From opulent campervans to improvised tents, a diverse range of accommodations were available at this year’s Stradbally festival. On the second day of the Electric Picnic, I overheard a quote that summed up the atmosphere perfectly. Two young boys exclaimed their excitement as I emerged from my tent in the morning. With 70,000 festival-goers already settled in Stradbally, Co Laois, people chose a variety of lodging options.
Some attendees made their living quarters more comfortable than others, while some opted for luxurious setups amidst a sea of polyester and nylon. One festival-goer, Charmaine Mulready from Limerick, had returned for her sixth year at the festival and chose not to pitch her own tent. Instead, Mulready and her friends opted for glamping in an eight-person yurt in the “Under the Stars” area. They paid €660 each for this accommodation, which provided all the comforts of home, including electricity, proper beds, a glam lounge, and showers. Mulready expressed her satisfaction and never considered choosing another accommodation option.
However, the group was disappointed with the VIP lounge experience, feeling that it wasn’t worth the €85 daily rate to upgrade their tickets. Despite this, they all plan to return next year, hoping to keep their preferred accommodations in low demand.
On Monday morning, as the last of the festival-goers left, the cleanup operation began at the Electric Picnic site. Throughout the weekend, the festival grounds felt like a temporary city, offering various types of roofs over attendees’ heads. From bell tents to yurts, eco campsites, and Irish-speaking areas, Electric Picnic catered to a diverse range of preferences.
Traditionally associated with cramped family holidays and cluttered cabinet spaces, campervans had a different status within the festival grounds. They stood as symbols of comfort and luxury, mocking those carrying pop-up tents on their backs. Campervans proved to be a convenient option for families or individuals who didn’t want to endure long walks from the car park.
For the rest of us, the accommodation situation was a challenge. No matter how appealing the thought of duck down duvets or warm running water seemed, it was difficult to fall asleep with teeth chattering and the tent spinning. Some campsites gained notoriety for rowdy behavior, causing many to avoid those areas.
Zara Gilsenan, a student from Meath, attended the festival for the second year with her friends. They arrived early to pitch their tent and encountered an incident involving another festival-goer who threatened violence. However, security quickly resolved the situation, ensuring their safety. Despite the consistent noise and sleep disruption, Gilsenan and her friends vowed to return next year.
The festival concluded with performances from Rick Astley, The Script, and The Killers on the main stage. Attendees were encouraged to leave the campsite as they found it and take all their belongings with them. Any abandoned tents would be repurposed to minimize waste.
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