Rush Hour in Dublin
Dublin's rush "hour" lasts for well more than an hour and at busy times of year, or on busy days, traffic can reach a virtual standstill. Things have improved with the arrival of the LUAS light rail system and with better traffic management, but it is still not for the faint hearted.
The rush hour below was on a pretty wet Wednesday, a pretty average sort of day and certainly quieter than a Friday. Quotes are from traffic reports issued on the day by the AA Roadwatch and images are from the traffic management unit of Dublin City Council, who have regularly updated images from more than 50 traffic cameras available on their website.
A Typical Dublin Rush Hour
Wednesday April 6th 2005
On the M50 it's just after 5pm and already those who tried to beat the rush hour by leaving work early are caught in a build up of traffic.
"Traffic is building on the M50 ....."
Pearse St in the city centre is on the main route home for many commuters and almost invariably traffic moves at a crawl in the evening. The building on the right is the side of Trinity College.
"Traffic on Pearse St is backed up to Mackin St...."
The Merrion Rd in Ballsbridge is a busy route for traffic going south from the city in the evening. A large exhibition centre in the area regularly adds to the already heavy traffic at rush hour.
"Heavy volumes on Merrion Rd outbound at the RDS where the Home Furnishing and Accessories Fair continues until Friday"
Out on the M50 the regular evening delays at all interchanges are now in place, with significant delays already at Ballinteer.
"On the M50 .... a tailback at the Ballinteer interchange is causing delays for southbound traffic"
The Quays are the roads on either side of the River Liffey, which divides the city into north and south. These are invariably slow moving at busy times.
"In the City Centre, traffic is heavy on the South Quays....."
Christ Church is a gorgeous and historic building, but one wonders how many of the drivers in this crawling traffic take the time to admire it. It is approached from the city via Dame St.
"In the City Centre, traffic is heavy .... from Dame St to Christ Church...."
Meanwhile back on the M50 the great slow down continues, with traffic very heavy at almost all interchanges leading from the city.
"..slow moving at the M50 southbound at the Blanchardstown exit..."
On the Swords Rd at Whitehall traffic has come to a complete halt. At rush hour an accident can really throw the cat among the pigeons.
"Outbound traffic on the Swords Rd at Whitehall is at a standstill following an accident. Gardai are at the scene."
On O'Connell Bridge, the absolute centre of Dublin, and in other central areas things have calmed down quite abruptly.
By now only those who try to beat the traffic by staying later at work remain.
Shortly after 7 in the evening it's all over for another day, with traffic on Airport Rd, and on the nearby M50 now moving freely again.
The team at the AA wrap things up just after 8pm with a final evening report.
"It remains heavy outbound on the Swords Rd. Pearse St is still somewhat busy though no other problems around the city centre. At the M50 earlier congestion has eased and is now just busy on both approaches to the toll plaza."
It hasn't been a bad one at all!
Quotes are from traffic reports issued on the day by the AA Roadwatch and images are from the traffic management unit of Dublin City Council, who have regularly updated images from more than 50 traffic cameras available on their website.
If you plan to drive in Dublin there is useful information in our Info section on Driving in Ireland and some reasons why it might not be a good idea and suggested alternatives in Getting Around Dublin.
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