The roads to Ratheniska
BLUE ROUTE
Traffic from Cork/Munster Traffic travelling northbound on the M8 will exit at Junction 4 (Johnstown, Urlingford) and proceed onto R439 (old N8) where it will travel to Durrow, Co. Laois. From Durrow, traffic will continue forward onto the N77 (old N8) to Abbeyleix. In Abbeyleix, traffic will turn right onto the R425 to Ballyroan village, will continue forward to Cashel Cross bearing right onto R427 to Money Cross and will proceed to parking beside the event grounds.
PURPLE ROUTE
Traffic from Dublin/Leinster/north
Traffic travelling southbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 15 Cappakeel, Co. Laois and proceed left onto the L3930 where it will travel to Vicarstown. In Vicarstown, it will turn right onto R427 and travel towards Stradbally, Co. Laois. At Garran’s Cross, traffic will turn right for approximately 1.6km and then turn left at Buddocks Cross proceeding onto Abels Corner, Stradbally where it will turn right onto N80 and immediately left onto the R427.
BROWN ROUTE
Traffic from Limerick/Kerry/southwest
Traffic travelling northbound on the M7 will exit at Junction 17 Togher, Portlaoise and proceed left onto N77 towards Portlaoise town. Traffic will be diverted right at Meelick onto the L6310 where it will turn right onto the R426 and onto Sheffield Cross. At Sheffield Junction, traffic will turn right again and proceed onto Money Cross to parking beside the event grounds. Traffic travelling northbound on the R445 (old N7) will be diverted back onto the M7 Motorway at Junction 18 where it will proceed to parking with the rest of Limerick/Kerry/southwest traffic.
GREEN ROUTE
Traffic from the west/northwest
Traffic travelling from the west on the N80 will proceed to Mountmellick town. Approaching the town, traffic will take a left onto the L20972. Continuing on this road to take a right onto the L423. Traffic will join the R422 and travel as far as Kennels Cross, Emo, Co. Laois. At Kennels Cross traffic will turn right onto R419 and travel forward to the R445 (Old Dublin Road), turning right and proceed towards Ballydavis, Portlaoise continuing through two roundabouts (first and third exits, respectively) remaining on the R445 towards Rathbrennan, Portlaoise where traffic will turn left onto the R425 travelling forward to Bloomfield Cross. At Bloomfield Cross, traffic will turn left onto N80 and proceed to Dysart where it will turn right onto a one-way system along the L6772 as far as Ratheniska village. Traffic will proceed to parking beside the event grounds.
YELLOW ROUTE
Traffic from southeast/Carlow
Traffic travelling from Carlow and southeast will travel through Simmons Mill Cross roads on the N80 and continue forward towards Stradbally town via the Windy Gap. At Court Square, Stradbally, traffic will turn left onto the L3837 (Timahoe Rd) and go to Timogue Crossroads where it will turn right onto L7835 (one-way system). Traffic will proceed to parking beside the event grounds.
GREY ROUTE
Traffic from southeast (Kilkenny)
Traffic travelling from Kilkenny/southeast along the N78 will turn left at Newtown Cross Roads and continue forward along the R430 to The Swan village. Just outside this village, traffic will turn right onto the R426 and continue to Timahoe village. In Timahoe, traffic will continue through the village on the R426 towards Money Cross. At Loughteague Lane, traffic will turn right onto L78354.
Disability parking
All such traffic from the purple and yellow, blue and grey routes will be directed to parking in blue car park.
All such traffic from the brown and green routes will be directed to parking adjacent to the entrance to the Hunt Chase, just past the GAA Centre in Ratheniska Village.
Don’t forget to clearly display your vehicle passes on approach to traffic points to assist Gardaí in directing you.