Finalising of Cork City centre flood relief scheme delayed again until 2027

Flood defence works at Morrison's Island/Union Quay, Cork City adjacent to Trinity Bridge over the River lee in April of this year. Picture: Larry Cummins

The completion date for a flood relief scheme that will protect 400 Cork city centre properties has been pushed out again, with works now not due to be finished until next year.

Cork City Council is advancing the long-awaited Morrison’s Island Public Realm Improvement and Flood Protection Scheme in association with the Office of Public Works (OPW). 

The scheme provides for a complete renewal of the public realm along Morrisons/Fr Matthew Quay, from Parnell Bridge to Parliament Bridge, and the provision of enhanced flood protection benefitting around 400 properties.

An update on the project was provided to independent councillor Kieran McCarthy at this week's meeting of Cork City Council.

The council’s Gerry O’Beirne, director of infrastructure development, told Mr McCarthy that the estimated completion date was now within the first three months of 2027.

He said: “Construction works commenced in 2024 and are presently ongoing. Works to date have included cleaning, pointing and strengthening of the quay walls, the installation of flap valves, construction of underground pumping stations at Parnell Plaza and Fr Mathew Quay, reconfiguration of the South Mall/Parnell Place Junction, refurbishment works at Trinity Footbridge and public realm works (including tree planting) on Fr Mathew Quay, Morrison’s Quay and Parnell Plaza.

“A portion of Parnell Plaza is expected to open to the public in Q3 2026 with the overall project scheduled for completion in Q1 2027.” 

When construction began in June 2024, Cork City Council said the project was expected to take about 20 months, meaning a completion deadline in early 2026.

In February 2025, the OPW stated in response to a parliamentary question that the project was “due to be substantially complete by the summer of 2026”.

A later update from Cork City Council reported in October 2025 said the works were “on track to be completed by late 2026”.

It comes after the scheme was previously stalled for years by several legal challenges, before a Supreme Court decision in December 2022 cleared the way for works to commence.

Mr O’Beirne said: “It is expected that the scheme, when completed, will be transformative in its impact — further supporting the ongoing private sector investment in the area as well as creating new opportunities for the public to enjoy this riverside location.

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“Further updates will be provided to elected members as the works progress.” Mr McCarthy said after the meeting: “I am disappointed to hear there has been another delay.” 

He expressed concern that the timeline had been pushed out multiple times, but added: “I do acknowledge it is a huge project that the city council is undertaking.

“When it is completed, it will be a game-changer to help with the continued redevelopment of Morrison’s Island, to tackle flooding issues, and it will create a gorgeous new riverside."

The Morrison’s Island scheme was split from the wider city centre scheme and advanced along with public realm improvements for the area. Last year, the OPW said that the cost for the full Lower Lee (Cork City) Flood Relief Scheme had risen to €200m.