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THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST music festival kicks off today with thousands of lads and ladies heading to Stradbally for the craic.
But, here at TheJournal.ie we’ve been inundated with statements from various groups who don’t want you to get hurt, pregnant, an STD, drunk, silly or kicked out of your car….
When you’re packing
Plasters. Check.
Sunscreen. Check.
Condoms. Check.
Pharmacists have warned those going to EP to pack appropriately,
“Unprotected sex, dehydration, sunburn and diarrhoea are the top threats to the health and safety of festival goers,” they say.
Other essentials for your DIY kit are water to prevent dehydrations, Domperidone for stomach pain, Ioperamide for diarrhoea, antiseptic cream for bites, stings or cuts, sunscreen SPF 20 or higher, good quality antiseptic hand gel and plasters.
Getting there
AA Roadwatch has warned people that farts and cigarettes are not welcome in cars.
The lads over at AA said their advice comes on the back of statistical evidence from drivers.
Of a list of 14 behaviours presented to poll participants, which ranged from incessant talking to not offering to chip in for fuel and tolls, smoking was identified as the most loathed behaviour. About 58% of the poll’s respondents said they would boot their passenger out if they started smoking without their permission.
Farters were the second most annoying passengers.
“Humour aside, an annoyed driver is a distracted driver,” said Miriam O’Neill, AA Press Officer. “Try and be a considerate passenger and don’t drive your driver nuts, they have an important job to do.”
The statement from AA also used the word “parping”, which we really enjoyed.
While you’re there
Thinking of getting amorous?
Pharmacists aren’t the only ones worried about unprotected sex. The HSE and its Think Contraception campaign is too.
The campaign’s star, Johnny, will be in Laois this weekend to tell “sexually active young adults to use condoms every time they have sex”.
The one in five young people who take risks from time to time can end up with an STI or pregnant, according to the EP statement from THE hse.
Having fun
There are LOADS of ways to have fun at EP. See here.
Do you know what’s not fun? Getting drunk to the point of being a burden on others.
That’s the message from Senator John Whelan who has urged safe socialising over the weekend.
Getting home
DrinkAware.ie are worried about your drive home on Monday.
It has reminded all those staying until the early hours that it takes your body about 60 minutes to get rid of ONE STANDARD DRINK (their emphasis, not ours).
However, it takes two hours to get rid of a pint.
“For those drinking over the weekend it is important to remember that even a small amount of alcohol in your system coupled with fatigue will seriously affect your ability to drive safely. The secret to sobering up is TIME – no amount of coffee, energy drinks, cold showers or breakfast rolls will speed up the process. You might feel better but it doesn’t mean you are fit to drive.”
So, that’s it.
Oh, here’s a good packing list for you.
And, most importantly, don’t leave your common sense at home.
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AA have raised their fart-alert level to ‘brown’. Please people, let’s be careful out there.
Swear they were going into the Amazon, South Dublin petals
As regards the farts “better out than in”. I would rather someone fart than someone shitting themselves. Enjoy the picnic people keep it real or fake whatever way you normally act.
It doesn’t have to be one or the other, you can actually just hold in a fart for a while without sh*tting yourself as a consequence. Women have been doing it successfully for generations
I can’t wait for it, last hurrah of the festival season. Bye bye Summer, you were somewhat sound this year ☀️
Perhaps this article should be read in conjunction with the earlier article on STI’s and childbearing. The failure rate for contraception is about four times higher for teenagers than for the rest of the population. Teenagers are just as good and as careful at using contraceptives as they are at tidying their bedrooms.
The fact that those promoting contraceptives, are the same people promoting abortion, is just coincidental.
The proof of problems is in the earlier article, which for some reason had no EP in the title. There is no such thing as a surprise pregnancy, having sex makes babies. Having casual sex leads to SDI’s and babies. There is no guaranteed “protection”.
Enjoy the fun of the fair.
Paddy teenager’s are banned from EP, it’s 18 and upwards and usually a pretty good crowd too none of the usual clientèle of that awful oxygen so in fairness I don’t think it’s good to preach to adults since I think they have a fair idea of what to do :)
Wynner, there’s 8,000 extra people on top of last years attendance going this year. I’m sure some of the Oxygen heads will be there.
Hopefully not, the atmosphere at EP is brilliant really chilled and no crap at it :)
Well ya know it’s going to piss rain so don’t drop your electric picnic x
I’m going, I reckon ill survive without an SPF 20+
Thanks all the same
Sunburn and dehydration? I’d say hypothermia and pneumonia might be more likely! As for protection, I might suggest a good strong umbrella and a raincoat.
Sinead where did u get the pic of the kitten in the car? It’s hilarious!
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