Forest Fest 2023 - Traffic Management Plan

Forest Fest - 21st to 23rd July 2023 at Emo, Co. Laois

A Garda policing plan will be in operation for the duration of the Forest Fest Music and Arts weekend at Emo, Co. Laois. The aim of the Garda Traffic Management Plan is to keep people safe and to ensure the safety of local residents and patrons attending the festival. The policing operation will commence on Friday the 21st of July and continue over the weekend until the afternoon of Monday 24th July 2023.

Overview of the Garda Traffic Management Plan

Traffic diversions will be in place for the duration of the festival weekend. We wish to highlight that there will be no parking at the event site. Motorists will be directed to the Park and Ride facility and transferred by shuttle bus to the event site. Please see further details for campervans and caravans below.
Temporary road closure from the R422 from its junction at New Inn Cross (junction with R445) to its junction with the R419 (Kennels Cross).
Temporary road closure to the L3154 from its junction with the R419 to its junction with the R422.
These temporary road closures will remain in place from Friday 21st July 2023 at 10.00am to Monday 24th July 2023 at 1.00pm.
Gardaí will be on duty at key junctions to stop and redirect traffic where necessary.
No parking will be permitted on roadsides and cars will be towed away.

Main routes to Forest Fest, Emo, Co. Laois

From Dublin use the M7 motorway and take Exit 15.
From Limerick / Cork use the M7/M8 motorway and take Exit 16.
From Midlands (Tullamore) use the N80 to Mountmellick and take the R422 to Kennels Cross, Emo.
From Southeast use N80 and divert to R445 Old Dublin Road.

Shuttle Bus

A shuttle bus service provided by Martleys is available from various locations in Portlaoise and Portarlington to the event site. Follow link to Shuttle Bus Schedule
Buses will be directed onto the R419 through Kennels Cross onto the R422 to the bus drop off area at Emo National School.

General Parking

There will be no parking at the event site. Motorists will be directed to the Park and Ride facility.

Park & Ride

A free Park and Ride facility for day patrons and campers is located on the R445 Old Dublin Road. All private vehicles will be parked at the Park and Ride facility and patrons will be transferred onwards to the event site via shuttle bus. Camping equipment will also be transferred free of charge.

Campervan Parking

Campervans will be directed to the R445 junction with the R422 at New Inn Cross (Finline Furniture) and onwards to the orange campervan parking facility. Patrons will walk from the campervan site to the event site.

Caravan Parking

Caravan parking is located on the R419. Patrons will walk from the caravan site via Killimy Estate to the event site.

Accessible Parking

Pre accredited accessible parking is located at Emo Community centre.

Drop Off and Collection Site

The official Drop Off and Collection site is located at the Park & Ride facility on the R445 Old Dublin Road. A free shuttle bus service will transfer festival goers to the event site. Camping equipment will also be transferred free of charge. Please note that there is no parking or drop off facility in Emo village.

Non-event traffic routes

From Monasterevin, Co. Kildare use the R445, M7
From Portarlington use the R419
From Mountmellick use the R422 & the R419
From Portlaoise use the R445 & M7
A diversion route will direct motorists around the event site.

Residents

Residents will be allowed local access with pre accredited residents pass.

Visitors to Emo Court

Due to a temporary road closure, there will be no access to Emo Court from the R422 (Emo village) between 10.00 am on Friday 21st and 1.00pm on Monday 24th July. Visitors will be diverted to an alternative entrance to Emo Court.

Finally,

Rain is forecasted for the weekend which could have a significant impact on access to and egress from the event. An Garda Síochána encourage festival goers to utilise official transport where at all possible.

We encourage everyone to adhere to the traffic management plan and have a safe weekend at Forest Fest 2023.