Around 55,000 people are heading to the country’s largest festival this weekend. The organisers say this year’s Electric Picnic will be bigger and better than ever. The Kooks, St. Vincent and Massive Attack are headlining the three day festival in Stradbally. It’s a safe bet to say the roads will be busy.
Elaine O’Sullivan – deputy Editor of AA Roadwatch – has this advice for anyone travelling later today:
“If you are leaving after work today – keep in mind that there will also be rush hour traffic to deal with. If you are planning to go by train, keep in mind Portlaoise is the closest station to the festival and the shuttle bus will run between there and the site.”
By Bus
- On Friday, Marathon Coaches will leave from 3Arena and George’s Quay in Dublin, with departures starting at 7am. From 7am to 3pm, buses will leave every 30 minutes and from 3pm to 6pm, every 60 minutes. On Saturday and Sunday, buses will leave from George’s Quay at 10am, 11am and 12pm. The last bus returning from Stradbally on the Monday will be at 1pm.
- TravelMaster will run services from over 23 locations across Ireland direct to the Festival’s own on-site coach parking on the grounds of Stradbally.
- ConcertBus.ie will serve two routes with nine pick up points en route to Electric Picnic.
- Bus Éireann will be running frequent services from Dublin to Stradbally on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with return buses on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
By Train
- Portlaoise is the closest station to the festival, and a shuttle bus will run between there and the site, every half hour.
By Car
On the M7, both northbound and southbound traffic can exit at J16 Portlaoise East towards Broomfield roundabout and onto the Stradbally Rd before following signage. Northbound traffic can also exit at J17 Portlaoise Centre and follow the signs.
Bear in mind that reduced speed limits are in place both ways on the N7/M7 between J8 Johnstown and J11 M9 as part of ongoing works that are in place until at least early 2019 and these will slow traffic between these junctions.
From the M8 northbound, motorists can exit at J3 Rathdowney and follow signage through Ballacolla, Abbeyleix, Ballyroan and onto the site.
If you’re driving AA Patrols will be on standby over the weekend, ready to deal with breakdowns.
