Plan for major new park in Glanmire 'checks all the boxes', says councillor 

More than three years after he first proposed in the pages of The Echo that Cork City Council purchase a parcel of land adjacent to a local park, a northside TD has welcomed the publication of plans for what will be in effect a new regional park.

In March 2023, Pádraig O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, called for the council to buy a Glanmire site consisting of approximately 20 acres.

The site is part of the lands surrounding Glyntown House in Glanmire, and is located off the R639 road, on an elevated site which slopes down toward the Butlerstown river, by John O’Callaghan Park.

The land previously served as the grounds for Riverstown FC, which has since moved to Brooklodge.

Mr O’Sullivan said the council’s decision to buy the land, and its publication of plans for the new park was great news for the area.

“It’s a very exciting time for the residents of Glanmire that we will now have a public park and amenities worthy of a town our size,” he said.

“Since becoming a public representative in 2014, consistently one of the main issues that people used to raise with me on the doorsteps was the lack of amenities in Glanmire.

“This plan will go a long way to addressing those shortcomings.” 

Mr O’Sullivan added that when he had first become aware of the site being available for sale, he had approached senior officials in Cork City Council and suggested they should acquire it for the public.

“Thankfully they agreed, and with the new greenway traversing the site they saw the benefits as I did in utilising the greenway that dissects the site,” he said.

“It will now act as a clear link from Dunkettle and Tivoli in the south, all the way north towards Riverstown and Glanmire Community College.” 

The park will be built alongside the Glanmire greenway, which is due to open this week.

Proposals to extend John O’Callaghan Park are expected to be brought before councillors for approval.

The new park will include a children’s playground, cycle track, and games area, as well as a dog park, community spaces, and riverside, biodiversity, and landscaped areas.

It will facilitate walking and cycling from Riverstown and Glanmire village, and will have car parking spaces from East Cliff Road.

Green Party councillor for the Cork City North East ward, Oliver Moran, said it was “a dream come true” that the new park would tie in with the greenway.

“It checks all the boxes, including a dog park. I know there are a great number of dog lovers in Glanmire,” he said.

“It's something councillors across the board have been saying we want more of in the city.

“Importantly, it's clearly going to be a place for all ages. The park will still retain sports areas and the design specifically calls out the needs of teenagers.

“Glanmire is pressed for amenities for teenagers in particular. Leaning into its natural environment to create these kinds of space is a great idea.” Plans for the new Glanmire park may be inspected at consult.corkcity.ie, with the closing date for submissions 4pm on Friday, October 2.