Blarney and Water Rock train stations to be brought forward to 2029 opening

Multi-million-euro funding to fast-track the development of two new train stations in Cork by 2029 has been announced.

The delivery of the two new Cork stations, at Blarney and Water Rock, is expected to be accelerated by at least two years.

The €27m allocation comes from the Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund (HIIF).

Announcing the funding, housing minister James Browne said that, subject to planning approval, the new stations were expected to be under construction by late 2027 or early 2028 and open in 2029. They had previously been planned for 2031 at the earliest.

Mr Browne said the investment would improve public transport connectivity and support the delivery of up to 3,700 new homes in Blarney and as many as 3,000 more in the Water Rock urban expansion area.

“By accelerating the delivery of new stations, we are helping to create the conditions for thousands of homes to be built in well-serviced locations with access to high-quality public transport,” he said.

“This is about providing the infrastructure needed to support sustainable communities and bringing forward housing delivery where it is needed most.”

Welcoming the funding announcement, Pádraig O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, said it came in addition to new stations already announced for Blackpool and Dunkettle.

“These capital announcements demonstrate this Government’s commitment to improving public transport and developing critical infrastructure to provide for more housing,” he said.

“We have seen how the development of the railway in East Cork has fuelled massive development and investment around Little Island and Carrigtwohill.

“Once these stations are delivered in Blackpool and Blarney, I would expect that they would have a similar impact in providing further jobs and investment in the northside of Cork city.” 

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Damian Boylan, who represents the Blarney area, said he was delighted with the news.

“This investment is crucial for the future growth of Blarney and Monard, and it will service new homes that are planned, and the hundreds of workers employed in Blarney Business Park,” he said.

East Cork Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor described the news as a major boost for Midleton and East Cork.

“Opening the station years earlier means families moving into new homes at Water Rock will have a train on their doorstep from the start,” he said.

“But a station is only one part of what a new community needs. If up to 3,000 homes are to be built at Water Rock, the roads, schools and community facilities have to be planned and funded alongside them, not years later.” 

Pat Buckley, Sinn Féin Cork East TD, said news of the funding was very welcome but said he would appeal to Iarnród Éireann to make them wheelchair accessible.

“We currently have a situation in East Cork where Fota and Glounthane are not accessible to wheelchair users,” he said.

“If you need to cross the line at either station the only way is over the old footbridges, and that’s completely impossible if you’re in a wheelchair.

“New stations are very welcome, but they have to be fully inclusive for all passengers.” 

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann said all new stations are built to "the highest standards for people with reduced mobility", and planning permission will be sought for accessibility works at Glounthane before the end of this year, and at Fota at the start of 2027.

The investment is part of the Government’s €1bn HIIF, which supports critical infrastructure projects that remove barriers to housing delivery.