How to get to Electric Picnic 2023: Full traffic plan and routes

Gardaí have released details of their traffic management plan ahead of Electric Picnic next weekend. 

According to Gardaí, this year's festival will see some 70,000 people attend Stradbally, Co Laois from Friday September 1 until Monday September 4. 

The traffic management plan will be in place from Thursday August 31 until the evening of Monday September 4, with attendees strongly encouraged to use public transport. 

This year Gardaí are releasing their first interactive traffic management map for Electric Picnic, which can be accessed here. 

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 carparks. 
• 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 carparks.
• 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. See below for accessible parking details.

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 carparks.
• 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. See below for accessible parking details.

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 carparks.
• 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. See below for accessible parking details.

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.

Note: 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 / Shuttle Buses: 

Portlaoise train station is the closest station to the festival. There will be a shuttle bus service from the train station to Electric Picnic.

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: 

An Garda Síochána strongly encourage non-event traffic to avoid using the road networks around Stradbally from 12 midday Thursday August 31 to 5pm on Monday September 4. 

There is a road closure order on the R427 Cork Road, Stradbally from 12 midday Thursday August 31to 4pm on Monday September 4. 

There will be restrictions on the L3837 /Timahoe Road between Stradbally village and Timogue Cross from 12 midday Thursday August 31 to 4pm on Monday September 4. 

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 September 1. 

HGVs to Rosslare: 

An Garda Síochána encourage hauliers not to use the N80 through Stradbally during Electric Picnic weekend.

As an alternative Gardaí suggest using the M7 motorway, exit at Junction 14 for Athy and in Athy take the R417 to Carlow.

Increased traffic volumes are expected on the N80 between Portlaoise and Carlow from 2pm on Thursday August 31 to 4pm on Monday September 4. 

General Parking: 

Car parks will open for general parking from 16:00 hours Thursday 31st August 2023. 

The general campervan and family campervan parking will open on Thursday 31st August at 16:00 hours. 

It is essential that maximum usage is made of the designated car parking area and that vehicles enter and park without delay as delays will lead to 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 in the lands adjacent to the Abbey off Main Street, Stradbally/N80 and will open from 07:00 hours on Friday September 1. 

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. 

Remember where you parked your car!

Gardaí are asking those of you driving to and from the event to please be well rested prior to getting in the car. Take frequent breaks to help stay alert. Be extra vigilant and do not get distracted while driving by using your phone. This is a criminal offence. 

Staying Safe at Electric Picnic 2023: 

Gardaí will be on site to help you should you require any assistance and please do not hesitate to contact them. Always call 999/112 in an emergency or you are in immediate danger. 

Fake tickets and ticket touting: 

Gardaí liaise closely with festival organisers and its promoter to prevent and detect fraudulent ticket sales and ticket touts, but you can help them 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 Gardaí will be unable to assist you with entry to the event if you have bought from an unauthorised source, they 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 at home or abroad.

Crime Prevention: 

Ahead of attending Electric Picnic, Gardaí advise:

DON’T: 

• Don’t bring valuables to the event. Only bring with you that you can afford to lose. There is no way to make a tent 100% secure, so only bring what you absolutely need. 
• Don’t be tempted to leave valuables in your vehicle. Empty the glove box and leave it open to show thieves there is nothing of value inside. Remember where you parked your car. Car parks are clearly marked and identifiable. 
• Don’t keep all your money, bank cards and valuables together. Keep them in different pockets. 
• Don’t leave your backpack or handbag unattended.
• Don’t challenge people if you witness an incident. Report suspicious activity to event security, staff or Gardaí immediately. Remember, use your brain not your fists 

DO:

• Remember there’s safety in groups, camp with friends or 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. It will be dark when you return. 
• Remember to use on-site lockups to store property each time you enter and leave the site. 
• Remember to drink alcohol responsibly. 
• Consider saving a contact number (other than your number) of a friend or family member as a screen saver which will help establish ownership of your phone should it be handed into us in An Garda Síochána or onsite security e.g., this phone belongs to (First name) if found please contact (number)