‘It’s the one place in Cork where people know how to drive’

10:03, 14 Nov 2025Updated 10:05, 14 Nov 2025

Sound out, like – the Soundabout!(Image: Google Maps)

If you ask anybody who battles through Cork’s bonkers traffic every morning or evening about the ‘Soundabout’ – the chances are, they will know immediately what you are talking about.

The good people at Google Maps certainly do. And that’s why, if you look up the roundabout where the Tramore Road and the Pouladuff Road meet, just off the South Ring Road, you’ll see it clearly marked on Google Maps as the ‘Soundabout’ (for non-Irish people or those unfamiliar with the concept of ‘being Sound’, it’s just being chill and kind.)

The world’s most popular and visited Mapp app is simply acknowledging what those who navigate the South Ring Road or the roads around Togher have known for some time, the slip road up from the South Ring to the little roundabout on the Tramore Road – which is one of the busiest traffic spots on Leeside – has a weird aura of Soundness about it.

It has become a tradition for drivers crossing over the N40 South Ring Road towards the city to allow people coming up the slip road to ‘Zip Merge’ – taking turns to approach the roundabout, one by one in the manner of a zipper closing. It’s the correct way to do it, but it’s a custom that only seems to be observed at this one single junction in Cork – every other junction in the city seems to follow a more “Mad Max at Rushhour” approach to merging and changing lanes.

It’s also tradition for people to give a little friendly wave to each other – cementing the junction’s reputation for soundness. The Soundabout is regularly celebrated on social media – but few know of it’s status on Google Maps

The responses to the latest post about the junction confirm it has a place in the hearts of all Cork drivers, especially those traumatised by regular commuting on the South Ring Road – where a lot of motorists take a wildly creative approach to merging, crossing lanes or just generally driving it like they did indeed steal it.

The Soundabout has a couple of 5 Star ratings on Google Maps, including the succinct: “It’s sound, Biy.”

So if you’re using the Soundabout over the weekend – make sure to stick to the local custom – give a little wave as you let somebody merge – and be sound.

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