Parking at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Grand Canal Square

The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre has no car park. Ireland's largest fixed-seat theatre holds 2,111 people, and the car park next door holds 163 cars. Do the maths and pre-book, or leave the car at home.

The three car parks the theatre points to

• Q-Park Grand Canal Square, on Chimney View, right beside the theatre. 163 spaces, of which 70 can be pre-booked each day on the Q-Park website, plus 3 disabled spaces. The obvious choice, and the first to fill.
• The Convention Centre Dublin underground car park, Spencer Dock, on the north quays. 320 spaces and 8 disabled spaces. Pre-booking is through a Ticketmaster page. From there, walk over the Samuel Beckett Bridge.
• Best Car Parks Grand Canal, under The Marker Hotel, on the square. About 100 spaces; details on bestcarparks.ie.

If those are full, the theatre lists Point Village, Connolly Station, Jury's Inn Custom House, the National College of Ireland and Dawson Street as fall-backs. Dawson Street is a proper walk, though: allow 20 minutes or more.

Street parking exists around Macken Street and Cardiff Lane, but there's very little of it. Don't plan a 7.30pm curtain around finding a space there.

Prices

The theatre's page gives no prices, and Q-Park's rates change. Check the price when you pre-book; that's also the only way to be sure of a space on a sold-out night.

Driving in

Traffic restrictions may apply around the square on event evenings. The theatre's own route from the city centre avoids the square entirely and brings you in at the back:

1. From O'Connell Street, turn left onto Eden Quay.
2. Go right over the Talbot Memorial Bridge, then keep left and follow City Quay.
3. Turn right onto Lime Street, then left onto Hanover Street.
4. That leads to Cardiff Lane, at the back of the theatre.

Blue Badge and accessible parking

Limited accessible parking is at Q-Park Grand Canal Square. Book ahead on qpark.ie or by phone (the number is on the theatre's access page). The Convention Centre car park has 8 accessible spaces. On-street accessible bays are mapped on accessdublin.ie. The theatre has level entry and a large lift, and its Groups & Access team can sort wheelchair seats.

Honestly, the Luas and DART are both about 10 minutes' walk away; our guide to getting to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre has the routes. If you do park early, the restaurants around the square are listed in where to eat near the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, and the best seats guide helps you pick a level.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre have its own car park?

No. The nearest is Q-Park Grand Canal Square on Chimney View, next to the theatre, which you can pre-book.

Can I pre-book parking for the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre?

Yes: 70 of the 163 spaces at Q-Park Grand Canal Square can be booked each day on the Q-Park website, and the Convention Centre car park takes bookings through Ticketmaster.

Is there disabled parking at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre?

Q-Park Grand Canal Square has 3 accessible spaces that you can book in advance, and the Convention Centre car park has 8.