Madonna to appear before 80,000 people

An estimated 80,000 people are expected in the Meath town of Slane today for US artist Madonna's first ever Irish concert.

An estimated 80,000 people are expected in the Meath town of Slane today for US artist Madonna's first ever Irish concert.

The self-styled Queen of Pop will be joined by the Godfather of Punk, Iggy Pop accompanied by his  band The Stooges.

Gardaí have warned those without tickets to stay away as they will not gain entry to the concert. Gardaí erect checkpoints from 8 p.m. last night and traffic diversions taking all but concert goers away from the N2 came into force at 8 a.m. this morning until around 3 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Chief Supt Michael Finnegan who is overseeing the security operation has urged people to stay away from the River Boyne which runs past the concert site. Traffic originating in the south and west should head for the M50 and then take the N3 exit to Navan then the N51 from Navan to Slane.

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Traffic approaching from Drogheda should take the main Drogheda to Slane road. Traffic from the North should follow the M1 as far as the Dunleer intersection and then on to Collon.

People with disabilities should approach from Navan via the N51; car-parking is available beside the concert site. Traffic on the N2, the main Dublin-Derry road, unless heading to the concert, will be diverted south of Slane at Kilmoon Cross and north of Slane at Collon.