Electric Picnic powers up for fourth year
Electric Picnic has finally arrived.
And after all the hype, an array of coloured tents, eclectic bands and eager festival goers will merge this weekend on the lawns at Stradbally Hall in Stradbally, Co Laois.
Inquiries were already being made for access to the camping area last night by some of 32,500 music lovers but the gates will only open this morning.
Now in its fourth year, the festival will only be open to people with three-day tickets.
Gates open at 9am, while events will soon after kick off with music, theatrics, comedy, art and quirky entertainment.
Highlights this year will see performances by Björk, the Beastie Boys, Iggy Pop and the Manic Street Preachers.
This year, festival goers can also order their drink beforehand.
When buying coffees or teas, they can take real cups, leaving a deposit which is collected on their return — all to save the environment and prevent the large waste that builds up with polystyrene cups.
Garda arrangements for traffic to the festival are expected to be announced today.
Driving routes include:
From Dublin: 50 minutes, take N7 from Dublin to Portlaoise, then N80 to Stradbally.
From Galway: 2 hours 10min, take N6 to Portumna, then R489 to Birr, N62 to Roscrea, N7 to Portlaoise, N80 to Stradbally.
From Limerick: 1 hour 20min, take N7 to Portlaoise and then N80 to Stradbally.
From Cork: 2 hours, take N8 to Portloaise and then N80 to Stradbally.
Those using public transport can take buses from Custom House Quay, Dublin from 10am until 7pm today and 10am until 12pm on Saturday.
There are two direct services from Dublin Airport to the site today, departing 11am and 1pm.
Met Éireann predicted most places staying dry with good sunshine over the three days.
