Outdoor
Go Karting in County Cork
The ultimate destination for karting enthusiasts in County Cork.
County Cork is a heavyweight in the Irish motorsport scene. With the closure of the Little Island track, the county's racing scene is now defined by two distinct heavy hitters: the high-speed outdoor action of Watergrasshill and the technical indoor layouts of the City's historic Marina district.
The jewel in the crown is Adventure Park at Kartworld (Watergrasshill). Located just off the M8, this is one of Ireland's most significant outdoor venues. It features two distinct tracks: the 850m International Circuit for adults (16+), which is fast, wide, and runs high-spec petrol karts capable of 80km/h, and the 650m National Circuit for families and younger drivers. It is fully floodlit, allowing for the rare thrill of outdoor night racing.
In Cork City, the premier indoor destination is the National Kart Centre (NKC) Cork. Located in the Marina Commercial Park (housed in the historic old Ford engine factory), this venue features a high-tech indoor track famous for its suspended sections, bridges, and tunnels. Unlike many modern city tracks that have gone electric, NKC Cork continues to run Sodi Petrol Karts, ensuring that authentic racing feel and sound remains.
A Note on West Cork: Currently, there are no dedicated commercial kart tracks operating in West Cork (Skibbereen, Bantry, Clonakilty). Residents in these areas typically travel to Watergrasshill (approx. 1 hour from Clonakilty) or the National Kart Centre for their racing fix.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
2 kart tracks
Outdoor
Indoor
Outdoor
Adventure Park at Kartworld
Watergrasshill, County Cork
Indoor
National Kart Centre Cork
Cork, County Cork
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The museum - permanently closed circuits
Go karting in County Cork - FAQs
Common questions about finding a race in County Cork.
No. Kartmania in Little Island appears to have permanently closed. The primary indoor option in the city area is now the National Kart Centre in the Marina Commercial Park.
No. There are currently no commercial rental tracks in West Cork (e.g., Skibbereen, Bantry). The nearest major tracks are Adventure Park in Watergrasshill or NKC in Cork City.
Yes. Adventure Park at Kartworld is fully floodlit, meaning they can run races on the outdoor circuit late into the evening, even in winter.
Both main tracks (Adventure Park and NKC) operate petrol karts. Cork has stayed loyal to the traditional engine format rather than switching to electric.