was finished in autumn 2024. Road and active-travel improvements on Dunkettle Road are due for completion in September to early October, finalising the link between Glanmire Community College and the Glounthaune Greenway. Works on Hazelwood Road, between Aldi and Crestfield Shopping Centre, are scheduled to begin this month and will run for 12 weeks.

-- Advertisement --

Meanwhile, the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme is in its final stages and will deliver one-in-one-hundred-year flood protection to about 103 properties (78 homes and 25 businesses) in Glanmire.

Cork City Council has also unveiled plans for a major new riverside park on lands off East Cliff Road—recently acquired by the Council—in what would be the largest investment in public park infrastructure in the town in a generation. The proposed Glanmire Park would convert the former Riverstown FC grounds into a high-quality public amenity serving residents of Glanmire, Riverstown, Ballinglanna and nearby neighbourhoods. Together with John O'Callaghan Park and the newly opened greenway, the proposals would create a connected, accessible public space of around 11 hectares. The park plans are currently out for Part 8 public consultation.

Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O'Sullivan, said: "The investment in Glanmire will have an enormous impact in creating a key destination along the greenway and in strengthening connections between Glanmire Village, Riverstown, East Cliff, John O'Callaghan Park, local schools, residential areas and community facilities. It makes Glanmire a hugely attractive place to live, visit, and enjoy. On behalf of Cork City Council I'd like to thank the residents of Glanmire for the patience and support that they have shown while these works have been underway, in the understanding that they will ensure benefits in the area for generations to come."

"I also want to pay tribute to the Council's Infrastructure Directorate and all the team whose vision, work and dedication are transforming Glanmire and many other parts of Cork City for its people."

Members of the public are invited to review the Glanmire Park proposals and submit feedback at consult.corkcity.ie.