President Joe Biden will visit Dublin on Thursday and the city centre will be largely blocked off to all traffic.
Mr Biden will address the Houses of the Oireachtas on Thursday afternoon at 3.45pm and will being doing a private event afterwards, the details which have yet to be revealed.
Although he is not doing any public events, there will be a raft of road closures which will make it difficult for any motorists driving into the city centre.
The US president will arrive into Dublin Airport on Thursday afternoon. Normal operations will continue at Dublin Airport at all times, however members of the public, travelling through the airport should allow additional time to arrive at the airport due to possible additional security patrols around the perimeter.
Everyone knew what Biden’s Irish visit was about apart from the sulking British press
Justine McCarthy: British media was right - Joe Biden’s Ireland belongs to Dark Ages
Joe Biden’s visit to Ireland contained some hard messages for us
US media take dim view of Biden’s ‘taxpayer-funded family reunion’ in Ireland
The Phoenix Park will be closed to traffic from 5pm on Wednesday to 5pm on Thursday evening while Mr Biden visits the US ambassador’s residence and President Michael D Higgins.
The area around Kildare Street including Molesworth Street, Merrion Street, Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam Square will be closed from 7pm on Wednesday to 7pm on Thursday.
Earlsfort Terrace is closed to traffic until Saturday. There is pedestrian access to businesses on Earlsfort Terrace via Hatch Street only.
Several museums and attractions will be closed on Thursday during Biden’s visit in Dublin, including Dublin Zoo and the National Museum at Kildare Street. The National Gallery said it had not yet been advised to close and as such planned for now to remain open, while the National Museum at Collins Barracks will also remain open.
Meanwhile, Dublin City Council has advised that it has covered and sealed bins in the city centre and along President Biden’s designated travel route, on request from An Garda Síochána. The bins are likely to remain sealed and covered until Friday. The public are asked to dispose of rubbish in bins out “outside these designated security areas, to prevent a proliferation of litter on our city’s streets and pavements around these security locations at this important time”.
Mr Biden will depart Dublin Airport on Friday afternoon for Ireland West Airport. Again, normal operations will continue at Dublin Airport at all times but members of the public, travelling through Dublin Airport at this time, should allow additional time to arrive at the airport due to possible additional security patrols in the vicinity of Dublin Airport, gardaí said.
In an advice notice to members of the public, An Garda Síochána said the nature and scale of its policing and security operation “continues to be proportionate to the need to protect everyone’s safety”.
“We would ask members of the public to heed the advice and instructions of Gardaí and we thank them for their continuing co-operation.
“An Garda Síochána reminds members of the public that the operation of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS/ Drone) is prohibited within 5km of any Airport, over urban areas, over crowds and in other restricted areas. Non-compliance is a criminal offence,” it continued in a statement.
“An Garda Síochána has and continues to liaise with business and local residents in the key locations and will continue to communicate directly with them during the visit.
“An Garda Síochána continues to engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and public transport providers to minimise disruption to the public transport network.
“Operational plans are subject to change for security and operational reasons.”
Gardaí listed more than 40 locations at which parking is prohibited until Saturday, noting many of them already had daily parking restrictions. These are:
Bride Street
Canal Road
Castle Street
Christchurch Place
College Green
College Street
Cork Hill
Cork Street
Conyngham Road
Cuffe Street
Dean Street
Dolphins Barn
Dolphins Barn Street
Dolphin Road
Ely Place
Fitzwilliam Lane
Fitzwilliam Place
Fitzwilliam Street Lower
Grand Parade
Grove Road
Hume Street
Hatch Street Lower*
Kevin Street Lower
Kevin Street Upper
Kildare Street
Leeson Street Lower
Leinster Street South
Lincoln Street South
Lord Edward Street
Merrion Row
Merrion Square South
Merrion Square West
Merrion Street Upper
Molesworth Street
Nicholas Street
Parnell Road
Patrick Street
Setanta Place
Ship Street
South Circular Road
St Luke’s Avenue
St. Stephen’s Green
Suir Road
Werburgh Street
Westland Row
Regarding Hatch Street Lower, gardaí say limited provision will be made for disabled drivers who are attending the National Concert Hall (NCH), and application should be made in advance to the NCH for a permit.
