Getting There: How to make your way to the picnic

I am driving in my car, beep beep
Those coming from the Big Shmoke, take the N7 from Dublin to Portlaoise, which should take about 40 mins, then swing onto the N80 to Stradbally for 10 minutes & you have arrived!
From Belfast, the journey should take about three hours and fifteen minutes, giving jammy passengers. Take the A1, and then the M1 to Dublin. On the outskirts of Dublin get on the M50, exiting at Junction 9. The N7 will get you into Portlaoise, and it’s a hop, skip and a hillstart on the N80 into Stradbally.
From Galway, your journey wll take two hours and ten minutes or you get a pizza! (Disclaimer: This is not true.) Take the N6 to Portumna, the R489 to Birr, the N62 to Roscrea, the N7 to Portloaise and finally the N80 to Stradbally.
Driving from Limerick will take 80 minutes if you hop on the N7 to Portloaise and the N80 to Stradbally, while picnicers from Cork will be driving for 2 hours, getting to Portloiase via the N8 and then the N80 to Stradbally.
Finally, those coming from Waterford should take the N9 and then the N10 to Kilkenny, the N77 then N78 through Castlecomer toward Athy. Turn left onto the N80 to Stradbally. Your contact Igor will be there. Hand him the secret documents and await further instruction. If that doesn’t happen, go undercover and spend the weekend pretending to be a normal, revelling picnic attendee.
Because we all love polar bears, Holland and not drowning in a sea of melted ice-caps and our own environmental apathy, check out carpool.ie, the self-explanatory service that will fill up vacant seats, cut down on your petrol costs, reduce carbon emissions and get you a gold star from us.
Parking is free and available via the Abbeyleix/Cork road and the Timahoe road.
Y’all drive safe now!

I said, now I’ve got my magic bus
More punctual than Marty McFly, and the perfect opportunity to meet new festival friends (or flings), the bus is the handy and green choice for getting down to the Picnic.
From Dublin, Bus Éireann buses will be leaving Custom House Quay from 10am until 6pm on Friday, and on Saturday they run from 11am to 1pm. The return service runs from 10pm on Saturday, until 2pm on Monday. Return tickets are €28, check out buseireann.ie to book early.
From Dublin airport, coaches run every hour from 6.30am to 9pm, picking up passengers at the Red Cow LUAS, Naas, Newbridge, Kildrae, Monaterevin and Kilminchy. Fares are €5 – €10.
Corkconians can grab the bus from Cork Parnell Place on Friday at 8am, returning at 12pm on Monday, and the Galway bus leaves Eyre Square at noon on Friday, leaving the festival at Monday at 9am. Return tickets for both are €35.

I’m on this train and I can’t slow down
Those travelling by train can get to Portloiase train station, a 15-minute drive to the festival. Shuttle buses will be operating, see irishrail.ie for more details.

Tell me more, tell me more...
The campsite will open at 9am on Friday, no earlier, and will close at 1pm on Monday. Stewards will be on-hand to help those struggling to pitch their tent, or you can buy a pre-pitched one. Fancy options such as teepees and boutique tents are also available, so check out electricpicnic.ie for details. If you want to catch a good night’s sleep, a quiet campsite is also available.
If bringing alcohol to EP, you’re allowed 48 cans of beer, but no glass bottles are allowed. There will also be an off-licence onsite to keep you nicely lubricated. You’ll also be kept well-fed throughout the festival, with all tastes being catered for, including loads of options for all veggies.
If you have a campervan, make sure you have the right vechicle and the right pass. The Picnic defines a campervan as having its own kitchen and toilet, and anything less will be denied entry. You’ll need a designated campervan ticket, and one camping ticket per punter staying in the campervan.
Picnicers with special needs will as usual be very well catered for by the lovely EP staff. Drivers should ensure their vechicle has a European disabled sticker to ensure entry to the disabled carpark and campsite, and there will be wheelchair accessible toilets and viewing platforms. Stewards will be happy to help those with special requirements, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Finally, be sure to bring ID as it’s a strictly over-18s event, and you’ll kick yourself if your Oil of Olay routine makes staffers doubt your aged wisdom and eligability. Little ‘uns under 12 will be admitted free though, when accompained by a guardian and photo ID.