On your bike, and so forth…
The arts and culture juggernaut spectacular that is Electric Picnic finally returns later this year following a pandemic-provoked absence.
Taking place in its long-time home of Stradbally, this year’s bash counts the likes of Dermot Kennedy, Tame Impala, Picture This, Snow Patrol, Megan Thee Stallion and Arctic Monkeys among its headline talent.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the festival is completely sold out. However, if you missed out on a ticket and would like to find yourself escaping to Laois for the weekend of 2 – 4 September, you’ve got one last chance.
The National Dairy Council Tour de Picnic 2022 is back in the form of either a 17-kilometre run or an 80-kilometre cycle, raising funds for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, Ronald McDonald House and ISPCC Childline – and giving you the opportunity to hit up Picnic in energetic style.
Departing from Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, cyclists will head for the Blessington Greenway, taking in some of Ireland’s biggest dairy farms along the way before the village of Brannockstown comes into focus. From there, riders will move along the Barrow Blueway before reaching Stradbally.
As for those who opt to run all the way there, you’ll start at a dairy farm in Athy before trekking across farmland and forests, passing through Oughvale Woods during the journey.
“I can’t say I have ever run to Electric Picnic before, normally I arrive in a tour van!” said singer-songwriter Róisín O, who recently released her new album Courageous.
“But it’s for such a great cause that it will be as worthwhile as taking to the stage! And even better, one of the charities is very close to my heart.”
The fundraising deadline is 12 August, for those taking part. Participants must raise a minimum total of €450 in order to qualify for an Electric Picnic ticket. Interested? Sign up here.
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