Royal visit: plans for street closures and viewing areas

Gardaí have been calling to city centre businesses in preparation for the arrival of Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Thursday – with plans for street closures and viewing areas being slowly released ahead of the royal pair’s trip West.

The Galway City Tribune understands that a barrier will be erected at the bottom of Shop Street – near Taaffe’s Bar – to provide a viewing area where members of the public can catch a glimpse of William and Kate.

A number of streets in the city centre will be closed to deliveries ahead of the visit, with no access from Williamsgate Street down to Mainguard Street between 4am and 3pm on Thursday.

However, it is understood that pedestrian access will be permitted – with bag searches in operation at the various access points, including at Lynch’s Castle.

Smaller arteries leading onto the main thoroughfare, such as Church Lane next to St Nicholas’ Church and Buttermilk Lane adjacent to Anthony Ryan’s will be closed to the public.

Prince William and Kate are due to arrive in the city centre sometime around midday and will call to Tigh Chóilí on Mainguard Street. It’s understood a number of businesses beside and across from the well-known trad pub have been asked for their co-operation – no businesses are said to have been asked to close.

Included on the Royal couple’s itinerary is meeting with a number of local community and youth groups, as well as a visit to the trendy restaurant and wine bar, Tribeton, situated on Merchants Road.

The Royals will also travel to Salthill-Knocknacarra GAA Club, where a number of local juvenile players will put on a display match.

Gardaí are said to have been “understandably sparse with information”, with a major security operation required to host the second-in-line to the British throne.

The Royal visit to the West forms part of an official visit to Ireland which began in Dublin yesterday. The decision to cross the Shannon is understood to have been influenced by Galway’s designation as European Capital of Culture for 2020.

According to those involved in organising the visit, Galway 2020 will be “providing the entertainment” for the couple.

A spokesperson for Galway City Council said preparations for the Galway leg of the visit were being carried out by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the British Embassy.

No civic or formal reception is due to take place, the spokesperson stated. The visit will be a more relaxed interaction with a selection of artists, cultural operators, heritage groups and local volunteers.

“We are obviously very pleased they are coming and appreciative of the fact that they are coming to Galway because of the European Capital of Culture 2020 designation,” he stated.

“Galway City Council is happy to be of assistance to the Department of Foreign Affairs, who are the primary organisers of the visit.”

The road restrictions for Thursday are as follows (times are approximate and subject to change:

• From 4am-1pm, no vehicles will be permitted access to William Street, Shop Street, Abbeygate Street, High Street and Mainguard Street.
• From 9am-1pm, no vehicles will be permitted access to Flood Street, Cross Street, Middle Street and St Augustine Street. Parking at this location will also be restricted.
• From 9am-1pm, no vehicles will be permitted access to Bridge Street and Lombard Street. Traffic accessing St Patrick’s School will be accommodated. Parking at this location will also be restricted.
• From 9am-1pm Pedestrian access to Shop Street, High Street and Mainguard Street will be restricted, pedestrian diversions will be in place. Members of the public wishing to access these streets during this period will be subject to screening by Gardaí.

Dr Mannix Road, Salthill:

• From 9am-2pm. Traffic restrictions will be in place on Dr Mannix Road. Members of the public wishing to access Dr Mannix Road during the times indicated will be subject to screening by Gardaí.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Variable Message Signs have been positioned strategically around Galway City informing motorists of restrictions/disruption and motorists are asked to take note on the messages displayed on same.

“During the Visit of the VIP.s there will be rolling road closures as the VIPs are travelling between each location and it is envisaged that there will be some traffic disruption.”