On Friday April 14 the 46th President of the United States of America, Mr. Joseph R. Biden will visit Co. Mayo from early afternoon.
President Biden will arrive in County Mayo at Ireland West Airport from Dublin Airport on the afternoon of April 14.
Ireland West Airport will operate as normal at all times, but those travelling to and from the airport on the afternoon of April 14 should allow additional time due to possible temporary road closures. For security reasons the following traffic management measures will be in place:
Castlebar:
During the visit of the President of the United States Joseph R Biden to Mayo traffic diversions will be in place on the Westport side of Castlebar Town from 1200hrs (midday) to 1700hrs (5pm).
These will include partial closures of the
Westport Road into Castlebar
Lannagh Road
Old Westport Road from Lanagh Road to the main entrance to Mayo University Hospital
Humbert Way to Cathal Duffys Roundabout
Diversions will be in place. Traffic delays are likely.
Access to Mayo University Hospital will be affected by traffic diversions and this will reduce car park availability. Any persons attending appointments tomorrow afternoon should arrive early. Emergency Services will be unaffected by traffic management on the day.
Access onto the Westport Road in Castlebar will be restricted for a period of time. Diversions will be in place.
Any traffic particularly large vehicles travelling to or from Westport area via Castlebar should divert through either Newport or Ballinrobe.
From approximately 1230hrs (1230pm) to 1500hrs (3pm) temporary traffic restrictions may occur on the N17 between Charlestown and Claremorris.
o Diversions will be in place during any traffic restrictions
From approximately 1330hrs (1.30pm) to 1530hrs (3.30pm) temporary traffic restrictions may occur on the N5 between Charlestown and Castlebar.
o Diversions will be in place during any traffic restrictions.
Gardaí will reopen roads as soon as possible. The cooperation and support of the public is appreciated.
In general, large vehicles (Heavy Goods Vehicles and Buses should consider diversion routes carefully tomorrow afternoon as they may be diverted on to regional and/ or local roads).
Ballina:
- From 10am on April 14 until after the public event finishes in Ballina access to Ballina town will be restricted to local residents and business workers only.
- The N59 through Ballina will be closed to traffic from 10am for the duration of the event.
- In general traffic intending on travelling through Ballina on the N59 should divert via N26/ N5/ N17 Foxford, Swinford, Charlestown, Tobercurry, Sligo.
- Details of local traffic diversions around Ballina are published on the Garda website here
A Park and Ride service will be in place for those travelling into Ballina on the evening of Friday April 14.
The inbound shuttle service will begin at 3pm and conclude at 7pm.
The outbound shuttle service will operate from the drop off points from 10pm and will conclude at midnight.
Persons requiring disability access should make themselves known at the park n ride centres.
Gardaí will be present at the park and ride locations to assist the public.
If attending the public event in Ballina members of the public are encouraged not to be in possession of large bags.
For security reasons pedestrians seeking to access certain areas and any bags in their possession may be subject to search.
Any item that could be determined to be a safety hazard, including but not limited to large items such as flag poles, tripods, folding steps, folding chairs etc… may be restricted.
An Garda Síochána would like to thank the public for their patience and would urge for their compliance at this time.
Park and Shuttle Locations are as follows:
• Zone 1 – Knockmore: GAA Car Park, Drop-off and return location: Junction of James Street & Hill Street
• Zone 2 – Castleconnor Community Centre Car-Park: Drop-off and return location: Bunree Industrial Estate
• Zone 3 – Crossmolina: various parking around town, Drop-off and return location: Mercy Road.
• Zone 4 – North Ballina: McVann Furniture, Killala Road, Drop-off and return location: Bohernasup
President Biden will depart Co Mayo from Ireland West Airport to Dublin Airport on the late evening of April 14.
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 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 areas affected by traffic disruption in Mayo tomorrow 14th April are asked to plan their journeys during this period to ensure they 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.
Real-time updates will be provided, where appropriate by the Garda Press Office via:
- Press releases
- Garda website www.garda.ie
- Twitter @gardatraffic and @gardainfo
- Facebook
- An Garda Síochána
- Garda Síochána Dublin
- Garda Síochána Louth
- Garda Síochána North Western Region
- Instagram @gardainsta
