Find out about venue accessibility and other practicalities
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MDI Conference 10 November 2024, Hogan Stand, Croke Park
If you have a question that we haven’t answered, please contact Gillian on respite@mdi.ie or +353 (0)1 6236414 and then select option 1.
How do I get to the venue?
Arriving by car/van
Instructions for arriving and departing for people with a mobility impairment
Can I get dropped off at the main door?
Designated set-down area
Directions to set-down area
Can MDI provide transport to the conference?
Parking at the davin car park
Location of Davin car park
Pedestrians and wheelchair users
Arriving by train
From Drumcondra Road Station
From Connolly Station
From Clontarf Road Station
Arriving by bus
Arriving by bike
Where can I park my bike?
Who is the conference open to?
Is childcare provided at the conference?
If I bring my own personal assistant, do I need to register them separately on Eventbrite?
How do I get to the young people’s programme?
Who will be responsible for the personal and medical care of participants at the young people’s programme?
What happens at lunchtime for participants on the young people’s programme?
Will photos / video recording of the young people’s programme be shared with the public?
What time is registration?
Where will registration take place on the day?
Will there be anyone at the main entrance to direct me to registration?
Will there be any supports available for participants with a hearing impairment?
How do I get from the main Hogan Stand entrance on Jones’s Road to registration?
How do I get to the young people’s programme?
Are there accessible toilets?
Will hoists be available?
What about slings?
Will there be any other equipment available?
Will there be any changing places?
Who will be responsible for the personal and medical care of participants at the young people’s programme?
What are the lunch arrangements?
Will adults and young people eat lunch together?
Getting to the venue
How do I get to the venue?
ARRIVING BY CAR/VAN
Instructions for arriving and departing for people with a mobility impairment
Can I get dropped off at the main door?
Yes, you can get dropped off at the main door at a designated set-down area.
Designated set-down area
If you have a mobility impairment but you are not the driver, we recommend being dropped off, if possible, at the designated set-down area in front of the Hogan Stand main entrance on Jones’s Road, across from the Croke Park Hotel. This is the easiest way to arrive.
Directions to set-down area
From the City Centre to the set-down area
Driving from O’Connell Street in the City Centre, follow the signs for the N1 North onto Dorset Street and Drumcondra Road. At the railway bridge overpass on Drumcondra Road, turn right onto Clonliffe Road. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right onto Jones’s Road for the Hogan Stand. The set-down area (see photo below) will be on your right.
Here’s a photo of the set down area at the entrance to the Hogan Stand – opposite the Croke Park Hotel.
Here’s a photo of the Croke Park Hotel From the Airport/North to the set-down area
Follow directions for the city centre. Just before the railway overpass at the end of Drumcondra Road Lower, turn left onto Clonliffe Road. At the next set of traffic lights, turn right onto Jones’s Road for the Hogan Stand.
Can MDI provide transport to the conference?
Our capacity to provide transport to the conference is very limited, and all available spots have already been filled.
Parking
Parking at the Davin Car Park
After dropping you off, drivers can proceed to the Davin Car Park (directions and diagram below), where they can park for free. After the conference, drivers can return to the same set-down area to collect you.
Location of Davin Car Park
Free disabled and non-disabled car parking is available in the Davin Car Park. This is located off the North Circular Road and accessed via St Margaret’s Avenue. You will see a signpost for Davin Car Park on the North Circular Road. Please note there is a bridge/hill from the Davin Carpark to our Hogan Stand main entrance. It takes approximately 3 minutes to get from the David car park to the Hogan Stand entrance by wheelchair or on foot.
Public transport
PEDESTRIANS AND WHEELCHAIR USERS
It’s just a 15-minute roll/walk from the City Centre to the Hogan Stand Entrance, Croke Park on Jones’s Road, opposite the Croke Park Hotel.
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Drumcondra railway station is the closest to the venue.
From Drumcondra Road station (30 Drumcondra Road Lower)
9 min (650 m)
Take a left onto Drumcondra Road towards Clonliffe Road
67m
Cross the road
31m
Turn onto Clonliffe Road
400m
Turn right onto Jones’s Road
180m
Hogan Stand will be on the left.
The closest DART stations are Connolly and Clontarf. Connolly is a 15 to 20 minute roll/walk and Clontarf a 20 to 25 minute roll/walk to the stadium. The closest LUAS and Intercity Rail stop is also at Connolly Station. For further information visit Irish Rail.
There is a changing places toilet at Connolly Station. It’s located in the Belfast waiting area, just off platform 2, close to the main toilets. This is also called the Enterprise waiting area. To get access to Changing Places Toilet, please go to the Information Desk at Connolly Station. Open Sunday: 09:00 – 22:00.
Facility Features
● Height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench
● Full room coverage ceiling track hoist system
● Adequate space for the user and up to two assistants
● Centrally located toilet bowl with extra space both sides for assistants
● Privacy screen
● Wide paper roll
● Large waste disposal bin
● Washbasin, height adjustable.
From Connolly Station
21 min (1.5 km)
Head north on Amiens Street towards Talbot Street
500m
Turn left onto Portland Row
290m
Slight right to stay on Portland Row
400m
Turn right onto Russell Street
210m
Continue onto Jones’s Road
100m
Hogan Stand will be on the right.
From Clontarf Road Station
31 min (2.3 km)
Head northeast toward Clontarf Road
130m
Turn left onto Clontarf Road
300m
Continue onto Marino Mart
500m
Turn right toward Fairview Strand
30m
Slight left onto Fairview Strand
450m
Turn right onto Clonliffe Road
650m
Turn left onto Jones’s Road
Hogan Stand will be on the left.
ARRIVING BY BUS
Take the No 3, 11, 11a 16, 16a and 41 from the City Centre to Drumcondra Road. For further information visit Dublin Bus. From Drumcondra Road, turn onto Clonliffe Road, then take a right onto Jones’s Road. Your destination will be on your left.
ARRIVING BY BIKE
Croke Park is just a 10-minute cycle from the City Centre. The nearest Dublin Bike station is located on North Circular Road. For further information visit Dublin Bikes. From O’Connell Street, cycle toward Parnell Street; turn right onto Parnell Street then left onto Gardiner Street Middle/R802; turn right onto Mountjoy Square, then onto Fitzgibbon Street; Turn left onto Russel Street and then continue onto Jones’s Road to the Hogan Stand entrance.
Where can I park my bike?
There are 10 bike racks outside the Hogan Stand Entrance and 30 in the Davin Car Park. (See directions to Davin Car Park above.)
Booking your place
Who is the conference open to?
The conference features two programmes: one for adults and one for young people.
The adults’ programme is open to individuals living with muscular dystrophy or neuromuscular conditions, their family members, friends, and other stakeholders, such as healthcare professionals and researchers.
The young people’s programme is designed for young individuals aged 8 to 17 years who are living with muscular dystrophy or neuromuscular conditions, as well as their siblings.
Is childcare provided at the conference?
Please note that childcare services will not be provided at the event. Children aged 7 and under can come but must be under supervision of an adult attending the adults’ programme. Please note that the content of some of the workshops may not be appropriate for that age group – this is up to the discretion of the parent/guardian.
If I bring my own Personal Assistant, do I need to register them separately on Eventbrite?
No, you don't have to register your Personal Assistant (PA) separately! When booking your ticket on Eventbrite, simply indicate that you'll be bringing a PA. There will be a question asking if you're bringing a PA, along with options to let us know any dietary requirements they may have and photo consent. Easy and seamless – no extra steps required!
Young people’s programme
How do I get to the young people’s programme?
First, you will need to register at Level 4 – Hogan Mezzanine, along with any adults attending. Registration takes place at 10am.
You will then need to make your way to Hogan- Level 6 by taking lift number 1 from Level 4 to Level 6. Please make sure to leave plenty time for registration and getting to Level 6 so that we can start promptly at 11am.
Who will be responsible for the personal and medical care of participants at the young people’s programme?
MDI staff will be on hand to assist young members during the film-making workshop. However, personal and medical care will be the responsibility of parents/guardians on the day. Parents/guardians will be contacted during the day by the MDI Youth Team, if and when required for such care.
What happens at lunchtime for participants on the young people’s programme?
Young people will join their parents / guardians for lunch with all of the conference participants at Level 4, Mezzanine 1.
Will the movie-making workshop be filmed?
As this is a film-making workshop, young people participating in the workshop, regardless of their role, will be filmed on the day. The video recording / photos will be shared among participants and their families, and members of the MDI team.
Will photos / video recording of the young people’s programme be shared with the public?
When booking on Eventbrite, parents / guardians are invited to give their permission for photos / videos of the young person at the event to be used in future publications and content, and any reproductions or adaptations of the media for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the group’s aim. We may share photos/videos if you have given permission. We won’t share photos/videos if you haven’t given permission.
Conference venue
Which part of Croke Park is the conference taking place in?
The conference will take place at the Hogan Stand, levels 4 and 6.
· The adults’ programme will take place on level 4 – Hogan Mezzanine.
· The young people’s programme will take place on level 6.
What time is registration?
Registration opens at 10am. We encourage everyone to arrive in plenty time to settle in and grab a coffee, catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and explore the information stands before the conference kicks off promptly at 11am.
Where will registration take place on the day?
Registration for everyone taking part in the adults’ and young people’s programmes will take place at level 4 – Hogan Mezzanine.
Will there be anyone at the main entrance to direct me to registration?
Yes, there will be MDI staff there to direct you.
Will there be any supports available for participants with a hearing impairment?
A hearing aid system will be available on reception. They are worn on a lanyard that will be provided and come with a single earphone. You can let us know if you’ll need one when you’re booking your place on Eventbrite.
How do I get from the main Hogan Stand entrance on Jones’s Road to registration?
You can take lifts numbers 2 and 3 from the main Hogan Stand entrance up to Level 4 – Hogan Mezzanine where registration of everyone taking part in the young people’s and adults’ programme will take place.
How do I get to the young people’s programme?
First, you will need to register at Level 4 – Hogan Mezzanine, along with any adults attending. Registration opens at 10am.
You will then need to make your way to Hogan- Level 6 by taking lift number 1 from Level 4 to Level 6. Please make sure to leave plenty time for registration and getting to Level 6 so that we can start promptly at 11am.
Toilets and personal care
Are there accessible toilets?
Yes, there are accessible toilets on levels 2, 4, and 6.
Will hoists be available?
Yes, there will be hoists available on level 4 where registration for all and the adults programme takes place and on level 6 where the young people’s programme take place.
What about slings?
There will be some slings available. We also kindly ask that you bring your own looped-type sling if possible.
Will there be any other equipment available?
We will provide shower commode chairs as a standby alternative.
Will there be any changing places?
No. Croke Park doesn’t have any changing places.
There is a changing places toilet at Connolly Station. It’s located in the Belfast waiting area, just off platform 2, close to the main toilets. This is also called the Enterprise waiting area. Open Sunday: 09:00 – 22:00. To get access to Changing Places Toilet, please go to the Information Desk at Connolly Station.
Facility Features
● Height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench
● Full room coverage ceiling track hoist system
● Adequate space for the user and up to two assistants
● Centrally located toilet bowl with extra space both sides for assistants
● Privacy screen
● Wide paper roll
● Large waste disposal bin
● Washbasin, height adjustable.
Who will be responsible for the personal and medical care of participants at the young people’s programme?
MDI staff will be on hand to assist young members during the film-making workshop. However, personal and medical care will be the responsibility of parents/guardians on the day. Parents/guardians will be contacted during the day by the MDI Youth Team if and when required for such care.
Lunch
What are the lunch arrangements?
Light lunch – soup and sandwiches - will be served at 1pm at Hogan, Mezzanine 1, Level 4. Table service will be provided.
Will adults and young people eat lunch together?
Yes, adults and young people will eat together. Young people will join their parents / guardians for lunch.
If you have a question that we haven’t answered, please contact Gillian on respite@mdi.ie or +353 (0)1 6236414 and then select option 1.