All About Cork: Councillors call to reduce M8 noise for Glanmire locals

Councillors for the north-east ward have urged the council to reduce noise disruption for Glanmire residents near the M8.

Fine Gael’s Joe Kavanagh tabled a motion asking the council to amend its noise action plan to include the M8 northbound corridor — adjacent to Chestnut Meadows in Glanmire — as a ‘most important area’.

The council must have an action plan for any major road that has more than six million vehicle passages per annum, EPA guidelines state, and this section of the M8 has 10m. Mr Kavanagh said: “Traffic passes by Chestnut Meadows houses on a raised embankment on a daily basis, less than 20 metres from residential estate bedroom windows, far in excess of WHO guidelines for maximum noise levels.

“As per Cork City Council’s Environment Department’s noise readings (November 2024), each 15-minute period has a maximum reading that never drops below 65dB. One day-time slot peaked at 82dB, and residents also had readings in excess of 70dB during night-time hours. This needs to be urgently addressed.”

Noel Murtagh, the council’s acting director of local area development and operations, said that criteria to be included as a ‘most important area’ were based on modelled noise levels and population density: “If the road-traffic noise level at Chestnut Meadows is above these levels, which it most likely is, given the location, then it is classed as an ‘important area’.” 

Mr Murtagh said: “There is no dedicated available funding for mitigation of noise. Work on the production of the next round of strategic noise maps to inform the next noise action plan begins this year and Chestnut Meadows will be considered in more detail.”

Fianna Fáil’s Margaret McDonnell explained that when the M8 Glanmire bypass was opened in 1992, there were few housing developments adjacent to the bypass, and a combination of topography and tree cover provided a modest buffer against road noise.

She told The Echo: “In the years since, however, significant residential development has taken place along the corridor, including housing estates now home to thousands of residents.

“Compounding the problem, a number of mature trees along the motorway boundary have recently been felled or heavily trimmed for road safety and visibility reasons.

“The road surface itself is over 30 years old on some sections, and is a traditional, dense-graded, bituminous surface. Modern best practice would favour a low-noise, porous asphalt, which can dramatically reduce the noise impact.” Ms McDonnell said that residents have told her they can no longer open bedroom windows at night, due to noise, “which disrupts residents’ sleep, enjoyment of their gardens, and overall quality of life”.

She urged the council to install appropriate noise-monitoring equipment, and to engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to prioritise a full resurfacing of the road.

A good sign for community

Cycle route fund update

At Monday’s council meeting, Green Party councillor Oliver Moran asked for an update on the Glanmire-to-city-centre cycle route (phase two); and the commitment by the Department of Transport to fund it.

Gerry O’Beirne, the council’s director of infrastructure development, said: “The detailed design process for the Glanmire-to- city-centre cycle route, phase 2, is complete and the related construction tender documents are ready for publication. The project team is finalising the detailed business case and cost estimate for the project.

“These documents will be submitted to the National Transport Authority as part of the funding application process later this year. The project is scheduled to progress to tender and construction thereafter.”

Voices of Cork at St Luke’s

Voices of Cork, a four-part harmony community choir, are set to perform in St Luke’s next month.

The choir was formed in 2005 and is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, with several events planned.

They recently appeared in The Lord Mayor’s Heritage Concert in Cork City Hall, an event which they have been taking part in since its inception in 2010 and will play a gala dinner dance at The Address Hotel, St Luke’s on November 15.

Members of the choir are people of all ages and from diverse backgrounds. Their repertoire includes popular songs, ballads, jazz, and much more, and social aspect is key, with a Christmas party and trips to events.

The choir is conducted by Andrew Lane, who holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts in music from MTU Cork School of Music, specialising in musical theatre performance and musical direction.

Rehearsals are conducted every Wednesday night at 7.30pm in St Patricks School on Gardiners Hill.

Fairies at Mayfield Library

Fairy doors have been on display at Mayfield Library over October, the work of Carrigaline Men’s Shed.

The library is also running fairy house workshops on Saturdays with artist Grace Haynes for ages five to eight, while the ‘fairy library’ of miniature books are a permanent fixture.

Public lighting upgrades

Cork City Council is continuing a Public Lighting Upgrade Project. Completed or ongoing works include Lotamore Estate, Mayfield; Silversprings Court, Tivoli; Park Court, Ballyvolane and Brandon Crescent, The Glen.

Upcoming Works (subject to funding approval) include Annalee Grove, Mayfield; Liffey Park, Mayfield; Gweedore Avenue, Mayfield; Lagan Grove and Shannon Lawn and Thorndale Estate, Dublin Hill.

Independent Ireland councillor Noel O’Flynn asked people to get in touch with him if they notice any street lights that are out or need replacement, or to contact the Cork City Council Public Lighting team at: ITS@corkcity.ie.

Mayfield CALP courses

Beginners computers will start on Tuesday, 11 November from 10am to 12 noon for six sessions at Mayfield CDP.

Social Media, teaching participants about apps like TikTok, Snapchat and more, will start Tuesday, November 11 from 12.15pm to 1.45pm for three sessions.

Word — ECDL module will start on Wednesday, 12 November from 9am to 3pm for five sessions, while Nutrition and Wellness will start on Thursday 6 November for six Thursday mornings, from10am to 12 noon.

All courses are held in the Mayfield CDP Community Resource Centre, 328 Old Youghal Rd funded by Cork ETB and Cork City Partnership CLG. To sign up, contact Mayfield CALP on 021 4508562 or mayfieldcalp1@outlook.com

Mayfield Communion dates

Mayfield family of parishes; Our Lady Crowned Church, St Joseph’s Church and Holy Family Church have announced their schedule for First Holy Communion and confirmation ceremonies in 2026. All communions start at 11am and all confirmations at 10.30am.

St Patrick’s Boys and Girls Schools: Communion Saturday, April 25 and confirmation Wednesday, March 4 at St Joseph’s Church.

Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn: Communion Saturday, May 16 and confirmation Thursday, March 19 at Our Lady Crowned Church.

Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin: Saturday, May 23 and Tuesday, April 21 at Our Lady Crowned Church.

St Paul’s School: Friday, May 15 and Tuesday, April 28 at Our Lady Crowned Church.

St Killian’s School will have their Communion on Wednesday, May 20 at Our Lady Crowned Church.

A meeting for all parents of communion and confirmation children attending St Patrick’s Boys and Girls Schools, Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin and Gaelscoil an Ghoirt Álainn will take place Wednesday, October 22 at 7pm at Our Lady Crowned Church, with the church saying it is important that all parents attend.

All Children receiving the sacraments in 2026 are to hand in a copy of their Baptism Certificate by the end of October 2025 to their class teacher. There will also be a Sacramental Enrolment Ceremony on November 29 and 30, the first Sunday of Advent, at St Jospeh’s Church and Our Lady Crowned Church.