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Sam Boal
Road closures

Getting around: Everything you need to know about St Patrick's Day in Dublin

Celebrating? Working? We’ve got you covered.

ST PATRICK’S DAY comes but once a year and TheJournal.ie is here to show you where and when all the action kicks off .

We know how stressful it can be to navigate the crowds, avoid the packed out pubs and dodge the over-zealous revellers. So here’s everything you need to know to have a hassle-free Paddy’s Day in the capital.

If you’re outside Dublin, we’ve also got you covered:

Road closures

There are a number of road closures in operation during the St Patrick’s Festival.
Most of these are only in operation until the parade finishes up, so you’re looking at disruption up until 3pm.

paddys day roads St Patrick's Festival St Patrick's Festival

closures

How to get about

Luas

There will be some disruption to Luas Red Line services to accommodate the parade. Trams will operate between Smithfield and Tallaght from 10.30am to 2.30pm. The first tram is at 7.00am and the last one will depart from the city centre to Saggart at 10.50pm.

There may some short delays on the Luas Green Line to accommodate events and the last tram from Brides Glen to Stephen’s Green is at 11.00pm and last tram from Stephen’s Green to Brides Glen is at 11.30pm.

DART

DART services will operate to a Sunday schedule, but with extra trains operating before and after the parade.

Commuter services will operate to a Sunday schedule with minor alterations. Full details are available here.

Tara Street Station is closed until 4pm today to help gardaí crowd implement their crowd management plan for the parade. Customers should use Connolly and Pearse stations instead.

Dublin Bus 

Buses will be running but on a Sunday schedule. There are a host of diversions affecting dozens of routes. You can find all the information here.

90412522_90412522 University Of Missouri Marching band in the St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin last year. Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

The parade itself

It all kicks off at 12 noon.

Bands from Ireland will be joined by music ensembles from around the world, including France, Germany, the Bahamas, Switzerland and the USA, and organisers have promised it to be a spectacular procession.

The route has slightly changed from last year. The parade will now come down the east side of O’Connell Street on the Clery’s side, O’Connell Bridge east and onto Westmoreland Street. These changes will affect how the general public get around the city. Diversions will be in place which may lengthen journey times so it is advised to plan ahead.

According to festival organisers: “Public coming to view the parade on O’Connell Street should access via Rosie Hackett Bridge and Marlborough Street.  It is anticipated that viewing on O’Connell Bridge will be at capacity early. There will be street signage in place and An Garda Síochána and stewards will be there to assist.”

90412456_90412456 Commuters using the Luas as they operate on St Patrick's Day. Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Where’s all the action? 

As you’d expect, most people will be drawn to the parade. However, there are a host of activities happening around the city which are expected to lead to congestion.

  • Merrion Square will be the venue for a family funfair from 11am.
  • A prawn festival will be taking place in Howth village in north county Dublin at noon.
  • The Little Museum of Dublin on Stephen’s Green will be hosting a series of fascinating lunchtime talks and workshops. Tickets for the event are sold out so punters are advised that they will not be given entry to the museum on the day.
  •  St Patrick’s Cathedral will be the venue for walks in celebration of Ireland’s national patron saint, in the company of professional and enthusiastic guides, led by the renowned Dublin historian and author Pat Liddy.
  • There will be storytelling sessions at the Hibernian Academy, 15 Ely Place after the parade.

Where you can watch it

If you can’t make it to one of the parades or you’re abroad for the festivities, then there are still ways to soak up the action.

Live from Dublin at 12:15pm (Irish time), audiences can tune in as Des Cahill, Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh and Aidan Power host the parade. The theme this year is ‘Ireland You Are’ and it promises to be packed with art, design, performance and of course ceol agus craic.

The celebrations will be available to watch worldwide for free through RTÉ Player or on YouTube here.

Read: Pressure on Enda Kenny to speak out against Trump travel ban during shamrock ceremony >

Read: Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: ‘It’s time Irish people stood up against racism. We were the terrorists at one time’ >

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