Future Cork: Investing in Ireland’s second city will pay off in spades

With population set to grow 50% by 2040, Cork argues it needs sustained Government backing to deliver housing, jobs and infrastructure

National policy has positioned Cork as the vital counterbalance to Dublin, with the most ambitious growth targets in the country.

CORK is not just Ireland’s second city — it is the beating heart of the southern region and the engine of its economic future, playing the second greatest role for Ireland Inc. after the capital.

It is bigger and has more capacity than Waterford, Limerick, and Galway combined. A thriving university city, the student population of University College Cork alone is equal to or greater than that of Kilkenny on any given day.