A digital render of the proposed new train station at Blackpool, Cork City.
Planning permission has been granted for a new railway station at Blackpool in Cork City. It is the first of eight stations set to be delivered as part of Irish Rail's Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) programme, which will provide communities across Cork with access to high capacity, high frequency and more sustainable rail transport.
Located on existing Iarnród Éireann land at Kilbarry, Blackpool station will be served by trains on the Mallow to Kent/Cobh route. It will feature two platforms connected by a pedestrian footbridge from either side of the railway via stairs and accessible lifts. The new station will provide for accessible parking spaces, EV charging points, motorcycle parking, a bus/taxi/car set-down area, bicycle stands and bicycle lockers.
ROD and TYPSA were appointed by Iarnród Éireann in 2024 to provide multidisciplinary consultancy services for the design, planning and construction of phase two of the CACR programme. A key element of phase two is the delivery of new stations in Blarney, Monard, Tivoli, Ballynoe, Carrigtwohill West, Water-Rock and Dunkettle, along with Blackpool station. When complete, the programme will see rail services in the Cork region build to a ten-minute frequency on three commuter routes: Kent to Cobh, Midleton and Mallow.
A separate planning application for Dunkettle station was lodged with Cork County Council during the summer and is awaiting a planning decision. It will be served by Cobh and Midleton trains and includes a 300-space park and ride.
Construction on Blackpool station is expected to start in 2027 and will take up to two years.