Dublin is set to experience significant traffic and public transport disruption this week as the city prepares to host two major EU Presidency meetings on Thursday and Friday.
The security operation will be the largest ever undertaken by An Garda Síochána in the history of the State, with road closures, traffic restrictions and changes to public transport expected across the city from Tuesday until Friday evening.
The European Political Community meeting will take place at the Convention Centre Dublin on Thursday, with a formal dinner at the National Gallery of Ireland that evening. An informal meeting of EU heads of state and government will follow at the Convention Centre on Friday.
Here's what you need to know if you're travelling around Dublin this week.
North Wall Quay will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians from 7am on Tuesday, November 10, until Friday evening. East/west traffic will be diverted from surrounding approach roads.
A security zone around the Convention Centre will also come into effect on Tuesday morning, with no walking, cycling or vehicle access permitted within the area.
From 7am on Wednesday, November 11, a separate security cordon will be established around the National Gallery of Ireland, with barriers and parking restrictions in place.
From 8pm on Wednesday until Friday evening, a wider security cordon will be introduced around the Convention Centre. The Samuel Beckett Bridge will also close to traffic.
Traffic movements will be restricted within an area bounded by Amiens Street, Seville Place, Sheriff Street Upper, East Wall Road and North Wall Quay. Residents and businesses will still be permitted access, but security checks will be in place.
On Thursday, November 12, further restrictions will apply around the National Gallery of Ireland from 7am until midnight.
The affected area will be bounded by Baggot Street, Fitzwilliam Street, Merrion Square North, Clare Street and Kildare Street. Residents and businesses will be allowed access subject to security checks.
Additional traffic and parking restrictions will also be introduced around Merrion Square and the Docklands from 7am until late on Thursday.
The most significant road closures are expected between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday.
During the upcoming meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) and informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government, we will endeavour to minimise traffic restrictions and the impact on the public.
However, there will be disruption to traffic management, traffic flows and public transport from 10-13 Nov.
View the interactive Traffic Cordon Map visit: https://t.co/ZZpWpFOpB3
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) November 4, 2026
Yes. A large number of Dublin Bus routes will be disrupted between Tuesday and Friday.
More than 130 routes operate across the city, and a very large number will be affected by diversions and changes to stops and termini.
Services will be diverted from the quays east of the Custom House between November 10 and 13. Bus stops and termini around Connolly Station and the south-east city centre will also be affected.
Services will additionally be diverted from Merrion Square on Thursday and Friday.
Luas services will be affected, particularly on the Red Line.
From 8pm on Wednesday, the Red Line will continue to operate its normal service to The Point stop at the 3Arena. However, Mayor Square and Spencer Dock stops will close.
There will be no Red Line services east of Busáras/Connolly on Thursday and Friday.
Irish Rail services will continue to operate throughout the security operation.
However, some diversions will be in place for passengers travelling to and from Docklands Station.
The disruption is expected to affect commuters travelling by car, bus, bicycle and on foot, with passengers advised to check their journeys before setting off.
@radionova100fm Dublin is set to experience significant traffic and public transport disruption over four days next week as around 50 European officials travel to the capital for a series of high-level meetings. Here’s what we know so far. 📍 The Convention Centre and National Gallery will host key meetings, with security restrictions also expected around several hotels and on surrounding roads. 🚊 LUAS: The Red Line will not operate between Connolly and The Point on Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13. Services are expected to return to normal on Saturday, November 14. 🚗 Road closures: * North Wall Quay will be closed to east-west traffic from Tuesday, November 10, until Friday evening, November 13. * Guild Street and Samuel Beckett Bridge will be closed to north-south traffic from Wednesday evening, November 11, until Friday evening, November 13. Gardaí are advising businesses to arrange deliveries and contractor visits for alternative dates where possible during this time. Motorists and commuters are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. #dublin #traffic #eupresidency #disruption ♬ original sound - Radio Nova 100
Yes. The M50 and Dublin Port Tunnel are not expected to be directly affected by the security operation.
However, traffic within Dublin city centre will be heavily restricted, so motorists are being advised to minimise car journeys where possible and allow extra time for travel.
Flights at Dublin Airport are expected to operate as normal, with no disruption to arrivals or departures.
However, passengers should allow additional time to reach the airport and check their bus routes before travelling.
Traffic restrictions will be in place at Dunbro between the R108 and R122. Additional Garda patrols will also operate along the Naul Road, R108, R132 and Old Airport Road.
Perimeter roads around Casement Aerodrome will also be subject to additional Garda patrols and traffic restrictions.
Niall Horan's four concerts at the 3Arena on November 9, 10, 12 and 13 will go ahead as scheduled.
However, access to the venue will be affected by the road closures.
Vehicles will be able to reach the 3Arena via Seville Place, Sheriff Street Upper, East Wall Road and the Tom Clarke Toll Bridge.
There will be no pedestrian access along North Wall Quay on Thursday and Friday. Concertgoers should instead use Amiens Street, Seville Place, Spencer Dock Bridge, Sheriff Street Upper and North Wall Avenue.
Luas services will operate normally on Tuesday, but there will be no services to the 3Arena before Thursday and Friday's concerts. A limited service will operate westbound from The Point following the concerts on both nights.
The National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street will remain open, and appointments will continue as normal.
However, the hospital is located within the restricted area around Merrion Square, and significant traffic and parking restrictions are expected.
Access will be facilitated for staff and patients at designated crossing points and security barriers. Patients are being advised to leave early and allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.
Gardaí will be on patrol around access routes to assist people travelling to the hospital. The hospital will also notify patients of dedicated phone numbers for assistance.
Yes. A public sector strike is also planned for Thursday, November 12, potentially causing further disruption across Dublin.
Anyone travelling into the city should check for updates before setting off and allow extra time for their journey.
