People heading to Electric Picnic are being advised to use a specially-designed interactive map to plan their journey.
An Garda Síochána has issued traffic and travel advice and is asking people to avoid using their satellite navigation or GPS devices when heading to Stradbally over the weekend.
This year’s Electric Picnic will get under way from today and winds up on Monday August 19th with some 75,000 festival-goers attending.
Gardaí say they will be out on all routes in and around the site to ensure that all those attending can arrive safely, while non-event traffic and local residents can all travel with ease by keeping disruptions to a minimum.
Those travelling to Rosslare Port are advised to avoid Stradbally where possible and use an alternative route.
People are being advised to allow additional time for their journey.
The directions for all those travelling from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, the west of Ireland and the south-east are all clearest from the interactive map which is available here.
Public transport
Festival-goers are strongly encouraged to make their way to the site at Stradbally by public transport where possible.
Portlaoise is the closest train station to Stradbally with a paid shuttle bus service operating from Portlaoise train station directly to the site’s pick-up and drop-off area just off the N80.
Garda checkpoints will be in place over the course of the weekend to detect those driving while under the influence.
Should a driver fail a roadside test, Gardaí say they will be arrested.
"A blood sample will be taken and should that sample show the presence of a substance or indicates a blood/alcohol level above the legal limit to drive, the person potentially faces a disqualification and fine," the force says.
Car parks
Car parks will open for early entry ticket holders from 4pm today.
General ticket holders can access carparks from 9am on Friday.
The carparks will be remain open until 4pm on Monday August 19th.
Tow-away vehicles will be in operation for the duration of the festival to remove any illegally parked vehicle and those causing obstruction.
All buses attending the event, taxis and motorists dropping off festival-goers are advised to use the pick-up and drop-off area located just off the N80 on the Portlaoise side of Stradbally.
Safety tips
Chief Superintendent Tony Lonergan said Gardaí will be working across the weekend to keep everyone safe.
"We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable weekend, and to look after themselves and one another," he said.
"For a festival of this size, we need everyone’s support to make sure it goes off successfully. We ask every one attending to be patient and work with us.
"We’re here to help so no one attending Electric Picnic should hesitate to call on us for help or support or stop us to say hello," he added.
Festival-goers are also advised to:
- Ideally only bring what you really need and can afford to lose
- Use an on-site locker to safely store any valuables and do not leave in your tent
- Ensure that your phone’s Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Revolut are all strictly password protected so if the phone is found, there can be no access to your money
- Avoid keeping all bank cards together
- Consider putting a close contact or friend’s number as the lock screen on your phone so if lost and found it can be more easily returned to you
- Should you find someone else’s phone please hand it in to the onsite Garda tent
- Stick close with those you know and trust
- Do not challenge a person or group if you witness an incident or public disorder – immediately report it to the nearest Garda or security staff
