THE LAST day of Oxegen was memorable for many reasons - but unforgettable for one couple.
It being a leap year, Michaela Murphy (23) proposed to her boyfriend Paddy McBride (27), both from Belfast, just before the Republic of Loose played on the 02 Stage.
Fans were told that Republic of Loose would rock them, but something else happened that rocked Mr McBride's world.
Ms Murphy went down on one knee in front of astonished onlookers and presented her bass-playing boyfriend with a plectrum instead of a ring.
He seemed to be the last to know as, right on cue, the confetti fell from the stage.
The engagement proposal was one of the highlights of the last day which began in beautiful sunshine and ended with the most anticipated act of the festival, Rage Against The Machine.
Also closing the festival was The Swell Seasons, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, playing their first gig in Ireland since winning an Oscar for best song Falling Slowly in March.
Promoters MCD and the Garda have described the festival as a major success.
For many fans, the highlight of the festival was Amy Winehouse, who despite her very public problems, not only appeared, but gave a well-regarded performance.
AA Roadwatch reported few traffic delays either to or from the venue, as fans opted for public transport.
The Garda is investigating two incidents of alleged sexual assault, one in the staff camp site on Thursday and another on Friday in the blue camp site.
Files on both cases are being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Otherwise, there were less than 100 arrests for various offences which included drug possession, assault, drink driving, criminal damage and public order.
Supt Pat Mangan said that he was very pleased with the conduct of the 80,000 fans who turned up for the concerts and said the number of arrests was "low" in comparison with previous years.
MCD spokesman Justin Green said that the company had invested around €1 million in putting in roads on the site, which had been churned up last year as a result of incessant rain.
Aside from showers on Friday and Saturday, the weather was good compared to last year, and the worst fans had to contend with yesterday was sunburn rather than a sea of mud..
Among those who turned up over the weekend were the two Green Party Ministers. John Gormley and Eamon Ryan both confessed to being fans of REM. who played at the festival on Saturday night.
