More Than 1,000 New Homes Planned for Cork as Dunkettle Development Gets Underway
First phase of 550 homes officially launched as plans advance for a further 540 homes on strategically important site east of Cork City
9 June 2026 | 📧 editor@ipropertyradio.com
More than 1,000 new homes are set to be delivered on a major site at Dunkettle on the eastern outskirts of Cork City, following the official commencement of construction on the first phase of the O’Flynn Group’s long-awaited residential development.
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined O’Flynn Group Chairman and Chief Executive Michael O’Flynn this week for the official sod-turning ceremony on the first phase of the project, which has planning permission for 550 homes, alongside a crèche and neighbourhood centre. A second phase comprising a further 540 homes is expected to be submitted for planning later this summer, bringing the total number of homes planned for the site to 1,090.
The development is located on a 158-acre site close to the Dunkettle Interchange, one of the State’s most significant transport infrastructure projects. The site has been owned by the O’Flynn Group for more than two decades and has long been identified as strategically important for housing delivery in Cork.
The first release of 40 homes, comprising a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom terraced and semi-detached properties, has already sold out. The first residents are expected to move into their new homes in early 2027.
Speaking at the launch, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the development demonstrates the importance of delivering housing at scale to address Ireland’s housing needs.
He noted that Ireland’s population has increased by more than 50% since 1990 and reiterated the Government’s objective of delivering approximately 50,000 homes annually.
“This will be a fine housing estate and development. We need schemes of scale,” he said, describing housing as the country’s most pressing social issue.
The project also highlights the role of infrastructure investment in unlocking housing delivery. Previous attempts to develop the site were delayed for many years due to concerns regarding road capacity and access. The completion of the Dunkettle Interchange in 2024 helped facilitate planning approval for the current scheme.
Michael O’Flynn said the development would make an important contribution towards meeting Cork’s housing requirements and praised the collaboration between the developer, Cork City Council and other stakeholders.
“We anticipate that when the application for phase two has been submitted, the overall scheme will provide in excess of 1,000 residential units as well as a range of commercial, retail and childcare offerings,” he said.
In addition to housing, the wider masterplan includes extensive community open spaces, approximately 30 acres of woodland, and a neighbourhood centre designed to support the creation of a new residential community. Plans are also being prepared for the restoration of the historic Dunkettle House and its grounds, including retail, artisan food and restaurant uses, together with enhanced landscaping across 26 acres of parkland.
The development comes amid continued demand for new homes in Cork, where housing supply remains under pressure despite increased levels of construction activity. The scale of the Dunkettle project means it is expected to become one of the largest residential developments currently planned in the State.
