General Election 2024: How do the new boundary changes in Cork affect you?

So, how do the boundary changes affect you?

Roughly, if the last line of your address says Ballincollig or Mallow, you’re most likely going to be voting in Cork North Central. If you’re living Bishopstown or any where urban along the south of the River Lee, you’re mostly likely going to be voting in Cork South Central. If you’re from the outskirts of Mallow in North Cork, you’re most likely now in Cork North West.

But, the lines are never that clear, so lets go into a bit more detail.

Bishopstown and the UCC area have moved from Cork North Central to Cork South Central. That includes everything east of the Curragheen River, and part of the way out Carrigrohane and Model Farm roads, stopping just beyond a few smaller housing clusters on the city side of the green belt. Also included are the Glasheen, Gillabbey, Mardyke, and City Centre areas. Roughly speaking, everywhere south of the river from Lee Fields into the east will all be in Cork South Central.

The constituencies southern and eastern boundaries remain the same, stretching down to Ballinhassig, across to Minane Bridge, and following the coastline up to Passage West and back into the city centre.

Ballincollig has been moved into Cork North Central. This includes everything south of the Lee and west of the Curragheen River, stopping just before Ovens and Classes Lake, which remain in Cork North West. Rural areas to the south of Ballincollig also move into Cork North Central.

Both Mallow town and surrounding Mallow rural areas will all move from Cork East to Cork North Central. 

Essentially, the River Clyda will marl the boundary south of the N72, circling around the Mallow Racecourse, which remains in Cork North West, with a rural buffer zone to the east of Ballyclough following the N20 as far as Caherduggan, before heading east and stopping just shy of the N73 and back down south towards the Blackwater.

Dripsey moves from Cork North Central to Cork North West, along with Berings, Donoughmore, and the Gowlane area. The new border will now stop just before Iniscarra and follow a fairly straight line up towards bring, dipping in to include Berings.

Also joining Cork North West will be the areas outside of Mallow. The new border will run around the Mallow Rural area, and up the east side of Doneraile towards the county bounds, with everything to the west going to Cork North West. This includes Ballyclogh, Kilmaclenine, Caherduggan, New Twopothouse, Doneraile, and Buttevant.

Cork South West maintains the same boundaries as before.

If you’re in doubt about where to vote, what constituency you are in, or whether you are registered, consult the following resources:

• -electoralcommission.ie/what-constituency-am-i-in 
• -checktheregister.ie 
• -The Franchise Offices of Cork City or County councils.
• -Your polling card.

Remember, your polling card is not required to vote, so don’t panic if you misplaced or never received it. All that is required is that you are registered and have a valid ID like a passport or driver’s license.