Belfast City Council has outlined traffic details ahead of this year's St Patrick's Day celebrations.
With things kicking off from Thursday evening, traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place, with the public being urged to be cautious with the large volume of crowds expected.
On Thursday March 16, an evening St Patrick’s Concert will take place at Custom House Square from 5pm to 8pm. The site opens at 4.30pm for the free ticketed event, which is fully allocated.
Read more: Events and celebrations happening across NI for St Patrick's Day
The council says "extreme caution should be exercised when driving in and around the area of Custom House Square, Queen’s Square and Victoria Street areas due to the large volume of pedestrians attending the free concert".
On St Patrick's Day, Friday March 17, traffic disruption is expected as the annual parade leaves Belfast City Hall at 1.30pm to travel down Chichester St, Victoria St and High St, before returning to City Hall, via Donegall Place.
Motorists can expect some disruption along the parade route with rolling diversions in place from 12.30pm through to 2.30pm on roads and streets that intersect with the route.
This includes the following closures:
- 12.30pm – Closure of Donegall Square West
- 12.30pm – Closure of College Square East and Wellington Place
- 12.30pm – Closure of High Street (inner), Castle Place, Royal Avenue and Donegall Place
- 12.30pm – Closure of Victoria Street
- 12.40pm – Closure of Bridge Street
- 12.50pm – Closure of Chichester Street
- 12.50pm – Closure of Ann Street
On street parking, including blue badge spaces, will be suspended 6am-2.30pm along Donegall Place and High Street to accommodate the parade and spectators.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: "Please note there is no designated city centre parking for the St Patrick’s parade (17 March). For more information on city centre car parks, please visit here.
"Drivers should also be aware that the SPAR Craic 10K event takes place from City Hall, starting at 9am on Friday 17 March. The race will take a route through the city centre before crossing the finish line at Ormeau Park.
"Delays or diversions can be expected and for more information, go to www.aisling-events.com."
"We encourage attendees to utilise public transport if attending any of these events," they added.
"Translink Metro and Ulsterbus will operate a holiday timetable throughout the day including revised frequencies on some services and NIRailways will operate a Saturday timetable.
"All services are subject to diversions and delays between 12noon-4pm on St Patricks Day. Please leave additional time for your journey and visit www.translink.co.uk or follow @Translink_NI #BelfastStPats for the latest travel updates."
For further information on Belfast City Council ’s St Patrick’s Day programme, visit here.
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