City Soul Picnic

Updated Details just revealed for the 8th annual City Soul Picnic…

  • Venue: Merrion Square Park, Dublin 2
  • When: Saturday July 26th and Sunday July 27th 2014 (subject to funding)
  • Time: 12pm – 6pm (park open from 9am, arrive early to avoid disappointment)
  • Admission: Minimum Suggested Donation €5. (kids go free)
  • FREE Raffle Ticket with the first 2,000 donations of €5. or more

Be a part of the Soul Fest family and celebrate the 8th annual City Soul Picnic in the beautiful surroundings of Merrion Square Park in association with Dublin City Council and Failte Ireland and as part of Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular! The City Soul Picnic is Ireland’s feel-good festival, creating positive vibes and happy memories for all who visit since its launch in May 2007.

Grab your picnic blanket, suntan lotion and rain gear (just in case) and make your way to Merrion Square Park to sample the unique festival atmosphere while enjoying the very best local, national and international performers in a picnic style.

City Soul Picnic is a friends & family affair, so bring your little brothers & sisters, Mums & Dads, Aunties & Uncles, friends and neighbours too.

Feeling Peckish? Visit our Food Village offering a mouth-watering selection of tasty treats including delicious slow roasted pulled pork and steak sandwiches, hickory smoked beef brisket, burgers, gourmet pizza, traditional fish n’ chips, Philly chicken, Asian Fusion Cuisine, super salads, snacks, smoothies, juices, minerals, speciality coffees and of course the all-important ice creams!

Admission is FREE, but please remember to make a donation to our registered children’s charity the ‘Musical Youth Foundation’ before you leave. With your help the MYF is changing the lives of at-risk children through the power of music education.

For every €5. or more you donate we’ll give you a special raffle ticket (while stocks last) – there’s loads of cool Instrumental Art prizes to be won. Big or small, all contributions are vitally important to ensure the Musical Youth Foundation can continue to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of at-risk children in Ireland. Visit our information tent at the picnic and meet the volunteers to find out more.

With your support in 2013 we have helped 100 children to learn to play the guitar! Let’s make 2014 even more successful…

Please be sure to make a donation before you leave!

*Subject to funding

City Soul Picnic Line Up 2014

Wondering about the line up of artists? Every year Dublin City Soul Festival invites a selection of the finest local, national and international artists to take part in the special two day City Soul Picnic event. This year is no exception, some of the great bands already confirmed include:

Saturday July 26th

Sunday July 27

Can’t make it? Don’t worry…we’ll be broadcasting the entire event live on 103.2 Dublin City FM so be sure to tune in! (Sunday only)

Here’s a litte teaser to get you excited…

Visit our gallery and get a taste of what the Soul Picnic is all about!

 

How to Get Here

Cars – As we all know, traffic = stress …so leave the car at home and give public transport a go, there’s lots of options to choose from…

Bicycle – If you don’t live too far out of the city why not hop on your bike and enjoy a leisurely cycle to the Soul Picnic? Alternatively why not check out the Dublin Bikes which are located all over town.

Bus – Take any of the following services: 27X, 44, 45,48A, 49X, 5, 50X,7,77X,7A.

DART – Merrion Square is just a 3 minute walk from Pearse Street DART Station.

LUAS – Just a 6 minute walk from St. Stephen’s Green LUAS stop.

Parking – parking in the area is very limited so leave the car at home and give public transport a go.

Ecocabs – Ecocabs in Dublin City Centre are a great way to get around as they are a new, green and alternative form of city transport. Not to mention they are completely Free.

Health & Safety Tips

  • The Soul Picnic is a family event so please leave the alcohol at home, there’s lots of fun to be had without it!
  • If your child gets lost please go to the nearest event steward who will be of immediate assistance.
  • We know you’ll be careful and act responsibly but just in case fully trained medical staff will be onhand to administer basic first aid in the event of an emergency.
  • Respect the park, don’t trample around in the flower beds and leave the tree climbing to the monkeys!
  • Respect the environment, please put rubbish in the nearest available “purple” Greenstar bin and remember to reduce,re-use and recycle your waste where possible by putting it in a “green” Greenstar bin.
  • And finally, Picnic’s are meant to be fun so ENJOY YOURSELF!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need tickets to attend the Soul Picnic?

No, just come to Merrion Square Park with your family, friends and neighbours. While entry is FREE it is important to be generous and make a donation to our children’s charity the ‘Musical Youth Foundation‘ before you leave. Our advice; get here early to avoid disappointment as Soul Picnic is very popular.

2. What if it rains?

We won’t be put off by a little bit of rain and hopefully neither will you. We’ve ordered the sunshine and so far its always arrived on time but just in case, bring your rain gear with you. Tune to 103.2 Dublin City FM for latest festival news.

3. Can I bring a stroller into the park?

Yes, everyone is welcome in the park as normal.

4. Will there be food available?

Yes, there’s an entire Food Village offering all kinds of food for every taste. Please don’t bring your own food, support our food partners and you’re helping us to pay for the cost of staging the event.

5. Is there Parking?

You will have real trouble finding a space so our advice is to leave the car at home and avoid the frustration of sitting in a traffic jam. For more info on how to get there using public transport click here or have a look at the bus routes outlined on this page.

6. Is there disabled access?

Yes, everyone is welcome in the park as normal.

7. Can I bring my children with me?

Yes, the Soul Picnic is a family affair for everyone’s enjoyment. (please don’t forget to bring your children home again!)

8. Can I bring alcohol?

No – please leave the alcohol at home, the Soul Picnic is an alcohol free event…its about getting in touch with your ‘soul’ and having a funky good time…but don’t forget to check out some of our other events if you fancy a tipple!

9. What time does it start?

The Soul Picnic stage goes live at 12pm, admission is free and the park is open as normal. Our advice is to arrive well before 12pm to get a good spot for your picnic blanket. A lot of people like to arrive early and watch the stage being built and the musicians sound-checking. The park is open as normal from 9am.