This article is from page 7 of the 2014-07-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
THERE is a glimmer of hope for the thousands of Clare country-music fans left in low places following last week’s news that Garth Brooks’ sold out series of Croke Park concerts may not go ahead.
Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions said that he has been in contact with Mr Brooks and has not yet given up hope of all five concerts going ahead. The matter was discussed at last night’s meeting of Dublin County Council, with ticket holders left with unanswered prayers as the local authority did not row back its decision to only grant a license for three of the five concerts.
The thunder rolled in front of Croke Park yesterday as rival groups, both claiming to be local residents, held separate protests about the controvertial concert.
“We’re just going to keep working away as much as we can, meeting as many people as we can and doing whatever we can to try and get some light at the end of this,” said Mr Aiken.
Dozens of Clare people queued for days when the tickets went on sale earlier this year. UK-based fan Andrew McIntyre contacted The Clare People claiming that he would never return to Ireland if the concert does not go ahead.
“My trip from the UK has cost us around £700, excluding the cost of the tickets, and all that will be nonrefundable if they don’t happen,” he said.
“Do Dublin Council not realise the damage they have now done to the reputation of themselves and Ireland as whole? I will certainly never go back to Ireland should all of the gigs be cancelled.”
If tomorrow never comes for the two cancelled concerts, and no alternative venue can be agreed, tickets holders will be refunded directly into their credit card accounts.
Potential problems regarding the concert have been flagged for some time with local residents launching a major campaign on the back of a written agreement in 2009 outlined that no more than three concerts were to be held at the stadium each year.
At present the concerts on July 25, 26 and 27 are set to go ahead with the concerts on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 in jeopardy.