FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

The festival takes place at Ballykilcavan Brewery, a multigenerational farm near Stradbally, Co. Laois. The Eircode for the venue is R32 Y0PK. 

The Farming for Nature Festival will take place at Ballykilcavan Brewery, Stradbally, Co. Laois, R32 Y0PK.

  • BY CAR: The festival is easily accessed via the M7 and M9 motorways. Stradbally is well signposted and the eircode will bring you to the site. Event signage will direct you to the carpark on arrival. We encourage attendees to share lifts where possible to minimise environmental impact.
  • BY TRAIN, BUS OR AIR: The nearest station is Portlaoise, with regular services from Dublin and other major cities. From Portlaoise, local buses and taxis operate to Stradbally. We recommend booking taxis in advance. Dublin Airport is just over one hour away by car.
  • TAXI: Local taxi services operating from Portlaoise include J Taxi Services 087 242 1876 and Charlie Taxi Services 087 348 5118. Taxis should be booked in advance, particularly for evening journeys.

There are multiple accommodation options in the area, ranging from on-site glamping to hotels and B&Bs within a short drive. See our accommodation section for more information. 

Yes! Pitched Perfect runs a beautiful glamping site in the walled garden at our venue. You’re welcome to pitch your own tent for €35, or choose from one of their glamping options ranging from €200-€300. Toilets and hot showers are available on site. Please note that cooking facilities are not available.  Please see the link here to book your camping. 

(Arrival times will be confirmed closer to the event.) 

Pitched Perfect do not allow cooking at the campsite. However there will be food trucks available on the Tuesday from an allocated time to buy your breakfast, lunch and dinner. (TBD).  

 

Please note that the village of Stradbally is 2.5km away and has a few cafes and eateries as well.  

Unfortunately, Ballykilcavan Brewery does not have insurance for people to sleep overnight in the car park.  If you wish to sleep in a campervan or another vehicle, you must do so off-site. 

  • Bring wellies or waterproof shoes and bring a raincoat just in case.  
  • We will be in a farmyard and in the surrounding fields.
  • Dress appropriately.  
  • If we are fortunate to have good weather, remember a sun hat and suncream as there will be a lot of outside field time etc.

If you’re staying for evening events, bring warm layers. If camping, think about what you might need to be comfortable.

We have marquees and other shelter options for most of the events. We recommend you bring waterproofs and layers just in case. 

Refunds will only be issued, if notice of non-attendance is given, in writing, via email, or via phone call by close of business on 18/06/2026 prior to the commencement of the course, certain more expensive courses have their own longer refund policy (please request information if required). 

 

Please note – when customers receive a refund for a course, the refund will be the full amount MINUS the Stripe admin fee (approximately 1.8%). Please contact festival@farmingfornature.ie for more information. 

The Farming For Nature Festival is not liable for circumstances that prevent a ticket holder from attending and cannot issue refunds past the stated deadline. 

In the event that Farming For Nature Festival 2026 is cancelled, ticket buyers are entitled to a full refund (less booking fee). Refunds will be issued to the original card used to purchase the ticket(s).

This event is for farmers and people interested in the farming sector and how to enhance nature on the landscape. We have a series of talks across different speaker areas, field demos, mini indoor demos, and a good diversity of relevant organisations and exhibitors to give you a range of tips and ideas on how to enhance your habitiats and why it works for the land, for your farm and for your pocket.  

 Please see our programmes page for more information on what is happening at the event.  

We are delighted to offer a limited number of stall areas for relevant organisations, tradespeople and advisory groups.  Please apply here before the 1st May to be considered for this area. 

We will have a car park at the site. This is across a busy road from the venue but there is a access through a walled garden and an underpass to the event. The car park is roughly 300m (5mins walk) from the main site.  

There is no parking in the campsite which is in the walled garden.  But it is just across the road and about a 2 mins walk. 

Dogs (with the exception of Assistance and Guide Dogs) are not allowed, as there will be other animals on-site as part of our programme.  

 

Please also note that, as the event takes place in mid-summer, dogs must not be left in hot vehicles during the day.  

The festival site is designed to be accessible to wheelchair users and guests with mobility needs. Accessible entrances, pathways, viewing areas, and restrooms are available at the venue.  

 

Additional access information: 

 

  • The terrain across the site includes a mix of grass, concrete, stone, and gravel surfaces. 
  • Most event activities take place within a compact area of the site. 
  • With prior notice, a limited number of parking spaces are available close to the main event area for those with access requirements. 

 

If you require accessible parking or have any questions regarding accessibility, please email festival@farmingfornature.ie with details of your needs by Friday, June 5th at the latest. 

The Farming For Nature Festival is a demonstration event and conference designed for adult farmers and professionals from the sector. It is not intended for children. There are no activities or facilities provided for children, and attendance by children is not encouraged. Exceptions may be considered for working young farmers aged 12 and over. All attendees, regardless of age, must hold a valid ticket. 

Whilst there will be food stalls and an onsite brewery, which we encourage you to support.  You are welcome to bring your own picnic and enjoy in the seating area.