Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opens Marina Promenade
04/04/2025
Cork City Council announced the official opening the Marina Promenade by Taoiseach Micheál Martin T.D
The project, funded by the National Transport Authority, capitalised on the successful pedestrianisation of the Marina during Covid. The revamp has created a very popular Leeside recreational route for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages.
Construction of the new Marina Promenade started in late 2023 and finished in late 2024, delivering a 5.5-metre-wide pedestrian and cycle corridor complemented by adjoining plazas, connections to Marina Park and other features. The 1.8km long new amenity space extends from Centre Park Road to Blackrock Village and features age-friendly seating, riverside viewing balconies, enhanced landscaping, environmentally sensitive public and feature lighting and other features.
The adjacent historic stone walls along the promenade were cleaned and restored, while the formal tree planting was carefully preserved. An array of new vegetation now lines the walkway, with approximately 60,000 bulbs now coming into bloom and 34 newly planted trees.
The revamp of the Marina Promenade aligns with the ambitious redevelopment plans for Cork Docklands, one of the country's largest regeneration projects. Phase 1 of Marina Park consisting of 14 acres was opened in 2022, with Phases 2 and 3 consisting of an additional 56 acres now expected to be open to the public in late 2025.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, welcomed the launch of the Marina Promenade, saying: “This is an exciting day for Cork as we officially open the Marina Promenade, which we can already see is extraordinarily popular with local communities, schools, sports groups, and visitors to Cork City alike. This project is part of a suite of investments across Cork City that demonstrate Government’s commitment to creating and developing a sustainable way of living for future generations.”
Lord Mayor, Cllr Dan Boyle said: “I am thrilled to be a part of the celebrations today as the Marina Promenade is officially opened. The Marina has historically been a place of recreation and a part of our city’s transportation and maritime heritage. Every day we see this route packed with people of all ages and abilities, using it for their commute, for relaxation, in training for their chosen sporting endeavours – it is truly a superb amenity, and this revitalisation has only increased its popularity as a destination of choice in Cork City.”
Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan said: "Today’s opening of the Marina Promenade formally marks another milestone in Cork City Council’s commitment to delivering improved quality of life for the people of Cork. I’d like to thank Cork City Council’s Infrastructure team, the contractors Ward & Burke, and the National Transport Authority for taking the modernised Promenade from blueprints into reality. It has transformed a much-loved amenity, making it more inclusive, more accessible, and safer, all the while keeping one of our core strategic priorities – sustainability – at its heart.”