Dubliners are being urged to come out and enjoy College Green this weekend for the first of three car-free Sunday's in a row.

Dublin City Council is putting on a range of family-friendly events in the area to demonstrate what life would be like if the space was permanently pedestrianised.

There will be jugglers, mime artists, clowns and sketch classes from  Drawing in the City to keep the kids entertained form noon.

Reclaim the streets

Meanwhile Green Party councillors are encouraging people to bring a picnic with them to "make sure the first trial is a massive success."

"This is another stage in the fight to reclaim our city from cars and make it a space for people," the councillors wrote on Facebook.

"A space for kids, for walking, for cycling and for a more inclusive, less hostile city centre for people with disabilities."

Summer Sundays at College Green. Image: Dublin city Council

College Green

College Green will be pedestrianised from 7am to 7pm for the next three Sundays.

Brendan O'Brien, head of technical services with Dublin City council said Dame Street will be closed to traffic from the Georges street down to Trinity; however, traffic going around the front of the college towards Nassau Street will run as normal.

Dublin

Dublin City Council is trialling the measure after An Bord Pleanála last October turned down a plan to permanently pedestrianise the area.

At the time planners raised concern about the effect on traffic and these test days will help determine what the impact would be.

City planners then hope to re-submit the proposals.

Over 1,000 buses travelling east-west across the city will be diverted away from College Green and sent down the quays each day - with measures in place along the Liffey to deal with the extra traffic.

A general view of traffic on Dublin's College Green as traffic management, congestion and public safety at College Green was discussed at the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Planning

Mr O'Brien said the council will bring forward new pedestrianisation proposals as soon as the final plans for BusConnects are published.

"We are in the process of looking at bringing forward a fresh proposal for College Green," he said.

"When the bus network re-design element is clear to us, we can then take that and look and see what is needed."

Cars travelling down Dame Street towards College Green will be diverted towards the South Quays and will be permitted to turn right up Georges Street.

Buses travelling eastwards across the city will be diverted on to Winetavern Street, while those travelling west will be diverted on to the quays and up Georges Street.

Information on bus diversions is available here.