Oxegen organisers turn racecourse into music village

An Post has been added to the line-up at Ireland’s biggest music festival as organisers put the final touches to Oxegen 08.

Punchestown Racecourse is being transformed in to a small village for the 80,000 music fans who flock to the venue next weekend.

More than 150 bands will perform on seven stages over the three-day event which has attracted some of the biggest names in the industry.

A post office will set up shop at the event so ticket holders who use their passport or driving licence as identification for entry can send the documents back home safely by registered mail.

Mobile phone top-ups, cash withdrawals, lotto, money transfers, and a selection of special edition postcards will also be available over the counter.

Sophie Ridley, event controller, said other on-site facilities for revellers include lockers to keep valuables safe, a 24-hour Centra, camp store, and shops offering a selection of merchandise, clothes and accessories.

This year, festival organisers have also gone green with a range of initiatives to reduce the impact on the environment.

Energy Minister and Green Party TD Eamon Ryan welcomed the schemes which include plugging the use of public transport, eco-friendly camping, environmentally friendly toilets, reusable cups, and bio degradable packaging for vendors.

“Whether it’s by getting on the bus, sipping from your Eco Cup or snoozing in a greener tent, Oxegen is heading in a direction which makes it easier to do the right thing and have a good time,” he added.

“I hope that there will be plenty of solar energy over the weekend to top things off.”