Dublin traffic restrictions to begin ahead of EU meetings

Updated / Tuesday, 10 Nov 2026 01:05

Part of Dublin city's North Wall Quay is closed to traffic this morning as restrictions begin ahead of two major summits being held this week.

It comes as a major policing and security operation will be in place until Friday as European leaders meet as part of Ireland's EU Presidency.

North Wall Quay will be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, between Guild Street and New Wapping Street from 7am this morning until Friday evening with diversions in place.

Anyone travelling to or around Dublin city centre is being warned to plan their journeys and expect major and prolonged traffic disruption.

A security cordon is in place around the Convention Centre in Dublin, with barriers and no-parking restrictions.

There will be additional restrictions around the Convention Centre and National Gallery of Ireland from tomorrow, including the closure of the Samuel Beckett Bridge from 8pm.

There will also be rolling road closures on routes between Dublin Airport and the city centre from tomorrow until Friday, as delegates arrive and depart.

Around 50 European leaders are due to attend meetings of the European political community in the Convention Centre on Dublin's North Wall Quay next Thursday and Friday.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin will also host a dinner for visiting leaders in the National Gallery of Ireland on Thursday evening after the EPC summit.

These summits are the largest meetings of heads of state or government in Ireland and gardaí say their scale and complexity are a significant logistical undertaking with unprecedented security considerations.

The operation will involve a wide range of garda units including frontline policing, public order, special detective unit, emergency response unit, air support and the national drone unit.

Gardaí said access to residences and businesses in the vicinity of the meetings will remain open with security checks.

Every bus route in the city is expected to be affected by knock-on traffic disruption associated with road closures and diversions due to the event, and people are being asked to consider if their plans in Dublin on Thursday and Friday are necessary.

Real-time information on arriving buses will not be available on display boards at stops but will still be accessible through apps, the National Transport Authority said, and it advised people to check its website for all information on route changes.

Iarnród Éireann has advised customers that all rail services will continue to operate throughout the coming days but said customers should allow additional time for connecting travel to and from city centre stations.