The Merrion Gates (Irish: Geataí Mhuirfean)[1] is a railway level crossing in Merrion/Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland, where the DART and Dublin–Rosslare railway line crosses Strand Road near its junction with Merrion Road. There is pedestrian access to Sandymount Strand immediately to the east of the railway crossing.
First built in 1834,[2] the junction is a "notorious" traffic bottleneck,[3] which also restricts the possible frequency of railway traffic.[4] The term "Merrion Gates" is sometimes used to refer to the surrounding area,[1] and a number of nearby businesses take their name from the junction.[5][6]
Listeners to morning traffic reports will be familiar with the Merrion Gates, even if they've never been through them. [..] This bottleneck railway crossing causes persistent daily tailbacks