Cork Marina to Passage West Greenway

The route starts at the Marina Promenade on the southern side of the city, offering scenic views along the River Lee. You will initially travel through the 32-hectare Marina Park set in the shadow of the SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium. In recent years, the park has been revitalised with a large playground, restored historic features such as Barrington’s Folly and Dundanion Castle slipway, and extensive works undertaken at the Atlantic Pond.  

As you leave the park, you will enter the railway cutting associated with the Cork, Blackrock and Passage West Railway – this line closed in 1932. You pass through the old Blackrock Station, where the platform, signalling cabin and pedestrian bridge have been preserved—retaining the charm of a bygone era. Continuing along this tree lined route, you pass through short tunnels decorated with murals before reaching the footbridge spanning the N40. This is a steep and narrow (2-meter-wide) bridge, so please be respectful of other users.  

Before crossing the bridge, you may divert right to Mahon Shopping Centre or left towards Bessboro Road via two short off-road paths. After crossing the N40, you then cross the Black Bridge, a steel bridge providing access into the next section of the route towards Harty’s Quay. 

Entering a residential area, there is provision for car and bike parking along with a large outdoor gym at Harty’s Quay. The route merges with a local road for approximately 450 metres, where a wide adjacent path with kerb separation is provided for walkers and cyclists. At Hop Island, the path becomes fully segregated again, running alongside the waterfront where you can enjoy scenic coastline views across the harbour. There are several interpretation panels highlighting the rich maritime history of the area and information on the former railway line. As you approach Passage West, you can see across to Great Island. The route ends in the the village, at the park near the playground, where you can avail of refreshments or visit the maritime museum. 

If you choose to return to the Marina, you follow the same path back to Harty’s Quay. You may choose a more circuitous route back to the Marina with a shoreline route offering panoramic views of Cork Harbour. After crossing back over the Black Bridge, turn right and descend via a ramp across another narrow bridge to Jacob’s Island – please be mindful of other users. The route will run adjacent to the shoreline passing through Joe McHugh Park. Road noise from the nearby N40 becomes more noticeable as you pass over the Jack Lynch Tunnel approaching Blackrock. The greenway finishes at the striking neo‑Gothic Blackrock Observatory, featuring information panels, car parking, bike stands and seating. 

The section from the Observatory to Blackrock village is an approximate 800-meter stretch along Castle Road – there is a narrow footpath with no cycle lane located along this narrow road with a short climb from the Observatory. On reaching Blackrock village, you arrive at an attractive civic space with views across to the Port. Crossing this public space, you will rejoin the road approaching the Marina – this is a low- speed environment with provision for walkers and cyclists.  

Towards the City Centre (2km)

There is a short roadside section (Centre Park Road) of approximately 1 kilometre between the Marina Promenade and the Cork Marina Market. This section includes a footpath and on road cycleway (with bollards) to provide separation from traffic. The Marina Market offers varied options for refreshments, as well as bike hire, and is worth a visit. Alternatively, you can continue on Centre Park Road towards the city. Walkways are present along the entire route to Lapp’s Island with painted cycle lanes also present.  

Towards Monkstown (2km)

From Passage West, you can continue south to Monkstown along the R610. This 2‑kilometre section runs adjacent to the waterfront with a continuous footpath. There is no cycle lane, and the road is narrow with no hard shoulder. You can opt to continue into Monkstown village, an attractive village with a strong tradition of sailing or you can finish your journey at the village approach by availing of the ferry service to Great Island, with onward train connections to Cobh or Cork City.