The Body & Soul section from Electric Picnic are having their own festival. According to organisers The Body and Soul Gathering is not a gig, it’s an experience. It’s about reminding ourselves of the great musicians, story tellers, performers and artists that walk among us. It’s about reconnecting with our culture and each other. It’s about meeting with like minded people, progressive thinkers, healers, even a few kooky creatives. It’s about feeling alive, inspired, excited by life. It’s also about reminding ourselves what there’s no time like the present to have a bit of good old fashioned fun!
The Body & Soul Gathering will take place across the labyrinth of stone-walled gardens and woodlands in the beautiful surrounds of Ballinlough Castle, Co. Meath on the 19th and 20th June. Its promises intimacy, with a capacity capped at 1500 and camping available for the 2 day event.
There will also be electronic acts, street theatre, acoustic jams, a healing area, a permaculture garden, a soul kids area, visual arts, workshops, hot tubs, late night cabarets and a masquerade ball with a moon lit orchestra under the stars.
In keeping with the ancient tradition, the weekend will draw to an end with a fire ceremony in tribute to the festival theme: Phoenix Rising. Marking endings and new beginnings, death and new life and the continuous cycle of change. Festival goers can create their own lanterns in an “illuminati workshop tent” and participate in the closing ceremony.
The Low Down:
Opening time
Camp sites opening times: 9am Saturday 19th June
Camp site closing times: 2pm Monday 21st June
Public Transport
Dublin – Ballinlough: Ballinlough – Dublin
Saturday 9.30 am, 11.30 am, 1pm Monday (Sunday night) 1am
Sunday 1pm Monday 8am, 10.30 am, 12pm
CORK – Departing Cork – Parnell Sq. Bus ticket €35 from www.buseireann.ie / Depart Sat, Return Mon
GALWAY - Departing Galway – Eyre Square. Bus ticket €35 from www.buseireann.ie / Depart Sat, Return Mon
BELFAST Departing Homebase Park, Boucher Road
Alcohol
24 cans per person. No glass permitted on site: plastic bottles only. Full bars are open from 10AM to 10PM each day. No alcohol can be “brought” on to the site. Plastic bottles and cans may be brought in after 11pm each night. Alcohol is permitted in the campsite, but all liquids must be in plastic bottles or cans, so if you want to bring spirits with you, please decant before you com.
Camping
As well as general camping, there will also be a quiet camping field, which is recommend for families with young children. Boutique camping available such as a selection of yurts and bell tents available for those who want to avail of more luxurious camping.
Special needs
Entrance for people with a disability: If you intend to arrive by car we would ask that you display a disability parking sticker in a visible position so that our parking stewards can see this and direct you to our dedicated parking area.
Please note that a European disabled parking sticker or badge displayed in your car is essential if you wish to use disabled parking.
Staff Members: Stewards and other staff are aware that not all disabilities are visible; so please make them aware of any needs and they will assist you if they can.
Parking & Camping: A dedicated parking area for people with mobility disabilities is available. Disabled parking and camping are together. This area will be indicated online closer to the event.
Anyone with a disability who wishes to camp in the main camping area are free to do so. However accessible toilets are not located in this area.
Sanitation: Unisex wheelchair accessible toilets will be available.
Site Accessibility: It is important to be aware that the festival takes place outdoors on a green field site. As such in wet weather the ground can become muddy. Facilities for disabled people have been arranged to maximise use of any hard ground that does exist however, it must be noted that there may be significant distances to travel with potentially poor ground conditions.
Viewing Platforms
Raised viewing platforms are located at all the main stages of the festival site. The access ramps are in accordance with disability regulations and in addition there are stewards present to assist people in wheelchairs to access and to emergency exit. The viewing platforms are solely for the use of people with impaired mobility and one companion. Women who are heavily pregnant may also use them along with their partner.
Diabetics: First Aid posts will make private space available for diabetics needing to inject insulin. Needles should be declared to security at the entrance gates.
Drop off / Pick up locations: Drop off and pick up areas for patrons with special needs will be designated closer to the event.
Line Up
