Motorists travelling from Wicklow towards Dublin Airport are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys on Saturday as significant traffic restrictions are expected during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland.
Donald Trump is due to arrive in Dublin on Saturday, September 12, as part of a two-day visit to Ireland which will also see him travel to County Clare for the Amgen Irish Open.
An extensive security operation has been put in place ahead of the visit, with Gardaí warning that rolling road closures and traffic restrictions will affect parts of Dublin.
Delays expected around M50 and Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport has advised passengers travelling on Saturday morning and early afternoon to allow additional time for their journey.
The airport itself is expected to operate normally, but access routes around the airport may be affected by rolling road closures.
According to Gardaí, the greatest impact on the M50 is expected between 8am and 9am on Saturday morning as the US President travels from Dublin Airport towards the Phoenix Park.
Further restrictions are expected between approximately 12pm and 1pm as he travels back towards the airport before continuing his journey to Shannon.
The affected section of the M50 is expected to include the area between Junction 3, where the M50 meets the M1, and Junction 6 at Blanchardstown/Castleknock.
For people travelling from Wicklow to Dublin Airport, the restrictions could mean longer journey times or the need to take an alternative route.
What are Wicklow travellers being advised to do?
Anyone with a flight from Dublin Airport on Saturday morning or early afternoon is being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time.
Dublin Airport has specifically warned that passengers may need to use alternative routes because of the rolling closures.
The advice will be particularly relevant for passengers travelling north from Wicklow and the surrounding areas, where journeys to Dublin Airport can involve the M50 and M1.
Passengers are also being advised to check traffic conditions before setting off and to follow directions from Gardaí and airport authorities.
Phoenix Park closed during visit
The security operation also means that Phoenix Park has been closed to the public.
All gates and roads in the park were closed from 11pm on Thursday and are scheduled to remain closed until 6pm on Saturday, although the Office of Public Works has said the park could reopen earlier if security operations are completed ahead of schedule.
Dublin Zoo has also been closed during the period and is expected to reopen on Sunday.
Trump is due to meet President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin before meeting Taoiseach Micheál Martin during his Dublin visit.
He will then travel to County Clare, where he is expected to attend the Irish Open at his Doonbeg resort.
Gardaí preparing for major operation
Gardaí have described the visit as an “extraordinary event” because of the scale of the policing and security operation.
More than 10,000 12-hour Garda tours of duty are expected to take place between Friday and Sunday as part of the operation.
While Dublin Airport is expected to remain operational, passengers and motorists are being urged to plan their journeys carefully.
For anyone travelling from Wicklow towards Dublin Airport on Saturday morning, allowing additional time could help avoid missing a flight if traffic restrictions cause delays.
