Appetite for Distraction: Emer McLysaght's festival days are over

It was when I heard a JCB drive past my head at 4am, protected only by a thin bit of canvas, that I realised my festival days were  over

All Together Now music festival: more portaloos than Malaga TONY KINLAN

After more than 15 years, 12 air mattresses, one Electric Picnic attended against medical advice and countless swigs of 7am vodka mistaken for water, I’m sadly announcing my retirement from music festivals.

It’s been a long and varied career. I’ve laughed and cried. I’ve danced and raved. I was at the first Castlepalooza where it rained solidly for three days and our tent got washed away. I witnessed Susan Sarandon and Michael Stipe ...