Cork City expands fivefold and welcomes 85,000 new citizens

As a result of a recent administrative reform

The Irish city of Cork has recently increased considerably both in terms of area and population. As of the end of May, Cork has grown five times and welcomes 85 thousand new residents within its confines. The historic change to the boundaries is part of an administrative reform that entered into force on 31^st May this year. It is expected that thanks to the change, Cork will become a very powerful second city to Dublin, which paves the way to the realisation of numerous growth projects and the achievement of higher targets.

For the first time in half a century the city has had its territory expanded and it now includes Ballincollig, Glanmire, Douglas, Frankfield, Grange, Blarney, Tower and Whites Cross. Thanks to these new additions, its population now exceeds 210,000 persons. Furthermore, 400 municipal services are being transferred from Cork County to Cork City. It should be underlined that the change could not have been possible without the coordinated efforts of both administrations.

Chief Executive Ann Doherty affirms that Cork is already showing great signs of economic development. Not only is it described as one of the fastest growing Irish cities according to the National Planning Framework, but there are about half a billion euro of development underway or in planning for the city.

With this in mind, the newly elected Lord Mayor of Cork - Cllr. John Sheehan – confirmed that the topic of his one-year term will be defined by the idea of connecting communities. He described the boundary extension as a tremendous opportunity for Cork.

Find more on the topic from the City of Cork.