Taoiseach cuts the ribbon on Marina Promenade

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was “an exciting day for Cork” as he officially opened the Marina Promenade under sunny skies last week.

The project builds on the pedestrianisation of the Marina during the Covid-19 pandemic. The promenade, which was funded by the National Transport Authority, will serve as a 1.8km corridor for walkers, runners, and cyclists of all ages, stretching from Centre Park Road to Blackrock Village.

Praising the new amenity, the Taoiseach said: “This is an exciting day for Cork as we officially open the Marina Promenade, which we can already see is extraordinarily popular with local communities, schools, sports groups, and visitors to Cork city alike.”

“This project is part of a suite of investments across Cork city that demonstrate the Government's commitment to creating and developing a sustainable way of living for future generations,” he said.

The construction of the project took place between late 2023 and late 2024, and includes a 5.5 metre-wide shared pedestrian and cycleway, riverside viewing balconies, age-friendly seating, plazas, and connections to Marina Park.

Lord Mayor Cllr Dan Boyle echoed the Taoiseach’s sentiment, saying: “The Marina has historically been a place of recreation and a part of our city’s transportation and maritime heritage. Every day we see this route packed with people of all ages and abilities, using it for their commute, for relaxation, in training for their chosen sporting endeavours – it is truly a superb amenity.”

Environmental features include public and feature lighting designed with sensitivity to the area’s natural surroundings, as well as the planting of 34 new trees and 60,000 bulbs.

Historic stone walls along the route have been restored, while existing formal tree plantings were preserved.

The revamp forms part of the wider Cork Docklands regeneration; phase 1 of Marina Park, consisting of 14 acres, opened in 2022, with Phases 2 and 3 consisting of an additional 56 acres due to open in late 2025.

Cork City Council Chief Executive Valerie O’Sullivan thanked the council’s infrastructure team, contractors Ward & Burke, and the National Transport Authority for “for taking the modernised Promenade from blueprints into reality”.

“It has transformed a much-loved amenity, making it more inclusive, more accessible, and safer, all the while keeping one of our core strategic priorities – sustainability – at its heart,” she said.