Dubliners prepare for park strife

Gardaí have insisted business will continue as normal this weekend and next week, despite some traffic and parking restrictions…

Gardaí have insisted business will continue as normal this weekend and next week, despite some traffic and parking restrictions to facilitate next week's visit by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth.

Citizens may, however, beg to differ as An Garda Síochána has also warned that barriers will be placed along certain routes, that some streets and bridges in Dublin city may be closed temporarily, and that pedestrians may be subject to searches for security reasons.

There is also likely to be traffic congestion at certain times and there may be changes to public transport routes.

The Queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, arrive on Tuesday for a four-day visit to Dublin, Kildare and Cork.

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Parking restrictions start in Dublin city centre from 6am tomorrow, and members of the public have been urged to use public transport where possible.

Changes to public transport routes will be flagged by the transport operators, gardaí said. Some congestion and delays are likely.

From Sunday, some roads will be subject to temporary closures, including the N7, N4 and M50, Phoenix Park, the north and south quays in Dublin and adjacent bridges and streets.

Sporting events also loom high on the agenda this weekend, with Leinster to play Ulster in the Magners League semi-final at the RDS this evening at 7.05pm. Traffic is likely to be heavy in the Ballsbridge area before and after the match.

Tomorrow, Munster play their semi-final against Ospreys at Thomond Park at 6.30pm.

In Mayo, the River Moy half-marathon takes place in Ballina tomorrow from 11am to 2pm. Runners will also be out in force in the capital on Sunday for the Dublin 5-Mile Classic around Templeogue and Kimmage.

Racing takes place in Navan on Sunday with the first race off at 2.15pm and the last at 5.15pm.

Also on Sunday, a commemoration of Daniel O’Connell – 'the Liberator’ takes place at the O’Connell mausoleum at Glasnevin Cemetery at 3pm. Sunday marks the 164th anniversary of the death of the parliamentarian in Genoa in May 1847.

Minister for Arts Jimmy Deenihan, representing the Government, will lay a wreath at the ceremony. Councillor Mary O’Shea will represent the Lord Mayor of Dublin.

The cemetery is open to the public from 8am to 6pm. Those who wish to attend the ceremony are asked to be in attendance no later than 2.45pm.

Met Éireann forecasts that tomorrow, Saturday, will be a cool, blustery day. While there will be some sunny spells, there will also be some passing showers.

Saturday evening will become bright and dry in most places with any remaining showers confined to the north and northwest coast.

The meteorological service said Sunday will be dry in most places, but rather cloudy at first with a sprinkling of light rain, mainly across Ulster and Connacht.

Munster and south Leinster will enjoy some good sunshine through the day with the late afternoon and evening bringing the best part of the day.

Highest temperatures will range from 13 or 14 degrees in the north to 15 or 16 degrees further south. Monday will bring windy conditions with showers in all areas.