Cairn Homes to Build 3,000 New Homes in Blarney – Urgent Update

UPDATE: Cairn Homes plc is set to transform Blarney with plans for up to 3,000 new homes, as construction is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. This ambitious housing development, spanning a 250-acre site, aims to reshape the historic village, with significant projects planned at Ringwood and Stoneview.

The first phase of this multi-phase endeavor will deliver 244 homes at Ringwood, with the initial units expected to become available by 2026. The total project could reach a staggering €1 billion in value upon completion. This marks a significant milestone for Blarney, which has been on the radar for such development for over 20 years.

Cairn’s involvement follows a joint venture agreement with landowners Clare Forrest and Finbarr O’Leary, a Cork-based solicitor turned venture capitalist. The Forrest family has maintained the lands at Ringwood for more than 200 years. O’Leary’s company previously acquired 105 acres at the adjacent Stoneview site for €7 million from Nama four years ago.

This expansive project is strategically positioned alongside the N20 and near the planned Blarney Railway Station, which is part of the Cork area commuter rail program. Authorities are targeting the submission of the necessary railway order by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

The proposed development includes around 116 apartments within three and four-storey blocks, alongside approximately 130 mixed-size homes. A new 40-acre municipal park and a major relief road are also on the agenda, aimed at alleviating current traffic challenges in Blarney by providing an alternative route to Station Road.

In the short term, a creche is planned, with potential for additional commercial, educational, and healthcare facilities in the future. This concentric development strategy will radiate out from the village center, which is less than 1.5 kilometers from the proposed Ringwood site.

O’Leary emphasized that Blarney has been identified as a key area in the Cork City Development Plan (CCDP) 2022–2028. With a projected population growth target of 50-60% for Cork City and its suburbs by 2040, this development is crucial for meeting future housing demands.

Cairn Homes’ commitment to this project reflects its ongoing dedication to Cork, where it also leads a prominent scheme at Creamfields on Cork City’s Kinsale Road. This site, acquired for €25.6 million, will deliver 606 units, including 225 social and 381 cost-rental apartments.

As Blarney prepares for this major transformation, residents and stakeholders are watching closely. The implications for the local community, housing market, and infrastructure are profound, making this an urgent development to follow. Stay tuned for further updates as construction begins and plans unfold.