The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has announced a Temporary Restricted Area (TRA) in the vicinity of Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois to facilitate safe aviation operations during the Electric Picnic 2026 music festival.
The restriction will be active from 0500 UTC on Wednesday 26th August 2026 until 0800 UTC on Tuesday 1st September 2026. The TRA will comprise a 2 nautical mile radius centred on 53°00’33″N 007°09’58″W, extending from the surface to 2,000 feet AMSL.
The IAA says the purpose of the restriction is to ensure the safety of aircraft operating to and from the Electric Picnic site and to protect other airspace users in the area during the event period. Within the TRA, operations will be limited to aircraft authorised by the event organisers, EP Republic Ltd, together with exempted State aircraft, Irish Coast Guard aircraft and HEMS flights conducting operational missions. All other aircraft operations will be prohibited while the restriction is active.
The airspace within the TRA will remain Class G airspace and there will be no dedicated communications service provided within the restricted area. Pilots planning to operate in the Midlands area during the event period should review the relevant NOTAM when issued and note the proximity of the restriction to local training and recreational flying activity.
Pilots should also be aware that the map accompanying the official notice has numerous errors on it, including depicting the EI-P8 in the wrong location, the omission of Benfield Airfield and the inclusion of the Tullamore mast which was demolished over three years ago.
The full notice is available to read here.
