After the launch event yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said: “I’ve walked this area so often down through the years, and the transformation has been absolutely fantastic to behold.”
In a video posted on X with audio from the launch, Taoiseach Martin said: “I am delighted to be here this afternoon with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, to officially mark the reopening of the Marina Promenade.”
“What we’re witnessing in the current era of Cork’s history is the revitalising of our historic landscapes and locations,” he said. He joked that making the promenade car-free and its recently finished redevelopment has “exponentially” increased the number of northsiders visiting the southside of Cork.
Taoiseach Martin said: “Historically, we did not exploit the Lee enough in terms of its beauty. I think it’s fair to say that in more recent times, with the vision and leadership that the city council has shown, we have really opened the city up to the Lee… and that has to continue to be our theme as we developed and grow Cork City into the future as a place where people will love to come to, to work in, to play in, to live life and to rear families.”
The Cork Cycling Campaign, while sharing photos of the launch on Bluesky, said: “Shots from today’s official opening of Marina Promenade by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Great to hear him speak about the Lea to Sea Greenway and share the bigger vision.”
An Rothar Nua, which operates the TFI bikes scheme on behalf of the National Transport Authority, also launched a new type of bicycle share station. Photos of the new station also show electric bicycles at the new station.
Sean O’Dwyer, director of An Rothar Nua, said: “We’re very proud to be unveiling StationLite. A lot of work and innovative technology went into this new type of station, and we’re excited to see it roll out.”
An Rothar Nua called StationLite is “the next evolution in the TFI Bikes scheme”. The company said that the station itself is “primarily solar powered, meaning the operation is green and environmentally responsible. It doesn’t require the installation of heavy infrastructure and can be easily moved when public works need to be completed.”
It said that there will be three StationLite locations rolled out in Cork over the coming weeks — North Mall, Shandon St, and the Marina Promenade.
The contract for the TFI bikes scheme, which runs in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford, is up for re-tendering.
