President Joe Biden's Louth stop...What you need to know

US President Joe Biden will arrive in Co Louth tomorrow (Wednesday) from early afternoon as part of his Irish visit. Traffic management details have been put in place for the much anticipated stopover for the 46th President.

On the 13th April 2023 the visit will primarily be concentrated throughout the day in the Phoenix Park and Dublin South City Centre. Further details will be provided in a separate update.

President Biden will arrive in County Louth from Dublin Airport on the afternoon of the 12th April.

The following Traffic Management measures, for security reasons, will be put in place:

• From 2200hrs (10pm) Tuesday 11th April until after departure on Wednesday 12th parking restrictions and road closures will commence in Carlingford:

Public Car Park – Tourist Office

Dundalk Street

North Pier

Newry Street

Old Quay Lane

Castle Hill & Back Lane

R173 Greenore Road

Further road closures on access routes, R173, R175, R176, to Carlingford, north and south of the Village will be implemented on the morning of the 12th April, time to be confirmed.

• From 2200hrs (10pm) Tuesday 11th April until after departure on Wednesday 12th parking restrictions and road closures will commence in Dundalk:

Barrack Street

Seatown Place

Jocelyn Street

Roden Place

Crowe Street

Clanbrassil Street

Market Square

Francis Street

Park Street

Dublin Road

The M1 motorway remains unaffected.

The N52 (Inner relief Road) will largely be unaffected, subject to change by operational demands on Wednesday 12th April.

From 1800hrs (6pm) Wednesday 12th there will be traffic restrictions/ temporary closure along the R173, R175, N52 between Carlingford and Dundalk.

General Information and Advice:

"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.

"Our objective is to continue to share as much information with the public where necessary as soon as we are in a position to do so.

"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 reminds members of the public that the operation of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS/ Drone) is generally prohibited within 5km of any Airport, over urban areas, over crowds and in other restricted areas. Non-compliance is a criminal offence.

"Members of the Public travelling in the affected areas, Louth 12th April, Dublin (Phoenix Park/ South City Centre) 12th /13th April and Mayo 14th April are be asked to plan their journeys during this period to ensure to leave enough time for possible traffic disruptions and to expect some localised delays.

"An Garda Síochána has and continues to liaise with business and local residents in the key locations and will continue to communicate directly with them during the visit.

"An Garda Síochána continues to engage with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Public Transport Providers to minimise disruption to the Public Transport Network.

"Operational plans are subject to change for security and operational reasons."

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THE ITINERARY

After spending the morning in Northern Ireland, Mr Biden will travel to Co Louth, where his great-grandfather James Finnegan was born.

In Louth, Mr Biden will first head to the Cooley Peninsula to visit Carlingford. He has a number of distant relatives here, and he visited Lily Finnegans pub when in Ireland as vice president in 2016.

Mr Biden spoke fondly of the pub afterwards, but it is unclear whether another stop here will be included.

He is expected to visit Carlingford Castle, a Norman castle that was built circa 1190.

Mr Biden will then visit Dundalk for a walkabout of the town centre.

In a statement, Louth County Council said: "There is expected to be high security in operation and people are being advised not to carry bags of any sort, as is normal in such circumstances. Residents and visitors are very welcome to attend and celebrate the historic occasion of a US President coming back to visit his ancestral county."

Councillor Conor Keelan, Cathaoirleach, Louth County Council said: “We are delighted that Joe Biden is visiting Louth, this time as President of the United States. I expect that he will receive a very warm welcome once more in Carlingford and then in Dundalk, where I have no doubt that we will see a great crowd in the town centre tomorrow afternoon to mark the historic visit.”

After his visit in 2016, Mr Biden was awarded the Freedom of Co Louth. He remains the only individual to hold this honour.

Mr Biden will then return to Dublin, where he will stay overnight.