St Patrick’s Day decibel levels for Bundoran ‘diffing meet’ muted so far

St Patrick’s Day celebrations took a different turn this afternoon in Bundoran, after the resort’s huge crowds, numbered in their thousands, were augmented by a‘ diffing meet’ with many ear-piercing decibel vehicles arriving.

However, a visible Garda presence already in situ because of the parade managed to keep any escalation or repeat of last year’s August bank holiday chaos, under control.

In recent years, Bank holiday weekends are a favourite date for such activities, as is the presence and potential camouflage of large family crowds, although the numbers present this afternoon were lower than many had expected. 

However, there had already been a road traffic policing event in and around the town with a very visible presence of Gardai from the Road Traffic Unit at roundabout entrances into the town, last night, with vehicles being stopped and car details being checked. 

What was to be a regular St Patrick’s Day parade in the popular resort became the focus of even more public attention and scrutiny when it was revealed that a group had organised a “diffing meet” of vehicles on the same day at a location near the seafront. 

The parade took place as it normally did at 3.30pm with the car event taking place and being publicised on Facebook and elsewhere at a car park on Atlantic Way close to the resort’s main beach for 5pm. 

A number of cars were already in-situ by 1.30pm with others parked at the main public beach/Astoria car park in what was initially a very rain soaked early afternoon.

One noticeable black car in the Astoria car park had blacked-out windows and a northern licence number plate that was basically unreadable unless you were right beside the vehicle, covered as it was by a dark like substance. 

A tailback of regular bank holiday traffic was obvious from the East End at that time also, stretching right into town centre, with the Bus Éireann expressway service to Galway attempting to join the cavalcade after stopping briefly at the East End bus stop. 

The wet weather conditions that had prevailed earlier had cleared before the start of the actual parade. 

As part of the road restrictions because of the parade, the main street from the top of the Astoria Road to the Promenade turn off at the Tourist Office was closed.

However, it was clear to see that traffic was still circumventing barriers placed on both ends until they were manned by a garda presence. 

Local Sinn Féin councillor and parade steward Michael McMahon, who was close to the East End garda manned checkpoint reflected on the day so far.

He told DonegalLive.ie: “There is a massive crowd here in Bundoran today with thousands of people and families present. We are very happy so far that traffic control is moving fairly well and I want to take the opportunity to thank the guards very much. 

“They worked very hard and they were very cooperative with great work done by them and of course the stewards who helped out with the parade.

ABOVE: Cars gathering for the "diffing meet" on Atlantic Way were caught up with large volumes of traffic in the town, for the annual St Patrick's Day parade which attracted thousands of visitors.

“The thing that I would like to say today is that we do not want to deal with this kind of controversy in Bundoran and to deal with such car events in a proper fashion. 

“We will work with them we will cooperate with them, we will give them a field, we will give them a park and we can make this an eventful day for the cars, if that is what they want to do, so we don’t have to be worried in case any happens here on St Patrick’s Day or any other day. 

“But so far, everything is working to plan to a certain extent. You never get it fully right but people are coming in and hopefully they will all get home safe.”

A similar Bundoran ‘diffing meet’ was organised in 2023 for the August Bank Holiday weekend. It took place on Sunday, August 4, bringing traffic chaos and consternation on what was already one of the busiest summer weekends in south Donegal. 

Similar events have taken place in Bundoran, particularly in the post covid era on weekends when it is especially busy, particularly with young families and their children. 

The cars and drivers are known for their loud noises and burning of rubber from the wheels as well as the relative youth of the drivers and vehicle occupants. Their antics and activities - both legal and illegal - are recorded and quickly uploaded onto various social platforms, including interactions with Gardai. 

The location of today's ‘diffing meet’ runs parallel to the Waterworld Aqua Park (not open today) and a new €250,000 playground opened in January. 

It is where there have been multiple calls for speed reduction ramps at the Atlantic Way/Astoria Road location for the last number of years. 

Much of the current activity takes place on Atlantic Way, but their presence includes the equally busy Main Street and the long and straight stretch of the N15 bypass of the resort stretching in both towards Tullaghan and Ballyshannon.