Getting around: More than 800,000 people will be on the move around the State in planes, trains, buses and ferries over St Patrick's weekend while motorists are likely to face severe delays.
A spokesman for Aer Rianta said up to 250,000 people will travel through Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports over the next three days, a rise of 14 per cent on last year.
According to Iarnród Éireann, up to 450,000 people will travel on Inter city trains and DART services while Bus Éireann expects to carry 100,000 people over the weekend. Irish Ferries will carry approximately 24,500 passengers and 5,200 vehicles on their Rosslare to Britain routes and 2,500 passengers and 400 vehicles on their Rosslare to France route.
A number of road diversions over the weekend will mean changes to bus routes and passengers are advised to check Bus Éireann's travel information hotline. Because of the diversions, the normal pick- up stops in Dublin city centre will not be served.
Extra services will operate on DART and Drogheda and Maynooth suburban routes for Skyfest tonight and the St Patrick's Festival parade on Monday. Tara Street Station will be closed from noon on Saturday and all day Monday while Grand Canal Dock Station will be closed from noon on Saturday.
All services on the Enterprise service between Connolly Station and Belfast Central station will be substituted by buses between Newry and Belfast today and Sunday. A normal weekday Enterprise service will operate on Bank Holiday Monday.
AA Roadwatch has warned that motorists and bus passengers face a weekend of delays and congestion with a number of roads closed in Dublin for most of the weekend to facilitate key St Patrick's Festival events:
Funfair at Merrion Square West (until Tuesday) - Merrion Square West will be closed until Tuesday. Outbound traffic will be diverted left at Lower Merrion Street/Clare Street junction along Merrion Square North into Merrion Square East and Fitzwilliam Street towards Baggot Street. Motorists are advised to avoid Merrion Square if possible and use Kildare Street.
Treasure Hunt (today 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) - Castle Street will be closed,
Skyfest (tonight 8 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.) - The fireworks display tonight will entail extensive road closures in the city centre from 6 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. Both North and South Quays will be closed from Capel Street Bridge to the East Link Bridge. Spectators are asked to remain on the side of the river from which they intend to watch the display.
The Big Day Out (Sunday 12 noon to 6 p.m.) - Diversions will be in place around Merrion Square and adjoining streets for these events.
St Patrick's Day Parade (Monday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) - Extensive road closures will be in place from 7 a.m. along the route of the parade and Gardaí will be on duty at all road junctions. Motorists who wish to cross the River Liffey are asked to use the East Link Bridge or the Church Street Bridge.
Céili Mór (Monday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.) - This event will take place at Stephen's Green North between Dawson Street and Kildare Street. The area will be closed and traffic diverted down Dawson Street for the duration of the event.
Useful travel numbers and websites. Train: www.irishrail.ie and 1850 366 222. Bus: www.buseireann.ie, 01 836 6111
AA Roadwatch: 1550 131 811
