Following the Brooks-gate fiasco at Croke Park, the cancellation of five gigs and 400,000 ticket holders losing out, Dublin has decided to “go country,” to entertain Garth Brooks fans visiting Ireland’s capitol.
The country singer had been booked to play five sold-out gigs at Croke Park, which were canceled after Dublin City Council did not grant licenses for two of the gigs.
Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe announced that Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Dublin’s tourism industry are stepping in to ensure that the many thousands of Garth Brooks’ fans can still have a weekend to remember.
Minister of State Michael Ring said, “Ireland is a great place for festivals as we showed during the Gathering. I am sure this is going to be a great weekend too. “
“Dublin Goes Country” will include a series of music events at a variety of venues; themed menus at Dublin bars and restaurants and a series of nightly events featuring food, dance and music.
Mary Collins from Fáilte Ireland’s Dublin team said, “It’s a credit to the local tourism industry that they have all pitched in at such short notice to help us provide an exciting alternative for the many Garth Brooks fans who had already booked flights and accommodation to be here. Even, if people didn’t have a ticket for Garth, we would encourage them to check out these events, get into the swing of things and grab their partners for what should be a great hoe-down in the city later this month.”
Highlights announced so far include:
- Whelan's Bluegrass, Country & Roots Festival, July 25-27
- “In Lonesome Dame” – live Outdoor music in the Dame St District, July 25-27
- An ‘OK Corral’ Busking Trail – (Sat, July 26) from the Grafton Quarter to Wolf Tone Square: a busking trail of well-known and up-and-coming acts playing in key locations.
- Stetson and the City (Friday 25th July) – a one day music trail, organized by the people behind Breakingtunes Irish Music portal and Hard Working Class Heroes Festival, will showcase some of the best new country and folk bands in Ireland right now.
The “Dublin Goes Country” campaign will run in Dublin from July 25 to 29.
For more information visit www.VisitDublin.com.
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