Best place to park for games in Croke Park?

greenspurs

Where do people park?
near the stadium? Underground car parks? side of the street?
I usually drive into Dublin city center, and park in the car park beside the Jervis street center.. Handy enough, but the traffic after games is bad in the city ...
So, Anyone have some help? Where do you park? What is the easiest/handiest route to Croker ? Drive in to city center or come in from the Airport ?

chubchub

The red cow park and ride. 4 euro for 24 hours then get luas to city centre.

wicklowwonder

I would agree on the Red Cow, keep the car out of the city it is just easier, less stressful and quicker if there is a lot of traffic on the Naas Rd as there will be today with Tipp and Kilkenny fans both using that route into the city.

Saab Ed

As above. Better for all , country folk and dubs alike, if visitors to the city park outside the centre and commute in.

Safer from a security point of view for the fans and better from a traffic point of view for everybody.

M50 Red Cow park and ride coming up the Naas Rd.

M3 park and ride at Dunboyne or Phoenix Park coming from the north.

Carrickmines park and ride coming up from the south east on the M50.

Clongriffin dart park and ride 5 minutes off the M1 on the north side.

All much more convenient than driving into Dublin city centre.

theoneeyedman

Saab Ed wrote: »

As above. Better for all , country folk and dubs alike, if visitors to the city park outside the centre and commute in.

Safer from a security point of view for the fans and better from a traffic point of view for everybody.

M50 Red Cow park and ride coming up the Naas Rd.

M3 park and ride at Dunboyne or Phoenix Park coming from the north.

Carrickmines park and ride coming up from the south east on the M50.

Clongriffin dart park and ride 5 minutes off the M1 on the north side.

All much more convenient than driving into Dublin city centre.

Also park in mannooth get commuter train to dromcondra station is an option from the west, always extra trains on after big games

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Whenever we used to drive up we'd park in Maynooth and get the inter-city train to Dublin, we got the bus once too. Traffic in the city centre after a game is diabolical.

nice_guy80

just beside Phibsboro.
close enough walk to Croker
easy enough to get car onto the north circular road and go through phoenix park or down through grangegorman and out along the quays

Lapin

Cleary's multi story in Marlborough St. €3 per hour.

About 15 minutes walk from Croker.

Port Tunnel to get out of Dublin after the game. €3 toll.

ft9

Lapin wrote: »

Cleary's multi story in Marlborough St. €3 per hour.

About 15 minutes walk from Croker.

Port Tunnel to get out of Dublin after the game. €3 toll.

No recession around here eh?

Lapin

ft9 wrote: »

No recession around here eh?

Well its a tenner to park in the official match day car parks.

If you're only going to one game, you can be in and out of Cleary's in less than 3 hours. So it only costs €9, and its in a handy location for getting out of town ahead of the traffic.

harpstilidie

Coming from Donegal where would be the best place to park? Last time I was down I got parked in a side street of the Drumcondra Road. Heading onto Clare after the game if that makes a difference.

namloc1980

Lapin wrote: »

Well its a tenner to park in the official match day car parks.

If you're only going to one game, you can be in and out of Cleary's in less than 3 hours. So it only costs €9, and its in a handy location for getting out of town ahead of the traffic.

Tip of the day: if you go to the parking attendant on a match day and tell them you're going to Croker, they'll stamp your parking ticket and you get parking in that car park for €6 - as long as you are out by 7pm!

ft9

namloc1980 wrote: »

Tip of the day: if you go to the parking attendant on a match day and tell them you're going to Croker, they'll stamp your parking ticket and you get parking in that car park for €6 - as long as you are out by 7pm!

Really? In Cleary's?

namloc1980

ft9 wrote: »

Really? In Cleary's?

Yup...after you park go the the attendants desk at exit on Marlborough Street and tell them you're going to the match - €6 all day up to 7pm. Have been parking there for match days for 3 or 4 years now, have never paid more than €6!

corcaigh07

Lapin wrote: »

Cleary's multi story in Marlborough St. €3 per hour.

About 15 minutes walk from Croker.

Port Tunnel to get out of Dublin after the game. €3 toll.

thats just crazy, if you are an out of towner, you will probably want to be up in Dublin nice and early just to be comfortable, get some grub etc.

Anytime I've been up for a game, I like to be parked up by Noon at the latest, gotta soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the day.

Personally, the Mater Hospital is a great spot to park, reasonable distance from O'Connell St and Croker. Parking on the street is good and free if its Sunday or if you prefer, they have a very large car park, think its 5 euro and its secure. Also, there is a good way to get out of there (south) afterwards if you know where you're going.

greenspurs

great info lads ..
i parked in a park and ride on the Naas road, beside Mcdonalds (the stop between the Red Cow and Bluebell) and got the (very packed) Luas in..
wasnt too bad......

greenspurs

nice_guy80 wrote: »

just beside Phibsboro.
close enough walk to Croker
easy enough to get car onto the north circular road and go through phoenix park or down through grangegorman and out along the quays

Sounds good, But the Quays are gridlocked after every game !?

john mayo 10

i used to park in clonliffe collage it 5mins walk from croker dont know if it opens these days for parkin. it wasnt open for the quarter finals

Colm R

I have a great place where I park my car - but I'm not telling anyone!!

Fr Tod Umptious

john mayo 10 wrote: »

i used to park in clonliffe collage it 5mins walk from croker dont know if it opens these days for parkin. it wasnt open for the quarter finals

Parked there for the Mayo v Fermanagh semi final in '04 and it was a nightmare to get out of, only one long narrow exit.

These days I go to the school at the back of the Canal end if I can, it's e10 I know but it's dead handy all the same.

Plus when at games involving teams from the west or south I usually head home up the N1/M1 and loop around the M50 to the N4/N6 instead of heading back through Phisboro etc.

2moreMinutes

john mayo 10 wrote: »

i used to park in clonliffe collage it 5mins walk from croker dont know if it opens these days for parkin. it wasnt open for the quarter finals

It was open for the Donegal QF anyway as I parked there. Not suitable for a quick getaway but not as bad as I was told it would be - 45mins from getting into car to being the far side of the Port Tunnel.

mysillyusername

There is a Irish Rail car-park at the back of Connolly Station. It is only 8euro for the whole day and 20 mins walk to Croke Park. It is not the easiest to find though...

nice_guy80

greenspurs wrote: »

Sounds good, But the Quays are gridlocked after every game !?

can be.
thats why you can also go out along the north circular road through the Phoenix park and down across Islandbridge or out through Chapelizod...
if getting across the quays is the problem. using Mellows bridge down through Queen street is the solution I always find.

the place I park is called Great Western Place in Phibsboro

Lapin

corcaigh07 wrote: »

thats just crazy, if you are an out of towner, you will probably want to be up in Dublin nice and early just to be comfortable, get some grub etc.

Each to their own.

I'm from east Galway. I can have lunch in the comfort of my own house and be parking the car in Dublin an hour and 15 mins later. Its not the hoor of a drive it used to be since the motorway opened.

The journey home usually includes stopping off for a bite in Athlone before heading back to the local in time for The Sunday Game !

It will all be different the next time I'm in Croker though.
Train up the day before, and enjoy the atmosphere the night before the final. One of my favourite aspects of All Ireland Weekend.

And then back home across the Shannon the day after the match with the Liam McCarthy Cup

greenspurs

Forget about it Lapin !!!
yee have the only cup that yere gonna win this year !!
MIAOW !!!

curry-muff

Clonliffe College is as handy as any, it costs €10 but its as close to Croke Park as you're possibly going to get.

corcaigh07

Lapin wrote: »

Each to their own.

I'm from east Galway. I can have lunch in the comfort of my own house and be parking the car in Dublin an hour and 15 mins later. Its not the hoor of a drive it used to be since the motorway opened.

The journey home usually includes stopping off for a bite in Athlone before heading back to the local in time for The Sunday Game !

It will all be different the next time I'm in Croker though.
Train up the day before, and enjoy the atmosphere the night before the final. One of my favourite aspects of All Ireland Weekend.

And then back home across the Shannon the day after the match with the Liam McCarthy Cup

oh yeah, im the same sometimes for games not too far away or at places im familiar with like Cork or Killarney which are both an hour away from me. Dublin is 4 hours away so nice to get up there early and not be under any pressure.

I used to hate it when my father was rushing me out of games and stadiums when I was small, feck we would be sprinting hard just to "get ahead of the traffic". never understood it!

Jimmy Iovine

Have a perfect spot that we've been using for years now. Never had any trouble parking there, perfect access from the Kilkenny route up there and it's within 5 minute walking distance of the stadium. Ain't telling a soul though for fear that it'll be full the next time we try.

Tried the Maynooth route a few times. It was alright for the smaller scale matches but it was a disaster for the AI semi final last year, I think. Getting to the match was no bother because Maynooth was the first stop. Going home was a different story. 300 people left standing out on the road while trains were pulling away upstairs. We eventually got on but had to stand the whole way.

If you try that route then you'd want to get straight out of the park, onto Clonliffe Road and up to the station as quick as possible so you can get a seat.

Limestone1

Along Amiens St is free on Sunday - drive passed Connelly station heading towards the five lamps, there are plenty of parking bays on your left going out that road. Walking distance from croker. Relatively safe to leave the car there as long as no bags,valuables etc are left visible inside (as with a lot of areas in Dublin).

RATM

As mentioned Amiens Street is an option- the Gardai from Store Street station would normally be patrolling it as part of big match days up the road in Croke Park. But do remember that Sherrif Street is at the back of Connolly and there are a few gurriers in there who couldn't care less if the Guards are up the road, they'd attempt a break in regardless.

For free parking on Sundays there is a lot about on Pearse Street just a three minute walk from Connolly and will give direct access to the quays after the game. And the side streets at the back and surrounds of the gigantic Ulter Bank buildings have a lot of free on street parking on a Sunday too. Also check side streets off the main road in Drumcondra, between Fagans pub and Quinns pub underneath the train station. If the signs don't state 'permit parking only' then you are fine parking there on a Sunday.

If you're exceptionally smart you'll work out where Bertie Ahern lives and then park just outside. That way you'll not only get free parking but also the benefit of his Garda escort keeping an eye on your car from his hut at the entrance to the house. Win win

Hesh's Umpire

RATM wrote: »

Also check side streets off the main road in Drumcondra, between Fagans pub and Quinns pub underneath the train station. If the signs don't state 'permit parking only' then you are fine parking there on a Sunday.

This is generally where I head (though being from Laois haven't had as many trips up in recent years as I'd like!)

Roger Sterling

greenspurs wrote: »

Where do people park?
near the stadium? Underground car parks? side of the street?
I usually drive into Dublin city center, and park in the car park beside the Jervis street center.. Handy enough, but the traffic after games is bad in the city ...
So, Anyone have some help? Where do you park? What is the easiest/handiest route to Croker ? Drive in to city center or come in from the Airport ?

If I tell you then everyone will want to park there...:pac:

joe40

Hi I'm going up for the match this sun staying sat night and planned to park in city centre early sun morning but the tallships festival put an end to that idea. They are predicting massive crowds so probaly luas for me.

Luca Brasi

The ILAC access off lower Abbey St, €5 for Sunday afternoon

corcaigh07

a good overnight spot I find is in front of Jury's Inn by the docks, nice and quiet area but you got the safety of a decent hotel across the way. Not far from O Connell Street and a handy walk to Croke Park as well. Probably not the easiest spot to get home from though but a good pay off if you have been parked up for the guts of 24 hours!

Badabing

Get into city early before 10am ideally and park in a loading bay for free, Capel street for example or wolfe tone street.

lefthanded

The lads on the side of the road in ballybough road

caitni2000

Would like to bump this thread – we’re taking my father in law to the Donegal Cork game on Sunday, coming from the North and then travelling to Wicklow after the match. He is unable to walk too long and I’m concerned the train/Luas would be jam packed and stressful for him. Parking in Clonliffe seems closest, but I’m concerned we’d be all night trying to get out and south. Any suggestions? Should we consider dropping him close to Croke on the way in? I’m not sure he could walk more than 10mins on the way out.
Thanks for your help!

Colm R

caitni2000 wrote: »

Would like to bump this thread – we’re taking my father in law to the Donegal Cork game on Sunday, coming from the North and then travelling to Wicklow after the match. He is unable to walk too long and I’m concerned the train/Luas would be jam packed and stressful for him. Parking in Clonliffe seems closest, but I’m concerned we’d be all night trying to get out and south. Any suggestions? Should we consider dropping him close to Croke on the way in? I’m not sure he could walk more than 10mins on the way out.
Thanks for your help!

Difficult situation. You will be quite some time trying to get out of Clonliffe. Trains into Drumcondra from Maynooth/M3 are possible, but will probably be a bit uncomfortable, and again after the match. However southbound trains may not be, and as you are going to Wicklow after, perhaps it might be a good idea to get a train from Blackrock, Dun Laoighare or even Bray to Drumcondra.

You'll need to change in Connolly which is no big deal.

The Tall Ships are in the city at the weekend, so I would avoid the city center.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

I'd say the option above is probably best, park at a station in the southside, get the Dart to Connolly and changeover there, and then do the same after. If he is elderly he'll get a seat on the train no bother, or at least he should, there are seats designated for the elderly/disabled afaik.

caitni2000

Thanks guys, this is really helpful

ProudDUB

If you are going to Wickla afterwards, I'd also agree with heading there first, park the car and head into Dublin on the DART. A couple of things though. Bray DART station has the biggest car park, but it closes at 7pm. Journey time from Connolly is about 40 mins. When the game is over, you won't have much spare time if you were planning on going for a meal or a few pints. I expect the Dart to be quite busy given that the Tall Ships Festival will be on. When it comes to your father in law feeling uncomfortable or not being able to get a seat on a train/tram, there may be not be much of a difference between the DART, the LUAS or the Maynooth commuter train that stops in Drumcondra. I imagine they will all be jam packed

If your father in law can't walk well, the walk from Connolly could be a bit of a trek for him. It's at least 15 mins and all up hill. You could try getting a taxi to Croker. It won't cost much and if you come across a nice Guard and explain your situ to him, he may let the taxi driver pass the road closures barriers and drop you off right in front of Croke Park. That happened by cousin earlier this year when she was going to the Westlife concert and was on crutches.

lefthanded

There is a few people parking on ballybough road, only 10-15 minutes from the eastlink toll bridge to go to Wicklow and hardly a five minute walk from the Cusack stand in Croke Park. I am aware that some people don't trust them but I never had a problem with any of them.

ProudDUB

Lefthanded, The Tall Ships Festival is on. Using the East Link bridge to go Wicklow won't be an option. The quays should be avoided at all costs. I live beside Custom House quay and getting around is already a pain in the neck.

dxhound2005

Coming from Dundalk I often drive to Portmarnock and get the Dart to Connolly €3 for parking and €4.75 for Dart fare. Malahide would be easier but the car park at the Dart station there is small and usually full. No city driving and home in an hour from Portmarnock. There are usually four of us so works out a lot cheaper than four train tickets from Dundalk and there are more Darts than trains.

locked

belgium

Kristofferson

In the Cork v Down final a few years ago, we managed to park near Tolka park. Had little trouble coming out as the motorway isnt too far away and you stay away from the city centre. It about a 10/15 min walk to hogan stand. Probably not ideal for cusack stand. Its safe aswell but you might want to be there early to be sure of a spot. There is a few small car parks.

Lapin

RATM wrote: »

If you're exceptionally smart you'll work out where Bertie Ahern lives and then park just outside. That way you'll not only get free parking but also the benefit of his Garda escort keeping an eye on your car from his hut at the entrance to the house. Win win

Looks like someone beat you to it RATM.

greenspurs

Bump bump...

Right so , lets put it another way...
Whats the "best" way to get to Croke Pk , whilst avoiding the congested crap of the city centre!!
Red cow - Luas ?
or another way ?

Injuryprone

Park in Maynooth. Get the train to Drumcondra (30 min). More for the Galway crowd though!!

Padkir

Drove straight in to Parkrite in Parnell Street for the match last Sunday. Next to no traffic going in at around 12pm. 15 min walk to Croker!

€4 for the day and while traffic was a little heavy leaving it still didn't take too long to get out! Was back in Mayo by 9.30pm after stopping for food and all on the way!