Pedestrian Routes into the Phoenix Park for the Closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families on Sunday 26 August
Please note there will be no vehicular or pedestrian access to the Phoenix Park by the public (except ticket holders) from 7pm on Friday, 24th August until 7am on Tuesday, 28th August for operational and security reasons associated with this major event. This is necessary for works to be undertaken, including the installation and removal of essential infrastructure throughout the entire Park and also the removal and re-installation of road signage and other road modifications for the event.
The designated pedestrian routes have been developed to facilitate safe and effective access and egress of the people attending the Closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 26 August at 3pm – 5pm
Gates to the Phoenix Park are open for ticket holders on Sunday 26th August at 8am.
There is a designated pedestrian route for each gate to the park which is colour coded to match the ticketing system.
For further information please contact Business & Community Liaison team businessandcommunity.papal@opw.ie
A Helpline will be operating from Monday 20th August – Monday 27th August inclusive, 9am – 5pm.
Tel. 01 222 8888
Overall event information https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/pope-in-ireland/
For up-to-date information on Road Closures and Maps
Information on Road Closures – Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council
Public transport and private coaches will bring you closest to the Phoenix Park, shortening your walk.
How to get to the event Public Transport Information
From Monday 30th July, both the Papal Cross car park and the soccer pavilions car park will be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians.
Navy Blue Pedestrian Route (Ashington/Broombridge/Ratoath/Cabra West etc.)
- Drop Off – Tolka Valley Park/Ballyboggan Road
- Turn left onto Ratoath Road
- Turn right onto Nephin Road
- Turn left onto Blackhorse Avenue
- Enter park opposite Grangegorman Military Cemetery
- Proceed onto North Road in Park and follow direction of stewards
Light Blue Pedestrian Route (Inchicore/Islandbridge etc.)
- Drop Off – Dublin Bus Hub at Con Colbert Road/Irish National War Memorial Park
- Walk along Con Colbert Road
- Turn left onto South Circular Road
- Turn left onto Chapelizod Road
- Enter park through Islandbridge gate
- Walk along Military Road and follow direction of stewards
Green Pedestrian Route (Arbour Hill/Stoneybatter etc.)
- Enter park at North Circular Road/Parkgate Street entrance
- Walk along North road
- Turn left onto Fountain Road
- Turn right onto Chesterfield Avenue and follow direction of stewards
Orange Pedestrian Route (Bluebell/Ballyfermot/Chapelizod etc.)
- Drop Off – Kylemore Road at Bluebell
- Walk along Kylemore Road
- Turn right onto Chapelizod Hill Road
- Follow Chapelizod Road and enter the park through Chapelizod gate
- Walk along Acres Road and follow direction of stewards
Red Pedestrian Route
(Thomas Street/Merchants Quay, etc.)
- Drop Off -Dublin Bus Hub at Cook Street
- Turn right down Bridge street
- Follow Usher’s Quay, Usher’s Island and Victoria Quay
- Cross river at Frank Sherwin Bridge
- Enter park through the main Park gate on Conyngham Road
- Walk along Chesterfield Avenue and follow direction of stewards
Yellow Pedestrian route (Castleknock/Georgian Village etc.)
- Drop Off – Laurel Lodge green to Laurel Lodge road
- Turn right onto Castleknock Road
- Follow Castleknock Road to Castleknock gate
- Proceed onto Chesterfield Avenue in Phoenix Park and follow direction of stewards.
Purple Pedestrian route
- Drop Off – Ballyboggan Road/Tolka Valley Park
- Turn right and then left to walk along River Road
- Turn left at Scribblestown AvenueCross train line at Ashtown
- Follow Ashtown Road to Ashtown Gate
- Proceed onto North Road in Park and follow direction of stewards
The Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed public park in any capital city in Europe.
It was originally formed as a royal hunting Park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747. A large herd of fallow deer still remain to this day. The Park is also home to the Zoological Gardens, Áras an Uachtaráin, and Victorian flower gardens. The Phoenix Park is only a mile and a half from O’Connell Street. Both passive and active recreational pursuits may be viewed or pursued such as walking, running, polo, cricket, hurling, and many more. The Glen Pond is set in very scenic surrounds in the Furry Glen. There are many walks and cycle trails available to the public.
The Phoenix Park is open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, all year round. The main gates of the Park at Parkgate Street and Castleknock Gate are open 24 hours. The side gates to the Park are open from approximately 7am until approximately 10.45pm.
Click here to download the brand new 2018 programme of events in the park!
If you wish to apply for a licence to hold an event, or permit for photography and filming, please click here. A current timetable of Upcoming Events is available to download here.
Please check this timetable for remaining free dates before submitting your permit application. You may also use the form on this page to apply for a licence or permit for Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Arbour Hill Cemetery, or the Garden of Remembrance.
Current Road and Gate Closures
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is taking the opportunity to restore and conserve a number of the entrances to the Phoenix Park as part of the preparatory works for the visit of Pope Francis for the World Meeting of Families 2018. These conservation works which have been agreed with Dublin City Council are being supervised by OPW Conservation Architects and are part of the measures being undertaken for the health and safety of the hundreds of thousands of people from across Ireland and abroad attending the closing Mass in the Park. In order to allow the temporary removal, conservation and restoration of the gate entrances and the carrying out of associated infrastructural works, the following road closures at entrances to the Park will apply on the dates and for the times set out under. The temporary road closures have been designed to minimise as far as possible disruption to traffic and pedestrian access to the Park. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause during this period and appreciate the co-operation of the public as we carry out this necessary restoration and conservation work.
From Monday 30th July, both the Papal Cross car park and the soccer pavilions car park will be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians
Chesterfield Avenue Temporary Partial Closure
Chesterfield Avenue will have temporary partial closure at Weekends and Bank Holidays only, from 8pm on Friday 4th May to 8pm on Sunday 30th September 2018, from the Phoenix to Mountjoy Roundabouts. An alternative route will be in place along the Odd Lamp Road. Please click here for more detailed information. The OPW will closely monitor traffic flows in order to minimise disturbance to users of the Park.
Deer in the Park
Members of the public are advised not to feed or approach the fallow deer in the Phoenix Park. Please click on this link to download advice on caution around the deer.
Dogs in the Park
Dogs are not permitted in some areas of the Park, and are required to be kept on a lead in other areas. Please download this Code of Conduct for Dog Owners for more information.
Important Notice re Car Break-Ins
Members of the public are advised not to leave any valuables in their cars at any time, including in the boot of their car.
The OPW liaises directly with An Garda Síochána with regards to this matter.
Update on the Playing Pitches in the Phoenix Park
No current updates.
New Series on RTÉ!
For the first time in Irish broadcasting history a landmark six part observational series It’s a Park’s Life reveals the inner workings of Europe’s largest city park through the eyes of those that live in, work in and love the park. Like a city within a city Phoenix Park is a diverse microcosm that some of Ireland’s most important decision makers call home. Not only is it a sanctuary, a sports ground and a public amenity, it is also the home of some of Ireland most significant organisations such as An Garda Siochána, the US Ambassador’s Residence, Army HQ, and Áras an Uachtaráin.
With unprecedented access, the Phoenix Park has opened ALL its gates to Moondance Productions to follow the organisations that work within its 1,750 acres and the residents who live in the 350 year old park.
The Phoenix Park Blog
We love sharing all the news and views from the Park.
Read the latest posts below, and click through to the full Park Blog for all news articles and Park updates.
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