Cork's Viaduct Inn location to be turned into a transport hub

West Cork businessman Damien Long has acquired the iconic Viaduct Inn, with plans for a multi-million-euro investment to create a transport and travel hub.

Currently operating as a restaurant, the site will now host a roadside plaza with a 24-hour convenience shop, toilet facilities, food court and bar.

Two bus services will run from the site, one to Dublin city and airport, and a park-and-ride to the city centre operating every 30 minutes from 6am to midnight.

Mr Long, owner of transport companies including West Cork Connect, said the project has been driven by a long-standing ambition to improve how people travel to and from West Cork while investing in a landmark location.

The plans will create more than 50 direct jobs and a substantial number of indirect jobs.

Mr Long told The Echo that the plan was to begin with 200 car parking spaces and add more if needed.

Current plans are for the Cork to Dublin service to run 12 daily services up and down. Passengers booking their bus journey online will be able to add car parking, and leave their vehicle there for the duration of their trip.

Mr Long said: “When we started West Cork Connect in 2019 and designed the logo, the Viaduct arches are the most prominent feature on it. The viaduct is the gateway to West Cork to me. We’re planning a big welcome to West Cork sign outside.”

While changes will be made to the inside of the building, Mr Long said: 

“The outside of the building we love, it’s never going to change. It’s been there since I was a small boy.”

The site already has planning permission for car parking, a bar and food business, so “only very minimal” permission needs to be applied for. “The turnaround will be very short, we can start 80% of it without any planning,” he said.

Cliste Hospitality said that The Viaduct Restaurant will close on Monday, May 25, but that there will be no disruption in day-to-day operations until then.