HOW TO SEE THE POPE

Essential guide to transport, security, viewing points

IT WILL be the biggest mass movement of people in generations. An estimated 100,000 are expected to line the streets of the capital today as Pope Francis travels through the city in his popemobile, to be joined later this evening by another 80,000 attending the Festival of Families in Croke Park.

But tomorrow will be the real challenge for the country’s public transport system, as an expected 45,000 attend ceremonies at Knock Shrine in Co Mayo, followed by another 500,000 travelling to Dublin’s Phoenix Park for the closing Mass of the World Meeting of Families.

Those attending the Phoenix Park must enter through the gate which is marked on their ticket. While a range of public transport options will terminate around the park, only in exceptional circumstances will pilgrims be allowed to enter through another gate. The advice for pilgrims is to allow sufficient time to reach events.

Director of public transport services at the National Transport Authority Tim Gaston urged people to give themselves enough time to get to the Phoenix Park, saying there needed to be a “steady flow” of people throughout the day.

Public transport is free for those with a ticket for the papal Mass, and the capital remains open for business.

However, there will be severe disruptions. For further details, check dublinbus.ie, buseireann. ie, irishrail.ie, luas.ie and gov.ie/ en/campaigns/pope-in-ireland.

SATURDAY – DUBLIN

Luas Red line services will be suspended from Busáras to the Four Courts between 3.15pm and 5pm. The Abbey Street stop is closed from 11am to 5pm.

The Green Line will operate as normal up to 10.30am and after 5.30pm. Between these hours, services are suspended between Dawson Street and Broombridge.

Bus services will be diverted between 10am and 6pm. This will affect Bus Éireann Expressway and services from Co Meath, Co Louth, Co Cavan, Co Westmeath, Co Kildare, Co Offaly, Co Wexford and Co Wicklow, as well as Dublin Bus routes.

SUNDAY – KNOCK

Pope Francis is due to arrive in Knock Shrine at 9.45am, but car parks are open from 3am and the venue from 5am. Pilgrims are urged to arrive no later than 7.30am.

Superintendent Tom Calvey of Claremorris garda station said entry tickets would be checked before arrival in Knock.

Those coming from Co Sligo, Co Donegal and the North will be diverted along the old N5 at Charlestown into car parks on the outskirts of Knock.

Those coming from Co Roscommon, Co Longford and the east will come through Ballyhaunis, into Claremorris and then Knock.

Coaches will be labelled, and passengers given a ticket to remind them of their bus number. Passengers arriving at Claremorris by train will avail of a shuttle bus.

Service alterations to Bus Éireann routes 64, 421 and 440 will also be in place.

DUBLIN – PARKING

Luas, Irish Rail and four car-parking hubs have capacity for more than 26,000 vehicles. The four hubs are free for use.

One at Leopardstown will be serviced by Luas; another at UCD Belfield will be for Dublin Bus, and trains will service Maynooth University and Fairyhouse Racecourse.

Luas and Irish Rail car parks charge between €2 and €5, and parking must be paid for on the day. Heuston, Connolly and Maynooth car parks are closed.

CYCLE PARKING

Three free parks are in place to cater for 3,000 bicycles at DIT Grangegorman, St Brigid’s Boys School in Blanchardstown, and at Dublin City Council’s offices at Wood Quay.

BUSES

All Bus Éireann services will operate to and from Busáras.

With widespread road closures in place, there will be service changes between 6am and 11pm.

Dublin Bus services will also be affected, with the company expecting to carry 400,000 passengers. Some 400 buses are dedicated to servicing the Phoenix Park, with seven hubs or extra routes in place offering frequent services.

LUAS

Green Line trams will operate as normal but Red Line services will only run from Tallaght/ Saggart to Blackhorse, and from the Point to Smithfield.

Luas will service the Leopardstown park and ride, and staff will ask passengers to form queues at busy stops to prevent a free-for-all.

TRAIN

There are 250 dedicated train services to Heuston, Connolly, Ashtown Gate and the Navan Road Parkway stations.

Additional services will run on Dart, Maynooth, Portlaoise and to Dundalk/Drogheda. There will be shuttle trains from Connolly to Ashtown Gate.

TAXIS

Taxis will be allowed to operate but with limitations including bans on streets with high volumes of pedestrians.