Capacity halved for Forest Fest at Laois GAA club

No licence was sought for the Forest Fest in Emo because the crowd expected at the event does not require the organisers to apply for one, according to Laois County Council.

The Planning Department at County Hall in Portlaoise is responsible for granting licences to large events such as the Electric Picnic. 

In June 2023, Planners granted a licence to Safents Consulting Ltd on behalf of the promoter, Philip Megher / ForestFest Ltd. The application stated that the event would have a maximum attendance of 10,000 people plus 1,500 staff and artists with camping facilities for a maximum of 7,500 people.

As to the 2024 event, the local authority has confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that the music and arts festival did not receive an application for the event’s third edition. 

The Council’s Planning Department explained why no application has been sought. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured at the venue is the Forest Fest promoter and Portlaoise solicitor Philip Meagher.

“An event licence is only required for attendance of more than 5,000 and we were advised that attendance at this event will not exceed 5,000 this year,” it said.

Applying for a licence involves a significant amount of paperwork proving the extent of preparation to be submitted to planners who have the right to refuse or put conditions on the holding of an event.

The application process also allows agencies such as the Gardaí, HSE and fire service direct input into the management of big events such as music festivals.

Among the list of documents submitted was in 2023 application was an event management plan which ran to 72 pages. 

The 2023 event was held at Emo GAA club from July 21 – 23 but the licence also covered July 20 and 24. Apart from the GAA grounds surrounding lands was used for parking and camping. 

The Forest Fest organisers say the event is aimed at a “discerning audience” and the objective is to ensure a “quality, close-up, close quarters, quality gig experience with numbers strictly limited”.

They add that a summertime party atmosphere will bring “dancing to the crossroads of Emo” for the weekend of July 19 – 21. 

The line up for 2024 is extensive with a big 80s and 90s flavour, including The Cult, The Human League, The Divine Comedy, Stereo MC’s, Ocean Colour Scene, Dexy’s, Ash, The Stunning.

The event also has a new dance vibe with the halcyon days of the Ibiza dance scene being celebrated.

Apart from those visiting Laois and camping through the festival, a big local crowd is due to attend the event with buses running from Portlaoise, Portarlington and Mountmellick.

Tickets are still on sale.