Explore the new greenway

Ready to play some snakes and ladders of a different kind?

The young and young at heart can now enjoy some new slides along the newly opened Cork city to Passage West Greenway.

The 3km greenway provides a recreational and commuter corridor between the city’s docklands and Mahon tracing the route of the 19th century Cork, Blackrock, and Passage Railway line. The greenway provides a wider and more accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists and, Cork City Council said, it includes new and improved access ramps, extensive planting of more than 2,000 new trees alongside a wide range of other pollinator-friendly planting, environmentally sensitive lighting, play and rest features as well as the restoration of historic railway structures.

The opening of the new main ramp at the Marina will allow access to the ‘snakes and ladders’ section where some slides can be found.

An Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD, welcomed the launch of the first phase of the Cork City to Passage West greenway. “This is an exciting day for Cork as we officially open the first phase of the Cork City to Passage West Greenway, which we can already see is being warmly welcomed by local communities and visitors to Cork city. This project forms part of a series of investments across Cork city demonstrating Government’s commitment to creating and developing a sustainable way of living for future generations.”

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Deirdre Forde said: “The opening of our greenway will allow us to reconnect with nature, explore some of Cork city’s fascinating historic features and introduce more opportunities to play! Cork City Council is undertaking a series of exciting and transformative projects including the Cork Docklands, the Marina Park re-development alongside, and the upgrading of the Cork City to Passage West Greenway – these projects will transform the area for users of these much-loved amenities – creating a more vibrant and inclusive amenity with sustainability at its heart.”

The greenway project builds on the ambitious plans for the redevelopment of Cork Docklands which is one of the largest regeneration sites in the country. It follows the pedestrianisation of the Marina in 2020 and the opening of Phase 1 of Marina Park last year.

Later this year construction is scheduled to commence on the revamped Marina between Cork Docklands and Blackrock Village and Phase 2 & 3 of the Marina Park which will add a further 56 acres to the already complete 14 acres.

Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty said: “The opening of Phase 1 of the Cork City to Passage Greenway is a hugely positive news as we start to enjoy the longer evenings. This 3km greenway provides improved access, additional opportunities for young and old(er) to play whilst prioritising sustainability, one of Cork City Council’s key strategic priorities.”