Fifteen thousand festivalgoers will descend on Royal Hospital Kilmainham, in Dublin, this weekend for the latest instalment of Forbidden Fruit.
Dublin’s first and longest-running city-centre festival is now in its 14th year, blending electronic, hip-hop and alternative artists on the tree-lined and often sunlit plains of the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Among the headliners this year are Kettama, Joy Crookes, Nia Archives and Kaytranada.
When and where is it?
Forbidden Fruit takes place this Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday, May 31st, on the grounds of the Irish Museum of Modern Art at Royal Hospital Kilmainham, in Dublin.
What time should I arrive?
Festival gates open at 2pm each day. Last entry is at 9pm, and the last act finishes at 10.45pm.
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Disruption to public transport
There will be significant disruptions to Dublin’s Dart lines this bank-holiday weekend, with services operating only between Malahide, Howth and Dublin Connolly stations. The remaining 18 city stations will be closed for ongoing rail works, so plan accordingly.
How do I get to and from the gig?
Fortunately, Royal Hospital Kilmainham is just a 15-minute walk from Dublin city centre. Pedestrian access to the site is via East Gate, Military Road, Dublin 8. Outside of the Dart, Dublin’s other public-transport services are operational this weekend, so consider taking the bus or Luas, as drivers may encounter traffic delays or parking shortages.
Travel by bus: Imma is just an eight-minute walk from Heuston Station, so you can choose between the 145 or C-Spine buses C1, C2, C3 and C4 to get you within range of the site before entering via the Military Road gate. Alternatively, the 13, 73, G1 and G2 all go to St James’s Hospital, which is about the same distance from the festival entrance, though that walk includes steps; dublinbus.ie has timetable information.
Travel by train/Dart: Though Dart interruptions have been highlighted, Irish Rail is a great option for attendees from around the country. Heuston Station is just a short walk from Imma, making the train a popular mode of transport for Forbidden Fruit; irishrail.ie has more information.
Travel by Luas: The Luas red line also services Heuston Station, dropping passengers off a short walk from the Military Road entrance.
Travel by car: There is no parking at the festival site, and traffic restrictions will be in place on Military Road and Kilmainham Lane. The nearest public car park is the Park Rite facility at 7 Queen Street, Dublin 7.
Avoid bringing cash
Forbidden Fruit is a cashless event. All bars, concessions and traders will be accepting contactless or chip-and-pin payments only, so don’t bring cash with you.
Who is playing?
Headliners this year are Kettama, Joy Crookes, Nia Archives and Kaytranada, but as always Forbidden Fruit offers a wide-ranging programme. Bricknasty, Folamour, Interplanetary Criminal, Aby Coulibaly and Curtisy are just a handful of the other names on the bill.
Forbidden Fruit stage times
EAST STAGE
Saturday, May 30th
- 3.30pm-4.30pm: Trinity Orchestra
- 4.55pm-5.55pm: Sister Nancy
- 6.15pm-7.15pm: Bricknasty
- 7.45pm-9pm: Nia Archives
- 9.30pm-10.45pm: Kettama
Sunday, May 31st
- 3.30pm-4.30pm: Avenue68
- 5pm-6pm: Moio
- 6.30pm-7.30pm: Joy Crookes
- 7.45pm-9pm: Folamour
- 9.30pm-10.45pm: Kaytranada
UNDERGROWTH STAGE
Saturday, May 30th
- 3.30pm-4.30pm: Real Lies
- 5pm-5.45pm: Travy & Elzzz
- 6pm-7pm: Sugaboo & Lil Skag
- 7.15pm-8.45pm: Shee
- 9pm-10.30pm: Ben Bohmer
Sunday, May 31st
- 3.30pm-4.15pm: Violet
- 4.45pm-5.45pm: Just for Fun
- 6pm-7pm: Horsegirl
- 7.15pm-8.45pm: Interplanetary Criminal
- 8.45pm-10.45pm: Yousuke Yukimatsu
LIGHTHOUSE WITH SMIRNOFF
Saturday, May 30th
- 2.15pm-3.30pm: Banshee
- 3.30pm-5pm: Shauna Dee
- 5pm-6.30pm: Delilah
- 6.30pm-7.30pm: Zulan
- 7.30pm-9pm: Shampain
- 9pm-10.30pm: Calibre
Sunday, May 31st
- 2.15pm-4pm: Darkmavis
- 4pm-5.15pm: DIEBYVEG
- 5.15pm-6.30pm: 1TBSP
- 6.30pm-7.45pm: Riria
- 7.45pm-9.15pm: Sally C
- 9.15pm-10.45pm: MPH
RTÉ 2FM RISING STAGE
Saturday, May 30th
- 3pm-3.45pm: Roe Byrne
- 4.15pm-5pm: Runthered
- 5.15pm-6.15pm: Mischa and the Bear
- 6.45pm-7.45pm: Abi Coulibaly
- 8pm-9pm: Curtisy
Sunday, May 31st
- 3pm-3.45pm: Jessica Doolan
- 4.15pm-5pm: April
- 5.15pm-6.15pm: Jensen McRae
- 6.45pm-7.45pm: F3miii
- 8.15pm-9pm: RKM33
HAPPY DAYS STAGE
Saturday, May 30th
- 3.20pm-3.50pm: Sona Blue
- 4.10pm-4.40pm: Alex Gough
- 5pm-5.40pm: Telekura
- 6pm-6.40pm: Valerie Rose
- 7pm-7.40pm: BBFT
- 8pm-8.45pm: Yinyang
Sunday, May 31st
- 3.20pm-3.50pm: Syano
- 4.10pm-4.40pm: And He, the Fool
- 5pm-5.40pm: Calum Agnew
- 6pm-6.40pm: Esmerelda Road
- 7pm-7.40pm: Mount Pyrus
- 8pm-8.45pm: Lips2Ears (DJ set)
SOMEPLACE ELSE STAGE
Saturday, May 30th
- 2.30pm-4pm: Foxgluv w/ Raro
- 4pm-5.30pm: Foxgluv w/ Bádho
- 5.30pm-7pm: Foxgluv w/ Ciara May
- 7pm-8.30pm: Soap w/ DJ Shortking
- 8.30pm-10pm: Soap w/ Jor
Sunday, May 31st
- 2.30pm-4pm: Starlight Project w/ Donncha
- 4pm-5.30pm: Starlight Project w/ Jenn Hession
- 5.30pm-7pm: Starlight Project w/ Surferboy
- 7pm-8.30pm: The Lounge w/ Puzzy Wrangler
- 8.30pm-10pm: The Lounge w/ Hyperfunk
Where can I go afterwards?
Forbidden Fruit finishes at 10.45pm at Royal Hospital Kilmainham, but there are options for those who aren’t yet ready to call it a night.
Forbidden Fruit Night events, featuring a range of DJs, are taking place around Dublin in venues that include Centre Point, Tengu, Wigwam, Racket, Fidelity Studio and the Grand Social. You’ll find full information here.
Are any tickets left?
Forbidden Fruit is sold out, and organisers do not facilitate official ticket resales. You can transfer your ticket to a friend on Ticketmaster if you are unable to attend. It is worth noting that the name on your ticket must match your ID.
Tickets are divided between weekend and single-day attendees, so make sure you’re aware of what you’ve signed up for. Proof of age may be required upon entry.
No re-entry to the event
Tickets are scanned once when you arrive. Re-entry is not permitted, so don’t leave the grounds unless you’re finished for the day.
What’s security like?
You may be searched upon entry to Forbidden Fruit. A range of items are prohibited, including fireworks, alcohol, illicit drugs, glass, umbrellas, drones, megaphones, folding chairs, high-vis clothing and bags bigger than A4 size.
Standard plastic 750ml water bottles are permitted, but not metal bottles.
What does the weather look like?
Temperatures are set to remain high this weekend, but Saturday’s forecast includes a chance of rain, according to Met Éireann. Sunday is similar, with a mix of cloud, sun and scattered showers against highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees.
Forbidden Fruit is an outdoor festival, so make sure to pack sun cream and consider bringing boots or runners, and possibly a poncho, in case of rain.
