Festival camping has never made sense to Claire Byrne. Sleepless nights in tents, mud, queues for the toilets... Why would anyone willingly swap the comforts of home for a damp field? 

So, at the height of festival season, Claire sets out to discover what she's been missing. Her guide is Philip Meagher – solicitor by day, music obsessive by nature, and the founder of Forest Fest in Emo, Co. Laois. Philip took a remarkable gamble, investing his own money to build a festival designed for people who still love live music but don't necessarily want to rough it. 

Can Philip persuade one lifelong sceptic that sleeping in a tent is a small price to pay for the magic that happens when thousands of strangers come together for one unforgettable weekend? Or will festival camping stay firmly on Claire's "Never Have I Ever" list? 

📧 Have a suggestion for something Claire should try next? Email: never@newstalk.com 

🎪 Find out more about Forest Fest: https://forestfest.ie/ 

🍺 With thanks to Ballykilcavan Brewery for hosting this episode: https://www.ballykilcavan.com/