Cork-Limerick-Galway corridor

The Cork-Limerick-Galway corridor links the Republic of Ireland's second, third and fourth largest cities. Cork, Limerick and Galway cities, all located on the western seaboard have a total population of just over a million people and a population density of 51/km².

Limerick lies midway between Cork and Galway approximately 100km from both cities.

Road

Galway and Limerick are linked by the N18. Limerick is linked to Cork by the N20. Some of this network has been improved in recent years but much of the roadway remains single carriageway. A motorway is planned between Cork and Limerick. Similarly, The Galway-Limerick link is planned to be upgraded to grade-separated dual carriageway as part of the Atlantic Corridor

The three cities are served by the Cork Suburban Rail, Limerick Suburban Rail and Galway Suburban Rail networks.

There are three international airports in the region: Shannon airport, Cork Airport, and Galway Airport.

The Western Rail Corridor is currently being built to link Limerick to Galway.

Economy

The main economic engines of the region are the Economy of Cork and the Economy of Limerick.

Third level institutions

  • University of Limerick - 14,500
  • National University of Ireland, Cork - 19,000
  • National University of Ireland, Galway - 15,000
  • Cork Institute of Technology - 17,000
  • Limerick Institute of Technology - 7000
  • Waterford Institute of Technology - 10,000
  • Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology - 9,000

Industry

The Shannon Free Zone is an industrial zone with over 150 companies employing over 7,500 people.

The National Technology Park (NTP), Ireland's first science/technology park (263 hectares), which is home to over 80 organisations employing over 4,000 people adjacent to the University of Limerick.

Cork is the home of Ireland's pharmaceutical industry with most of Ireland pharmaceutical companies located in the Little Island area.

Population

Greater Cork: 400,000

  • Carrigaline (13,000)
  • Cóbh (12,887)
  • Mallow (11,000),
  • Midleton (10,336)
  • Youghal (7,000)
  • Fermoy (7,000)
  • Caherlag (6,000)
  • Bandon (5,000)
  • Inishkenny (5,000)
  • Blarney (5,000)
  • Monkstown (5,000)
  • Passage West (5,000)
  • Kinsale 4,000
  • Macroom (3,000)
  • Ringaskiddy

Limerick urban area: 100,000

  • Ennis - (25,000)
  • Shannon - (9,000)
  • Nenagh - (9,000)
  • Thurles - (8,000)
  • Newcastle West - (7,000)
  • Tipperary - (5,000)
  • Castleconnell - (4,000)

Galway city: 70,000

  • Oughterard - 7,500
  • Ballinasloe - 6,500
  • Athenry - 5,000
  • Oranmore - 3,500

Statistics

Region

Population

Area !

(Greater Cork)

(400,000)

County Cork

480,000

7,457 km²

(Limerick urban area)

(100,000)

County Limerick

185,000

2,686 km²

County Clare

110,000

3,147 km²

(Galway city)

(70,000)

County Galway

230,000

6,148 km²

Grand Total

1,005,000

19,438 km²

City & County Council areas

The city and county council areas covered by the corridor are:

  • Galway city - 70,000
  • County Galway - 230,000
  • County Clare - 110,000
  • County Limerick - 185,000
  • Limerick city - 60,000
  • County Cork - 480,000
  • Cork city - 120,000

See also

  • The Dublin-Belfast corridor