Rock-music fans attending this weekend's Witnness festival at Punchestown racecourse, Co Kildare, have been urged to arrive early to avoid a repeat of the chronic traffic congestion that preceded last year's event.
So concerned are organisers that afternoon stragglers may swamp the roads to Punchestown, as happened at the first of two recent Eminem concerts there, that they are taking the unprecedented step of opening the Witnness campsite at 11 o'clock this morning, over 24 hours before the first acts take to the stage. Early arrivals will be entertained by bands and DJs.
Gardaí have insisted that parking for the two-day event is free. They were unhappy that patrons were charged to park at the first Eminem show two weeks ago, believing this contributed to traffic back-up that left many concert-goers queueing outside the venue for hours.
The 50,000-capacity festival, headlined by Coldplay, David Gray and the White Stripes, is not yet a sell-out, and it is expected that tickets will be available at the gates, which open shortly before noon tomorrow.
Festival-goers endured eight-mile tailbacks in 2002 as thousands descended on Fairyhouse, Co Meath, in the space of a few hours. Organisers deny the congestion prompted a switch to the more accessible Punchestown.
Some 10,000 parking spaces will be available, and Dublin Bus is operating a shuttle service tomorrow and Sunday.
Buses will depart Parnell Square West every 15 minutes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Return tickets cost €17.
This year's line-up is typically diverse, juxtaposing chart-toppers such as Coldplay and underground acts, including Ladytron, the Polyphonic Spree and Mogwai. Leading the Irish contingent are the Thrills, Gemma Hayes and the Frames.
