Live boost as Pearse Stadium gigs double in capacity

The Government has bowed to widespread criticism over the strict rules governing live entertainment and more than doubled the permitted capacity at this weekend’s Pearse Stadium gigs.

However, the move has done little to allay the increasingly vocal disquiet among those in the industry who watched as 40,000 spectators were allowed into Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling final at Croke Park.

Just 500 seated tickets in pods of four were allowed to be sold for the four gigs at Pearse Stadium, kicking off tonight (Thursday) with Christy Moore.

His concert had sold out in 15 minutes while tickets for Sunday’s return of The Stunning were snapped up in 90 minutes. Mary Coughlan performs with Niamh O’Regan on Saturday and comedians Ardal O’Hanlon and Deirdre O’Kane take to the stage on Friday.

The gigs are being grant-aided through the live performance support scheme (LPSS) as they would not be financially viable for promoters with such a limited number of ticket sales.

On Tuesday, the capacity for the 8,000-seated stadium – which has an overall capacity of 26,000 – was increased to 1,200. The Róisín Dubh reopened ticket sales for the two sold-out gigs that evening.

All punters will be seated while the stage will be located on the pitch facing the stand. The bar will operate a click and collect service.

Pearse Doherty, event producer for the gigs on behalf of the Róisín, said they were delighted by news of the extra capacity.

“When we applied for these shows a month ago, we asked for 1,000 people to be considered and at the time the Department said it wasn’t possible. They have now confirmed we can have 1,200. It’s still not ideal but it’s a positive step,” he told the Connacht Tribune.

Read the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie