The organisers of the All Together Now music festival has acknowledged "delays" in getting to the venue in Co Waterford following many complaints from people getting stuck in traffic, for hours in some cases.
This is the second year of the three-day festival at the 3,000-acre Curraghmore estate outside Portlaw in rural Waterford and in a statement tonight, a spokesperson for All Together Now said that "every new festival faces challenges".
Gates opened at 12pm to most ticket-holders although people in camped vans were allowed on-site last night.
Many people travelling to the event complained this evening of major delays on the country roads leading to Curraghmore.
A traffic plan was put in place in advance but there were bottlenecks in the town of Carrick-on-Suir as well as approach roads around Portlaw.
Some spoke of getting out of buses and walking the remaining distances.
"We are aware of the delays in getting to this weekend's All Together Now Festival, and we would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding," the festival spokesperson said.
"The home of the festival, the Curraghmore Estate, was built in the 15th century, with a complex network of surrounding country roads. Every new festival faces challenges. Everything in terms of carpark, campsite and Main Arena opened on time.
"We have encouraged people to use Bus Éireann services, train services and car-pooling systems, to reduce the numbers of cars on the road. We appreciate people's excitement and expectations for this year's sold-out festival and with today's brilliant weather many of you travelled early to get here."
Gardaí said earlier this evening that the traffic situation had "much improved" following long delays from early afternoon and that traffic was "good" in the village of Portlaw itself although "moving slowly" towards the blue entrance of the venue which was used by general campers.
Buses were also taking people to drop-off points on-site.
The inaugural festival saw 15,000 weekend tickets sold and this year the attendance was increased, with 22,500 tickets sold out by last March.
Meanwhile, in Waterford city the 27th annual Spraoi street theatre festival also starts tonight.
The weekend will feature free family events, music and dance and culminate in the much-loved Spraoi parade, starting at 9.30pm on Sunday, followed by a fireworks display.
