Ambitious plan for Cork town will be open for public vote from Wednesday
The population of Carrigtwohill, Co Cork, has grown from 1,200 in 1996 to 5,600 in 2022 — and could reach 15,000 by 2031. Picture: Denis Minihane
People living in one of Ireland’s fastest-growing towns have unveiled ambitious plans for a decade of festivals as part of a new vision they hope will shape their area over the next two decades.
The team behind the grassroots-led masterplan for Carrigtwohill in Cork will publish the 146-page document on Wednesday for people to vote on.
“This plan was written by 60 of us and captures the ambitions and the creativity of an even bigger group,” said Frank Hannigan, one of those involved in the Carrigtwohill (C2H) 2040 project.
“The more people who read it and engage with it, the more powerful a plan it becomes.
"We are very proud of where we live.
The C2H 2040 document sets out a wide range of aims, goals, and strategies for areas such as planning, transport and development, industry, retail and business development, social integration, inclusion and social infrastructure, parks and green spaces, the environment, culture, tourism, and folklore. Among the flagship projects are:
- The launch of a decade of festivals from this year, building to a major celebration in 2034 to mark the 800th anniversary of Carrigtwohill Fair;
- The promotion of the restored Barryscourt Castle as a new tourism destination, and the development of an interpretative centre;
- The development of a campervan park, given the town’s location midway between Rosslare and Ringaskiddy ferry ports, and its proximity to tourist attractions including Fota Wildlife Park and Midleton Distillery.
The support of Cork County Council and various Government departments will be vital if the plan is to implemented, the group said.
Carrigtwohill, 11km east of Cork City and on the commuter rail corridor, has seen its population grow rapidly over the last two decades, from just over 1,200 in 1996 to around 5,600 in 2022.
If national policy targets are met, its population could reach 15,000 by 2031 — a staggering 1,180% increase in just 25 years.
Once a largely agricultural and monocultural community, today it boasts more than 50 different nationalities, with more than 40% of the population aged between 25 and 44.
However, the C2H 2040 group said various county council-led development plans for the town over the years have failed to deliver necessary infrastructure in line with house construction, including a through road for the Castlelake development, upgrades of the junction of Main St and Church Rd, and a major upgrade of the N25.
“Despite the challenges it faces, Carrigtwohill has retained its unique community spirit and highly motivated, energetic, and enthusiastic voluntary sector,” the plan says.
“The winning of the national Pride of Place title in 2017 demonstrated that the sense of community still burns strongly in Carrigtwohill.
“The retention and extension of that community spirit and the passing on of that spirit to a new and diverse population is a major challenge but it is possible.
“We are at a pivotal point in the development of our village-turned-town,” said Mr Hannigan.
"The development of a workable and meaningful, properly funded plan and a sincerity in relation to the implementation and delivery of that plan backed by meaningful proposals and a coordinated approach to delivery of the necessary infrastructure is critical to the success of our community.”
The overall objective of the plan is that Carrigtwohill will, in 2040, be an attractive, vibrant “living” town with a mix of housing types and associated infrastructure, excellent public transport options, a large public park accessible by walking and biking from all over the town, while still retaining its unique community spirit.
The plan will be published online on May 15, with voting open for four weeks.
• You can learn more on the Carrigtwohill Community Council website ahead of the unveiling of the plan on Wednesday.
