Cork City will be car free on Saturday but taxis and buses to function normally 

The city's first "Car Free Day" will see the closure of Patrick Street, North Main Street, Cornmarket Street, Castle Street and Adelaide Street this Saturday until noon until 6.30pm

Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy said he is 'delighted' the event is taking place as part of European SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) week. Picture: Larry Cummins

Cork City will be going car free on Saturday as members of the public are being encouraged to travel into the city either on foot, bicycle or use public transport. 

The city's first "Car Free Day" will see the closure of Patrick Street, North Main Street, Cornmarket Street, Castle Street, and Adelaide Street this Saturday from noon until 6.30pm. It is a once-off event. 

However, the quays will remain open to traffic as normal and buses and taxis will still be able to access the closed streets as normal. 

It follows research from Cork City Council's Climate Action Unit which showed that 29% of greenhouse gas emissions in Cork City are created by road transport. 

Cork city car-free map Picture: Cork City Council

A further study published this week, showed that 64% of people in Cork strongly agree that Cork must transform into a more sustainable place to live and work that is climate-neutral and resilient. Some 86% of Cork people want more pedestrianized streets.

Members of the public are being encouraged to come to town on Saturday without their cars, either on foot, by bicycle, or on public transport to "enjoy the city's streets without traffic and soak up the atmosphere". 

Public information stands on cycling and sustainable transport will be made available. 

'Fish for Dreams'

There will also be an interactive performance devised by performer and architect Carolina Erika Santos and facilitated by artist Claudia Renzi, where the people of Cork will be invited to pin their dreams of a city full of nature rather than traffic to a line between the two rivers to “Fish for Dreams”.

Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy said he is "delighted" the event is taking place as part of European SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) week.

"We have seen from our recently published climate report that 29% of the emissions in Cork City are from cars. This is a small step in encouraging people to get out of the car and try a cleaner mode of transport."

Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy said this event will help "reduce our emissions and to help reach our 2030 climate targets".

"Car Free Day is a great incentive to trial switching transport modes, whether it’s public transport, the Park’n’Ride, TFI bikes or walking. Reductions in traffic also create a more pleasant street atmosphere for those visiting, shopping and enjoying the cultural offering of our wonderful city," Mr Healy said.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB