VISITORS to the city centre and Salthill on Sunday have been advised ‘to come early and to park legally’ for their planned event, as the Macnas parade returns for the first time in four years and Salthill’s Pearse Stadium hosts the county hurling final.

Extra Gardaí have been assigned to traffic duty both in the city and Salthill, with an estimated 40,000 people expected to throng the streets for the Macnas parade, while a crowd of 5,000 to 6,000 is expected for the hurling final.

A three-and-half hour gap between the start of the two events – 2pm for the hurling final in Salthill and 5.30pm for the start of the Macnas parade from the University – should avoid any major traffic overlaps between the two events, Gardaí   believe.

Gardaí have also advised patrons travelling to the senior hurling final between Turloughmore and St Thomas’ to use the Quincentenary Bridge route, both going to and from, the match.

Garda Inspector, Brian Ryan, told the Galway City Tribune that the advice for people going to Pearse Stadium was to give themselves plenty of time, to avoid the city centre area, and to park legally.

“With a crowd of around 5,000 expected for the hurling final, the Salthill area shouldn’t have any problem in coping with those numbers.

“We are advising people to travel early and to park legally – obviously not on footpaths or blocking any entrances as tickets will be issued – and to use the Quincentenary Bridge in order to avoid the city centre area.

“With a possible attendance of up to 40,000 people at the parade the same advice applies – come on time, use the car-parks or public transport, and then just enjoy the day,” said Inspector Ryan.

Pictured: Louis Teague and Albert Western during Dress Up Day for Halloween at St Nicholas’ Parochial School, Waterside. PHOTO: JOE O’SHAUGHNESSY.