Rolling with the Punchestown

Right. It’s official. Even though at the time of writing it looks and feels nothing like it, summer is here. And while us Irish are renowned world wide for not being able to wear shorts without looking like a snackbox minus the chips, that’s no reason to sulk because we’re damn good at having a good old time. The festival treat in store at Punchestown confirms this… so to hell with it, wear shorts anyway.

On June 23rd, the much anticipated Creamfields Ireland rolls into town. Bigger and better than ever, Creamfields is not content to take up where it left off last year. This time round it’s huge with six arenas and headliners such as Beck, the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, Goldie and Boy George.

Getting there

You could always walk, but you’ll need to save all that energy for later. Thankfully, bus tickets to Punchestown Racecourse are now available. The Creamfields Shuttle Buses will run from Dublin Bus, O’Connell Street, every 20 minutes from 11.30am to 4.30pm. Buses return to the city center immediately after the gig. The tickets are available from Ticketmaster Tel: 1890 925 100 and Dublin Bus Tel: 01 8734222.

A final word of advice – don’t bring booze onto your bus since you won’t be allowed to carry alcohol into the ground. Fear not though, since bar facilities are available on-site.

Creamfields line up and times

MAIN ARENA

PAUL OAKENFOLD (12.00midnight-2.00am)

MR. SPRING/JOHN POWER (11.30pm-12.00 midnight)

BECK (10.00pm-11.30pm)

MARK McCABE (9.00pm-10.00pm)

OUTKAST (8.00pm-9.00pm)

MR. SPRING /JOHN POWER (7.30pm-8.00pm)

AL GIBBS (6.30pm-7.30pm)

LO FIDELITY ALLSTARS (5.30pm-6.30pm)

MR SPRING (4.15pm-5.30pm)

JOHN POWER (3.00pm-4.15pm)

2FM DJ Comp. Winner (2.30pm-3.00pm)

DJ ZOE (1.45-2.30pm)

PRESSURE (1.00pm-1.45pm)

TOMMY STEWART (12.00 noon-1.00pm)

BUGGED OUT ARENA

CHEMICAL BROTHERS (11:30pm-1:30am)

DAVE CLARKE (10:00pm-11:30pm)

DARREN EMERSON (8:30pm-10:00pm)

JUSTIN ROBERTSON (7:00pm-8:30pm)

LUKE SLATER (live) (6:00pm-7:00pm)

ROB BRIGHT (5:00pm-6:00pm)

MUTINY (4:00pm-5:00pm)

JAY CISCO (3:00pm-4:00pm)

RICHIE HAWTIN (2:00pm-3:00pm)

COZZIE (1:00pm-2:00pm)

CREAM ARENA

SEB FONTAINE (12:00midnight-1:30am)

ERICK MORILLO (10:30pm-12:00midnight)

SATOSHI TOMEII (9:15-10:30pm)

YOUSEF (8:00pm -9:15pm)

FUTURESHOCK (7:00pm-8:00pm)

MARK KAVANAGH (6:00pm-7:00pm)

HERNAN CATTANEO (5:00pm - 6:00pm)

PETE TONG (4:00pm-5:00pm)

DJ C1 (3:00pm-4:00pm)

TOM COLE (2:00pm-3:00pm)

RAYMOND FRANKLIN (1:00pm-2:00pm)

PADDY SHERIDAN 12:00 midday-1:00pm)

BOUTIQUE ARENA

FAT BOY SLIM (12:00midnight-1:30am)

X-PRESS 2 (10:30pm - 12:00midnight)

LAYO & BUSHWACKA (9:00pm-10:30pm)

JON CARTER (7:30pm - 9:00pm)

HOWIE B (6:00pm-7:30pm)

AGENT SUMO (5:00pm-6:00pm)

UNKLE SOUNDS (4:00pm-5:00pm)

RICHARD SCANTY (3:00pm - 4:00pm)

AIDAN KELLY (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

EOGHAN YOUNG (12:00midday-2:00pm)

LUSH ARENA

BOY GEORGE (12:00midnight-1:30am)

NICK WARREN (11:00pm-12:00midnight)

ANTHONY PAPPA (10:00pm-11:00pm)

JOHN CECCHINI (9:00pm-10:00pm)

COL HAMILTON (8:00pm-9:00pm)

AGNELLI & NELSON (7:00pm-8:00pm)

DANNY HOWELLS (6:00pm-7:00pm)

OLIVER LIEB (5:00pm-6:00pm)

CHRIS CARGO (4:00pm-5:00pm)

DJ TED (3:00pm-4:00pm)

PODGE (2:00pm-3:00pm)

DEEP FRIED FUNK (1:00pm-2:00pm)

EDDIE WRAY (12:00midday-1:00pm)

METALHEADZ ARENA

GOLDIE (11.00pm-12.30midnight)

STORM (9.30pm-11.00pm)

DIGITAL (8.30pm-9.30pm)

RAZOR (7.00pm-8.30pm)

BAILEY (5.00pm-7.00pm)

JUDGE DREDD (3.30pm-5.00pm)

KORMAC (2.30pm-3.30pm)

MIKE B (1.30pm-2.30pm)

BASSBIN (12:00noon-1.30pm)

HOW TO GET THERE

A special service to and from the major outdoor shows is being run this summer by Dublin Bus. It's a service that will be in place for

Creamfields, as well as later events like Witnness and U2 at Slane.

It makes a very attractive alternative to driving. To begin with, you avoid the hassle, delays and sweat that are too often involved in

travelling to a big event on show day. Simply turn up at the departure point, jump on and away you go! Plus, it also means that, if you're so inclined, you can have a drink or three at the gig, and not have to fret about it - because, there's one thing that is a strict no-go area, and that's drinking at the show and then driving home afterwards.

Think about it. And then get the bus! All of the information that you need is here.

Bus Details for Concert are:

Buses leave from Dublin Bus Upper O' Connell Street.

Price £13 return.

Bus Times

First Bus 11am and every 20 to 30 minutes until 4.30pm

Buses return to city center immediately after the concert.

Tickets directly from Dublin Bus or Ticketmaster

or buy On-line at www.ticketmaster.ie