Tens of thousands to attend Papal masses

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend masses around Ireland tonight in commemoration of the late Pope John Paul, who is to be buried in Rome tomorrow.

The Diocese of Dublin has invited all parishes in the country to toll their church bells for two minutes, from 8.58am until 9.00am tomorrow as a mark of respect for the pontiff.

The Palestrina Choir and Baroque Orchestra are to perform a special requiem concert at Dublin's Pro Cathedral tonight. Services are being held throughout the country, including in the cathedrals in Cork, Limerick, Mullingar, Newry, Knock and Letterkenny.

President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will lead the Irish delegation to the Pope's funeral tomorrow. Tánaiste Mary Harney and Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny are also attending.

The Pope's funeral, which is expected to last about two-and-a half hours, is due to begin at 9am Irish time in St Peter's Square before a burial ceremony in the grotto in the basilica.

Organisers are preparing for an influx of tens of thousands of worshippers into the Phoenix Park in Dublin tomorrow evening for the Papal Commemorative Service.

Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Eamonn Walsh will lead mourners in prayer. Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin is in Rome for the funeral.

The service, which will feature songs and prayers to commemorate the life of the Pope, will take place at the Papal Cross, where the Pope said Mass to over a million people in 1979.

The cross is being repainted today ahead of the service, and three giant video screens are being erected alongside the stage.  The event is being televised live by RTÉ.

The Office of Public Works is putting in place emergency services to cater for those attending, and the Garda has put in place a traffic management plan which will see serious restrictions on access to the park.

Dublin Bus is operating a shuttle service from George's Quay to the Phoenix Monument; the service will link up with Heuston station and the Luas. The bus company says it will have the capacity to carry some 10,000 people to the event.

Gardaí will be on duty at all gates and intersections to advise motorists.

Bus, drivers with disabled car passes and private coaches will be allowed access the park at all times. Disabled parking will be available at the visitors centre car park, the Polo Grounds and the Ashtown Gate area.