Breaking News: Heavy traffic is building on routes into the All Together Now festival as campers and early arrivals make their way to Curraghmore Estate in Co Waterford. With thousands expected on site ahead of the main festival programme, organisers are urging motorists to ignore sat nav directions near the venue and follow official event signage instead.
The latest Irish News on the festival points to congestion on key approach roads after camping opened on Thursday afternoon. For anyone travelling today, the main advice is simple: plan for delays, allow extra time, and use the designated routes set out by organisers.
What happened as festival traffic built in Waterford
Traffic pressure increased as attendees began arriving for the seventh edition of All Together Now at Curraghmore Estate. The event, one of the biggest fixtures in Ireland Events and Entertainment News Ireland, is expected to draw around 35,000 people over the weekend.
That volume of traffic was always likely to affect local roads, but organisers have issued a specific warning that standard navigation tools may not guide drivers correctly through the final diversions. Instead of relying on Google Maps or a sat nav all the way to the entrance, festivalgoers are being told to switch to the official roadside signs once they reach the wider area.
This matters because temporary traffic plans are often put in place for large-scale events, and digital maps do not always reflect those live changes. In practical terms, following the event signage should reduce confusion, prevent unnecessary turning around on narrow roads, and help traffic move more efficiently.
Official travel advice for drivers heading to All Together Now
Organisers have outlined different approach routes depending on where people are travelling from. These directions are designed to manage inflows from several parts of the country and reduce bottlenecks around the estate.
Routes festivalgoers have been told to use
- From Dublin via the M9: take the N25 toward Waterford and follow festival signage through Portlaw village.
- From Cork: leave the N25 at Lemybrien as directed and continue by the signed route.
- From the N24 via Tipperary: exit at Kilsheelan and then follow event signs.
- From the West or Midlands through Tipperary: turn right at Kilsheelan and continue via the R680.
For readers tracking News Updates and Ireland Live Updates on traffic conditions, the key point is that the final approach is being managed manually through diversions rather than by normal route guidance.
Why sat nav directions may not work near Curraghmore Estate
Large festivals frequently use temporary one-way systems, controlled junctions and event-specific access roads. Those arrangements are meant to separate incoming traffic, local residents, staff, suppliers and emergency access.
That is why the advice not to rely on a sat nav is especially important. Mapping apps may still point drivers toward the shortest route, but that route may no longer be open or suitable once traffic management is active. In a live event setting, official signage usually reflects the safest and fastest available option.
Anyone following Latest News Ireland on the situation should also be aware that congestion can intensify quickly once large numbers of vehicles arrive within the same few-hour window. Leaving earlier than planned can make a real difference.
Who is affected by the delays
The immediate impact is on festivalgoers travelling into Co Waterford, but the delays may also affect local residents, businesses and through-traffic in nearby areas. Roads around Portlaw, Lemybrien and Kilsheelan are likely to see the heaviest pressure as arrivals continue.
This is also relevant for people searching Ireland News, Waterford traffic information or What’s Happening in Ireland today, as major events can cause knock-on delays beyond the venue itself. Taxi services, private coaches, local bus movements and pickup arrangements may all be affected by slower journey times.
People who should plan ahead
- Campers arriving on opening day
- Day ticket holders travelling later in the weekend
- Local residents using regional roads near the estate
- Families collecting or dropping off attendees
- Suppliers and staff working on site
Background on All Together Now and why traffic is significant
All Together Now has become a major fixture on the Irish festival calendar since launching at Curraghmore Estate. Its mix of music, arts, food and family-friendly programming attracts crowds from Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Belfast and beyond, making it a national draw rather than a purely regional event.
That broad appeal is part of the reason traffic management is such a critical issue. With tens of thousands expected, arrivals are spread across major national roads and smaller local routes. In Ireland Today, event logistics are often as important to the audience experience as the programme itself. Long delays at entry points can affect campsite setup, check-in times and opening-night plans.
Festival travel also sits within a wider pattern seen across Irish Traffic and Public Transport Ireland planning during summer, when concerts, sporting fixtures and holiday travel compete for road space. Drivers should therefore expect busier conditions than on a normal weekday.
What happens next for festival traffic
Traffic conditions are likely to remain busy through the main arrival period, particularly on Thursday evening and into Friday as more attendees travel to the site. The exact level of disruption will depend on arrival waves, weather, road capacity and how closely drivers follow the signed diversions.
For now, the most useful guidance for people heading to the festival is:
- Set off early and expect delays.
- Use the main route recommended for your direction of travel.
- Switch from sat nav to official signage when approaching the area.
- Keep fuel, phone charge and water topped up before the journey.
- Check live traffic or festival updates before departure.
If conditions worsen, additional travel advice may follow from organisers or local authorities. As with many Breaking News Ireland travel stories, the picture can change quickly once peak arrivals begin.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the traffic building?
Congestion is affecting approaches to Curraghmore Estate in Co Waterford, particularly on routes used by festival traffic.
When did the delays begin?
Traffic increased after camping opened on Thursday afternoon ahead of the festival weekend.
Should drivers use Google Maps?
Organisers have advised people not to rely on sat nav or Google Maps for the final approach because temporary diversions may not be reflected accurately.
What should drivers do instead?
Follow the official festival signs as soon as they appear on approach roads.
Latest News and Ireland News updates from across the country
Conclusion
This Breaking News update is straightforward: traffic is already heavy on the way to All Together Now, and drivers will save time by following official signage rather than relying on sat nav directions near the venue. For festivalgoers and locals alike, the best approach is to expect delays, travel prepared and monitor the latest updates as one of the busiest Ireland Events weekends gets under way in Waterford.
