Completion date for Cork city flood works pushed back to 2027  

The completion date for a flood-relief scheme aimed at protecting 400 Cork city centre properties has been pushed out again, to next year.

The long-awaited Morrison’s Island Public Realm Improvement and Flood Protection Scheme is being undertaken by Cork City Council and the Office of Public Works.

The scheme provides for the renewal of the public realm along Morrisons/Fr Matthew Quay, from Parnell Bridge to Parliament Bridge, and the provision of flood protection for 400 properties.

An update was provided to Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy at Monday’s council meeting by Gerry O’Beirne, the council’s director of infrastructure development.

Mr O’Beirne said that works are ongoing and have included cleaning, pointing, and strengthening of the quay walls, the installation of flap valves, construction of underground pumping stations at Parnell Plaza and Fr Mathew Quay, reconfiguration of the South Mall/Parnell Place junction, refurbishment of Trinity footbridge, and public-realm works on Fr Mathew Quay, Morrison’s Quay, and Parnell Plaza.

Open to the public

“A portion of Parnell Plaza is expected to open to the public in Q3, 2026, with the overall project scheduled for completion in Q1, 2027.”

When construction began in June 2024, Cork City Council said the project was expected to take about 20 months, meaning completion in early 2026.

The OPW said in February 2025 that the project was “due to be substantially complete by the summer of 2026”, and city council said in October 2025 that “late 2026” was the next expected completion date.

Prior to this, the scheme was stalled for years by several legal challenges, before a Supreme Court decision in December 2022.

Mr O’Beirne said: “It is expected that the scheme, when completed, will be transformative in its impact, further supporting the ongoing private-sector investment in the area, as well as creating new opportunities for the public to enjoy this riverside location.”

Mr McCarthy told The Echo after the meeting: “I am disappointed to hear there has been another delay, but I do acknowledge it is a huge project that the city council is undertaking. When it is completed, it will be a game-changer to help with the continued redevelopment of Morrison’s Island, to tackle flooding issues, and it will create a gorgeous new riverside.”