It might be a case of divine intervention, or not, but plans are to be revised to enable attendees to the Pope’s visit to the Phoenix Park to cycle their bicycles to the event.
The details of the bicycle parking is still being worked out and is expected to be announced some time next week.
The Pope is set to visit Dublin later this month on the weekend of Saturday August 25 and Sunday August 26.
Previously published advice on cycling to the Phoenix Park said: “It is not possible to cycle directly to the Phoenix Park as bike parking facilities will not be available… Therefore it is recommended that you take public transport, group transport or walk.” But IrishCycle.com understands that this advice no longer applies and that the Government are to provide bicycle parking at least two or three locations around the park or at its boundary.
It is unclear at this point where the bicycle parking will be located — buses and coaches are expected to get not much closer than the Chapelizod Bypass and the Luas will not be running between Smithfield and Blackhorse. We will report the bicycle details once fully confirmed.
The Government, which is organising transport arrangements for the Pope’s visit, is paying for free public transport for attendees to the Phoenix Park mass. The expected 500,000 attendees to the park and others visiting the city centre at the weekend have been urged to leave their cars at home and expect massive restrictions.
On Saturday, the Pope will visit a number of locations in Dublin city centre locations on Saturday before addressing the Feast of Families celebration in Croke Park. While on Sunday he will visit Knock Shrine in Co Mayo before returning to Dublin to say mass in the Phoenix Park.
IMAGES: Public transport access details:
Can you imagine back in, say, the 1940s or 1950s, if the pope had come to visit – the vast majority of people would have been cycling to see him. Even cycling from the other side of the country to catch a glimpse. And now cycling is only an afterthought to those organizing this. smh.
It said the Pope will be visiting various parts of the City before the Mass in the Phoenix Park ETC. Therefore will the Gardai be stealing Bicycles Parked on the route or outside premises he is visiting just like they did when Meghen and Harry came on their visit, curious just like to know . Just in case my Bicycle is stolen by the Gardai. I might be attending the protest at the Garden of Rememberance in Solidarity with the Victims of the Magdaline Laundaries.
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I’m sure this Pope knows how to cycle and provide safe cycle parking