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20th Dec 2016

Here’s Everything You Need To Know If You’re Travelling To Castlepalooza This Weekend

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It’s that time of year again… The wooded wonderland of Charleville Castle is about to come alive this weekend with the lights of a thousand fairy lights. 

A weekend full of mischief is almost upon us, so here’s absolutely everything you need to know before you head down.

1. Important times

The festival site officially opens Friday July 1 at 1pm.

Opening hours:

  • Friday – Car parks 1pm – Box Office 11am – Campsites 11am – Arena 3pm 

No entry to site after midnight without a ticket.

  • Saturday – Car parks 11am – Box Office 11am – Arena 11am – Bars 10am

No entry to site after midnight without a ticket.

  • Sunday  – Car parks 11am – Box Office 11pm – Arena 11am – Bars 10am

No entry after midnight without a ticket.

The festival site will close on Monday July 4 at 12pm. You are only permitted to stay onsite until Monday 4 at 12pm, provided you have a weekend camping ticket.

2. Getting there

Your options here are to drive, car share, train or bus. 

Driving: Directions are available here, parking is a mere 500 metres from the campsite, and will cost you €15. It’s on a first-come, first-served basis so get there early to secure a good spot. Disabled parking is available for free. 

Car share: Hitch a lift, or offer a lift to a fellow festival goer, and help the planet in return. More information here.

Train: Tullamore train station is just ten minutes walk from Charleville Castle, and the route will be signposted.

Bus: Your best bet is to log onto www.buseireann.ie for more details, as their times can be subject change. 

-To travel to Tullamore from Belfast you must first get the bus to Dublin.

-From Cork, you must travel to Portlaoise and changeover to Tullamore. 

-From Galway, travel to Athlone and from there into Tullamore.

3. Weather

Maybe bring a raincoat.

And some spare socks. 

4. Must-see acts

Friday: Caribou, Lynched, The Altered Hours, Toby Kaar

Saturday: Nanu Nanu, Daithi, Lisa O’Neill, Hare Squead

Sunday: Somerville, Cat Power, Orchid Collective, Frankie Grimes

You can check out the full line-up and stage times here.

5. What’s the story with booze?

 Alcohol limitations for campers are as follows:

  • 1 x crate of beer (cans) OR
  • 750ml x spirits (decanted from glass bottle) OR
  • 750ml  x wine (decanted from glass bottle)

No glass containers are allowed, meaning you must decant prior to your arrival. Excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the campsite and anything over the listed amounts will be confiscated. 

The bars, however, are reasonably priced and cans from their off licence can be bought in bulk. Full bars are open from 10am to 10pm each day.

6. What do I need to bring with me? 

  • Ticket
  • ID
  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag
  • Pillow
  • Air mattress
  • Toilet paper
  • Towel
  • Insect repellent
  • Raincoat
  • Wellies 
  • Sun cream (ever the optimists!)
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Money (the nearest ATM is in Tullamore town)
  • Toiletries (face wipes, toothbrush, toothpaste, condoms)
  • Loads of warm clothes

7. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life if you don’t…

  • Belly laugh at Tommy Tiernan on Saturday
  • Get a Tayto sandwich from the #TaytoPopUp to cure your fragile head
  • Make a glam headdress in the castle ballroom
  • Hit up some free yoga to bend your body back into shape

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