PREPARATIONS in Dublin to welcome home Ireland's Olympic team are expected to cause considerable traffic disruption in the next two days. Drivers are being warned to avoid the city centre where up to 60,000 wellwishers are expected for the homecoming celebration.
Congestion is predicted on roads around Dublin Airport tomorrow where the athletes are expected to arrive at 8.25 a.m. to be welcomed by the President, Mrs Robinson. Aer Rianta has advised morning passengers to leave for the airport earlier than usual.
Traffic in O'Connell Street will be disrupted today while a reviewing stand is built at the GPO for a civic reception. The Garda says there will be only one lane for traffic on the GPO side, heading north, from 10 a.m.
Greater restrictions will be in place tomorrow, for the civic reception at the GPO. That side of O'Connell Street will be closed to traffic from 9.30 a.m. and the southbound carriage will be closed from 10.15 a.m it will reopen at about 1 p.m., after the reception. Afterwards the Olympians will be feted at a buffet lunch at AIB headquarters in Ballsbridge.
The athletes are expected to leave the airport at about 9.25 a.m, and will be brought in six open topped buses to the city centre via Swords Road, Lower Drumcondra Road, Dorset Street, North Frederick Street and Parnell Street to O'Connell Street and the GPO, where the entourage is expected to arrive at 11 a.m. The Dublin Fire Brigade Pipe Band and the Furey Brothers will provide live music at the GPO from 9.30 a.m.
Sports commentator Liam Nolan will be the master of ceremonies and broadcaster Michael Lyster will interview team members. There will be live television coverage from 8 a.m. until 12.30 pm. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Brendan Lynch, will present each Olympian with crystal medallions: a special crystal sculpture has been designed for triple gold medallist Michelle Smith.
There will be a special celebration for the swimmer beginning at Newlands Cross, Clondalkin, at 7p.m. when an open topped bus will carry her and her entourage to her home village of Rathcoole, Co Dublin.