Oxygen Festival

Despite the fact that it has only been in existence since 2004, the Oxygen Festival has garnered a reputation as being one of the biggest and best concerts in the UK.  Located at Punchestown Racecourse, Naa, Co. Kildare, Oxygen has witnessed some truly great moments including The Who’s first appearance in Ireland in more than 35 years.  Other groups which have taken to the Oxygen stages include The Black Eyed Peas, Jay-Z, Eminem, Fatboy Slim, Kings of Leon, and Florence and the Machine.  Open to those over 17 years of age, Oxygen brings a wide array of musical acts.  If you are under 17, you must, at all times, be accompanied by an adult over the age of 25 who will accept responsibility for those underage.

To get to the Oxygen Festival, busses will continually run from Dublin to the festival grounds.  If you want to come by car, parking is available online for €30 while supplies last.  Free parking is available if you buy four weekend camping tickets together online and click the car park option.  You can also take your tickets to any Ticketmaster outlet and they will give you a free car park ticket.  If you prefer to arrive by train, the nearest stations include Sallins and Naas, while Dublin is slightly further down the road.  All can be connected to Punchestown via bus. 

Many festival goers take advantage of the camping onsite, not only to be closer to the music, but the festival organizers also provide plenty of other activities as well.  All campsites have pretty much everything you will need throughout the weekend.  Both toilets and free showers are available, plus there are phone charging stations as well.  Even though there are food stalls throughout the facility with a wide array of items, a supermarket is also onsite in case you would like to keep and cook some things yourself.  There are also plenty of picnic tables available in the camping areas so you can take a load off and eat at the same time.  Food at the festival run from everything from the must have Gourmet Burger to waffles, crepes, Chinese and Indian fair.  Wine and beer are also served at the festival bars.        

Located in the campgrounds is a recently expanded and improved campsite village.  Here, you can find an entertainment hub with favorites such as the silent disco where everyone dances to their own beat wearing headphones and The Tribute Stage. 

But it is not all about the music, with plenty of other activities to participate in as well.  If you are more of the daredevil type, be sure to try out one of Europe’s largest travelling slingshots.  With mast standing over 45 metres high, they will catapult riders to speeds reaching over 160Kph.  Other attractions include a giant Ferris Wheel and boosters.  If you would rather keep your feet on the ground and look your best, be sure to visit the Pink Pamper Hair and Beauty Salon located in the blue campsite.  Here you can get hair and beauty treatments to ensure that you are looking your best.  And if you feel like dressing up, be sure to take part in Fancy Dress Friday and show up as your favorite superhero, historic icon or Oxygen artist.