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Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
What's on in Dublin: Gardaí outline traffic and public transport plans for weekend
Tens of thousands of people are expected to come into the city, so it's important to plan your travel carefully and be prepared for some disruptions. Here is everything you need to know if you're headed into town during the busy weekend. What's on in Dublin this weekend? There are a number events on this weekend with three huge concerts taking place at Phoenix Park. Country star Zach Bryan is playing three sold-out shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Each night could see up to 60,000 people attending, with around 180,000 fans across the weekend. On Friday evening, the British and Irish Lions face Argentina in a highly anticipated rugby match. The Aviva stadium will be at full capacity with over 51,000 spectators expected. There are four GAA games taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Croke Park, including the Tailteann Cup semi-finals. These will draw large crowds to Jones' Road. In Fairview Park US indie band Kingfishr will play to a sold-out audience on Saturday evening. Gardaí have also warned that there are two planned 'public gatherings' taking place in Dublin city centre on Sunday afternoon, which will mean rolling road closures and some disruption to LUAS and Dublin Bus services. What should I expect? Gardaí will be out in full force to keep the city safe and help manage the crowds and traffic. Assistant Commissioner Paul Cleary said: 'With so much happening and the good weather, Dublin will be very busy this weekend. We want people to enjoy the events but also to be mindful of others". Rolling road closures and traffic delays are expected, especially near the Phoenix Park concerts, Aviva Stadium, Croke Park, and the city centre. Gardaí have a full traffic management plan and will provide updates via their social media channels like @GardaTraffic on X (formerly Twitter). ADVERTISEMENT If you feel unsafe or need assistance, look out for Gardaí on patrol or call 999/112 in an emergency. What is the best way to get around town this weekend? If you're heading to Phoenix Park to see the Zach Byran concerts the closest LUAS stops on the Red Line are Heuston and Museum, with Museum being the best option for leaving after the concerts as Heuston stop will close. The Green Line's nearest stop is Broombridge. Expect a 30- to 40-minute walk from these stops to the concert area. Park and Ride facilities are available and booking return tickets before you travel is recommended to avoid queues. Use a TFI Leap Card if you have one. If you are heading to see the Lions game at the Aviva stadium be mindful that road closures will be in place around the Ballsbridge area. The DART is the best way to get there, with stops at Lansdowne Road and Sandymount stations close by. If driving, expect delays on Shelbourne Road and nearby streets. If you're going to Croke Park this weekend to see one of the games it is accessible by LUAS (Red Line, Parnell or Abbey Street stops) and Dublin Bus. Road closures will affect areas around Jones' Road and Drumcondra, so public transport is the easier option. If you're going to see Kingfishr at Fairview Park it is best accessed by Dublin Bus or a short walk from LUAS Green Line stops like Broombridge. Roads near Fairview and Clontarf will have closures, so plan ahead. What advice are Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Luas giving for the busy weekend ahead? Irish Rail is running extra services to help manage the large crowds expected from June 20 to 22. Late-night trains will operate from Heuston station after the Phoenix Park concerts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, heading to major destinations including Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Belfast. Additional trains will also run on the Maynooth and Drogheda commuter lines to accommodate increased passenger numbers. Dublin Bus is implementing multiple route diversions due to concert traffic and other roadworks, with detailed changes affecting key routes like 11, 26, 37, 38, and 69. Passengers are advised to check live updates via @dublinbusnews on Twitter or their website. Luas is recommending customers plan ahead when traveling to the Phoenix Park concerts, highlighting that the closest Red Line stops are Heuston and Museum (with Heuston closing after events), and the Green Line's Broombridge stop is nearby. Using Park and Ride facilities and TFI Leap Cards will help ease your journey.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ambitious rail plans unveiled by Iarnród Éireann for Cork – Plans include eight new train stations
The ambitious plans were unveiled by Iarnród Éireann on Wednesday, June 18. A public consultation has now commenced on Phase 2 of the largest ever investment in Cork rail network as Iarnród Éireann invites people to have their say on the future of rail transport in Cork. Key elements in Phase 2 of the Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) Programme include eight new stations for Cork in Blarney/Stoneview, Monard, Blackpool/Kilbarry, Tivoli, Dunkettle, Ballynoe, Carrigtwohill West and Water-Rock, and the electrification of the Cork rail network to support a new electric train fleet, reduce congestion and cut transport carbon emissions. Other parts of the plans include a new depot at Ballyrichard More which will support the maintenance of the new electric fleet and two strategic park and rides at Blarney/Stoneview and Dunkettle which will streamline connections from surrounding areas. More plans in Phase 2 of the CACR Programme includes station upgrades to Mallow, Midleton and Cobh to ensure improved accessibility and provide for expected future capacity increases and better connections supporting more integrated transport options, bus services, cycleways and Cork's future light rail (LUAS). Iarnród Éireann said the plans will help support more frequent, reliable and sustainable rail transport for Cork. 'It's about creating a cleaner, greener, better-connected Cork for the future - supporting communities, cutting emissions, and boosting accessibility across the region. The CACR will deliver a high-frequency, electrified rail system—targeting service every ten minutes - connecting Cork's communities with a fast, sustainable, integrated transport network.' Communities across Cork are invited to give their feedback on the proposed plans. All are encouraged to review the full details for Phase 2, including details on how to contact the team and give feedback, at As well as online feedback, a series of consultation events will be held for those who would like to learn more about the project. They will take place at Kent Station's Travel Centre on Platform 4 on June 24; AY Blarney GAA Clun on June 25; at Blackpool Shopping Centre on June 26; My Place in Midleton on July 2; Cobh Community Centre on July 3, and at Mallow Family Resource Centre on July 9. All of the consultation events will run from 4-8pm There will also be a webinar from 7pm to 8.30pm on July 10. To receive the link to join online email cacr@ Upon completion of this consultation, all submissions will be carefully considered by the programme design team, and these will be used to inform the subsequent design development and the formation of the preferred option. A second phase of public consultation will take place when a preferred option for the project has been identified. Green Party councillor Oliver Moran has welcomed the announcement of a public consultation on the opening of eight new stations for the Cork Commuter Rail Network. "This is where the rubber meets the tarmac for investment in commuter rail in Cork. We're now looking at park and ride on the northside and new stations in Blarney, Blackpool and Dunkettle. That's a quantum leap for public transport for the city.' Cllr Moran added that this is the beginning of a truly integrated mass transit system for the city and the metropolitan area. 'The picture is forming too about is why it's so important that the Cork Luas meets with Kent Station. This is the high-frequency commuter rail in the metropolitan area connecting with high-frequency light rail across the city is the backbone of that."
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Zach Bryan at Phoenix Park: Stage times, support acts, weather and more
Thousands are set to descend on Dublin's Phoenix Park this weekend to see American country musician Zach Bryan perform live. Bryan has grown in popularity in recent years, having previously played to a crowd of 1,500 in the Helix in April 2023. Back on Irish soil, he will this time perform to more than 180,000 people across three sold-out gigs on Friday, June 20, Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22. Special guests Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann will be opening for Bryan across the three nights. Ahead of this weekend's gigs, Aiken Promotions has issued helpful tips for concert-goers. Are there any tickets left? At the time of writing there are a limited amount of tickets, including resale tickets, available on the Ticketmaster website. Fans are advised to buy tickets from official sources only. Getting there There is a 45-minute walk from the Phoenix Park main entrance to the venue site and the venue is well served by public transport, including bus, rail and LUAS transport options. Bus, Rail, and LUAS transport options will bring people within walking distance of the venue. See here for more information. Bus: Several Dublin Bus and Go Ahead routes serve the Phoenix Park, including the 26, 38b, 39, 70, 99, C5 and C6. Private coach and minibus are independently operating services to the Phoenix Park. Parking for these coaches is available in the Phoenix Park once they register the required details withapcoachpark@ For those commuting from outside of Dublin, Bus Éireann is running concert-specific routes to the Phoenix Park from Cork, Limerick and Galway, in addition to normal services. More information is available here. Marathon Group is running special concert-specific routes from Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin and orbital routes to the Phoenix Park. They will be dropping off in the Phoenix Park, and pick up will be in the same place. For information on shuttle buses to the concerts, visit here. Luas: The Broombridge stop on the Green Line is a 30-minute walk to Phoenix Park. If travelling on the Red Line, get off at Heuston Station and walk 45 minutes to the centre of the park. Train: Trains are operating to Heuston Station ahead of all three gigs. From Heuston, Phoenix Park is a 45-minute. Alternatively, take bus route 99 from Parkgate Street to Phoenix Park. Access to the venue Gates will open at 5pm, with the show starting at 6pm and ending at 10.30pm. Early entry ticket holders will have access from 4.30pm, but early queuing is not permitted at the venue. Fans have been urged to check their tickets before attending the concert and ensure that they are attending the correct date. Concert-goers are advised to download their tickets from their Ticketmaster account to their iPhone Wallet or Google Pay wallet in advance of the show. Network coverage may not be available at the venue, so people are advised not to wait until at the venue to download their tickets. Concert-goers are advised to travel light and bring only the essentials with them, such as a small bag no larger than A4 size, their phone or device with their ticket pre-downloaded, ID, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate clothing. Inside the venue Under 18s must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian 18 years and over who is attending the event and who will remain with them and take full responsibility for them throughout the event. Concert-goers have been warned that this will be a cashless event. A variety of food and drink options will be available inside the venue and refillable water stations will also be provided. Standard 750ml plastic reusable bottles that are empty upon arrival will be permitted, but metal bottles will not be permitted. Who are the support acts? Bryan will have two acts warming up the crowd for him – Turnpike Troubadours and Noeline Hofmann. Turnpike Troubadours are an American country music band who will join Bryan in Dublin on the back of the release of their latest album, The Price of Admission. Hofmann, a Canadian singer-songwriter, gained attention last year after she collaborated with Bryan on her song Purple Gas. Weather The gigs at Phoenix Park are outdoor events and concert-goers are advised to check the weather forecast prior to the show. Met Éireann has forecast plenty of dry conditions with sunny spells and some showers on Friday. A warm day with highest temperatures of 19 to 26 degrees in light to moderate southeasterly or variable breezes has been forecast. There will be a mix of cloud and sunny spells with a scattering of showers and the chance of some heavy or thundery downpours feeding up from the south on Saturday. Highest temperatures of 19 to 23 degrees in light to moderate southerly or variable breezes are forecast. On Sunday, a mix of cloud and sunny spells with a few showers is likely. Sunday is forecast to be a fresher day with highest temperatures of 16 to 21 degrees.
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Selangor stepping up campsite regulations
Selangor currently does not have a specific licence for eco-tourism businesses, but campsites, chalets and other recreational activities still require approval from the local authorities. — Filepic State may introduce targeted licensing framework for eco-sensitive zones Selangor government is intensifying efforts to regulate campsites and eco-tourism activities, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas. It is also considering a more targeted licensing framework in these zones. This move is prompted by the increasing number of campsite operators, estimated to be between 150 and 250 as of 2024. Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said a key measure was the phased implementation of the Campsite Planning Guidelines (GPP). 'Local authorities are currently implementing the GPP in phases, particularly for evaluating new applications and enforcing compliance among existing operators. 'The GPP serves as the foundation for planning approval and operational control of campsites,' he said in a written statement to StarMetro. Ng says the government is looking at measures to protect popular eco-tourism sites. The GPP outlines six core planning principles that include safety, comfort, sustainability, social continuity and economic prosperity, he said. The GPP was developed by the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) and adopted by the state in October last year. Ng said there was currently no specific licensing system for 'eco-tourism' businesses. 'However, activities such as campsites, chalets and ATV operations are still subject to local authority business licences and must comply with technical requirements from agencies such as the Environment Department and Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS). 'The state is reviewing the need for more specific licensing classifications for activities in sensitive areas,' he added. His comments are in response to StarMetro's reports highlighting concerns over commercialisation along Sungai Kemensah in Hulu Kelang. In a series of articles, StarMetro reported that food operators, chalets and other businesses were operating near and even in the river. Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) informed StarMetro that none of the 70 businesses in Kampung Kemensah were licensed. Nevertheless, MPAJ has long-term plans to regulate and legalise these businesses through a formal whitelisting programme. According to Ng, many of these campsites and eco-tourism activities were concentrated in Hulu Selangor, Hulu Langat, Gombak and Kuala Selangor. The state has implemented measures to ensure tourism development aligns with both economic and conservation goals. 'We want to balance environmental protection with sustainable tourism,' said Ng. 'Key measures include requiring environmental impact assessments (EIA) for large-scale projects and obtaining environmental sensitivity zoning through LUAS. 'There are also strict planning conditions during development approvals,' he said. 'Additionally, the state is coordinating projects like geoparks to promote tourism while safeguarding ecological and geological heritage.' While no centralised tourism operator database existed yet, he said efforts were underway to create a digital system that included both licensed and unlicensed businesses. 'Tourism Selangor, the Forestry Department, LUAS and local authorities each have their lists. 'We are working on an integrated digital system,' said Ng. Regarding the stresses placed on popular eco-tourism sites, he said, 'The government is aware of the issue and is looking into appropriate safeguards. 'Among the options being discussed are limiting the number of daily visitors to certain areas and temporarily freezing new licence approvals in overburdened locations. 'We are also reassessing existing operations in places that lack adequate facilities.'
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
LUAS: Riverside activities allowed with conditions
Stacked chairs sit on tables placed directly in Sungai Kemensah as a riverside eatery prepares to welcome customers. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star THE presence of restaurants, campsites or other commercial setups along riverbanks may raise eyebrows, but such activities are not necessarily illegal, according to Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS). Businesses can legally operate near or even over rivers, provided they meet strict conditions and obtain necessary approvals, the water authority said. LUAS is an agency under Selangor government responsible for preserving and conserving water resources. 'Any activity within 50m of a river reserve, or involving a water body, is considered a resource alteration activity and requires written permission from LUAS,' the agency said. This requirement is outlined under Section 43 (1) of LUAS Enactment 1999 and Resource Alteration Activity (Selangor) Regulations 2013. Approvals may also come with a set of general and specific conditions, while buffer distances vary depending on water source type and river width. LUAS says it regularly monitors rivers. — Courtesy photo 'Beyond that, some operators may also need additional licences, such as a Licence for Discharge or Release of Waste and Pollutants, a Return Water Licence (Section 79) or a Water Abstraction Licence (Section 107),' LUAS stated. It said river diversions, embankments or any permanent or semi-permanent structures, including platforms and dining decks, must not proceed without proper authorisation from its director. 'This applies even in hotspot areas like Kampung Kemensah in Hulu Kelang.' In our report yesterday, StarMetro highlighted concerns of over-commercialisation along Sungai Kemensah. Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) had said that none of the 70 businesses currently operating in Kampung Kemensah were licensed. Despite this, MPAJ said it had long-term plans to regulate and legalise these businesses through a formal whitelisting programme. MPAJ deputy president Hasrolnizam Shaari said the initiative was intended to bring recreational, tourism and commercial activities in the area under official oversight. LUAS said it conducted regular review through local council planning committees, site monitoring and checks on pollution control measures to ensure compliance. 'Significant pollution arises from restaurants, laundromats, workshops and improper greywater discharge. 'Enforcement under Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 by the local authorities prohibits direct waste discharge. 'River Monitoring Programmes with water sampling at outfalls are also conducted,' the spokesperson said. LUAS added that it issued nine fines in 2024 totalling RM212,500 for unauthorised resource alteration, and five fines for water pollution totalling RM2.125mil. Other enforcement measures it took included legal proceedings against those involved in unauthorised realignment of Sungai Pusu in Gombak. — By BAVANI M and SHALINI RAVINDRAN
