Traffic disruption expected in capital during EU meetings

Updated / Wednesday, 4 Nov 2026 00:01

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Dublin will experience significant disruption for four days next week as the largest policing operation in the history of the State takes place as part of Ireland's EU Presidency.

European leaders are meeting in the capital next Thursday and Friday but the security operation around these events, which has been described as "unprecedented" will get under way two days before, on Tuesday 10 November.

Anyone travelling to or around the capital, between Tuesday and Friday next week, is being warned to plan their journeys and expect major and prolonged traffic disruption.

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.

A dinner for visiting leaders will also take place in the National Gallery on Merrion Square on Thursday evening.

These summits are the largest ever 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 policing operation will begin incrementally next Tuesday and will impact public transport users along with those who live, work and study in the areas around the Convention Centre, the National Gallery, several city hotels and routes between Dublin Airport and Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell.

Certain roads will be closed, public transport will be diverted and traffic delays are expected.

Anyone travelling to Dublin city, Dublin Airport or Dublin Port next Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday is being warned by Dublin City Council of "major and prolonged traffic disruption".

Gardaí are advising people to leave plenty of time for travel, to check public transport information and to monitor social media for updates.

In a statement, An Garda Síochána said it has been "involved in intense and extensive planning for this policing and security operation over recent weeks with local authorities and transport providers.

"We would ask members of the public to heed the advice and instructions of gardaí and we thank them for their continuing co-operation.

"An Garda Síochána is working to ensure that the nature and scale of our policing and security operation continues to be proportionate to the need to protect everyone's safety.

"An Garda Síochána is endeavouring to minimise traffic restrictions and the impact on the public over the period 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th November 2026.

"However, there will be disruption to traffic management, traffic flows and public transport over this period, in Dublin city centre in particular."