Electric Picnic giving extra tickets to Stradbally residents

Stradbally residents will get extra discount Electric Picnic tickets this year, when the Laois music festival grows to its biggest size ever at 80,000 ticket holders.

The Electric Picnic Residents Committee held a public meeting on Tuesday, May 20 where they discussed their request for extra tickets.

About 2,000 Stradbally residents get a day ticket in compensation for the disruption and noise the Laois based festival brings.

This year Electric Picnic has applied to have 5,000 more customers to reach 80,000. It runs from August 29 to 31, but the campervan area opens on August 27 and some 40,000 early pass holders will enter on August 28. 

IN PICTURES: Electric Picnic 2015

Chairperson Catherine Murphy told the Leinster Express / Laois Live how the meeting went.

"We had a small crowd which tells me that everybody is happy enough. There was no negative feedback. 

"Our committee has put forward a proposal for extra tickets and EP Republic has looked on it positively. The number is not decided yet. The qualifying households have to send their letters of registration next week so it has to be confirmed before then," she said.

"The Gardaí came to the meeting to speak about car passes and to hear what anyone had to say about things like traffic. They were very helpful in their comments," she said.

The town is still warmly welcoming the festival even as it expands again.

"Sit workers arrive after Stradbally Steam Rally (on August 3, 4), without a shadow of a doubt it is welcomed in Stradbally. We'd hate to see it go. It's not just good for the town, but for the surrounding areas and Portlaoise benefits greatly," she said.

Most of the residents' tickets are priced at €30, given to people who live in the closest Pink Zone. About a third living in the Black Zone paying €50.  The proceeds from the Pink tickets are donated to a local fund to build a community hall in Stradbally. 

Festival Republic MD Melvin Benn has conditionally committed to match local fundraised cash for a community hall once a site is found. A Government grant would cover some 70% of the estimated €3 million cost. 

Catherine had an update on that too.

"No site is found yet. There is a different committee in charge now and they are still working on it. Hopefully it will happen. the town needs a community centre," she said.

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EP 2025 has officially sold out after additional tickets were snapped up in just 15 minutes last April. So far acts include Hozier, Chappell Roan, Fatboy Slim, Sam Fender and Kings of Leon.

Laois County Council planning office is due to make its licence decision in early August.

For Committee enquiries, local people are asked to contact: 085-8332292 email electricpicniccommittee@ gmail.com