The visit of the Tall Ships to Dublin resulted in a major financial bonanza for the capital in excess of £30 million, according to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, which described the visit as "a wonderful mardi gras".
However, it also resulted in "enormous traffic disruption", according to Mr Conor Faughnan, of AA Roadwatch. He said the congestion did not catch most people by surprise because they knew of the Tall Ships race. While the disruption was serious, there weren't many complaints. From September, when the schools reopen, traffic usually increases by 15 to 20 per cent.
Mr Declan Martin, economic director of the DCC, said that while they would not have their final figures back until next week, their best estimate at present was that in excess of £30 million had been spent. They had thought the figure would be £25 million over the five-day visit. He said 40 per cent was spent on food and drink, which was good for pubs and restaurants; 20 per cent on accommodation, based on two-thirds of those attending being from outside the city; £5 million went on a variety of retail spending.
He said one-third of attendees were from Dublin and two-thirds from elsewhere; about 15 per cent were from Northern Ireland and 5 per cent from the UK. On top of that there were 6,000 crew members. The two big matches in Croke Park had also added to visitor numbers. A lot of people had come to Dublin for the weekend and stayed.
"The good weather also made it very attractive. On Monday night it was like a mardi gras in Dublin.
"It was extraordinary: it was great out along the coast from Howth to Dun Laoghaire to Dalkey. At 5 p.m. in Dun Laoghaire it was hectic."
Asked how it compared to the Tour de France, Mr Martin said it was much more productive. The Tour de France had basically been watched by those along the route. It had been good as a television spectacle and would prove beneficial to tourism next year. The city had lost money during the Tour de France because it was closed down for the occasion. "We are very pleased with this and the organisation of it went very well."
Mr Faughnan said traffic disruption had been exacerbated because it had been a wet and dull morning. The Amiens Street/Custom House Quay areas back towards Fairview/Clontarf suffered badly. A lot of people came out in the afternoon and it became very busy in many places.
Many converged on the Bull Wall and there was a lot of congestion there. The East Link Bridge was closed and that caused more disruption. Sandymount also experienced congestion, as did the area around Howth Summit car park. Dun Laoghaire/Dalkey/ Killiney was also very busy.
Parking restrictions were in force at Howth village and the Howth Summit/Sutton areas. The restrictions came into force from 9 a.m.
Dublin Bus provided a shuttle service from the Howth DART station to Howth Summit. The wooden bridge at Dollymount was also closed to all traffic, except for emergency vehicles, from 9 a.m.
Custom House Quay between Talbot Memorial Bridge and Commons Street, North Wall Quay and Sir John Rogerson's Quay were closed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. yesterday.