Electric Picnic Countdown: Official Traffic Plan Released

It's as 85,000 concert-goers prepare to gather.

Laois/Offaly Gardai Roads Policing Unit is issuing an official traffic and safety message ahead of Electric Picnic this weekend.  

It's as 85,000 concert-goers prepare to gather in Stradbally for this years festival. 

A major traffic management plan will be in place this weekend with details on midlands103.com, garda.ie, and the official Electric Picnic social media accounts. 

Inspector Ralph Holmes from the Laois/Offaly Roads Policing Unit says checkpoints will also be present on site: 

An Garda Síochána Traffic Management Plan:

Taxis and Buses - Taxis will be directed to the Pick-up Drop-off area on the N80. Taxi Operators can also use the Designated Bus Route via the Heath. Taxis will be directed to the Pick-up Drop-off area on the N80. Taxi Operators can also use the Designated Bus Route via the Heath. The pickup drop off facility is located just off the N80 on the Portlaoise (North) side of Stradbally. All buses attending the event shall use this area as well as taxis and other vehicles dropping patrons off. 

Emergency Route - All emergency vehicles can access Electric Picnic festival site via Gate 6 on the N80 in Stradbally village. · Portlaoise and Tullamore Hospitals are accessible via the N80. Naas and Tallaght hospitals are accessible via Junction 15 onto the M7.  Local fire units can access Gate 6 via the N80. All emergency vehicles can access gate 1,2,3,4,5 & 7 via the road closures on the Timahoe and Abbeyleix roads in Stradbally.

Train/Shuttle Buses · Portlaoise and Portarlington train stations are closest station to Stradbally. There will be a shuttle bus service between the train stations and Electric Picnic. Shuttle Bus · Portlaoise shuttle bus route - 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 just off the N80 on the Portlaoise (north) side of Stradbally. Portlaoise Plaza – Pick up and Drop Off – Patrons are encouraged to use the pick-up and drop off service at Portlaoise Plaza. Buses will run at regular intervals, with a 15 minute commute time. This is of particular importance at peak ingress and egress times. · Portarlington shuttle bus route - All train traffic from Dublin and the West will disembark at Portarlington Train Station. Whelan’s will transfer to Pick Up Drop Off Stradbally. Buses from Portarlington will take R420 towards R445, turning right towards Portlaoise. They will continue until Treacy’s Pub where they’ll take the next left and continue over the M7 to join the Heath Rd to Stradbally where they will be directed to the Pick Up Drop Off area.

Family Campervan routing - Dublin – M7 – M9 – Junction 3 for Athy – N78 (use ringroad around Athy) – N78 to Simmons Mill Cross – right at Simmons Mill Cross onto N80 – continue to Stradbally – turn left at Court Square – left into GAA grounds. · Southern – M8 merge with M7 – exit M7 at Junction 17 – Meelick – Sheffield – Bloomfield – N80 – Court Square turn right onto Timahoe Road – left into GAA grounds · South East – N80 – left at Court Square · Western – at O’Doran Roundabout will travel straight and continue to Bloomfield roundabout and take the second exit onto the N80 and continue to Stradbally. Turn right at Court Square and continue on the Timahoe Road – left into GAA grounds. Artists routing · Exit M7 at Junction 15 – Vicarstown – Gate 6 (no change). Accreditation dependent.

General Parking - The general campervan campsite will open at 12:00 hours on Wednesday 27th August 2025. · Car parks will open for general parking from 14:00 hours Thursday 28th August 2025. · The family campervan campsite will open from 14:00 hours Thursday 28th August 2025. · 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. 2.2. Family Car Parking · Parking for family ticket holders is located in the GAA Grounds, Stradbally/N80 and will open from 09:00 hours on Friday 29th August 2025. 2.3. Accessible Parking · Accessible parking is located inside Gate 4(a) on the L3837/Timahoe Road, Stradbally. (Must be requested on your Electric Picnic Accessible Facilities Application form). The Accessible Car Park is open from 14:00 hours Thursday 28th August 2025.

For full traffic management plan click here.

Festivalgoers are being encouraged to engage with drug harm reduction teams at Electric Picnic over the weekend.

The HSE Safer Nightlife Harm Reduction Programme returns to the festival for its fourth year - facilitating 'free and confidential' drug-checking of samples submitted.

The service is in place to identify current drug trends through back of house testing, to help reduce harm for people who use.

Professor Eamon Keenan, HSE National Clinical Lead of Addiction Services, says there have been concerning trends emerging over the years:

Gardaí are warning people to be vigilant when buying last minute Electric Picnic tickets.

The festival is due to take place in Stradbally in Laois from tomorrow, and some people are still scrambling for passes for the event.

Garda Iain O'Byrne has this advice:

The Official Electric Picnic app will be your ultimate trusty sidekick over the weekend. 

On it, you can schedule what acts you want to see, have a full map and a space to hold your ticket! 

Gardaí are asking people to avoid using cash when buying Electric Picnic tickets from sellers.

The festival is due to kick off tomorrow at Stradbally in County Laois.

Many people are scrambling to get last minute tickets.

Garda Iain O'Byrne says customers should be careful:

The Road Safety Authority is bringing its Road Safety outreach back to Electric Picnic this year with their self-check breathalysers.

It's the second year of the body's partnership with the festival, with the FlineBox stations allowing people to test their alcohol levels.

The stations will stay open on Monday morning for drivers to test before hitting the road.

David Martin, Head of Media Relations with the RSA says it's a great platform to inform younger drivers: