Carrigrohane Straight

[citation needed] However, the first edition of the Ordnance Survey Map (1841–42) shows that work was in progress on the new road linking Cork city with Carrigrohane and Leemount Cross.

The city terminus was on the present site of Jury's Hotel, while the line ended at Blarney, Donoughmore and Coachford.

Along its route there were twenty one stations, one of which was at Carrigrohane at the western end of the Straight, and a second one at Leemount Cross.

It used to be said that passengers on the Muskerry Tram, or the "Hook and Eye" as it was sometimes called,[citation needed] could pick blackberries from the carriages as the train was moving, such was its speed.

It occurred regularly during the winter, when the swollen rivers burst due to heavy rain, and the road was also affected by spring tides.

After considerable local controversy, agreement was reached to hold the Exhibition at the eastern end of the Straight.

There were 13 acres (5.3 ha) of amusements, a car park which held 3,000 vehicles, flower beds and shrubberies, and a bandstand in the centre, demonstration plots for agricultural and horticultural sections, and a miniature railway running around the grounds.

After the closure of the Muskerry Tram, the tracks were removed in 1935, and the area they occupied was then concreted, adding about 10 feet (3.0 m) to the width of the road.

The Straight, together with Model Farm Road, forms a circle, which proved suitable for racing.

During the 1920s and 1930s, both motorbikes, such as the Yamaha 750 cc, and cars, such as the Ingersoll-Rand Formula One Shadow, featured in speed trials and racing competitions.

[2] Rosemary Smith established an Irish land speed record of 156.101 mph on the Straight in 1978, driving a seven-litre Jaguar XJ6.

The Carrigrohane Straight featured in the "Cork 800" festivities (which marked the eighth centenary of the city).