Laois Electric Picnic town 'getting packed' but lacks an important service

The Laois home to Electric Picnic is growing in size but lacks several community facilities, and another one has been pointed out by a local councillor, for the second time.

Cllr Paschal McEvoy has reminded Laois County Council that the "little town" as locals affectionately call Stradbally, badly needs a community creche.

"Over 100 social houses arrived in Stradbally in the last 18 months. Most are council owned. It's absolutely fabulous. Well done to Laois County Council.

"The council announced it was open to a creche, but nobody has come forward with a plan. We need it. The town is getting packed," he said.

He raised his point at the June meeting of Laois County Council.

There was no public reply from the council as the meeting was cut short for the AGM.

Cllr McEvoy last raised the issue in 2022 when the Carraig Glas estate of 26 houses was at planning stage.

They are due for completion in June 2025.  

Last year 11 social homes were built in Church Avenue, Stradbally.  A further 19 homes are promised to be finished in Oakvale Way by the end of 2025. Nine 'affordable homes' are to be sold in Oakvale Meadows. 

Another Laois councillor recently requested that a health centre be built in Stradbally.

A local committee has been working for some years to find a suitable site on which to build the town's first community and sports hall.

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Work is also finally underway to build a fit for purpose fire station for the town, which has a population of over 1,400 people (census 2022). It is expected to grow to 1,550 residents by 2027.

However this August, it will grow temporarily by over 80,000 people when Electric Picnic returns for its biggest festival yet in the Cosby estate, with the licence recently granted by Laois County Council.