26 Oct 2017
Posted by Adrian Harmon 
For all you runners out there, the ultimate challenge awaits on Sunday 29th October with the 38th annual Dublin Marathon. The race will cover 26 miles of the capital’s roads, with over 20,000 runners from 50 different countries taking part. It’s shaping up to be a great event, with the race itself getting underway at 9am.
If you’re a motorist, however, it’s probably best to avoid certain routes, especially in the city centre – and Merrion Square in particular. A number of road closures and restrictions will in place throughout the weekend and most on the day itself.
So whether you live in affected areas, or are planning to pass through, all the details you need on the marathon route and road closures are listed below. And don’t forget that you can keep right up to date during the weekend with the AA Roadwatch website and the AA app. Don’t say you weren’t warned!
MARATHON ROUTE
The race begins on Fitzwilliam St Upr, with runners heading along Fitzwilliam Place, Leeson St Lwr, St Stephen’s Green South, Cuffe St, Kevin St, Patrick St, Nicholas St, High St, Bridge St, Usher’s Quay, Blackhall Place, Stoneybatter, Manor St, Aughrim St, North Circular Rd, North Rd, Spa Rd, Lord’s Walk, Chesterfield Ave, Castleknock Rd, College Rd, Tower Rd, Knockmaroon Rd, Glen Rd Upr, Chapelizod Rd, Chapelizod Bridge, St Laurence Rd, Sarsfield Rd, Inchicore Rd, South Circular Rd, Dolphin’s Barn, Crumlin Rd, Drimnagh Rd, Walkinstown Rd, Cromwellsfort Rd, Kimmage Rd West, Fortfield Rd, Templeogue Rd, Terenure Rd East, Orwell Rd, Orwell Park, Dartry Rd, Milltown Rd, Clonskeagh Rd, Roebuck Rd, Fosters Ave, Stillorgan Rd, UCD Flyover, Nutley Lane, Merrion Rd, Northumberland Rd and Mount St Lwr, before finishing on Merrion Square North.
ROAD CLOSURES
A number of road closures will in place throughout the city. The majority will be on Sunday, however some will be in place from Friday 27th and continue until Monday 30th. Full details are listed below:
City Centre
Merrion Square North will be closed from 7pm on Friday 27th until 4pm on Monday 30th. Merrion Square South and Merrion Square East will each be closed from 6am on Saturday 28th until 8pm on Sunday 29th.
The following routes will be closed on Sunday 29th:
From 4am to 11am
Fitzwilliam Square West, Baggot St Lwr, Cumberland Rd, Kildare St, Merrion Row and Lad Lane.
From 4am to 12pm
Herbert Lane/Place, Pembroke St Lwr, Clanwilliam Place and Warrington Place/Lane.
From 4am to 1pm
Fitzwilliam St Upr, Fitzwilliam Square East/North/South and Fitzwilliam Place.
From 4am to 5pm
Verchoyle Place, Powers Court, Fitzwilliam Lane, Pembroke Row and Hagan’s Court Grattan St/Court, Wilson’s Place and Grants Row will close.
From 4am to 5:30pm
Merrion St Upr (between Fitzwilliam Lane and the Merrion Hotel).
From 4am to 6:30pm
James St East and Clare St.
From 4am to 7:30pm
Fitzwilliam St Lwr, Merrion Square West, Mount St Lwr, Upr and Stephen’s Place/Lane.
From 4am to 9pm
Traffic restrictions will be in place on Holles St.
From 6am to 7:30pm
Merrion Square East.
From 8:30am to 10:30am
Leeson St Lwr and St. Stephen’s Green South.
Phoenix Park
The following closures will be in place on Sunday 29th:
From 8:30am to 11:10am
North Rd, Spa Rd and Chesterfield Ave.
From 9am to 12:30pm
Survey Rd, Knockmaroon Rd, Glen Rd Upr and Acres Rd.
The following gate closures will be in place:
North Circular Rd Gate (from 8:30am to 11:10am), Cabra Gate and Ashtown Gate (from 8:30am to 11:15am), Castleknock Gate (from 8:30am to 11:45am), Knockmaroon Gate and Chapelizod Gate (from 8:30am to 12:30pm). Access to St. Mary’s Hospital and Cara Cheshire Home will be via Main Gate/Military Rd from 9am to 12:30pm.
Southside
The roads listed will be closed between the following times on Sunday 29th:
From 8:30am to 4:45pm
Cuffe St, Kevin St, Patrick St, Nicholas St, High St, Bridge St, Usher’s Quay, Blackhall Place, Stoneybatter, Manor St, Aughrim St, North Circular Rd, Castleknock Rd, College Rd, Tower Rd, Knockamroon Rd, Chapelizod Rd, St. Laurence Rd, Sarsfield Rd, Inchicore Rd, South Circular Rd, Dolphin’s Barn, Crumlin Rd, Drimnagh Rd, Walkinstown Rd, Cromwells Fort Rd, Kimmage Rd West, Fortfield Rd, Templeogue Rd, Terenure Road East, Orwell Rd, Dartry Rd, Milltown Rd, Clonskeagh Rd, Fosters Ave, Roebuck Rd, Nutley Lane, Merrion Rd (inbound between the Merrion Gates and Serpentine Ave), Shelbourne Rd, Haddington Rd and Northumberland Rd. The bus lane will be closed both ways on the Stillorgan Rd (between Fosters Ave and Nutley Lane) during these times however the main carriageway will remain open.
Public Transport
DART services will operate between Dublin Connolly and Bray/Greystones, there will be NO train service between Dublin Connolly and Malahide/Howth. Dublin Bus will accept valid rail tickets. Drogheda/Dundalk services will operate between Dundalk/Drogheda and Skerries, bus transfer will operate between Skerries/Donabate and Connolly. If travelling from different parts of the country, details on all Bank Holiday services are available on the Irish Rail website.
Diversions will be in place to a number of bus services as closures and restrictions are implemented. Full details are on the Dublin Bus website.
Luas services will experience delays and some will be suspended to allow participants to cross the tracks. The Green Line will be affected from 8:55am to approx. 9:30am. The Red Line will be affected between 9am and 10:15am. Some services may be suspended at Blackhall Place.
