Papal Visit 2018 - Further Information (Dublin)

Getting a ticket

Registration for tickets is now closed. All information on tickets, please see the World Meeting of Families website. This includes information for those with accessibility issues.

Attending the Knock event

It is not possible to apply for tickets for both Phoenix Park and the Knock events, as these events are on the same day – you will only be able to attend one or the other event.

Children attending without a ticket

Every adult and child in attendance will need a ticket. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. All tickets will be for standing sections only.

Free public transport in Dublin

If you have a ticket for Phoenix Park, you will be allowed to travel for free within Dublin on the day of the event.

Travelling by car

Cars not being allowed near Phoenix Park

You are not going to be able to drive up to or near Phoenix Park. There will be a secure area around Dublin, starting at the M50 from 6am to 11pm on Sunday, 26 August, for more information click here.

Due to the demand for car parking we strongly urge you, for your safety and comfort, please walk or use public transport or arrange a private coach to get to this event. These options are being given priority and will bring you closest to Phoenix Park. Regardless of your transport option choice, this day will include considerable walking. Therefore appropriate footwear and weather related clothing is advisable.

Parking in Phoenix Park if you have a ticket and a wheelchair pass on your car

Every effort is being made to accommodate as many people with accessibility needs as is possible, within this unique location. We are currently consulting with disability organisations regarding this and will be communicating the finalised plans as soon as possible.

Travelling by private coach

Where the coach park will be

This will be notified to your coach driver or company following the analysis of the ticket applications and their geographic spread.

How to get from your drop-off point to Phoenix Park

There will be a designated walking route, from the coach parks/hubs manned by stewards trained to advise and assist, with clear and distinct signage.

If you have a disability

Every effort is being made to accommodate as many people with accessibility needs as is possible, within this unique location. We are currently consulting with disability organisations regarding this and will be communicating the finalised plans as soon as possible.

If your coach is delayed

Provision will be made by all coach operators to ensure that people will arrive in time at their designated coach park. Communities and parishes are asked to plan to ensure that all contingencies can be catered for.

If you miss your return coach

There is a duty of care on everyone to stick with their group, who will be allocated a designated enclosure, and to move as a group along the clearly designated routes. Note there will be stewards on all routes who can assist and point in the right direction.

Travelling by Bus Éireann

Pre-booking a ticket for Bus Éireann

On account of anticipated demand, pre-booking for intercity Expressway services is required in order to guarantee a seat. Please note that your event ticket for the Mass does not allow you to travel on Bus Éireann service – you require a separate ticket for travel.

Am I allocated a bus to return on or how does this work

We would advise that you return to where you were dropped off by your bus for your return journey. You may experience some delays after the event due to the large volumes of people in attendance at the event.

If you miss the bus you want to return on

Additional bus services will be provided on the day.

If you are travelling from Northern Ireland

Translink have set up a dedicated webpage here where you can buy tickets online in advance, find useful links for journey planning and other general advice. Translink strongly recommends that people book their travel well in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you have more questions for Bus Éireann

If you require more information:

Travelling by Iarnród Éireann

Can I purchase a ticket at an intercity station to travel to Heuston station on Sunday, 26 August

No. To ensure a place on Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail services, you must book online in advance at Link to Irish Rail Website or call 1850 366 222.

I am a Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection pass holder, do I have to pay to travel on an intercity service

If you are a pass holder you do not have to pay the usual seat reservation charge of €5, but you must reserve a seat on the Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail website, Link to Irish Rail Website.

I wish to travel to the city centre from a commuter station in the Greater Dublin Area, do I have to book in advance for this

There is no need to reserve a seat from a commuter station. However, from commuter stations outside the short hop zone, please give yourself plenty of time to queue for a ticket as services are expected to be very busy.

I am a season ticket holder, can I use this on the day

Yes you may, but if you are travelling outside the commuter zones, you must reserve a seat in advance on the Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail website, Link to Irish Rail Website.

If you are travelling from Northern Ireland

Translink will be operating services from Northern Ireland to Connolly station. Translink have set up a dedicated web page Link to Translink Website where you can buy tickets online in advance, find useful links for journey planning and other general advice. Translink strongly recommends that people book their travel well in advance to avoid disappointment. Those who do not have a valid booking, will not be permitted to travel.

If you have more questions for Iarnród Éireann

If you require more information:

Travelling by Dublin Bus

Will Dublin Bus routes change/scheduled stops change on 26 August

Normal scheduled Sunday services will be in operation, however diversions will be in place. Details of the diversions are available here. In addition to this, Dublin Bus will have 7 dedicated transport hubs, throughout the city, to bring you as close as possible to Phoenix Park.

Where can I find out exact locations of transport hubs and stops

Detailed maps available here.

Will the final Mass event ticket be valid on transport hubs and normal scheduled services

Yes.

Will Leap Cards be accepted on the transport hubs

If you show your final Mass event ticket, you will be able to travel on Dublin Bus for free from the hubs. The services at the transport hubs are dedicated to those attending the event in Phoenix Park.

What time will services start and finish on the hubs on Sunday, 26 August

Services will commence from 8am and run until late in the evening. Chief inspectors will be on the ground to monitor the situation and ensure that services meet the needs of people attending.

How often will buses be running from the hubs

A shuttle service will be in operation from the hubs. Buses will depart about every 5 minutes.

How close are the hubs to Phoenix Park

About 2km.

If I arrive at a Dublin Bus hub, will someone be available to assist me

Each Dublin Bus hub will have a team of chief inspectors to assist the public on the day.

Am I allocated a bus to return on or how does this work

The public will be required to return to the hub they arrived by, where buses will depart regularly.

What if I miss the bus I want to return on

The public can return by normal scheduled services.

What time will normal scheduled services start and finish on Sunday, 26 August

Normal scheduled services will run as per the regular timetables.

If you have more questions for Dublin Bus

Travelling by Luas

Will Luas be stopping at all stops

Luas services will operate under direction of An Gardá Síochána and Luas Control. Luas services will commence at 7am on Sunday, 26 August, and operate until midnight. The Green Line will operate from Brides Glen to Broombridge. The Red Line will operate from Tallaght and Saggart to Blackhorse and from the Point to Smithfield.

What is the tram frequency

Red and Green Line tram services will operate at a frequency of 6 to 10 minutes depending on the time of day.

Will I be able to Park in a Luas Park and Ride

Yes but parking will be limited. See Link to Luas Park and Ride for information on locations and number of spaces. Customers are advised to note Park and Rides will reach maximum capacity very early.

Will Luas be putting on extra trams

All available trams will be in service and fully utilised given the anticipated increase in volume. Frequencies on Saturday and Sunday will be published in due course. Given the high volumes of people likely to be attempting to use Luas services this day, please give yourself lots of time to get to the venue.

What if I have more questions for the Luas

If you require more information:

About the event

I run a business near Phoenix Park - can I get more information on the events of the day

The visit of Pope Francis will have an impact on local residents and businesses. We are aiming to ensure that any disruption to businesses and individuals is minimised as much as possible.

To assist, a Business and Community Liaison team have been put in place by the Office of Public Works.

You should all receive a package of information in the post that will outline the potential road closures, traffic diversions as well as some helpful advice on access during this weekend.

There is a dedicated phone line that will be announced soon run by Dublin City Council to help answer your queries.

How long is the Mass

It is expected that the Mass will be less than 2 hours in duration. You should allow for extra time to get to and from the event.

What time will the event be over at

The event will be over at 4.45pm. Please be aware that it may take some time to make your exit, as there will be a large volume of people exiting at the same time.

Where can I see the Pope if I can’t attend the Mass

Live coverage of the Mass and of the entire Visit will be broadcast on RTÉ and other media outlets. More details will be available closer to the event.

What time can I access Phoenix Park

The exact opening time will be confirmed closer to the event.

Preparing for a long journey

Why is the journey so long

This is a major event. There will be hundreds of thousands of people attending this Mass with people travelling from across Ireland and from abroad. To give you an idea of scale, it is like six All-Ireland finals happening at the same time in the same location. The sheer size of this event will have an impact on how people can travel to the venue and the time it will take to and from the venue.

To help you with your journey there are a number of supports in place. Designated rest zones will be positioned at regular intervals at the transport hubs, along these walking routes and at the gates. Multiple food and drinks stations will also be available, as will medical facilities, toilets and baby changing facilities.

There will be volunteers throughout the venue, at the gates and at the hubs who will be able to help you. Facilities will be provided for people with accessibility issues and their careers. Portable seating will be allowed into the venue. More information on this and what else you can bring in to the venue will be available soon.

I don’t know Phoenix Park – is there a map

There will materials provided along with your ticket.

Do we really have to walk so much

You do need to be prepared for a lot of walking. At a minimum, you will be required to walk 4km to and 4km from the Mass and up to 7km and 7km, depending on where you are coming from.

To help you with your journey there are a number of supports in place. Designated rest zones will be positioned at regular intervals at the transport hubs, along these walking routes and at the gates. Multiple food and drinks stations will also be available, as will medical facilities, toilets and baby changing facilities.

There will be volunteers throughout the venue, at the gates and at the hubs who will be able to help you. Facilities will be provided for people with accessibility issues and their careers. Portable seating will be allowed into the venue. More information on this and what else you can bring into the venue will be available soon.

It is also useful to know that the walking will be throughout the day so give yourself good time to get into the venue. Leaving the venue will be slower as everyone will be trying to leave at the same time. This has been factored into any estimated journey times outlined here.

You will be assigned a gate to enter to make your trip as short as we can, given the extensive volumes of people that will be likely to attend. This is why you are being asked for your travel route and why you have been requested to plan your transport. This will make your journey quicker and more comfortable for you. As stated, public transport, and group transport like coaches, will be prioritised for this event.

A guide to this event and venue will also be published in the coming weeks.

Why all the standing

It is not feasible to have seating for such volumes of people. That said, portable seating will be allowed into the venue. More information on this and what else you can bring into the venue will be available soon and there will be supports for those with accessibility issues.

There are also a range of facilities on site to help you on the day.

Designated rest zones, food and drinks stations, medical facilities, as well as toilets and baby changing facilities are all at the venue, gates and transport hubs. There will also be volunteers throughout the venue and special facilities for people with accessibility issues and their carers.

I have a health condition, should I attend the event

If you have an ongoing medical issue which you think may affect your safety and comfort at the event, it is important that you consider this before deciding to attend. You may like to consult with your GP or other health professional about this. Remember, the Mass will be live on RTÉ so you can participate even if not attending the event in person.

Will there be food and beverages available at the event

Multiple food and drink stations will be available throughout Phoenix Park.

Can I bring my own food and beverages

Information on what you can and cant bring into the park can be viewed here.

Will there be medical facilities available throughout the park

Over 26 Aid posts will be in place along numerous pedestrian routes and within Phoenix Park, the intention is these Aid posts will be located at regular intervals along the routes.

Will there be toilet and baby changing facilities available throughout the park

There will be facilities for baby changing and toilets available throughout Phoenix Park.

What about accommodation in Dublin

Fáilte Ireland recommends that people book early as with all major events and contact their chosen hotel directly as special packages may be available. Given the scale of this event it is advisable that people also consider hotels in the wider Dublin area and surrounding counties and check transport options from their hotel when booking their accommodation in light of the restrictions in car access that will be in place.

Can I stay overnight in Phoenix Park

You will not be able to stay overnight in the park. No camping is allowed.

Can I park a campervan or caravan near the venue

There is no campervan or caravan parking near the venue.

I have some accessibility issues what supports are available

Every effort is being made to accommodate as many people with accessibility needs as is possible, within this unique location. The World Meeting of Families is currently consulting with disability organisations regarding this and will be communicating the finalised plans as soon as possible.

I haven’t received my ticket

If you have successfully registered, you will receive your ticket from the World Meeting of Families by email on the 10 August, this will be a ‘print at home’ ticket and will also include travel information, along with details of how to get to your appointed section at the event. When you receive your ticket for the event, it will include the information on your route to Phoenix Park and the gate you must enter and exit.

What should I wear

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear on the day. Prepare for all weather.

I’m a resident near Phoenix Park, how will this impact me

The event will have an impact on local residents and businesses. We are aiming to ensure that any disruption to businesses and individuals is minimised as much as possible.

Necessary alternative arrangements are being developed. Please click here for more information on road closures.

Will my road be closed

There will be a number of road closures throughout the city on Saturday and Sunday, click here for more information.

I work in a business near Phoenix Park, how will this impact me

The event will have an impact on local residents and businesses. We are aiming to ensure that any disruption to businesses and individuals is minimised as much as possible.

Necessary alternative arrangements are being developed. Please click here for more information on road closures.

I live or work near Croke Park, how will the Festival of Families event impact on me

The restrictions in and around the Croke Park Area for the Festival of Families event will be similar to those that take place on a normal match day/concert event in Croke Park although there will be additional security requirements that will be put in place throughout the day. More information will be available on this closer to the event.

I’m a member of the media, how do I accredit for this

Members of the media must accredit for this event. More information is available here.

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