The RNLI have a number of marine rescue stations stationed on the coastline of Cork and they are holding their annual 5k Reindeer Run & Walk in Fota on Sunday the 5th of December 2021 at 11am.

The funds raised will support the work of the Ballycotton, Youghal and Crosshaven Lifeboat Stations.

Entry link HERE

From the RNLI…. Grab your antlers. Lace up those hooves. Be a lifesaver. Reindeer Run & Walk is a fun, festive way to be an RNLI lifesaver and raise vital funds to help support Ballycotton, Youghall and Crosshaven Lifeboat Stations. This years Cork run will be 5km at Fota on Sunday 5 December and to get involved please register here RNLI.org/FotaReindeer

Note that the event is also open to walkers.

Grab your antlers, lace up those hooves – help save lives at sea by getting on your running shoes for the RNLI’s Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens The RNLI is calling on the people of Cork to do their bit and join the RNLI’s 5K Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens at 11am on Sunday 5 December to help raise vital funds to support volunteer crews in their mission to save every one.

RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews across Ireland launched 945 times last year, coming to the aid of 1,147 people, 13 of whom were lives saved. That was an average of three people aided each day – rescues which were only possible because of the donations made to the charity by supporters.

It is hoped hundreds of people will don a pair of antlers or festive attire and join mascot Rookie the Reindeer to raise funds for the charity. All those participating will receive a medal. Runners, who must register (see below), and buy tickets for the event in advance, are encouraged to raise sponsorship which will go towards saving lives on the water.

Every time an RNLI crew launches, they are determined to save every one. But they can’t do it without people like you. Raising money through the Reindeer Run is a fun and festive way to get active and be a lifesaver, because you’ll be raising the vital funds that power the crew. It helps the RNLI recruit and train volunteers and could fund the kit they need to protect themselves. It helps ensure a lifeboat is ready when the call comes, and it helps deliver water safety advice far and wide.

Eolan Walsh, Ballycotton RNLI Coxswain says: ‘The Reindeer Run is more important than ever this year. We always have to be ready in case the pagers go at Christmas, but it’s a big boost to know the Reindeer runners have been giving their support at this busy time of year to help ensure we can launch.

‘It can be hard on our family and friends if we disappear halfway through Christmas dinner, but the sea and the dangers it can bring never takes a holiday, so nor can we. Fundraising events are our own call for help, as we rely on the generosity of the public to fund our rescues and kit that helps keep the crews safe when they risk their lives for others.’

To register for the Reindeer Run at Fota House and Gardens or to set up your own
virtual one, please visit RNLI.org/FotaReindeer

• Car Park: Located just outside the town of Passage West, see HERE
• Distance: 2.3kms (1.4 miles)
• Time: Approx 30 mins.
• Scenery: Nice views out of Lough Mahon and across to Fota Wildlife Park.
• Flat Hilly: Old railway line, dead flat.
• Difficulty: 1 out of 5 – Very easy.
• Noise pollution: Nice and quiet as this walk is some distance from the nearest road.
• Safety: Popular walk with local residents during daylight hours. Get’s quiet after 8pm in the Winter.
• Lighting: Mostly illuminated. Dark in sections.
• Notes: Wheelchair/Buggy friendly. A nice short scenic walk.

Description

This easy walk starts at the Roberts Bridge Car Park and heads east alongside the shoreline to Passage West. This Greenway is situated on the route of the old Cork to Crosshaven railway line and is completely level for this walk.

The photo above shows the Greenway sign pointing towards Passage West.

From the Greenway, you can look north-east across Lough Mahon to the southern tip of Little Island.

After 240-metres, you come to a spot which allow easy access to the rocky shoreline. This is a popular spot for small children to throw stones into the water.

After 420-metres, you will see the imposing Rockenham House up high on the right.

This is really a very nice section of Greenway as the trees form a sort of tunnel overhead and there is no noise from cars. If you listen carefully, you may hear the sound of the Cork to Cobh train at the other side of the harbour or the Howler Monkeys 3kms away in Fota Wildlife Park.

After another 100-metres, the Greenway becomes a causeway as the start of a lagoon appears on the right hand side.

As the pond on the right gets larger, there is a nice view across to an old house called Lee Carrow with an impressive Monkey Puzzle tree in its front garden.

Just beyond at the 780m mark, you come to Abbot’s Bridge…

Underneath this bridge, the tides rushes in and out twice a day to fill and empty the small lagoon known locally as Sandy’s Pond.

This is a popular spot at low tide for children fishing for crabs hiding in the rocks underneath the bridge.

As you continue the walk, there is a nice view out over the harbour to Great Island on the other side with a flotilla of small boats tied up near Passage West.

At 1.15kms, you come to the start of Patrick Murphy park and the turn around point for this particular walk.

At this point, you can still see the support pillars for the foot bridge that crossed over the old railway line.

This allowed fisherman and boat owners to safely access the slipway without having to cross the railway line.

From this point, you return to Robert’s Bridge on the left again to make it a pleasant 2.3km walk.

• Car Park: Located just outside the town of Passage West, see HERE
• Distance: 3.6kms (2.25 miles)
• Time: Approx 45 mins
• Scenery: Nice views out over Lough Mahon in Cork Harbour
• Flat/Hilly: Old railway line, dead flat
• Difficulty: 1 out of 5 – Very easy
• Noise pollution: Modest. Some noise from traffic on the R610
• Safety: Popular walk during daylight hours so it’s safe. Get’s quiet after 8pm in the Winter
• Lighting: Fully illuminated
• Notes: Wheelchair/Buggy friendly

Description

This easy walk starts at the Roberts Bridge Car Park and heads west towards Hop Island which is 1.8kms away. This Greenway is situated on the route of the old Cork to Crosshaven railway line and is completely level for this walk. In fact, you are never more than a few metres away from the shoreline at all times.

The photo above shows the start of the walk at Roberts Bridge car park. As indicated by the arrow, you should observe the Greenway code and walk on the left at all times.

Just after the start, there is a series of exercise machines which are spread out over a distance of about 200m .

One of the unusual features of this walk is that most of it is actually in Cork City! The city underwent a major expansion in 2019 and the Roberts Bridge car park is now just outside the city limits.

The photo above shows the actual city limit on the walkway but in reality, there are no discernable markings. The new city limit is approximately 240m after the start of the walk.

The walk has extensive views out over Lough Mahon. The photo above shows the view to the north-east with the southern shore of Little Island in the distance.

The photo above shows the view to the north-west with Hop Island, Jacobs Island and the north side of Cork City visible in the distance.

After 1.8kms, you reach the end of this section of Greenway at the Hop Island car park. From here, you turn around and return on the left again.

Overall, a very pleasant and easy 3.6km walk.

List of walks from this location…

• Walk 1… 2.3km – Roberts Bridge to Pat Murphy Park, Passage West and back
• Walk 2… 3.6km – Roberts Bridge to Hop Island and back
• Walk 3… Work in progress
• Walk 4… Work in progress

Directions & info

The Roberts Bridge car park is situated near the town of Passage West and is just under 10kms from the centre of Cork City.

The R610 road to Passage West is signposted from the N40 South Ring Road.

The Roberts Bridge car park is located about 1.5kms north-west of the town of Passage West in Cork Harbour. As can be seen from the map above, it is situated right alongside the R610 road between Rochestown and Passage West.

The photo above shows the approach on the R610 road from the west. The Brown Greenway sign showing that the entrance to the car park is just 100 metres ahead on the left.

There are just over 30 parking places for cars.

The car park provides access to the Greenway which goes from the Marina in Cork City to Passage West.

The Greenway is located right alongside the waters edge and there are extensive views out over the inner Cork harbour.

Access by bus…

The Roberts Bridge car park can also by accessed by two bus stops which are a few hundred metres away.

The 216 and 223 bus routes pass the car park and there are bus stops closer to Passage West. The stop for the bus from Cork City is located next to the local Aldi store and is 530m from the Roberts Bridge car park.

Refreshments

For post walk refreshments, there is a Bean & Leaf café nearby.

The Bean & Leaf is located alongside the Aldi store and is 470m from the Roberts Bridge car park.

Toilets

There are two public toilets at the eastern end of the Robert’s Bridge car park.

List of walks from this location…

• Walk 1… Work in progress
• Walk 2… Work in progress
• Walk 3… Work in progress
• Walk 4… Work in progress

Directions & info

The town of Cobh is located about 13kms to the south-east of Cork City or 24kms by road.

From Cork City, take the N25 east which is the main road to Midleton, Waterford & Rosslare.

Take Exit 3 and follow the directions for the R624 to Cobh. Just after the entrance to Fota Wildlife Park, you come to the narrow bridge at Belvelly.

On the far side of the bridge, you cross onto Great Island. Make sure to stay right and follow the R624 which goes around the west side of the island.

The Five Foot Way Car Park is located about 1km west of the centre of the town of Cobh and has spaces for approximately 100 cars. It also has dedicated spaces for camper vans.

On the approach road to Cobh from the west (R624), look for directions to the car park at the cross roads.

After turning right, you will need to turn right again after 50 metres over the railway bridge. Note the main road swings away to the left here around the corner so watch out for oncoming traffic.

Drive down the hill and after 130 metres, turn left.

The car park is just beyond the children’s playground.

The car park is long and narrow as can be seen from the photo below.

Access by train…

There is a regular train service from Cork City which generally varies from once every 30-minutes at peak hours to once an hour at other times during the day. See the Irish Rail website for the timetables… https://www.irishrail.ie/

The train station in Cobh is just 240 metres from the Five Foot Way Car Park.

Access is via a foot bridge which crosses over the rail tracks.

Note that it has some steps so it’s not accessible by wheelchair.