Carrigaline is a town and civil parish in County Cork, Ireland, situated on the River Owenabue. Located about 12 km south of Cork city, and with a population of 18,239 people, it is one of the largest commuter towns in the county. The R611 regional road passes through the town, and it is just off the N28 national primary route to Ringaskiddy. Carrigaline grew rapidly in the late 20th century, from a village of a few hundred people into a thriving commuter town although some locals still refer to it as "the village". The town is one of the key gateways to west Cork, especially for those who arrive by ferry from France. Carrigaline is within the Cork South-Central Dáil constituency.

Economy

Carrigaline Pottery, situated in Main Street, closed in 1979, but was subsequently re-opened and run as a co-operative for many years after that. Despite its small size, the village also had a small cinema, owned and run by the Cogan family. Neither the pottery nor the cinema exist today. The Carrigdhoun Weekly newspaper is published in Carrigaline. The town has four banks and a credit union. There is a long-established Supervalu supermarket, as well as Dunnes Stores, Lidl and Aldi stores. The four-star Carrigaline Court Hotel is located across from the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St John. In addition to retail shops, Main Street has a number of pubs and restaurants. A Dairygold Co-op Superstore is located on Kilmoney Road.

Demographics

As of the 2016 census, Carrigaline had a population of 15,770. Of this population, 83% were white Irish, less than 1% white Irish traveller, 11% other white ethnicities, 2% black, 1% Asian, 1% other, and less than 1% had not stated their ethnicity. In terms of religion the town is 81% Catholic, 8% other stated religion, 11% with no religion, and less than 1% no stated religion. By the 2022 census, the population had grown to 18,239.

International relations

Carrigaline has town twinning agreements with the commune of Guidel in Brittany, France, and with the town of Kirchseeon, in Bavaria, Germany.

Transport

Carrigaline is served by a number of Bus Éireann bus routes. These include route 220 (Ovens via Ballincollig, Cork city centre and Douglas), 220X (Ovens via Cork city centre, onwards to Fountainstown and Crosshaven), 225 (Kent Station via the city centre and Cork Airport, onwards to Haulbowline), and 225L (Carrigaline Industrial Estate via Ringaskiddy to Haulbowline). Carrigaline railway station closed in 1932.

Culture

Sport

Local sporting organisations include association football (soccer) clubs Avondale United FC and Carrigaline United A.F.C., Gaelic Athletic Association club Carrigaline GAA, rugby union club Carrigaline RFC, and other tennis, badminton, basketball, golf, and martial arts clubs.

Religion

Carrigaline's Roman Catholic church, the church of 'Our Lady and John', was built in 1957. The local Baptist church was founded in 1987. The Church of Ireland (Anglican) church, St Mary's church, dates to 1824.

Notable people