Events & Entertainment
Event Websites
There are plenty of websites telling us about the fantastic entertainment over the Christmas: These include:
dublin.ie
View a list of event in Dublin
Dublin Tourism
View Christmas event from Dublin Tourism
Entertainment.ie
View different types of events in Ireland on entertainment.ie
Events in Dublin City centre (pantomime, concerts, etc.)
You can see from the Freeflow website that there are plenty of options besides the car to get you in and out of Dublin City over the Christmas, even if you stay late.
Some tips for our visitors:
- Plan your journey – use our Freeflow timetables and Maps and Planner
- Enjoy your visit – take your time
- Cycle in! Park your bike at the new monitored free cycle parking at Drury Street Car Park (open till 1am)
- Use public transport – the rail, tram and bus services are there for you too.
- Don’t ruin your evening or your life – never ever drink and drive
- Don’t park illegally – you could be clamped or towed
- Don’t assume the car park stays open all night (most don’t!)
The O2 (formerly The Point)
Events at the O2 (formerly The Point): there is no parking at the venue, and “dropping off and collecting” continues to generate significant traffic volumes and delays. In addition, the junction immediately outside the O2 will be controlled by the Gardai to assist the volumes of pedestrians, and so traffic will be delayed in any case.
Here are our top tips:
- Use the tram: The LUAS red line will get you there from December 9th, with extra trams shuttling from Heuston and from Busaras down to the Point for events
- Use rail: with the new Samuel Beckett (Macken street) Bridge opening, it is easier to use Irish Rail services with a stroll to the O2
- Use park and ride: there are two Park and Ride sites along the red Line, as well as city centre car parks, from where you can hop on the Red Line trams to the O2
- Leave enough time: all transport gets congested in the hour before curtains raise – leave early enough (why not enjoy the late afternoon in Dublin City Centre or in the new Docklands?) and plan to be at the venue 45 minutes beforehand
- Take your time going home: there will be delays getting onto the trams, on account of the numbers leaving the O2 at the same time, so plan for it…
- The tram will require free passage – there will be vigilant enforcement by the Gardai to ensure that the tramline in the Docklands is not blocked at any time; please co-operate with all instructions.
- Samuel Beckett (Macken street) Bridge: The bridge serves as an important crossing point, making a direct link between the north and south Docklands areas of the city. In addition to providing for vehicular traffic the bridge greatly improves connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between both sides of the Liffey and improves accessibility to the new Luas Red Line extension to the O2 Arena. Motorists should take care while driving in the vicinity of the bridge until new traffic and pedestrian patterns are established. A number of turning restrictions are in operation in the vicinity of the bridge. Download turning restrictions.
Here is the relevant page from the O2 website:
View Information on how to get to the o2 website.
The RDS
The RDS has a variety of large events on over the Freeflow period. We would ask you to remember the following tips:
- Use the DART where possible
- Use the bus (Dublin Bus, Aircoach) who now benefit from the Rock Road QBC
View RDS Dublin Bus Information
- Use the bicycle – there are improved cycle facilties along the Merrion / Rock Road as part of the Rock Road QBC
- Leave enough time: the area around the RDS gets severely congested in the evening time, associated with the normal traffic volumes around the Merrion gates, and in particular when there are other events in the city (e.g. the O2).
- Where possible, please stroll the last kilometre or so – it will be more reliable and may be quicker!
- Never block an entrance, ever!
View RDS location
The Zoo / Phoenix Park
Our top national attraction generates a lot of traffic. This year some other events are planned for the Phoenix Park. Again, our tips are:
- use Heuston Station - it is now a transport hub for rail, tram and bus, and it is not too far from the Phoenix Park
- Use the bus:
- use the bicycle: you can rent a bike just inside the city gates, or cycle up from the city centre.
Dublin Zoo has all the info:
View Information on the Dublin Zoo website
Luas Red Line Services
View Red Line Services information for the Phoenix Park/Zoo
This provides a perfect link to the Park Shuttle Bus on Parkgate Street.
The Christmas Races at Leopardstown
The sport of kings, (we can all pretend!) – we have plenty of options to get you to Sandyford without the queues: the LUAS, the bus, the coach, cycling, walking.
If travelling by LUAS, the Central Park stop will get you nearer to the Racecourse entrance. For more details, visit www.luas.ie
A lot of people drive to the venue, using the M50 and Leopardstown Road. As usual the advice is
- leave plenty of time – there are always delays close to the venue
- take your time coming out afterwards – the pedestrians and cyclists need time and space
- Never ever drink and drive.
Check out the latest advice from Leopardstown itself:
View Leopardstown Races Information
HOP SHOP AND DROP WITH LUAS THIS CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR!
So how does Hop, Shop and Drop work? Simply Hop on Luas, shop in town, drop off your shopping bags and collect them later.
Luas has partnered with Dublin City BID to take the hassle out of shopping in Dublin City centre by minding your shopping bags for free. Our Hop, Shop and Drop facilities give you place where you can securely leave bulky shopping bags safely for a couple hours, so you can relax and enjoy the magic of Dublin City at Christmas time.
Hop, Shop and Drop facilities are located on the third floor of Stephens Green Shopping Centre and GPO Arcade.
Log on to www.luas.ie for the full calendar of opening hours, competitions, terms and conditions and much much more.
For further information e-mail us on info@luas.ie or call Luas Freephone 1800 300 604
|
