Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 25th July 2026

The July edition of the free Run the Line 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven greenway was held of Sat 25th.

Carrigaline parkrun meeting - Thurs 12th Feb 2026

A core team has now been established for the proposed new 5k parkrun in Carrigaline but they are still looking for additional volunteers.

The next meeting will be held at 8pm in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Thurs 12th Feb 2026.

"Everyone welcome — runners, walkers, supporters, curious locals. Come along and see how you can get involved!"

A look at the new course for the Carrigaline 5-mile...

The 2026 Carrigaline 5-mile road race is coming up on Sunday 14th of February 2026... see this previous post.

In this post, we'll look at the new course for the 2026 race. The old and new courses are shown below...

The traditional route was one large loop whereas the new route is shaped like a spoon with a loop at the eastern end.

If you look at the map of the old course, you can see that it started and finished in a residential area which brought its own set of problems in terms of stewarding and traffic. The new course is more on the edge of the town and is less likely to cause disruption to local residents or motorists.

Doing a rough check, the number of junctions that need to have race stewards has reduced from 9 down to 5 which should make things easier. It's also good to get away from the roundabout and traffic islands in Shanbally where the road is narrow and can be busy with traffic coming from Ringaskiddy.

The section of road on the new course from 2.3 to 3.1 miles is a nice quiet country road and hardly any cars use it so it's ideal for a road race. 

On the map for the new course, I've shown the route of the new M26 motorway which is under construction. On the old course at about the 3.8-mile mark, the M26 will eventually cut this road in two resulting in a cul-de-sac.

You can see that the new course is completely to the south of the M26 which means it should hopefully be used for the foreseeable future.

In terms of which course is harder or easier then they're both about the same, there's not much in it really.

The start for the new course is about the same distance from the race HQ in the community hall. The new finish line is a bit further away than the old one but not by much.

One issue with any type of out and back course is if the front of the race will meet the back of the field. I had a quick look at this and the tail runners should have passed Coolmore Cross at about 1.5 miles by the time the front runners reach it which is about 3.5 miles for them.

In conclusion... The route of the new M26 motorway is going to cause problems with a number of road races in this area and the Carrigaline race is no exception. As time goes on, it's getting harder and harder to get permission for suitable race routes near populated areas. 

This new route looks like a good solution and should mean that there is a 5-mile road race in Carrigaline for years to come.

Meeting about setting up a new 5k parkrun in Carrigaline - Jan 2026

Back in September of 2025, I had a post up about a proposal to establish a new 5k parkrun in Carrigaline... see post HERE. The principle organiser Deirdre Murphy has now announced that a meeting about it will be held in Carrigaline in the Carrigaline Court Hotel at 8pm on Thursday 22nd of January 2026.

"🏃‍♀️ Help bring parkrun to Carrigaline! 🏃‍♂️
We’re looking for volunteers across a range of roles to help set up a brand new Carrigaline parkrun – free, weekly timed 5k similar to Ballincollig and Midleton etc.
📅 Start-up Meeting: This Thursday 22nd Jan
📍 Carrigaline
No experience needed, just enthusiasm! "

If you're in Carrigaline and would like to attend then you can DM Deirdre by looking at this Facebook post on the Carrigaline Notice Board... 

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1621359964760057/posts/4421690138060345/

Please note that it's still early days for this parkrun as a lot of work still needs to be done.

If anyone is interested in setting up a 5k parkrun in their area then these are the steps...

- Get a core group together
- Find a route
- Get landowner permission 
- Get parkrun to approve the course (also provide a video of it.)
- Raise funding
- Get training
- Start

Is a parkrun in Carrigaline feasible??? ... In terms of population, Carrigaline is around the 19,000 mark. If we compare that to some of the other local parkruns and look at their populations, we get... Ballincollig 20k, Midleton 14k & Mallow 14k. Those stats alone certainly suggest that there should be a large enough group of runners and walkers  available locally to support a new parkrun in Carrigaline.

Location??? ... The first route that springs to mind is the local Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway but it's also very narrow for an out and back course. Perhaps they have some other route in mind.

Sometimes the route may not be so obvious. Just look at the parkrun in Youghal and they managed to get a 5k parkrun by doing four loops at the rear of a school.

Lets hope and see if we get parkrun number 12 in Co Cork in the not too distant future.

New 5k parkrun for Carrigaline???

Deirdre Murphy put a post up on the Carrigaline Notice Board on Facebook looking for volunteers for a new 5k parkrun.

If interested, you can DM Deirdre there... POST LINK

The proposed new parkrun is supposed to be on the existing greenway like Midleton although the walkway to Crosshaven is a lot narrower.

Note that putting a team of volunteers together is one of many steps to get a new parkrun up and running. It's probably going to take some time yet to see if an event in Carrigaline is viable and before we see a potential start date.

Notice: Carrigaline 5 mile road race - Sun 16th Feb 2025

Eagle AC are organising their annual 5 mile road race in Carrigaline on Sunday, the 16th of February 2025 at 11am.

Update: Sat 15th Feb - Please note that they will be taking entries on the morning of the race from 9:30am (€20)

The entry link is here... https://eventmaster.ie/event/1p4GUwDHeM

From the organisers.... Eagle AC is delighted to announce the return of the 36th annual Tommy Ryan Memorial 5 Miler in Carrigaline on February 16th 2025 at 11am.

Free timed 5k runs in Carrigaline restart - 26th Oct 2024

Earlier on this year, Carrigaline AC were organising a free timed 5k run on the first Saturday of every month. These have now restarted except they've changed to 9am on the last Saturday of the month.

The next one is at the Kilnagleary car park on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway on Sat 26th Oct 2024 at 9am. There is no need to pre-enter online, just turn up beforehand and allow time for the organisers to take your name.

The map below shows the location of the car park which is about a mile / 1.6kms east of Carrigaline. Just look for the public car park on the left after the traffic lights.

The 5k course is out and back.

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 4th May 2024

This free timed 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway takes place on the first Saturday of every month. 

There were 30 finishers for the May 2024 event.

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 2nd Mar 2024

This month's Run the Line 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven walkway was held on Sat 2nd March 2024 and attracted just 12 runners.

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 4th Nov 2023

This monthly timed 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway was held on Saturday 4th November 2023 with 47 crossing the finish line.

Results of the Run the Line 5k in Carrigaline - Sat 5th Aug 2023

This free timed 5k was held on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway on the 5th of August 2023.

The next one is on the first Saturday of September.

Results of the Carrigaline Run the Line 5k - Sat 3rd June 2023

Just 13 runners turned out for this months Run the Line 5k on the walkway between Carrigaline and Crosshaven. 

No doubt some of the usual regulars were saving themselves for one of the Cork Marathon events on Sunday.

Results of the Carrigaline Run the Line 5k - Sat 6th May 2023

This free timed 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway was held on Saturday the 6th of May 2023.

There should be more timed 5k runs coming up at 8:30am on the first Saturday of the month over the Summer months.

Results of the Carrigaline Run the Line 5k - Sat 1st Apr 2023

This free timed 5k on the Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway was held on Saturday the 1st of April 2023.

There should be more timed 5k runs coming up at 8:30am on the first Saturday of the month over the Summer months.

Results & Photos of the Carrigaline 5-mile road race - Sun 19th Feb 2023

Additional course bonus of €250 for Lizzie Lee for breaking 28-mins

The annual Carrigaline 5-mile road race was held on Sunday the 19th of February 2023 with 326 runners crossing the finish line, that's up 17% on the 278 last year.

The weather conditions this year were pretty much ideal whereas last year was damp so an increase in numbers might be expected. The key point here though is that the additional €2 from the new Athletics Ireland 'One-Day Licence' doesn't seem to have had much of an impact on the numbers in this race.

Top 3 men & women...
1 Pat HENNESSY 00:25:42 576 MS West Waterford A.C.
2 Donal COAKLEY 00:25:58 508 M35 Leevale A.C.
3 John MEADE 00:26:37 631 St. Finbarrs A.C.
8 Lizzie LEE 00:27:43 462 F40 Leevale A.C.
12 Jelena ABELE 00:28:48 478 F35
26 Sharon RYNNE 00:30:19 822 F35 Kilmurray. Ibrick. N.Clare A.C.

Full results HERE

First man - Pat Hennessy of West Waterford AC in a time of 25:42

Photos...

1) There are 3 galleries on the Running in Cork Facebook page..

a) Sub 36 mins

b) 36-44 mins

c) 44 mins plus

 

2) Joe Murphy has several nice galleries near the two mile mark 

a) Album 1

b) Album 2

c) Album 3

d) Album 4

e) Album 5

3) Derek Costello has loads of photos

Pre start  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAsLUe  

Start https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAsN9h

25 - 30 Mins https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAsM1r

31 -36 Mins https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAsHfr

36 - 40 mins https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAsNke

41 - 55 mins https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAsH8U

Notice: Carrigaline 5 mile road race - Sun 19th Feb 2023

Eagle AC are organising their annual 5 mile road race in Carrigaline on Sunday, the 19th of February 2023 at 11am.

The entry link is here... https://eventmaster.ie/event/L8obSp3H76

They will have the hall back this year for number collection beforehand and snacks afterwards. The €15 entry remains the same but is now subject to Eventmaster fees and AAI surcharge.

From the organisers.... Eagle AC is delighted to announce the return of the 34th annual Tommy Ryan Memorial 5 Miler in Carrigaline on February 19th 2023 at 11am.

New safe route for running between Douglas and Carrigaline???

Green - Existing or planned Greenways, Pink - New Active Travel Route?

Cork County Council issued a press release today (18-10-2022) outlining how work was about to begin from Carrs Hill to Rochestown preparing the route for the new M28 motorway.

"Work is due to begin shortly on clearing trees and invasive gorse from Carrs Hill to the Rochestown Slip Road at the Bloomfield interchange. This clearance and fencing work is needed to finalise the detailed design of the motorway, its interchanges and associated works."

The M28 motorway is scheduled to be completed by 2030. The motorway will be a key part of the road infrastructure in Cork, improving connectivity with key urban areas such as Carrigaline, while providing vital access to the Port of Cork facilities in Ringaskiddy. "

What was very interesting is that they also included the following... "Active Travel forms a strong feature of the new M28 scheme. Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey added, "

At present, work is ongoing on extending the Ballybrack active travel travel route up to the existing N28 on Carr's Hill. The proposal is then to link that across to the Maryborough Hill which will open up more running routes for runners.

A new 'Active Travel' route if realised between Ballybrack and Carrigaline would make a huge difference for pedestrians, runners, cyclists & other users. The distance between Douglas and Carrigaline is only about 8kms but it is very dangerous at present with the level of traffic on the roads.

As for the route??? Alongside the new N28? Reduce the width of the existing N28 as it will no longer be the main route? The planned and existing Greenway routes are shown on the map in Green. Will it link up with those? Will it follow the new N28 down to the new Shannonpark interchange and then onto Carrigaline? Will it link up with the planned Greenway from Carrigaline to Passage West?

We'll have to see what they come up with.

They made no mention of removing the hill! 😜

Once of the big problems once you get near any urban area is that the roads can get dangerous for running. It's all very well running around Cork City or on Greenways but it can get boring doing the same run.

If this new 'Active Travel' route between Douglas and Carrigaline actually happens and is suitable for runners and not just cyclists then it will be open up a lot of areas for runners in both areas.

I've run on most of the roads in this area and the direct routes between Douglas and Carrigaline are one I wouldn't dare try, they're just too dangerous. Hopefully Cork County Council will make this proposed 'Active Travel' route a reality.

Links...

1) See this previous post about the Ballybrack to Maryborough Hill project.

Approval given for new Greenway route in Carrigaline - Sept 2022

Earlier this week, Cork County Councillors gave the Green light for proposals in the Carrigaline TPREP (Transport & Public Realm Enhancement Plan). While most of these relate to improvements in the centre of Carrigaline, one key element of the plan was the establishment of a new Greenway to the north of the town.

The path of the new Greenway is shown above and it follows the route of the old Cork to Crosshaven railway line which closed back in the early 1930's.

The Greenway proposal faced considerable opposition from local residents but as the satellite image shows above, Cork County Council left a Green corridor for a future walkway when they gave permission for all of the current housing estates. When residents bought their houses, they would have known that a Greenway was proposed for some time in the future.

Green corridor left between houses

When these Greenway projects are announced, they are often framed as being 'cycleways' with media outlets stirring things up giving the impression that the Council are putting some cycleway just for cyclists in the middle of a housing estate.

The reality is that the Greenway will be used by walkers, cyclists and runners. The ironic thing is that once the Greenway is built, the biggest user group is likely to be local residents who will use it for walking and exercise.

From a running point of view, it means that there will be two Greenways to use in Carrigaline. The existing Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway is very popular with runners as it's safe and flat and the new one is likely to be as popular especially for those living on the north side of the town.

The map above shows the final route of the Greenway from Cork City to Carrigaline. The first thing that surprised me was that it's only 17kms from Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork City to Carrigaline.

The new Greenway will not only be used by runners in Carrigaline but it opens up new possibilities for runners in Cork City, Passage West and even Cobh. It's not hard to imagine say some runners from Cobh in the future taking the ferry across and using the new Greenway to run down towards Carrigaline and Crosshaven for a long run.

It's worth noting that while this approval is just for the new Greenway near Carrigaline, it's one of the most important sections. Some parts of the old railway line like say around Raffeen are overgrown and are easy enough to upgrade to a Greenway but it's the sections that are in towns that tend to be tricky so it's good that this piece got approved.

Further info... 

The Carrigdhoun newspaper provides the following... "Councillors in Cork County Council have agreed to support the Chief Executive's recommendations for the Part 8 proposal, which will see an overhaul of Main Street, Carrigaline and the creation of a cycleway through Bridgemount and Herons Wood estate." ... Link HERE

Cork County Council have their plans for this project HERE

These are a few lines I extracted from their documents...

"Another green route is proposed to link Passage West and Monkstown to Carrigaline along the disused railway line commencing at Bothar Guidel up to the R610 and following the coastal road through Monkstown and Passage West."

"The Carrigaline to Crosshaven Greenway extension and the proposed Carrigaline to Passage West Cycleway meets the Lee to Sea initiative in terms of connecting the harbour area with Cork City via a high-quality safe walking and cycling route."

"The recently granted M28 Motorway has provided for active modes adjacent to an overbridge on the Fernhill Road and due to its proximity to the route of the Carrigaline to Passage West cycleway it was deemed appropriate to use this reservation to connect the cycle way across the proposed M28 Motorway."

In conclusion... I'm not sure what the completion date is for this but these things tend to move at a glacial pace. The new Greenway will cross the new M28 motorway to Ringaskiddy so that will have to be built first. 

I've seen a Government document saying the M28 won't be completed until 2028 so I suspect it will be the end of this decade before the new Greenway is ready.

Results of the Carrigaline 5 mile road race - Sun 20th Feb 2022

It was a damp morning for a road race with the light drizzle eventually turning into driving rain. Not a day for fast times.

Entries for this 5 mile race in Carrigaline hit the 400 mark but it looks as if the inclement weather deterred a good few with a total of 278 runners crossing the finish line. This is down slightly on the 295 finishers back in 2019.

Top 5 men & women...

1 Michael HARTY East Cork AC M40 8017 25:30
2 Paul MOLONEY Mallow AC M40 8015 25:34
3 John MEADE St Finbarrs AC M40 1740 26:46
4 Damian KENNEALLY Eagle AC M35 1351 27:19
5 Donncha KIELY Traction AC M35 1611 27:52
23 Emma MURPHY F35 8045 31:11
25 Linda O'SULLIVAN Watergrasshill AC F F50 1595 31:36
31 Aoife MAHONY Eagle AC F40 1406 32:01
39 Linda O'CONNOR F45 1360 32:42
54 Gwen CONROY Watergrasshill AC F45 1630 34:02

The full results are up on the MyRunResults website HERE.

Photos...
1) Joe & Anne Murphy have a large gallery
Part 1 - Start & ~1m mark HERE
Part 2 - ~4m mark HERE

2) Derek Costello has a large number of galleries...
...Start HERE
...25 - 30 mins HERE
...30 - 35 mins HERE
...35 - 40 mins HERE
...40 - 45 mins HERE
...45 - 50 mins HERE
...50 mins plus HERE

3) Mick Dooley has two galleries...

...Pre race photos HERE

...Finish line photos HERE

First 3 women (L-R) Linda O'Sullivan 2nd, Emma Murphy 1st & Aoife Mahony 3rd

First 3 men in the Carrigaline 5 mile (L-R) Paul Moloney 2nd, Michael Harty 1st & John Meade 3rd

Notice: Carrigaline 5 mile road race - Sun 20th Feb 2022

Eagle AC are organising their annual 5 mile road race in Carrigaline on Sunday, the 20th of February 2022 at 11am.

UPDATE: Entries close at 10am on Monday 14th February.

The entry link is here... https://register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Carrigaline5Mile2022

From the organisers.... Eagle AC is delighted to announce the return of the 33rd annual Tommy Ryan Memorial 5 Miler in Carrigaline on February 20th 2022 at 11am.

The race will take place over the usual course. It’s a great route – some ups & some downs but overall, an excellent race!