Blackrock Castle Walk

Blackrock Castle Walk

Blackrock Castle Walk will take you on an 8k loop passing Mahon and on the old rail line that serviced Crosshaven.

Blackrock Castle Walk will take you on an 8k loop passing Mahon and on the old rail line that serviced Crosshaven.

The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail line.

Blackrock Castle Observatory

Blackrock Castle Observatory

The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail

Blackrock Castle is a castellated fortification located at Blackrock, about 2 km from the centre of Cork city on the banks of the River Lee in Ireland.Wikipedia

Blackrock Castle is a castellated fortification located at Blackrock, about 2 km from the centre of Cork city on the banks of the River Lee in Ireland.Wikipedia

Blackrock Castle Walk

Blackrock Castle Walk

Blackrock Castle Walk

Blackrock Castle Walk

The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail
The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail

Since the closing of the railway, the line has been paved over to serve as a recreational walkway, with lighting and benches put in place. Two bridges were put in place along the Rochestown area of the path for pedestrians.

Since the closing of the railway, the line has been paved over to serve as a recreational walkway, with lighting and benches put in place. Two bridges were put in place along the Rochestown area of the path for pedestrians.

The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail

The Albert Road station building has survived. It was for many years occupied by Metal Products Ltd. who operated a factory producing nuts, bolts and other metal components. It is currently occupied by Carey’s tool hire company. 

The Albert Road station building has survived. It was for many years occupied by Metal Products Ltd. who operated a factory producing nuts, bolts and other metal components. It is currently occupied by Carey’s tool hire company. 

The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail

The section of former rail between Albert Road and the Atlantic pond has been mostly removed. From the Atlantic Pond to Rochestown a paved footpath follows the route of the rail line.

The section of former rail between Albert Road and the Atlantic pond has been mostly removed. From the Atlantic Pond to Rochestown a paved footpath follows the route of the rail line.

Blackrock Castle Walk Cork Ireland.

The rest of the walkway to Passage consists of a gravel walkway that follows the river. There is evidence of the rail line between Passage and Monkstown, then onto Carrigaline. From the eastern edge of Carrigaline town, the walkway continues to the outskirts of Crosshaven.

The rest of the walkway to Passage consists of a gravel walkway that follows the river. There is evidence of the rail line between Passage and Monkstown, then onto Carrigaline. From the eastern edge of Carrigaline town, the walkway continues to the outskirts of Crosshaven.

Blackrock Station

Blackrock Station

Blackrock Castle Walk Cork Ireland.

Along the route, you can still see various remains of the original rail line. The Blackrock signal house and platform are still intact, it is located under the bridge on the Blackrock road close to Blackrock church (the house is now privately owned).

Along the route, you can still see various remains of the original rail line. The Blackrock signal house and platform are still intact, it is located under the bridge on the Blackrock road close to Blackrock church (the house is now privately owned).

The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail

The bridge over the Douglas estuary, between Blackrock and Rochestown, is still standing, although it had fallen into disrepair until the late 1990s when extensive repair work was completed. The remains of the Rochestown platform can be seen from the Rochestown Road, opposite the pub “The Rochestown Inn”. 

The bridge over the Douglas estuary, between Blackrock and Rochestown, is still standing, although it had fallen into disrepair until the late 1990s when extensive repair work was completed. The remains of the Rochestown platform can be seen from the Rochestown Road, opposite the pub “The Rochestown Inn”. 

The looped walk from Blackrock Castle along parts of the old rail

Work began in May 2017 to improve the path that connected to Marina Park, as well as the park itself. From the pedestrian bridge over the South Ring Road just past the Rochestown area to the park, construction is taking place to improve the surface of the path, maintain the trees along the path, and install new walkways down from footpaths above.

Work began in May 2017 to improve the path that connected to Marina Park, as well as the park itself. From the pedestrian bridge over the South Ring Road just past the Rochestown area to the park, construction is taking place to improve the surface of the path, maintain the trees along the path, and install new walkways down from footpaths above.

Blackrock Castle Walk Cork Ireland.
Blackrock Castle Walk Cork Ireland.

This loop is most enjoyable with a coffee break at the castle.

This loop is most enjoyable with a coffee break at the castle.

Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk

Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk

Sheep’s Head

Sheep’s Head

Sheep's Head Cork Ireland