Electric Picnic 2023

This year’s Electric Picnic Festival will see some 70,000 people attend Stradbally, Co. Laois from Friday, September 1st 2023 until Monday, September 4th 2023.

As part of An Garda Síochána’s policing plan for the event we have prepared a Traffic Management Plan and some general guidance that will help all those attending as well as local residents to have a safe weekend.

Travelling to Stradbally, Co. Laois

We are strongly encouraging those attending the festival this year to use public transport.

Full details of all public transport options available from various locations nationwide to the event are available here.

Traffic Management Plan

Our Traffic Management plan will be in place from Thursday, August 31st 2023 until the evening of Monday, September 4th 2023. This year, we are launching our first interactive traffic management map which can be accessed here.

We are requesting that all motorists adhere with our dedicated routes shown on the map and the directions provided by Gardaí so you can get there in a safe and timely manner.

We will be making every effort to keep disruption to a minimum for both residents and those making their way to and from the event site.

The following dedicated routes will be in use for motorists:

From Dublin/North – M7 motorway southbound

All motorists will exit M7 motorway at Junction 16 (Ballydavis interchange)
Take the R445 towards Portlaoise and take a left turn onto the R425
All motorists (except buses) continue straight at Bloomfield roundabout on the R425 to Sheffield, Lamberton Junction and Money Cross
At Money Cross turn left and follow directions to car parks
Campervans will travel straight on the (R426) at Money Cross and turn left in Timahoe village towards Stradbally. Turn left again to enter through Apiary Gate
Buses will exit the M7 motorway at Junction 16 and travel via the Heath to Stradbally where they will be directed to the Pick-up Drop-off area on the N80
Accessible route at Bloomfield roundabout take the first exit onto the N80 and continue to Stradbally.

From Limerick - M7 motorway northbound

All motorists except buses will exit the M7 motorway at Junction 17
Head west towards Portlaoise on the N77
Turn right after 500m onto the Meelick Road, continue straight
Turn right onto the R426 and continue take a right onto the R425 at Sheffield
Continue on the R425 to Money Cross
At Money Cross turn left and follow directions to car parks
Campervans will travel straight on the (R426) at Money Cross and turn left in Timahoe village towards Stradbally. Turn left again to enter through Apiary Gate
Buses should exit the M7 at Junction 16 and travel via the Heath to Stradbally where they will be directed to the Pick-up Drop off area on the N80
Accessible route at Sheffield Junction take a left and travel to Bloomfield roundabout and take the third exit onto the N80 and continue to Stradbally.

From Cork – M8 motorway northbound

All motorists except for buses will exit the M8 motorway at Junction 3 (Manor Stone) and turn right onto the R433 to Abbeyleix
In Abbeyleix, turn left onto the N77, continue through Abbeyleix and turn right onto the R425/Ballyroan Road
Continue to follow the R425 towards Cashel Cross
From Cashel Cross traffic will follow the main road to the right onto the R427
Continue on the R427 to Money Cross
At Money Cross motorists will be directed straight on the R427 and from here will follow directions to car parks
Campervans will turn right at Money Cross onto the R426 and turn left in Timahoe village towards Stradbally. Turn left again to enter through Apiary Gate
Buses will continue on the M8 and merge with the M7. They will exit at Junction 16 and travel via the Heath to Stradbally where they will be directed to the Pick-up Drop off area on the N80
Accessible route at Money Cross turn left and continue to Bloomfield roundabout take the third exit onto the N80 and continue to Stradbally.

N80 from the West

All motorists including buses from the West will travel on the N80 through Mountmellick towards Portlaoise
At Fairgreen roundabout /N80 (53.051170, -7.321236) turn right onto the Portlaoise Ring Road
Continue for 3 KM to the Mountrath Road/R445 and take a right
At the next roundabout at Rockdale take a left onto the Fr Brown Avenue/Old Knockmay Road
At Fr Brown roundabout continue straight to the Portlaoise South Circular Ringroad
At the O ‘Doran roundabout take the third exit onto the R426 to Sheffield
At Sheffield turn right onto the R425 and continue to Money Cross
At Money Cross turn left and follow directions to car parks
Campervans will travel straight on the (R426) at Money Cross and turn left in Timahoe village towards Stradbally. Turn left again to enter through the Apiary Gate
Buses on this route will turn right at Fr. Brown Roundabout and continue on the N77/Abbeyleix Road and enter the M7 motorway northbound at Junction 17. Buses will then exit the M7 motorway at Junction 16 and travel via the Heath to Stradbally where they will be directed to the Pick-up Drop-off area on the N80
Accessible route at Sheffield turn left and continue Bloomfield roundabout take the third exit onto the N80 and continue to Stradbally.

N80 from South East (Carlow, Athy, Vicarstown, Heath)

All event traffic will travel west on the N80 into Stradbally
All event traffic (except buses) will turn left at Court Square onto the Timahoe Road
Cars will be directed into the car park
Campervans will turn right to enter through the Apiary Gate.
Buses will continue on the N80 through Stradbally, pass the Cork Road Junction and will be directed left into the Pick-up Drop-off area on the N80.
Accessible route – Continue on the N80 in Stradbally and refer to accessible parking details below.

*Please note that there will be no collection point at any carpark over the duration of the weekend. The only collection point will be at the Pick-up Drop-off facility on the N80.

Taxis

Taxis will be directed to the Pick-up Drop-off area on the N80

Train and Shuttle Buses

Portlaoise Train Station is the closest station to the festival. There will be a shuttle bus service from the train station to the event site
Buses from Portlaoise town will continue on the N77/Abbeyleix Road and enter the M7 motorway northbound at Junction 17
Buses will exit the M7 motorway at Junction 16 and travel via the Heath to Stradbally where they will be directed to the Pick-up Drop-off area on the N80.

Non-event traffic

We strongly encourage non-event traffic to avoid using the road network around Stradbally from 12 midday Thursday, 31st August to 5pm on Monday, 4th September 2023
The R427 Cork Road, Stradbally will be closed from 12 midday Thursday 31st August to 4pm on Monday 4th September 2023
There will be restrictions on the L3837/Timahoe Road between Stradbally village and Timogue Cross from 12 midday Thursday, 31st August to 4pm on Monday, 4th September 2023
Access to the section of the R427 from Vicarstown to the N80 and the L3818 Rathmore Road from the Heath to the N80 will also be restricted at intervals on Friday, 1st September 2023.

HGVs to Rosslare

We encourage hauliers to not use the N80 through Stradbally during the course of the weekend
As an alternative, we suggest using the M7 motorway, exit at Junction 14 for Athy and in Athy take the R417 to Carlow
An increase in the volume of traffic is to expected on the N80 between Portlaoise and Carlow from 2pm on Thursday, 31st of August until 4pm on Monday, 4th of September 2023.

Parking

General Parking

Car parks will open for general parking from 4pm on Thursday, 31st August 2023
The general campervan and family campervan parking will also open on Thursday, 31st August at 4pm
It's essential that designated car parking areas are used and that vehicles enter and park without delay to help us avoid traffic congestion on approach routes
Roadside parking will not be permitted in any area; tow trucks will be utilised to remove any roadside parking.

Family Car Parking:

Parking for family ticket holders is located on the the land adjacent to the Abbey off Main Street, Stradbally/N80 and will open from 7am on Friday, 1st September 2023.

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking for weekend campers is located inside Gate 4(a) on the L3837/Timahoe Road, Stradbally
Accessible Parking for day attendees is located in Green Carpark V off the N80

Staying Safe at Electric Picnic 2023

Above all, we want you and all those attending to have a safe and enjoyable time. We will be on site to help you should you require any assistance and please do not hesitate to contact us. Always call 999/112 in an emergency or you are in immediate danger.

Our advice is to always mind yourself and one another.

Fake tickets and ticket touting

We liaise closely with festival organisers and its promoter to prevent and detect fraudulent ticket sales and ticket touts, but you can help us by avoiding purchasing or obtaining a ticket for this sold-out event through an unauthorised seller.

Please be aware that there is only one authorised seller for the event and that is Ticketmaster. As we will be unable to assist you with entry to the event if you have bought from an unauthorised source we are asking that you are cautious of fake tickets.

If you see tickets advertised on a third-party site or through a third party, it is highly possible to be ripped off and refused entry. ‘Print at home’ tickets are not issued for Electric Picnic – please do not exchange money for these fake tickets.

Another common scam occurs when genuine tickets have already been cancelled by the seller with Ticketmaster and are then sold to an unsuspecting buyer. It may appear to be genuine when received but will not scan when you arrive on site.

To be as safe as you can and to avoid obtaining a fake ticket, do not buy from an unofficial ticket agent or online auction sites based either or abroad.

Crime Prevention

It requires the work of hundreds of Gardaí to ensure the safety of thousands of festival-goers at an event of this size. We make every effort each year to support the success of Electric Picnic and make sure it passes off without major incident.

With your help, we fully expect this year’s event to be no different and that everyone will have a brilliant time.

Ahead of attending we advise a number of do's and don'ts:

Don’t bring any valuables. Only bring with you what you can afford to lose because there is no way to make a tent 100% secure
Don’t leave valuables in your parked car. Empty the glove box and leave it open to show potential thieves that there is nothing of value inside
Don’t keep all your money, bank cards, phone and any other essential items together. Keep them in different pockets
Might seem obvious but don’t leave your backpack or handbag unattended
There’s safety in groups so please camp with friends and also make friends with your neighbours - they will keep an eye on your tent while you’re gone and you the same for them!
Remember where you pitched your tent and keep in mind that it will be dark when you return
Always be awareof your surroundings and who you are with
Avoid walking alone so stick to the “buddy” system - Tell someone where you’re going and when to expect you back. Only use the well-lit walking tracks when its dark
Keep your phone fully charged and if you are an iPhone owner please set-up ‘Find My iPhone’ before coming to Stradbally
Do save a contact number of a close friend or family member as the wallpaper on your phone so that if its lost and located or handed into us we can get it back to you. Something like i.e This phone belongs to (First name) if found please contact (phone number)
Do drink alcohol responsibly
If you come upon or witness an incident don’t challenge anyone or engage. Immediately report any suspicious activity to us or event staff. Always use your brain, never your fists.

We look forward to seeing you all at Stradbally!