Over the last few days, contractors have been putting the finishing touches to the new greenway between Glenbrook and Monkstown and it is now finally open as can be seen in the photo above.
It's not that long but it's another step in getting a full greenway between Carrigaline and Cork City.
The map above shows the location. The bright green section is the new greenway which is about 730m in length. The dark green section is the existing narrower section which runs under the 'Cut and Cover' railway tunnel and comes out in Monkstown.
The new greenway starts at the cross harbour ferry as shown above and heads south.
The photo above shows the end of the new section and transitions onto the narrower 400m section. The 'Cut and Cover' railway tunnel can be seen in the distance and Monkstown is around the corner.
Video... The video below shows part of the new greenway starting from the car ferry...
Cork to Carrigaline Greenway... This is a map of the approximate route for the full 17.5km greenway which will go from Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork City to Carrigaline.
As of the Spring of 2026, there is a greenway from Cork City to Passage West which is about 8kms in length and there is a short 500m section in Carrigaline. The balance is about 9kms.
This new section from the car ferry to Monkstown reduces the undeveloped section from about 9 to 8kms. It's not a huge amount but it's another step in the overall project.
Impact???... The previous footpath was reasonably wide so the impact for walkers and runners of the new section is pretty small, it just means that there is more space. The bigger impact will be for slower cyclists in that the greenway is a lot safer than the main road for adults and children. Motorists benefit because there are fewer cyclists on the road that they need to pass.
In terms of road races, the Great Railway Run from Cork to Carrigaline and the Cork Down Syndrome charity half-marathon from Haulbowline to Pairc Ui Chaoimh use this new section of greenway.
 |
| Evan Fitzgerald of West Waterford AC wins the 2025 Great Railway Run in a new course record time |
The Great Railway Run 25km race from Cork City to Carrigaline was held this year on Sun 13th Apr 2025. The race was held in cool but dry and sunny conditions and the runners were finished before the showers arrived.
There were 503 finishers this year which is up about 15% on the 438 of 2024.
Top 5 men & women...
Full results HERE
 |
| Catherine Murphy of Eagle AC is the first woman home |
Photos to follow... plenty on the way.... Updated Sun 13th Apr 9pm
1) There are five galleries up on the Running in Cork Facebook page.
a) Album 1 b) Album 2 c) Album 3 d) Album 4 e) Album 5
2) Derek Costello has the following galleries...
 |
| All aboard! The 2-hour pace group... |
 |
| The pillar in the background was part of the footbridge that used to go over the railway line allowing access to the small quay for boats |
 |
| (L-R) Barry Twohig 1st & John Meade 2nd |
The weather couldn't be better for this years Great Railway Run 25km race from Cork City to Carrigaline. A total of 426 runners crossed the finish line, up 8% on last year.
Looking at the results and the photos that I took in Passage West, the top spots were both the men's and women's race were hotly contested.
The photo above is of Barry Twohig & John Meade who finished 1st and 2nd respectively. At the 6 mile mark in Passage West, they were 5th & 6th so it looks like the steady pace on a warm day paid dividends.
 |
| (L-R) Niamh Moore & Aoife Cooke neck and neck at mile 6 is Passage West |
The women's race was also hotly contested with both Niamh Moore and Aoife Cooke neck and neck in Passage West. Niamh would go on to win in the end by 50-seconds.
Top 5 men & women...
Full results HERE
Photos... (Updated Mon 22nd 7:50am)
1) There are 5 albums up on the Running in Cork Facebook page...
Passage West (6m mark) - a) Album 1 (finish 1:25-1:57) b) Album 2 (finish 1:57 - 2:09) c) Album 3 (finish 2:09 - 2:19) d) Album 4 (finish 2:19 - 2:45) e) Album 5 (finish 2:45 - 3:20)
2) Derek Costello has the following albums from the 5-mile mark at Harty's Quay...
1) Album 1 2) Album 2 3) Album 3 4) Album 4
 |
| Ciarraí Abú |
 |
| Choo...Choo... All aboard the 2:10 train |
 |
| Flying Eagles |
 |
| Bolt salute |
 |
| "I hope he's not taking my photo" |
 |
| Déise on Tour |
 |
| 'Ed Fitz ag Rith' ag rith |
The Great Railway Run 25km race from Cork to Carrigaline was held on Sunday the 16th of April 2023 with 391 runners taking part. That figure is up a whopping 53% on the number for 2022 and is a sign of the recovery in race numbers since the pandemic.
In the men's race, the winner was Alan O'Shea and the top 3 were well spaced apart. The women's race by contrast was a much more contested affair. The photo above taken at roughly the halfway mark in Passage West shows Lorna Wolfe (376) with Nollaigh O'Neill (413). The 3rd placed woman Niamh Cronin is in the photo above with a white singlet with the orange stripe.
Top 5 men & women...
Photos...
 |
| 2h 20m pace group going through Passage West |
 |
| No time to stop... the first man Alan O'Shea going through Passage West |
 |
| Old station in Monkstown |
 |
| The railway crossed the Owenabue River here on a raised viaduct. The old concrete supports can still be seen. |
 |
| Some of the prizes for the womens race |
