We go again … and here’s how to get there

by Admins | Aug 27, 2014 | All Ireland Championship, Car Parking, Car Pooling, Hotels & B&B's, Mayo GAA

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 next Saturday. 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
• Update: Shannon RFC will have limited secure parking in Thomand Park which is 10 min walk from the Gaelic Grounds. The bar in the clubhouse will be open for the day.

Here are the car park locations in Limerick in relation to the Gaelic Grounds (click on map to view full screen)

Car parks near the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.

 Other things to note:

• Update: The Limerick Pride Parade takes place at 2pm on Saturday in the city and there will be rolling road closures along the route from 1.30pm. It’ll be a riot of colour and fun so if you’re in the city be sure to try and catch it.
• Update: UL Graduation Ceremonies are also taking place over the weekend, so there is likely to be some extra traffic around the city there too.
• Update: We have it on good authority that Corrib Oil in Gort are offering free tea/coffee for drivers with their Mayo colours on- another reason to festoon yourselves in green and red!
• Update:  No need to worry about the road works between Ardrahan and Kilcolgan – Galway County Council have confirmed that the road will be fully open.
• Update: Traffic notice from Limerick City Council: “Limerick City & County Council wish to advise Motorists, Road Users and Match Attendants (sic) that local  traffic and parking prohibitions and road closures will operate on the Ennis Road (R857) and adjacent to the Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road, Limerick from 2pm on Saturday 30th August 2014. Match attendants are strongly advised to travel early and to park on and off street in and adjacent to the city centre and to allow ample time to walk to the Gaelic Grounds. Special off street match parking tariffs including overnight parking will be available at city centre car parks. Match attendants are advised that obstructive vehicle parking will be subject to tow away operations.

Park & Ride In Limerick

This is a facility run by Limerick Park and Ride (Mike Hynan Coaches) where you can leave your car at a hotel and get a shuttle bus to the Gaelic Grounds – handy if you don’t want the hassle of finding parking near the grounds. Parking is free at all three hotels, and seats on the buses are allocated on a first come, first served basis – so again, get there early, grab a bite to eat and hop on.

•  For those of you coming from Mayo direction, the Radisson Hotel service on the Ennis Road will start at 2pm. Cost: €6 return.
• For those coming from Dublin, the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel Dublin Rd. from 2pm, return straight after match. Cost: €6 return
• And for those of you making the trip from the south,Woodlands House Hotel Adare leaves at 3pm, return straight after match. But beware, you’re likely to be outnumbered by the Yerras! Cost: €10 return.

Please Note: Wheelchair accessible transport must be pre-booked – you can call Hynan Coaches on  061 381700 or email them here.

Update: Durty Nelly’s Park and Ride

This sounds like something else altogether, but lest there be any doubt, it’s a pub, offering transport to the game! There will be buses leaving Durty Nelly’s Pub at Bunratty Castle from 2.30 to 3.30pm, dropping off at Ivan’s, close to the Gaelic Grounds, and pick-up at the designated area. Price: €15 return and this includes a main course (Burger & Chips, Fish & Chips or Cajun Chicken). No booking is required, and the meal can be claimed before or after the game. Tickets for the park and ride service on sale in Durty Nelly’s on the day.

Update: Park and Ride from the City Centre:

Bus Eireann are running shuttle buses from the Limerick Bus Station on Parnell St. and from Henry St (near Dunnes Stores). These will run from approx. 2pm.

Travelling by Bus?

Please note: There are lots of private operators departing on Saturday and offering good deals direct to Limerick. Mayo Club ’51 strongly advises that you contact the bus operators directly first to book and confirm times of departure.

From Mayo:

• TMG Transport : Leaving The Gateway Swinford  Contact 094 9252156  or 087-8505045
• Corduff Travel : travelling from Belmullet & Ballina. Contact 097-88949
• Update: Treacy Coaches : Leaving Ballina at 12pm. Booking essential – Contact 096-22563 
• Gillespie Coaches : Leaving Crossmolina 11am & stopping in Ballina. Contact 085-7646523
• Malachy Gaughan Coaches : Leaving Belmullet. Contact 097 81243
• Update: Lavan Coaches Kiltimagh – Buses departing from Post Office, Kiltimagh at 1pm and returning after the game. Booking essential – contact 086 867 6737 or 087 260 8852.
• Update: Moran’s Coaches, Ballyhaunis – leaving the Square in Ballyhaunis at 11.45am, €15 return. Booking advised – call  094 9630346.
• Update: Melletts Bus Swinford – Leaving Melletts pub Swinford at 11am sharp, booking advised, only 8 seats left – call 087 2573752.
• Bus Eireann – best to give them a call about Expressway services, or check out their timetables online.

If you’re aware of any other operators going from Mayo, please get in touch with details and we’ll add them in.

From Dublin:

• Dublin Coach – departs hourly from D’Olier St  from 06.45 daily, and returns hourly on the half hour from Limerick City Centre (Arthur’s Quay) until  for €20 return, but the last bus leaves at 20.45.
• JJ Kavanagh Coaches – depart frequently from Dublin – but again, you won’t get the last bus on Saturday as it leaves at 17.15. Call 0818 333222 for details.

From Carrick-on-Shannon:

• Bus leaving from Carrick-on-Shannon early on Saturday morning. Call Mary Keenan on 0872073633 for further details.

Travelling By Train?

Train transport down the west coast isn’t exactly the best, but there are options.. Don’t even attempt to go from Mayo by train, but from other places, it might be worth considering. Irish Rail are offering special fares on their website as follows:

• From €5.99* each way from Galway, Oranmore and Athenry
• From €9.99* each way from Banteer
• From €10.99* each way from Milstreet and Rathmore
• From €11.99* each way from Killarney
• From €12.99* each way from Farranfore
• From €13.99* each way from Tralee
• From €14.99* each way from Dublin

Update: Extra Train to the All-Ireland Football Semi-Final Replay in Limerick 

• Depart Galway 12.15hrs
• Oranmore: 12.24hrs
• Athenry: 2.35hrs
• Arr. Limerick      14.04hrs

Return train departs Limerick at 20.25hrs (8.25pm)

There is free parking in Oranmore Train Station for those who take the train (140 spaces). If any of you do decide to take the train, and manage to avail of the fares above, let us know!

Book on this page.

Travelling By Air?

Bringing your own plane? Hey, there’s always one! If you are planning on bringing your private jet, give these guys a call!

Staying Overnight?

We hate to break it to you, but you’ve left it a bit late to sort out your accommodation if you want to stay in Limerick on Saturday night. You’ll be doing well to find somewhere to lay your head at this point, especially as half of Croke Park had their beds booked from their smartphones before leaving the ground on Sunday, but other options worth considering are breaking the journey and stopping off in Ennis or Galway and making a night of it.

Gaelic Grounds seating plan (click on map to view full screen)

Gaelic Grounds Seating Plan

Tickets

If you haven’t got a season ticket, or obtained one through your club, there are still some available online here, for collection at the Gaelic Grounds – but you’ll need to move quickly. If you’re looking to buy, sell, or swap, use our ticket swap forum on our website (you’ll need to register first). Alternatively, contact us on Twitter or Facebook and we’ll do our best to help you out,.

If there’s anything we haven’t included here, get in touch with us and we’ll add it in. If you have time, do try and get to see a bit of Limerick City, and we’d highly recommend the famous Milk Market on Mungret St. for a wander and a bite to eat before the game (it’s open from 8am – 3pm).

Getting Home

MAKE SURE YOU USE THE BATHROOM. We cannot emphasise this enough.

Heading back to Mayo, we’ve been told that the Cratloe road (past LIT) is a good rat run – at Cratloe you can get back onto the N18. Narrow road in parts, so please be careful.

Anything else?

Once again, don’t forget your colours – display them with pride. Warm up the voices to replicate the fierce support you gave the team last Sunday.

And for God’s sake don’t forget the tae and sangwidges.

And as always, Bring the Colour and Bring the Noise!