The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer will start a two-day visit to Cork today, arriving and departing via Cork Airport with a major road closure and security operation that is set to cause severe traffic disruption in the midst of Status Yellow weather alerts for wind and rain.
With historically low popularity at home and still trying to sort out the messy Brexit that has cost billions and inflicted long-term damage on the UK economy – GDP was down a shocking 6% in 2025 over pre-Brexit levels – the Labour leader may hope for a reset in relations with his country’s nearest neighbour and hugely important trading partner.
There is one Cork man who won’t be at the summit today – Starmer’s right-hand man, the advisor most credited with Labour’s landslide win in the last election, Macroom’s Morgan McSweeney, was forced to resign last month thanks to the fallout from the Peter Mandelson-Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will be hoping for a positive, trouble-free second annual UK-Ireland Summit after last year’s trip to Liverpool saw the launch of a ‘programme of co-operation’ focused on trade, energy, maritime security, emergency planning, and cultural connections.
However, with war escalating in the Gulf and the US-Israel campaign against Iran still not slowing down – despite US President Donald Trump’s assurances that his ‘short-term excursion’ is ‘practically over’ – the UK and Irish leaders will have to focus on events far from home that could seriously impact on our shared economic and security concerns.
For the people of Cork, the visit means traffic diversions, road closures and the strong possibility of major travel disruption later today and tomorrow. Also – if you are travelling in or out of Cork Airport this afternoon or tomorrow lunchtime – make sure to leave at least an extra hour on your plans.
On the plus side – Cork is set to get 48 hours of (hopefully) positive coverage in the UK media.
CorkBeo will have live updates on the visit and the traffic and travel issues around it throughout today and tomorrow. Those travelling to East Cork, Cobh and around Fota Island should be prepared for significant delays and diversions over the two days.
The following road closures are confirmed for Thursday 12th March 2026, between 4pm and 10pm:
- Lapp’s Quay
- Connell Street
- Terence MacSwiney Quay
Temporary rolling road closures will take place across the city on Thursday evening and Friday morning to facilitate security escorts. Parking in many areas of the city centre is closed off this morning – including along the South Mall – for security reasons.
A focus for the Taoiseach and Prime Minister will be to discuss how the two countries can work more closely together in laying the groundwork for future prosperity through infrastructure, competitiveness, clean energy, skills and innovation.
Speaking in Cork ahead of the Summit, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “On behalf of the Government, I am delighted to welcome Prime Minister Starmer and accompanying UK Ministers to Cork. At our inaugural UK-Ireland Summit in Liverpool last year, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and I agreed a comprehensive programme of strategic co-operation which is now beginning to deliver for the people of these islands. \
Today we will mark the progress on what has been achieved over the course of the past year and reaffirm our commitment to deepen and broaden further the co-operation, friendship and partnership between Ireland and the UK this year and out to 2030.
“This Summit takes place against an uncertain global backdrop and will be an opportunity to take stock of international issues, including the concerning situation in the Middle East and Gulf Region, and in Ukraine. Each day we see how international events can impact also on our domestic ambitions and daily lives, as well as on global security.
“Over the course of the Summit, we will discuss how we can strengthen competitiveness and resilience and reduce the cost of living, harness the potential of our shared seas while protecting our marine environment, deliver essential infrastructure at pace and scale, and ensure energy affordability and energy security across Ireland and the UK.”
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