Dublin faces major disruptions over Luas works
Construction works on the new Luas line on O’Connell St will see the north and south quays closed off in the city centre. This means that any fans driving up to the capital won’t be able to go through the city to get to Croke Park.
Instead people will be directed to Croke Park from the M50, avoiding the city centre.
Brendan O’Brien, head of transport in Dublin City Council, said that the works were necessary and had to take place this bank holiday weekend: “The contractor has been given a three-day closure of the north and south quays at O’Connell St. We needed a bank holiday weekend. The August bank holiday weekend is traditionally the one with the lightest traffic, and the longest daytime working hours, so that was why it was chosen.”
The closures come at a time when matches will be on in both Croke Park and the Aviva stadium over the weekend. Cork will play Donegal in an All-Ireland football qualifier tomorrow, and Westmeath face Mayo in the other qualifier on the same day.
Two quarter-final games are being played in Croke Park on Sunday, with Galway facing Tipperary and Kerry set to play Clare. The Aviva is hosting a friendly between Barcelona FC and Celtic FC tomorrow.
There will be extensive “diversion signage” along the motorway up to Dublin and in the city itself to warn fans travelling up for the matches, said Mr O’Brien.
Extra Dart services will also be available for people getting in and out of the city centre.
The roads will be closed on Friday night and won’t be open again until early Tuesday morning. Drivers will still be able to move across O’Connell bridge from D’Olier St and Westmoreland St, but the quays will be closed off from Capel St to the ISFC.
