'Something special': Taoiseach’s ‘delight’ over Cork's new Marina Promenade

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has spoken of his “personal delight” at officially opening the Marina Promenade with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle.

Speaking to The Echo on a bright and warm Friday afternoon beside the Lee, Mr Martin said he had walked the Marina countless times over the years on the old tarmacadam surface “which was very hard on the legs”.

When someone out walking the new 5.5 metre-wide pedestrian and cycle corridor told him: “You brought the sunshine”, the Taoiseach replied with a laugh: “I always do”.

“The transformation over the years in terms of the Marina Park and the Marina Promenade has been absolutely fantastic to behold,” he said.

“It shows that with good investment you can do an awful lot with active travel, greenways, cycleways and walkways. I was here last Sunday walking, and the numbers were extraordinary, I mean the place was jammed, it’s helped the revitalisation of Blackrock village, and it’s good for people’s health and mental wellbeing.” 

Mr Martin said the Marina Promenade was a vital piece of infrastructure that would enable people to live and work in the city, and he said it was good that people with disabilities were being facilitated and welcomed.

“I hope now we can get the whole greenway done, the Atlantic Pond done, it’ll be something special,” he said.

Mr Boyle said he was thrilled to be a part of the facility’s official opening.

“The Marina has historically been a place of recreation and a part of our city’s transportation and maritime heritage,” he said.

“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, and this revitalisation has only increased its popularity as a destination of choice in Cork City.” 

The 1.8km long new amenity space extends from Centre Park Road to Blackrock village and features age-friendly seating, riverside viewing balconies, enhanced landscaping, environmentally sensitive public and feature lighting and other features.

Phase 1 of Marina Park, consisting of 14 acres, was opened in 2022, with Phases 2 and 3, consisting of an additional 56 acres, now expected to be open to the public in late 2025.