Route & City‑centre Start/Finish
City‑centre remains preferred venue
The Dublin Marathon organisers, in collaboration with Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA), reiterated their commitment to keeping the start and finish in Dublin’s city centre. A joint statement declared a shared goal: to “showcase the city and continue to provide the best experience for all involved,” while also minimizing disruption to daily life .
Evaluating alternative city‑centre sites
While Merrion Square North has been historically used, concerns over prolonged road closures and their impact on public transport have led officials to reassess its suitability. Dublin City Council Executive Manager Brendan O’Brien noted that closures lasting three days were unsustainable given the city’s evolving transit network .
The organisers are now “working together to consider viable options for next year’s event, preferably within the city‑centre” and hope to confirm a revised plan, potentially by early 2024 .
Disruption to Essential Services
Holles Street Maternity Hospital concerns
The master of Holles Street (Ireland’s main maternity hospital) formally appealed to the Health Minister, highlighting numerous “innumerable circumstances” where staff, patients, and emergency patients were either delayed or rerouted due to marathon-related road closures .
One incident even risked a “near miss” during patient transfer. In response, Dublin City Council enacted a new policy—created with fire, Gardaí, HSE, and hospital input—to guarantee event organisers engage at least four weeks in advance and establish hospital control centres to mitigate access issues.
Expo Relocation & Logistical Optimisation
Expo moved to National Show Centre
In a carefully considered move, the Dublin Marathon Expo—where runners collect bibs and race packs—has transitioned from the RDS in Ballsbridge to the National Show Centre in Cloghran, adjacent to Dublin Airport. The change, announced in late May 2025, was prompted by participant feedback and logistical challenges, notably parking and accessibility .
Organisers emphasised the decision was balanced carefully against runner convenience, and shuttle services from Malahide Dart station will be provided, though Saturday train works may limit utility .
Sustainability Enhancements
Ambitious sustainability programme introduced
Ahead of the October event, organisers unveiled several eco-friendly initiatives, including:
Biodegradable goodie bags for participants Oxo-degradable baggage bags
0% single-use bottle landfill via expanded recycling and clean-up crews (a 300% increase in bins) in collaboration with Thornton Recycling
Compostable cups trialed by Lucozade Sport Digital-only race materials and colour-coded recycling bins
Collection and reuse of discarded clothes and unused branding materials
These measures are part of a long-term sustainability strategy integrated into the Irish Life Race Series .
Balancing Economic, Social, & Environmental Needs
The organisers and city authorities emphasise the marathon’s immense social and economic value, underscoring it as Europe’s fifth-largest marathon and a major tourist draw, contributing vibrancy and community spirit.
However, they equally acknowledge the complexity of hosting such a large-scale event in a dense urban centre.
They aim to strike a careful balance:
Protecting essential services (e.g., hospitals, emergency routes)
Reducing public transport and commuter disruption, especially due to road closures and scheduled rail works
Upholding Dublin’s skyline and showcasing the central city
Implementing robust sustainability and waste-management policies
What Comes Next?
Route confirmation: The city-centre alternative for next year should be finalised in Q1 of 2024.
Service coordination: Hospital event mitigation procedures are underway, with control centres in formation.
Expo facilitation: Shuttle logistics will be refined ahead of October’s expo.
Oversight of sustainability measures: Additional recycling, composting, and clean-up efficiencies will be assessed.
In Summary
The Dublin Marathon office, in concert with Dublin City Council, is actively addressing community concerns—ranging from urban disruption and hospital access to environmental impact—without compromising the iconic status of the event.
Through adaptive planning, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability commitments, they aim to host a marathon that is vibrant, safe, and better integrated into Dublin city life.
