Cork to Get Over 800 New Homes as Work Begins on Two Major Housing Developments

Work has officially begun on two transformative social housing projects in Cork city that will deliver more than 800 new social and affordable homes, marking a significant milestone in housing delivery for the city.

The Railyard Apartments scheme in the city centre will deliver 217 units and will include Ireland's tallest residential building, while the Creamfields development on the old Kinsale Road will provide 606 units, making it Respond's largest development in Cork to date and one of the largest mixed-tenure housing developments to be built in the city for several years.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin turned the sod on both sites today (12th January 2026), with Cork City Council confirming it is actively engaged either directly or indirectly in the construction of or planning for 3,500 social or affordable homes at sites across the city, representing an investment of some €1.2bn.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, said:

"Today marks an important milestone for Cork as the sod is turned on these two major social housing schemes. These projects, supported by Cork City Council, are about more than bricks and mortar. They are about providing secure, high-quality homes for families who need them most, and it's about regeneration."

He added that the Railyard development will contribute to the regeneration of the Docklands and the vibrancy of the city centre, while the Creamfields development will transform a brownfield site into a vibrant new community.

Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, said:

"The sod-turning ceremonies mark a significant milestone for Cork city centre and for social housing delivery in the city. The Railyard apartments, including what will become Ireland's tallest residential building, shows what can be achieved when ambitious and dynamic local authorities work in partnership with equally ambitious partners."

She noted that residents will bring new life, vibrancy and energy to the city centre within just a few short months.

The Railyard Apartments

Located on the former Carey's Tool Hire and Sextant site on Albert Quay, the Railyard scheme will deliver 217 new homes in Cork's Docklands by the end of 2027. The mix includes studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments: 118 Cost Rental homes with rents at least 25% below market average, 77 general needs social homes, 22 age-friendly social homes for individuals and families on Cork City Council's housing list, and ground floor space for docklands and community use.

The development will feature Ireland's tallest residential building, standing 85.35 metres high with a landmark 25-storey tower, stepping down to 12 storeys and then nine storeys.

Brian Geaney, Assistant Chief Executive of Cork City Council, said the Railyard scheme is the result of a collaborative partnership between Cork City Council, Clúid and the JCD Group.

"It was procured through Cork City Council's award-winning Competitive Dialogue process and was granted Part 8 planning approval by the elected members of council," he said.

The development also involves permitted renovation and upgrade works to the listed terminus building and Carey House at the rear of the site, which will consist of a new bar/restaurant in the former terminus building, a new publicly accessible plaza and refurbishment of the former Carey House building.

The scheme has been designed by award-winning architects Henry J Lyons with input from specialist tall building architect Richard Coleman of London-based City Designer. PJ Hegarty are the main contractors and have been on site for several months carrying out site clearance, road realignment and piling works.

The Creamfields Development

The Creamfields scheme on the old Kinsale Road is being developed by Respond in partnership with Cork City Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Finance Agency and The Housing Agency, with construction led by Cairn Homes.

It will transform the former CMP dairy site into a new urban precinct, providing 606 new homes: 225 social homes and 381 Cost Rental homes, as well as residential courtyards, parkland, commercial units and a town square addressed by a 15-storey landmark residential tower.

The homes will be delivered in four phases, with the first phase due to be completed by the second quarter of 2028 providing 112 homes. Phases two, three and four will deliver 268, 167 and 59 homes respectively. Once fully complete, the development will consist of 558 apartments and 48 duplex houses.

The social homes will be assigned to tenants from Cork City Council's housing waiting list upon completion, while the Cost Rental homes will be allocated by lottery at rental rates at least 25% below local market rates.

The site has remained largely idle since the dairy closed in 2006, although it has been used occasionally to host a temporary funfair. Cork City Council rezoned the site in 2019 from light industrial to residential, local services and institutional uses, which facilitated this major development.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin praised the City Council for its partnership approach, saying:

"The delivery of new homes continues to be an absolute priority of government this year and in the years ahead."

James Browne, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, said:

"Under our ambitious Housing Action Plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, we have committed to building 300,000 new homes by 2030. Large, mixed-tenure developments like these two in Cork City, supported by multi-million euro investment from my Department are essential to meeting that goal. But it's not just about numbers; it's about creating secure, affordable and permanent homes where people can put down roots and thrive."

What is Cost Rental Housing?

Cost Rental is a new, secure form of rental housing tenure in Ireland, designed for people whose income means they don't qualify for social housing or other support such as HAP, but who still struggle to rent on the open market. All Cost Rental homes have their rents set at a minimum level of 25% below local market rents.

The rents in Cost Rental homes are set to cover the cost of construction, maintenance and operation of the development, ensuring long-term affordability for residents.

To be eligible to rent one of these new Cost Rental homes, applicants must prove: their net household income is below €59,000 (€66,000 for homes in Dublin) per year, they are not receiving any social housing supports such as HAP or Rent Supplement, they can afford the rent, they don't own a property, the household is the correct size for the home, and all members of the household are resident in Ireland at the time of application.