Construction begins on new primary care centre in Cork village 

Construction work has begun on the long awaited Glanmire Primary Care Centre, the HSE has confirmed.

The development will provide a “comprehensive range of primary care services” aimed at addressing health and wellbeing needs of the local community on the vacant site of the former John Barleycorn Hotel which was destroyed by fire in 2006 and has remained unused since.

Fianna Fáil councillor Margaret McDonnell told The Echo: “I warmly welcome this long-awaited development. Since the devastating fire in 2006, this landmark has been left idle for nearly two decades — something which has weighed heavily on the community.

“Having worked for many years to support improved healthcare services here in Glanmire, I know only too well how vital it is to have local, accessible, high-quality care for residents.

“The primary care centre will transform access to healthcare, offering GP practices, pharmacy services and other essential health and social supports under one roof.”

Construction is anticipated to take about two years, following many planning setbacks. 

FLOOD RISK

The Glanmire project was refused planning by Cork City Council in January on the grounds of flood risk at the start of this year, but An Comisiún Pleanála reversed the decision this summer, approving the part two-storey/three-storey primary care centre, which will include a retail unit and two GP practices.

Sonya Cotter, integrated health area manager for Cork north and east said: “With the turn of the sod on the new Glanmire Primary Care Centre, we are delighted to deliver on an extremely important piece of infrastructure for the people of this area. 

"This new facility will bring care closer to home, providing the community with a modern, accessible, state-of-the-art healthcare hub.”

Mari O’Donovan, head of primary care, said: “General practice continues to form the backbone of community-based care. The fact that two GP practices will be located in the centre demonstrates how we are embedding general practice within an integrated primary care model in the heart of the community.”

Daniel Clifford, the HSE’s assistant national director of capital and estates added: “An accessible location with on-site parking is central to the design of the new centre — we want to ensure that all members of the community, including older adults or those with reduced mobility, can conveniently access the services they need.”

The timeline was confirmed to Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O’Sullivan, with the HSE telling him in response to a parliamentary question: “It is currently anticipated that the facility will be completed by Q2-Q3 2027.”

Mr O’Sullivan told The Echo: “I really welcome the preparatory works on site to date and welcome the initial timeline. Glanmire urgently needs this facility and I hope that the developer will be able to keep pace with the timeline. Great credit is due to the developer and the HSE for pursuing with this plan despite setbacks during the planning process initially.”