From sold-out music weekends to community, food and arts festivals, Ireland’s events calendar is about to fill up. Barry Walsh looks at the Irish businesses who can get you festival-ready.
With festival season on the horizon, getting fully prepared will allow you to make the most of the experience.
This could be camping essentials, proper rain gear, hygiene products and more. But, as every veteran of a festival weekend will tell you, getting the basics right makes all the difference between a good weekend and a great weekend.
Whether it’s sunny or rainy, having the right gear to allow you to be comfortable makes all the difference, allowing you to fully enjoy every moment from the first act to the last song of the weekend.
53 Degrees North
Founded in 2005 by Leonard and Sharon Gowing, 53 Degrees North has grown into one of Ireland’s most trusted names in outdoor retail, with stores in Carrickmines, Blanchardstown and Cork’s Cornmarket Centre. Whether you’re heading into the hills, out on the water or hitting the slopes, the team here genuinely knows their stuff – and they’re always happy to help you figure out exactly what you need.
When it comes to festivals, 53 Degrees North has you well covered with their dedicated Festival Essentials range. With products such as backpacks, tents, sleeping gear, camping lights, cool bags and cookware – everything you’d want to make a weekend in a field feel a little less chaotic. They also stock festival-friendly clothing and accessories, so whether it’s a surprise downpour or bright sunshine, you won’t be caught out.
Basecamp
A lot of what Basecamp stocks translates brilliantly to festival life such as dry bags, flasks, technical layers and a first aid kit. It might be geared towards hikers and mountaineers, but if you want gear that genuinely holds up over a long weekend outdoors, this is a smart place to start.
BEO Wellness
Founded in 2016 by Aoibhín Garrihy and Sharon Connellan, two women with a background in media and events, who wanted to bring real self-care to Irish women. Their immersive live events have now drawn over 30,000 attendees across Ireland and Northern Ireland, and their Sleep Well product line – such as organic pillow mists, silk eye masks, Aran knit throws and handmade linen nightdresses – is as beautiful as it is practical. You’ll find them at Brown Thomas, Arnotts and various pop-ups throughout the year.
Festivals can be brilliant but exhausting, and BEO are quietly becoming one of the best brands to pack for the quieter moments. A silk eye mask blocks out the sunrise in your tent; a pulse point oil or scented candle creates a little calm in the chaos. They’ve also been spotted at events like WellFest at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham (9–10 May 2026) and the Bealtaine Festival at Beyond the Trees Avondale (26 April 2026), bringing a moment of stillness to even the noisiest weekends.
Earthmother
Dublin-based Earthmother was born out of parenthood. Founders Siobhán and Christopher Elsom wanted a one-stop shop for families trying to live more sustainably without compromising on safety or quality. Since 2010, their online store has offered everything from reusable nappies and organic baby care to natural skincare, household cleaners and zero-waste gift sets, all packaged with minimal or compostable materials and absolutely no plastic.
For festivals, their zero-waste provides beeswax wraps, stasher silicone bags, stainless steel bottles, biodegradable wet wipes, organic sunscreen and natural insect repellent. Everything you need to get through a weekend without adding to the mountain of single-use rubbish left behind. Compact, durable and kind to the planet, it’s a brilliant option for eco-conscious festival-goers who want to enjoy themselves responsibly.
Ecoset
Ecoset offers a stylish selection of back-to-school essentials, including premium water bottles, food pots, and a specialised kids’ range, all of which can be personalised to make them unique. Based in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ecoset creates eco-friendly products to reduce single-use plastics and support a greener future. Made from durable, triple-insulated stainless steel, Ecoset bottles keep drinks hot or cold for hours. Each product can be personalised in-house by Co-Founder Oscar Lai, with names and fun illustrations engraved free of charge. A portion of every sale supports Ireland’s Clean Coasts Programme.
Ecoset products are perfect for music festivals. Their Flasket water bottles keep you hydrated all day, while the larger Roamer Mug is perfect for long afternoons between stages. Come evening, their insulated wine bottle and tumbler sets mean you can enjoy a proper campsite drink without falling foul of glass bans. For morning coffee, the compact Nomad or Slimmy mugs slip easily into a backpack without adding bulk. Everything is triple-insulated stainless steel, available in great colourways, and can be personalised with a name.
ElectroCity
A family-run store since 1993, with stores in Kilkenny, Carlow and Waterford, ElectroCity is one of Ireland’s biggest independent electronics retailers employing more than 50 peopel. From TVs and laptops to smart home devices and audio gear, they stock a wide range of trusted brands and back it all up with expert advice, delivery, installation and recycling services.
They’ve put together some very handy festival packs available in-store. Portable power banks to keep your phone alive, waterproof Bluetooth speakers for the campsite, wireless earbuds, action cameras and LED head torches all make the list.
Evergreen Healthfoods
Evergreen Healthfoods has been a Galway institution for over 30 years, built up by Kieran and Aideen Hurley into one of Ireland’s most respected natural health retailers. With eight stores across the city and county, including Eyre Square, Mainguard Street and Barna. They stock over 5,000 products from 250 brands, spanning vitamins, supplements, organic skincare, sports nutrition, vegan and gluten-free foods, and eco-friendly household essentials.
If you’re heading to a festival and want to keep your body feeling good throughout, Evergreen is a smart pre-trip stop. Stock up on electrolytes, energy supplements, natural sunscreen, herbal remedies and gut-friendly snacks that’ll sustain you far better than whatever’s left at the food stalls on day three. It’s the kind of preparation that makes a real difference by Sunday morning.
Foods of Athenry
What started as a dairy farm in Athenry, Co. Galway, has become one of Ireland’s most beloved gluten-free bakeries. The Lawless family converted their milking parlour into a dedicated bakery in 2004, and have been turning out honest, additive-free bakes ever since. Just some of their products include cookies, crackers, flapjacks, granola, scones, snack bars and seasonal treats, all registered with the Coeliac Society and many carrying the crossed grain symbol.
Festivals are notoriously tricky territory if you have dietary needs, and Foods of Athenry solves that problem. Their compact, robust snacks, gluten-free flapjacks, energy cookies, savoury crackers, and granola bites travel well, don’t need refrigeration and actually keep you going through a long day. Whether you’re coeliac, vegan, or just trying to avoid the mystery burger van, they’re worth throwing in your bag before you go.
Gillanders
Gillanders on Market Street in Monaghan is the kind of countrywear shop that takes both style and practicality seriously. As Ireland’s leading stockist of premium town and country fashion, they carry names like Barbour, Schöffel, Dubarry and RM Williams.
All of their clothing and footwear work just as well on a wet Saturday in a muddy field as it does on a country estate.
For festivals, their range of waxed jackets, packable waterproofs, merino accessories and sturdy waterproof boots is hard to beat. These aren’t fast-fashion festival buys; they’re pieces built to last, which means you’ll still be wearing them years after the wellies from the petrol station have fallen apart.
Hygiene and health
For women: Irish companies like BodyGrá, Nuera, and Evergreen Healthfoods assist women attending music festivals by offering portable, discreet products tailored to each female’s sexual health needs. BodyGrá provides lubricants, menstrual cups, and pelvic wellness items that are compact for festival bags, helping women manage intimate comfort amid dancing and camping. Nuera’s Irish-made supplements support hormonal balance and mood, countering festival stressors like disrupted sleep or dehydration. These enable proactive preparation, ensuring women feel confident and physically supported before heading to the event. Post-festival, services like SH24.ie and LetsGetChecked offer at-home STI testing kits for quick reassurance after weekend exposures. Nuera’s fertility and recovery supplements aid hormonal resets.
For men: Irish companies like LetsGetChecked.ie, Webdoctor.ie, and SH:24.ie empower men attending music festivals with at-home STI testing kits, allowing discreet pre-event screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, and more, results arrive in 2-5 days with clinician advice for peace of mind.
Retailers such as HappyWilliam.ie, Manly.ie, and LoveAngels.ie stock compact condom variety packs, extra-safe options, and personal lubricants, making it easy to pack essentials for safer, comfortable encounters without excess baggage.
During festivals, these reliable condoms and lubes minimise STI transmission risks amid spontaneous interactions, complemented by GOSHH Ireland’s free condom distributions at events for added accessibility. Ecco-vade.ie‘s, Fair Squared natural condoms offer a sustainable, skin-friendly choice. This ecosystem ensures thorough preparation, on-site protection, and rapid recovery, prioritising men’s privacy, convenience, and long-term wellbeing in high-risk settings.
Jack Murphy Clothing
Jack Murphy Clothing has been designing outerwear in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, since the mid-1990s, drawing on a heritage that stretches back to the post-war garment trade. Inspired by Ireland’s landscapes and reliably unreliable weather, the brand specialises in waterproof raincoats, waxed jackets, Donegal tweed and riding coats, classic in style, seriously practical in performance, and available for both men and women.
Rain ponchos, breathable waxed coats and lightweight waterproof jackets are the obvious festival picks from their range, but the thermal base layers and merino accessories are just as useful when temperatures drop after dark. These are clothes made to handle real Irish weather, which makes them a natural fit for any outdoor event.
Landers Outdoor World
Landers Outdoor World in Tralee was founded in 1984, and is now run by Emma Landers, daughter of founders Liz and Tim.
The store at Mile Height Retail Park carries one of Ireland’s widest selections of specialist outdoor gear; hiking, climbing, fishing, camping and watersports. Supplying premium brands like The North Face, Helly Hansen, Salomon and Mountain Equipment all under one roof.
For festival prep, Landers offers pretty much everything you’d need for a comfortable multi-day stay outdoors. Waterproof jackets, packable ponchos, thermal layers, lightweight tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, hiking boots.
Little Green Shop
Mullingar’s Little Green Shop was founded in 2016 by Jane Loughran. This is a thoughtfully curated store for anyone trying to live more sustainably. From zero-waste cleaning supplies and vegan skincare to reusable bathroom essentials and natural health remedies, everything here is ethically sourced, plastic-free and designed to replace the single-use stuff that clutters most bathroom cabinets.
Their festival kit is practical and genuinely well thought out: reusable cutlery and stainless steel straws, biodegradable wet wipes, bamboo toothbrushes, solid shampoo bars, natural deodorant, eco sunscreen and insect repellent. Compact, lightweight and packaging-free, it’s the kind of kit that fits easily into a backpack and means you’re not adding to the mountains of rubbish that pile up at festival sites by Sunday afternoon.
MacEoín General Merchants
MacEoín General Merchants in Ballyhea, Dingle has been serving outdoor Ireland for over 35 years, evolving from a poultry and gamebird supplier into one of the country’s most comprehensive outdoor stores with over 3,000 products. They distribute Campingaz nationwide to 160 outlets and stock everything from camping gear and fishing tackle to electric fencing, gas appliances and hunting supplies.
For festivals, MacEoín General Merchants camping essentials section is well worth a look: tents, sleeping bags, air beds, stoves, lanterns, camping toilets, folding chairs and cool boxes. Gas cartridges and portable cooking gear make self-sufficiency over a long weekend genuinely achievable, and the breadth of stock means you’re unlikely to find something they don’t carry.
Mc’s Outdoor Store
Mc’s Outdoor Store was founded by Ronan McDonagh in October 2009. Based in Merchants Quay in Waterford city, it has since grown into the biggest and most stocked outdoor retail store in the south east, with an online store running alongside the physical shop. The range covers hiking footwear and waterproof clothing, hunting gear including firearms and ammunition, fishing rods, reels, bait and buoyancy aids, and camping essentials from tents and sleeping bags to cooking equipment and Campingaz gas refills. Their staff are consistently praised for their hands-on knowledge.
Their festival offering is one of the most comprehensive around. Airbeam tents from compact one-person models right up to spacious eight-person family units, sleeping bags, inflatable mats, rucksacks ranging from 15L daypacks to 95L expedition packs, waterproof jackets, lanterns, folding chairs, stoves and multi-tools.
McDaid Pharmacy
McDaid Pharmacy is a trusted family-run group of chemists serving the border county of Ireland, with locations in Cavan, Clones, Granard and Mullingar. As a PSI-registered pharmacy, they offer the full suite of healthcare services such as prescriptions, medication reviews, cardiovascular screenings, flu vaccinations and more. Alongside a well-stocked online store covering vitamins, skincare, baby products and smoking cessation aids.
For festivals, McDaid’s offers pain relief, rehydration salts, plasters, antiseptic wipes, motion sickness tablets, earplugs, suncream, insect bite relief, hand sanitiser and hangover remedies; all the unglamorous essentials that you’ll be very glad you packed by day two. Travel-sized and blister-packed, everything fits neatly into a festival bag without taking up much space.
Narcissips
Narcissips is an Irish social enterprise on a mission: to help people understand the benefits of reusables for their health, their pockets and the environment. Now B Corp certified, their stainless steel bottles, coffee cups and tumblers come in sizes from 350ml right up to 1,200ml, in genuinely nice colourways like Galactic Black, Olympus Blue and Cream. Beyond the products, every purchase also contributes to clean water wells in Malawi, children’s education and native tree planting in Ireland.
At a festival, an insulated bottle is one of the best things you can bring, and Narcissips makes some of the best around. Leak-proof, shatterproof and light enough to live in a backpack all weekend, their range covers everything from a quick morning coffee cup to a serious 1,000ml water bottle for long days between hydration stations. No plastic taste, no single-use waste, and they look good too
Neura
Nuera is an Irish, pharmacist-led wellness store built with a clear mission: to make it easier for people to access high-quality health and beauty products they can trust, while supporting Irish brands.
Every product on Nuera comes from Irish companies, from vitamins and supplements to electrolytes, skincare and haircare, giving customers confidence in both quality and origin.
As festival season approaches, staying energised, hydrated and feeling your best is key to enjoying the experience. Nuera offers a focused range of products designed to support energy, recovery and overall well-being during long days and late nights. From electrolyte solutions and daily supplements to moisturisers that keep skin refreshed, everything is selected with real-life use in mind.
Nuera also offers simple bundle options, combining complementary products into easy, ready-to-go solutions that remove the guesswork when preparing for busy weekends.
With free delivery on orders over €40 and a commitment to quality, transparency and Irish businesses, Nuera delivers a straightforward approach to wellness – helping customers feel prepared, supported and ready to enjoy festival season at their best.
O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy
O’Sullivan’s is an independent Irish pharmacy network with locations across Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. Extended opening hours, private consultations, monitored dosage packing and a solid range of over-the-counter products – cosmetics, skincare, vitamins, baby products and more – make them a reliable local resource wherever you are in the country.
Their festival essentials range covers all the bases: painkillers, rehydration sachets, blister plasters, antiseptic cream, anti-diarrhoeal tablets, earplugs, throat lozenges, travel suncream, aftersun, insect repellent, hand sanitiser and electrolyte drinks. It’s not the most glamorous shopping list, but getting it sorted before you go means you’re not hunting around a festival campsite at midnight for a paracetamol.
Off Your Grid
Off Your Grid launched in 2021 as Ireland’s first official EcoFlow supplier, and they’ve built a strong reputation since for clean, quiet portable power. Based in Co. Kildare, the company stocks EcoFlow, Bluetti and Anker systems has everything from compact units that’ll charge a laptop to high-capacity stations capable of running appliances during a power outage. All stock is held locally, and their after-sales support is genuinely attentive.
For festivals, portable power stations are a game-changer – silent, emissions-free and capable of running phones, speakers, lights and cameras for a day or two without any mains access. Pair one with a foldable solar panel, and you can recharge during the day, which makes a real difference over a long weekend. The compact 300–600Wh models are the sweet spot for most festival-goers.
Open Season
Open Season has been one of Ireland’s go-to outdoor and country sports shops since 1990, based on Pearse Street in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Best known as a specialist fishing tackle destination covering coarse, fly, game, pike, lure and sea fishing – the store also carries a strong range of hunting, hiking and camping gear, with expert staff who can offer genuinely useful advice
For festivals, their camping and utility range does the job well: lightweight tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks, waterproof jackets, hiking boots, torches, multi-tools and folding flasks. Binoculars for catching the stage from the back of a crowd are a fun addition, and their rain gear is built for actual Irish conditions rather than optimistic sunshine forecasts.
Outback Jacks
Outback Jacks opened in Ballybane, Galway in 2014, founded by Derek and Maureen Walsh as an independent specialist in technical outdoor clothing and gear. Helly Hansen, Craghoppers, Regatta and Jack Wolfskin are among the brands on the rails, and since 2016 they’ve also offered embroidered corporate wear for businesses, clubs and expedition groups.
For festivals, Outback Jacks has the waterproofs, base layers, hiking boots and packable sleeping bags that make outdoor life genuinely comfortable. Quick-dry towels, thermal hats and gloves round out the kit for chillier evenings, and if you’re going as a group, their corporate embroidery service means you can kit the whole gang out in matching gear which is useful if you’re trying to spot each other across a busy campsite.
Outdoor Adventure Store
With over 30 years of experience and stores in Dublin, Cork and Bray, Outdoor Adventure Store is Ireland’s largest independent outdoor retailer – and it shows in the range. Camping, hiking, watersports, travel and backpacking are all covered in serious depth, with premium brands across tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks, boots, technical apparel, stoves and hydration systems. Free shipping on Irish orders over €50 makes the online store a convenient option too.
For festivals, they can genuinely kit you out from scratch. Lightweight tents, inflatable sleeping mats, compact stoves, lanterns, waterproof jackets and trousers, durable rucksacks, folding chairs, cool bags, headlamps, power banks and first aid pouches – it’s a comprehensive list, and the expertise behind it means you’re unlikely to end up with something that doesn’t suit what you actually need.
Outwest
Outwest is a B-Corp certified outdoor apparel brand rooted firmly in Dingle, Co Kerry having their store is on Upper Green Street.
Every piece in the collection traces back to the views, conversations and experiences of the Dingle Peninsula. Jackets, hoodies, t-shirts, half-zips and accessories for men and women, all made with sustainability and ethical production at the centre of the process.
Their festival range includes lightweight, weather-resistant jackets that pack down small, breathable base layers, beanies and caps that work across whatever the Irish summer decides to throw at you. The aesthetic leans into that rugged Atlantic coast look, which tends to translate well to a festival field.
Poncho-Ireland
Poncho-Ireland offers lightweight, packable rain ponchos are designed specifically for Ireland’s weather. Waterproof, breathable, hooded and generous enough in size to cover both you and whatever you’re carrying on your back. Made from quick-drying, durable materials, they’re compact enough to live permanently in the bottom of your bag until the moment you actually need them.
At a festival, a good poncho can be the difference between a great day and a miserable one, and Poncho-Ireland’s reusable version is far better than the flimsy disposable plastic ones that end up blowing across the campsite by Saturday morning. The hood stays put in the wind, the sizing covers layers underneath, and they pack back down to almost nothing when the sun eventually comes out.
Portwest – The Outdoor Shop
Portwest has been part of Ireland’s outdoor landscape since 1904, with four stores along the Wild Atlantic Way in Westport, Galway and Killarney. The family-run business designs and manufactures its own functional outdoor clothing alongside stocking premium brands like Columbia, Helly Hansen, Craghoppers and Berghaus. Their gear has been tested in the kind of conditions that Ireland’s west coast reliably provides.
Their festival kit covers all the essentials: waterproof jackets, packable ponchos, breathable trousers, thermal fleeces, hats, gloves, hiking boots, wellies, rucksacks, sleeping bags and stoves. The combination of own-brand and premium third-party options means there’s something for most budgets, and the in-store knowledge built up over 120 years of trading is genuinely worth tapping into.
River Deep Mountain High
River Deep Mountain High has been a fixture on Middle Street in Galway city centre since 1989, making it one of Ireland’s longest-established specialist outdoor retailers. A family-run shop with a serious pedigree, it stocks premium brands like Patagonia, Palm, Columbia and Big Agnes across technical clothing, footwear, rucksacks, tents, sleeping systems and watersports gear. With click-and-collect and nationwide delivery available.
For festivals, their range covers everything from lightweight tents and sleeping bags to waterproof jackets, base layers, rucksacks, hiking boots, lanterns and compact stoves.
Suan Earplugs
Suan makes premium reusable earplugs built for people who want proper noise protection without sacrificing sound quality. Made from soft, hypoallergenic silicone with multiple tip sizes for a secure fit, they deliver a 35dB noise reduction rating and come with a durable aluminium keychain case – compact enough to go everywhere with you. Unlike foam plugs, they use acoustic filters that reduce volume without making everything sound muffled.
For live music, that distinction really matters. Suan’s high-fidelity filters bring a 110dB stage down to safe listening levels while keeping the mix clear – you’ll still hear the vocals and the bass properly, just without the ringing ears afterwards. They stay put during dancing, look discreet and being reusable means no single-use waste across a whole weekend of music. One of the more underrated things to pack.
The Silk Pillowcase Ireland
Based on Dublin’s South Circular Road, The Silk Pillowcase specialises in 100% Mulberry silk sleep accessories – pillowcases, eye masks and accompanying products designed to be genuinely kind to skin and hair. Particularly well regarded for their benefits during menopause, the range also includes botanical sleep oils and restful journals, all focused on quality rest and natural temperature regulation.
It might not be the most obvious festival brand, but their silk eye masks are actually brilliant for tent life – flat-packing easily, blocking out the early morning light and protecting your skin from whatever rough surface you end up sleeping on.
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