Traffic restrictions in Dublin to allow for New Year festivities

Extensive traffic diversions will operate in Dublin city centre today to facilitate millennium events.

Parking around the millennium concert site at Merrion Square, the stage for which is located at the junction of Merrion Street Upper and Merrion Square South, is prohibited from 6 a.m. A traffic cordon will be introduced at 11 a.m., bounded by Baggot Street, Herbert Place, Warrington Place, Clanwilliam Place, Grand Canal Street Lower, Hogan Place, Fenian Street and Lincoln Place. It will be lifted at 3 a.m. tomorrow.

Traffic heading south along Merrion Row will be diverted on to Baggot Street Lower. Those travelling north along Fitzwilliam Street will be diverted along Baggot Street Upper to Herbert Place.

Pedestrians will be prohibited from entering Merrion Street Upper and will be diverted on to Fitzwilliam Street. Merrion Square South will also be closed to pedestrians.

Access to Holles Street Hospital will be via Fenian Street, Hogan Place and Grand Canal Street Lower.

The lighting of the Liffey Bridges will lead to the closure of Essex Quay, Wood Quay and Fishamble Street from 5.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. Traffic on Wellington Quay and Grattan Bridge will divert via Parliament Street.

Roads around Christchurch Cathedral will also be closed for the ringing of the bells. Patrick Street, Nicholas Street, High Street, Christchurch Place, Lord Edward Street and Fishamble Street will be closed to traffic from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. tomorrow.

Tolls on the East Link and West Link bridges will not be collected between 7 p.m. today and 10 a.m. tomorrow. Nation al Toll Roads said this was so it could celebrate the millennium with its customers and enable its employees to enjoy the festivities with their families.

Further details of traffic restrictions are available on the Garda Siochana website: www.garda.ie