U2 'lining up three Croke Park gigs in summer'
-
Bono and Adam Clayton Photo: Getty Images
Pictures: Independent Woman
• amfAR cinema against AIDS
• Celebration of the Arts Gala
• What to expect premiere London
• Billboard Music Awards Red Carpet
• Men In Black 3 London Premiere
By stephen O'Farrell
Wednesday Feb 4 2009
Speculation was mounting last night that U2 will play three dates at Croke Park this summer as part of a Europe-wide stadium tour.
The band is thought to have provisionally booked the 82,000-capacity ground for July 24, 25 and 26.
And it emerged last night that the neighbouring Jurys Hotel has tripled their prices for the dates.
Rooms are now selling at €299 per night for a superior bedroom compared to €99 the previous weekend.
General manager Edward Stephenson stressed that supply and demand issues had led to the price rise with the hotel already 85pc booked up.
"We have very high occupancy here for those dates," Mr Stephenson said.
"We have very little availability left so that would be the normal situation in a hotel that we would sell off rooms for a cheaper price first.
"A number of people have got very competitive rates for these dates."
Mr Stephenson did not confirm that the weekend's popularity was due to the U2 gig but admitted that there had been a lot of speculation about a possible event on those dates.
"For matches and concerts and other events, we would offer very good value for people who book early," Mr Stephenson added.
The north-Dublin rockers are not due to officially announce their tour dates until the middle of next month and tickets are expected to sell out fast.
- stephen O'Farrell
Latest celebrity sightings
