Reproduced with permission from MayoClub51.com
NO MATTER WHICH way you look at it, it’s pretty fair to say that the good old GAA has shafted us a bit this time out by packing ourselves and Kerry off to Limerick for the replay of the All-Ireland semi-final.
In a decision that has angered pretty much everyone but Liam “Get On With It” O’Neill (who just couldn’t resist getting personal when Mayo raised objections), both sets of supporters are set for an almighty scramble for both tickets and car parking tomorrow.
Plenty has been said about the decision, but we’re now at a point where protest is pointless, and our focus now needs to turn very firmly to getting behind the team at 5pm on Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds.
With that in mind, and also bearing in mind it’s not a ground most Mayo supporters are likely to be familiar with, we have once again pulled together some information for you on how to get there and where to park (if you’re driving). What we can’t help you with is getting out of Limerick after the game, but we’d strongly recommend you have a full tank of petrol and a mixtape at the ready ‘cos those tailbacks are going to be some craic on 8pm on Saturday night.
Anyway, here goes:
Travelling by Car?
If you’re taking the car, we have two magic words for you. Leave early! There’s no two ways about it – traffic will be chaotic, especially on the Mayo side. So leave yourself plenty of time. And consider car pooling as much as possible to cut down both on your costs and the traffic burden.
There will be two major bottlenecks – Claregalway and Clarinbridge. The former is difficult to get through on any day of the week. To avoid it, you can do the following:. Take the left turn just before the Mystical Rose Nursing Home, Knockdoe. Cross over the main Roscommon Road and continue for about 1.5 miles. Take a right at Cregmore school and you’ll exit onto the N18 close to Carnmore Cross. Roads are narrow here, so take care.
As for Clarinbridge, if you head out the old Dublin road, you can take the right turn for Kilcolgan at Craughwell – the roads aren’t great, but it’s an option to avoid that particular bottleneck.
Update: ROAD SAFETY WARNING Thanks to Angela Coll for this information - Will you let your supporters know that are driving to Limerick please note the following:
On the Gort to Limerick motorway (Ennis bypass) the road between Exit 15 (Crusheen) and Exit 14 (Barefield), that when the road is wet (as it possibly will be this weekend) it is very dangerous stretch of motorway with numerous accidents. Clare Co Co have asked the NRA to investigate why there are always accidents on that stretch of road when it’s raining.
Please please slow down for that 15 minute stretch of road… Arrive alive!
Update: There’s a fair on in Clarinbridge too, so if you are travelling through, be prepared for delays.
Update: Castlegar GAA is organising 100k Steps for Cormac in aid of Pieta House which is starting at 1.30pm and will be passing through Clarinbridge.
- Follow the road down from Ennis (N18), pass Bunratty Castle on your left
- Leave the N18 at junction 4, then at roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the R445 (signposted Limerick City Centre)
- At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445
- And at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445 (signposted Limerick).
- Continue forward onto Ennis Road – R445
- At Coonagh Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Ennis Road – R445 (signposted City Centre, Dublin N7)
- At traffic signals continue forward onto Ennis Road – R857
- The Gaelic Grounds will be on your left.
Coming from Dublin isn’t too bad – it’s motorway the whole way – so when you get to Limerick, stay on the motorway and just follow the signs for Galway until you see the sign for Thomond Park/Gaelic Grounds on your left.
Parking is difficult, as there is very little near the ground. We have been advised that parking in housing estates is not wise — there is a danger of clamping so best to stick to the official (or indeed, unofficial) car parks, listed below:
Car Parks In Limerick
- Arthurs Quay car park: Sunday 10am to 8pm.
- Aviary car park: 24hrs. Dock Sd behind Domino’s Pizza.
- Barringtons car park: 7am to 7pm. Sheep St, beside Barringtons hospital.
- City Centre car park: Thomas St.
- Cornmarket Square car park: Upper Denmark St.
- Ellen St car park: Ellen St.
- Euro Car park: Charlotte’s Quay.
- Howley’s multi story car park: Henry St.
- Q-Park car park: Denmark St.
- Q-Park Harvey’s Quay: Henry St.
- Steamboat Quay car park: Steamboat Quay, Dock Rd.
- Summer Street Car Park: Summer St.
- The Potato Market car park: Merchant’s Quay.
- Also consider the Jetland Shopping Centre car park (Dunnes/Woodies) on the Ennis Road (take the exit for Caherdavin),
- Tesco at Coonagh Cross just off the Ennis Road – both are 10-15 minutes walk to the ground.
- Update: Na Piarsaigh GAA club is located close (1km) to the Gaelic Grounds and is opening up their parking (and bar) facilities. There are roughly 50 spaces – first come, first served.
- Update: Limerick Institute of Technology on Cratloe Rd, will be open for parking (at a fee) from approximately 2pm on Saturday. LIT Campus is a 3 – 5 minute walk from the Gaelic Grounds.
- Update: Limerick Camogie are opening a car park at Coonagh – €5 parking
Here are the car park locations in Limerick in relation to the Gaelic Grounds (click on map to view full screen)
Twitter: @mayoclub51
