Traffic this weekend - Predictions?

seamus

I've made a horrible error. I have to go to Killarney on Friday, for which I've rented a car (have people and luggage to carry). I didn't realise Oxegen is on this weekend until now, and my desired route takes me through Kildare town.

I aim to leave Dublin between 11.30am and 12pm on Friday. Am I screwed?

Victor

Originally posted by seamus
Am I screwed?

Probably, but to make sure, bring your other half.

Borzoi

It doesn't start 'till Saturday, you're travelling Friday. Where's the difficulty? (though I suspect that I am overlooking something)

Have you driven the 'Alternative route' around Kildare/Monasterevin which goes through Athy and Stradbally - was almost always quicker than the main road before the latest stretch of mway - now only good at peak times. Signposted by the yellow diamonds, watch out for them

Doodah7

My advice would be to get out of Dublin early. The Oxegen trafific will not be an issue but normal Friday-afternoon-going-away-for-the-weekend traffic is always heavier at this time of year. You should not have to go through Kildare town as it is bypassed by the motorway so your only difficulty is Monasterevin. If you hit there before lunchtime you should have few delays but with there it is difficult to predict. Once through Monster, it is plain sailing all the way to Killarney.

You could go the Athy alternative route which is much longer if Monasterevin is clear. Bit of a 50-50. You are lucky you are not coming back Saturday. I recall a year or two ago when Eminem played Punchestown, the tailbacks were from 2 miles beyond Ballybrittas continuosly through to Monastervin continuosly through to Kildare Town continuosly through to Naas!!!! Thankfully I was going the other way:D

dmeehan

Once through Monster, it is plain sailing all the way to Killarney.

especially now with the ring road around Limerick!

BrianD

The Oxegen Festival is in Punchestown near Naas and I would guess that traffic will be heavy on the N7 between the M50 and the start of the M7. The Ocegen campsites are open Friday night and can accomodate a substantial number of people. Last year there was 15,000 on the first night.

Traffic flows around Punchestown for the concerts have always been good - though Eminem was a bit of a disaster as I recall.

seamus

Cheers lads. The radios have been advising people to go early tomorrow to Oxegen

So I may have to devise a contingency plan tonight...

Genghis

You could take the N6 as far as Kilbeggan, then take a left for Tullamore, continue on the N52 to Birr, through Birr for Nenagh, then back on the N7 with only 20 miles or so to go to Limerick. It would take you about 75 mins to get from M50 to Tullamore, another 20 mins to Birr, and a further 25 mins to get to Nenagh - apx two hours, i.e. 20-30 mins longer than N& alone, but you shouldn't have delays.

Another major problem with the N7 this weekend is that the Dubs are playing in Portlaoise Saturday afternoon - expect 5,000+ extra cars heading along the same route from 2pm onwards on Saturday. If substantial numbers of people opt to arrive at oxegen late on Saturday there will be chaos around Naas.