Oxegen was one of the big winners at this year’s Billboard Touring Awards, with the Punchestown three-dayer taking home the honour for Worldwide Top Festival.

"It's always great to win awards, however, of much greater importance is the fact that Irish events have been recognised globally, which is a great tribute to both Irish music fans and the Irish music industry as a whole,” enthuses MCD supremo Denis Desmond.

Oxegen will also be in the running again on November 19 when the UK Festival Awards 2009 are doled out in the London O2. Joining them on the Best Overseas Festival shortlist is the Electric Picnic.