Lansdowne Road DART Station is set to close for Denmark game

LANSDOWNE Road DART Station is to be closed temporarily for the Republic of Ireland’s clash against Denmark next month as a trial exercise ahead Euro 2020.

This closure, which will take place between 5.30pm and 11pm on the evening of Monday, November 18, is part of a trial operational exercise ahead of the Aviva Stadium’s hosting of four games UEFA next summer.

DART services will continue as scheduled, but passengers will be required to disembark at either Grand Canal Dock DART Station or Sandymount DART Station during the closure. 

The purpose of the exercise is to examine logistics, mobility, safety, security and stadium access prior to next June’s matches.

The Republic of Ireland vs Denmark Euro 2020 Qualifying match was chosen for this exercise as the spectator numbers are anticipated to be similar to a Euro 2020 Finals Tournament match. 

A comprehensive communications plan will be implemented in the lead-up to November 18 to inform regular users of Lansdowne Road DART Station, Irish and Danish supporters and local residents about the temporary station closure.

On match-night there will be additional directional signage and dedicated volunteers in place on the walking routes from both Grand Canal Dock and Sandymount Stations.

Additional stewards will also be located at strategic locations to guide supporters to the stadium. Fans are encouraged to allow extra time than normal for their journey to the stadium. 

Regular users of Lansdowne Road DART Station and match ticket holders are encouraged to got to the website www.euro2020.fai.ie where detailed FAQs on this exercise and maps of the access routes can be found.

Passengers with restricted mobility, who typically use Lansdowne Road Station but will not be attending the match, should contact [email protected] for assistance.

Euro 2020 will be the biggest sporting event to ever be held in Ireland, with an expected global audience of five billion and an estimated economic impact of €106m for Dublin and Ireland. 

Cathal Dervan, Director of Communications, FAI, said: “This is the third biggest sporting event in the world and we are expecting that the countries we welcome here for our games will bring a lot of supporters, some of whom won’t have tickets. The matches will have different profiles, requirements, mobility patterns, and ticketing systems to a normal game at Aviva Stadium.

“Ireland has never hosted an international event of this magnitude before and we are testing additional stadium access, mobility, safety and security measures, one of which is the temporary closure of the Lansdowne Road DART Station. Following this trial, a joint review will be undertaken in advance of Euro 2020.”

Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications, Iarnród Éireann, added: “In the coming weeks we will inform all regular users of Lansdowne Road Station of the temporary changes on this day and will limit any disruption where possible.

“Any passengers with restricted mobility concerns about the temporary closure of Lansdowne Road should contact Iarnród Éireann as soon as possible.”

Tim Burke, the Superintendent at Donnybrook Garda Station, added: “We would encourage match-goers and regular users of Lansdowne Road DART Station to familiarise themselves with the temporary changes and plan their routes accordingly.

“Our advice for match-goers would be to allow extra time to get to and from the Aviva Stadium, plan your routes and meeting points and follow the advice of stewards, security and the gardaí.”