15 July 2026
By Bryan McCarthy
bryan@TheCork.ie
News from County Cork’s largest town Carrigaline – with thanks to Barry Cogan
Major Road Closures near Carrigaline
Major traffic diversions are being experienced and expected to continue due to the M28 development and the laying of ducting from the Ballinrea Solar Farm. The Ballinrea road which has been closed since Monday June 29th did open at the weekend. Cogan’s Road is closed and the Fernhill Road is on a stop go to allow for ducting to be installed. The Carrigaline Road near Douglas was on a stop go on Monday with long waiting periods to allow for resurfacing. This Thursday July 16th and Friday July 17th Shannon Park Roundabout will be closed to facilitate the realignment of the newly built road. Motorists must allow extra time for their journeys. The main road to Cork, Slí Carrigdhoun, from the Bloomfield interchange to Carr’s Hill will be closed from 8.00pm on Friday July 24th to 5.00am on Monday July 27th to facilitate the installation of a temporary bridge and the demolition of the existing bridge on Maryborough Hill. Maryborough Hill will be closed for short durations to facilitate the works. Meanwhile at the Ringaskiddy end of the M28 the new road from Barnahely roundabout to the Loughbeg roundabout has been completed and hopefully will be open to vehicular traffic shortly.
Pipe Band
The Carrigaline Pipe Band led the fancy dress parade in Bandon last Saturday night July 11th in ideal weather conditions. On Tuesday last the Pipe Band paid an official visit to one of their sponsors, Paddy Cronin, proprietor of the Corner House. They joined the local trad musicians there and had a most enjoyable night. This Saturday they will have an afternoon of serious band practice from 12 noon until 4.00pm in preparation for the world championships in Glasgow Green, Scotland on August 15th. The band’s next engagement is on Sunday August 2nd at the Kilbrittain festival. Enquiries to Paddy O’Connell 087 968 5833.
Playground Reopening
The Carrigaline community playground located in the town park is being given a total upgrade at present and is looking colourful and impressive. It will be opened this Saturday for the enjoyment of the children of Carrigaline and the wider community. The project is funded by the playground committee with support from Cork County council and SECAD.
Owenabue Garden and Flower Club
The Owenabue Garden and Flower Club, Carrigaline will host an Evening Walk at DJ Murphy’s Garden, Kilumney, P31 YW52 on Monday July 27th 2025 at 7pm, €10 entry supporting Irish Cancer Research. Refreshments and nearby parking available. All Welcome
Tidy Towns
The current heatwave did not deter the Carrigaline Tidy Towns volunteers from working on projects throughout the town. In fact the dry spell is causing extra work and Tidy Towns had to pull out all the stops at the weekend and seek help to water the flowers on the roundabouts and flower gardens around the town. Volunteers were out early Monday morning again watering all the flowers on the bridge and all the planters and gardens. Well done to all the Tidy Towns volunteers and the many volunteers in every housing estate in Carrigaline who take great pleasure and pride in what they do to make our town litter free, brightly painted and adorned with floral displays. Every civic minded resident and visitor is asked to please help them. New volunteers are always welcome they meet at HQ Tuesday at 10.00am, Wednesday at 7.00pm and Saturday at 9.30am. enquiries to carrigalinett@gmail.com.
Carraig Ag Caiint
There is a Conversation Circle every Wednesday morning in ESQUIRES beside Dairygold Coop at 10:30am. Come in and use your few words as Gaeilge.
Fr Mathew Commemoration
Carrigaline Pioneers were in attendance at the annual Pioneer Commemoration in honour of Fr Mathew that was held on Tuesday July 7th in St Joseph’s cemetery, Tory Top Road, Ballyphehane in ideal weather conditions. Sorcha Uí Laoghaire, President of Cork City Region PTAA, welcomed everybody and led the singing and the prayers. Cllr Albert Deasy Deputy Lord Mayor, who was accompanied by his wife Anne, spoke of his memories of growing up in the area, of his visits to the cemetery as a young boy and his sense of Fr Mathew. Fr John Walsh PP Togher led the attendance in prayers. The intentions of all those suffering because of alcohol and drug addictions were included in the ceremony. There were a great cross section in the attendance from the city and county. All were treated to hospitality in the Togher Community Centre following the ceremony.
The next Pioneer event is a picnic in the park in Tramore Park on Saturday August 13th.