Dublin Is About to Host 50 Leaders and Maybe a National Strike

Anyone flying into Ireland this week should budget extra time. The US Embassy in Dublin has issued a security alert covering November 10 to 13, warning of heavy disruption in the city centre as Ireland hosts the ninth European Political Community summit and an informal European Council on Thursday and Friday. Around 50 European leaders are expected, and the Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, is running what the embassy calls the largest security operation in the history of the State.

On top of the summit, a 24-hour public sector strike is possible on Thursday, November 12. The embassy says it could affect government services nationwide, including schools, most state heritage sites, national parks and national museums. Emergency health care would continue, but non-urgent appointments could be cancelled. Security cordons, protests and road closures around the Convention Centre, Dublin Castle and the National Gallery are expected to peak on Thursday.

United Airlines has responded with a travel waiver for Dublin. Customers whose trips were originally scheduled for November 11 or 12, and who booked on or before November 9, can move to another United flight departing between November 9 and 15 without paying a change fee or fare difference, provided they keep the same cities and cabin. United flies to Dublin from Newark, Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare.

TheTravel reports that police have set aside arrival and departure windows for visiting dignitaries at Dublin Airport on all three days. The embassy’s advice is practical: avoid demonstrations, follow Garda instructions, check Transport for Ireland before setting out, and confirm with operators that tourist sites are actually open before you go. The embassy itself will stay open on November 12 and 13, and US citizens can enroll in the State Department’s STEP programme to receive updates.

Sources: U.S. Embassy Dublin, TheTravel