Plans for Cork’s light railway system appear to be on track.

Chair of the Cork City Council Transport Committee, Labour Party Councillor Peter Horgan, has received confirmation that a second round of public consultation will take place the early part of this year with an expectation that the final route will be detailed before the end of 2026.

The proposed Luas Cork system would run from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, connecting key destinations such as MTU, Cork University Hospital, UCC, Cork city centre, Kent Station, Cork Docklands, Blackrock and Mahon.

“The sheer scale of the consultations received shows the appetite from the people of Cork for a light rail system, but more importantly a light rail system that works for the people of Cork.” said Cllr Horgan.

“I welcome the swiftness in presenting the next round with amendments and look forward to the Cork public engaging on it again.”

A non-statutory public consultation was launched in April 2025 on the Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Cork. Just over one thousand submissions were received in respect of that consultation, which have been reviewed and assessed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and their design team.

Cllr Horgan reiterated his view that “we should be implementing spurs to the Airport and towards Douglas and Carrigaline” to future proof the light rail ecosystem along with enhancing the northside areas that won’t be supported under the Cork Commuter Rail project.

“Rail is by far the fastest moving alternative to single occupancy vehicles and the Cork Commuter Rail is a success story that I want to see replicated over the river on the southside especially.” he added.