LAST UPDATE | 6 Nov 2023

THE FINAL SECTION of the N22 Macroom Road Development in Cork has officially opened. 

The first section of the development, the Macroom Bypass, opened to traffic in December 2022. The second section opened in August 2023.

Contractor Jons John Craddock JV commenced work on site back in January 2020 and completed the bypass ahead of schedule.

Currently, the new N22 road is open to traffic from Coolcour Roundabout to the east, as far as Toonlane Junction at Baile Mhic Íre.

The final section is from Toonlane Junction to the Baile Bhuirne Junction at the western end of the new road.

Road users will now be able to travel westwards on the new N22 along its full length from Coolcour Roundabout to the Baile Bhuirne Junction and onwards on the existing N22 towards Kerry.

Travelling from Kerry, road users will now merge onto the new dual carriageway to the west of Baile Bhuirne.

They will be able to travel on the new N22 road to Coolcour roundabout, east of Macroom.

Road users are being asked to drive with caution on the new section of the N22 road, particularly on the approach to the new junctions at Toonlane (Baile Mhic Íre) and at Baile Bhuirne, until they become familiar with the new junction layouts.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said the bypass will be of great benefit to the residents of Cork and Kerry and the many visitors to the region.

He added that the road will “reduce journey times, remove congestion from the towns and villages along the route and lower the fuel costs associated with idling in traffic congestion”.

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the area will now “begin to experience reduced congestion and improved air quality, as has already been seen in Macroom”.

“This will improve the quality of life for local residents and will also increase the attractiveness of active travel,” said Ryan.

The Mayor of the County of Cork, councillor Frank O’Flynn, noted that when the first section of the project opened in December 2022, air pollution in Macroom town reduced by more than 50%.

“We hope to see a similar benefit for Baile Mhic Íre and Baile Bhuirne,” said Flynn. 

-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper