Oxegen

Where and when? Punchestown Racecourse, Naas, County Kildare, Eire - 10th-12th July.

Why should I go? A great festival line-up and as green as the Emerald Isle.

Any interesting titbits of information? Oxegen is Ireland’s biggest 100% carbon-neutral event.

Not for nothing did Oxegen win last year’s Yourope Award for Best European Festival. It’s become a favourite with fans from all over the world thanks to its friendly atmosphere, world-beating line-up and spot-on green credentials. Not bad for a pup just five years old.

Having been chosen in an online poll by fans, Kings of Leon are headliners for a second consecutive year, joining the reformed Blur in making Oxegen their only Irish show of 2009. With much of the line-up being shared with sister festival T in the Park, you’re guaranteed a stellar selection of acts to enjoy over the weekend.

The festival is as green as the Emerald Isle itself (and that’s the only Oirish cliché in this preview, promise). It’s 100% carbon neutral, and the organisers’ efforts to make the festival as environmentally friendly as possible were rewarded with a Green ‘N’ Clean award from Yourope (who seem to love this shindig). Damn it all, they don’t even want you to use shampoo with phosphates in it!

Add to this all the fringe attractions you’d expect from a major festival – including a beat poetry tent if you’re that way inclined – and you’re onto a winner.

Ticket price: Three-day camping: €224.50. An extra €20 gets you a four-day camping ticket which includes the Thursday. Three-day no-camping tickets: €199.50; day tickets: €99.50.

Accommodation: Camping is free with most tickets, with some luxury camping available. There’s also a special family camping area. Campervans will cost you an extra €60.

Site opening: noon, Thursday 9th July.

Capacity: 80,000

Stages: Main stage, Green Room, The Red Bull Academy.

Travel: It’s buses all the way – there is some parking, but the organisers would rather you took the green option. There are loads of priority shuttle buses to the site from surrounding transport hubs.