Petition calls for Youghal-Cork rail line to be restored

A CAMPAIGNER from Youghal has launched a petition calling on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to re-open the train line that connected the town with Cork City 60 years ago.

Jacob Sosinsky, from Poland but living in Youghal since 2022, has started a petition, urging the Government to restore the line, which he says would ease traffic congestion.

Mr Sosinsky’s petition had 320 signatures in less than 24 hours, signalling strong local support for the return of the railway line.

Locals were given renewed hope when Irish Rail project manager, AJ Cronin, refused to rule out reopening the line at a meeting of the East Cork Municipal District Council.

Of his petition, Mr Sosinsky said, “The people of Youghal urgently need reliable public transport.

“Right now, our only options are bus or private car, which means there are problems with traffic congestion in the town.

“Reopening the train line, after all these years, would make our town less reliant on cars and buses and would help commuters and students get to, and from, the city more easily.

“We are pleading with Eamon Ryan to make this a priority and give the people of Youghal their train line back.”

Siobhán O’Donoghue, executive director at Uplift, applauded Jacob for starting this petition, saying, “Our members tell, us time and time again, that they need liveable, well-connected communities, and reliable public transport is one of the best ways to achieve this.

“We would urge the people of Cork to sign Jacob’s petition and help get this train line back on the agenda.

“We’ve proven, time and time again, that people power works: If enough of us sign, we can make sure that Eamon Ryan has no choice but to listen to the public and to make restoring the train line to Youghal a priority.”

• The petition can be found here.