The Lord Mayor of Cork Michael O'Connell has called on the people of Cork to join him in welcoming Queen Elizabeth to the city by lining the route that her calvacade will take into the city centre later today.
"Friday is a unique opportunity for the people of Cork, civic leaders and businesses to show the best of what our special city has to offer and to make an unforgettable first impression - we need the public's help to bring to life our promise that Cork is a "City of Welcomes."
"It's our opportunity to give Queen Elizabeth a welcome to remember in front of an audience of over 30 million poeple tuned in worldwide and I urge everyone to come into Cork city and help us maximise this once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Cork to the world."
Cork City Council is organising a programme of entertainment for Queen Elizabeth's visit including a free recital by soprano Mary Hegarty in the English Market at 6.30pm after the queen has departed while there will also be jazz, blues and classical music performances.
Earlier, Chief Supt Michael Finn stressed that Cork will remain open for business despite traffic and security restrictions in the city centre as Queen Elizabeth visits both the English Market and the National Tyndall Institute.
"The message we want to get out is that Cork is open for business on Friday," said Chief Supt Finn as he revealed the road from Cork airport to the Kinsale Road Roundabout will close to traffic for a period between 1.30pm and 4pm while the South Link Road will close inward from 10am until 5pm.
Also closed to traffic from 10am until 4pm will be Station Road, Anglesea Street, Parnell Place, South Mall, Grand Parade, Patrick Street, Academy Street, Washington Street, Sheares Street, Dyke Parade, Tuckey Street, North and South Main Streets, Copley Street and Union Quay .
Other streets that will be closed on Friday include Bachelors Quay, Grenville Place, Grattan Street, Liberty Street, Adelaide Street, Kyle Street, Castle Street, Cornmarket Street and Paul Street.
Georges Quay, Sullivan's Quay, South Terrace, Infirmary Road, Rutland Street, White Street, Dunbar Street, Mary Street and Cobh Street will all be closed from 12 noon until 4pm while a one way system will operate along Douglas Street from Langford Row to Evergreen Street.
Supt Barry McPolin said that pedestrian access will be restricted from 12 noon until 4pm on Princes Street between Oliver Plunkett Street and Patrick Street, the Grand Parade and Washington Street on both sides of the street up to South Main Street junction.
Bus Éireann will continue to provide a Park and Ride facility from the Black Ash on the South Link Road - into Lapp's Quay in the city centre all day long while anyone flying from Cork airport between 1pm and 5pm should come to the airport before 1pm. A helpline has been set up for any seeking information on restrictions on 021-4548555.
Meanwhile restrictions will also be put in place in Cashel where Queen Elizabeth will visit tomorrow morning with access to the town restricted to just five routes - Friar Street, Main Street, Cahir Road and Junction Exits 8 and 9from the M8 Motorway.
No traffic will be allowed to proceed through Cashel as Ladyswell Street, Moore Lane, Rock Villa, Dominic Street, Boherclough Street, Lower Gate Street, Bank Street, Canopy Street, The Green to Wallers Lot, the Kiln, Mountjudkin Road, Camas Road, Circular Road or the Old Dublin Road from Junction 7 to Cashel town.