Drone ban in Laois over Electric Picnic in Stradbally

A no fly zone will be introduced over the Electric Picnic grounds in Stradbally on Friday. 

The Irish Aviation Authority issued the safety notice which restricts flights of aircraft including drones and rockets over the festival from the morning of Friday, September 1 to the morning of Monday, September 4. 

“The purpose of the TRA(Temporary Restricted Area), within which flight restrictions may apply, is to ensure the safety of aircraft operating into and out of the Electric Picnic Music Festival, Stradbally Hall, Stradbally Co Laois and of other aircraft operating in the vicinity of the TRA in the period cited,” the IAA stated. 

There are some exemptions for the no fly rule. State aircraft, aircraft of the Irish Coastguard Service and HEMS(Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) aircraft employed on an operational mission will be exempt from the restriction.

Secondly, subject to any decision by the IAA to the contrary, the airspace within the TRA is restricted to use by aircraft authorised by the event organisers (EP Republic Ltd).