In what is one of the most anticipated tours of all time, the legendary country crooner will take to the Croke Park stage on September 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17, following the infamous cancellations of his five gigs. in the capital seven years ago. .
While the long-awaited five nights of Garth Brooks as you approach Croke Park, there is a real concern that spectators will struggle to find hotel rooms at less than astronomical prices.
Hotel prices in Dublin are currently at an all-time high in the absence of concerts. In context, it’s safe to say that Brooks’ first visit to Ireland in 24 years – with large numbers of fans converging on Dublin – has caused hotel mania.
A Cork woman was on Trip Advisor looking for a place to stay eight months ahead of the date the country star will land on Irish shores. The Brooks fan was quoted an astronomical €800 for a few nights in the capital.
At the time, one user offered a piece of advice, saying: ‘Try to find a hotel on the outskirts then use public transport or a taxi – the area around Dublin airport would be best due to the number of low-cost rooms available to travellers.” Now many hotels near Dublin Airport, such as the Travelodge and the Holiday Inn, are full with Ukrainian refugees. Almost nothing in life is spared by Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. The appalling depth of suffering inflicted in the most appalling way on the people of Ukraine is a sobering reminder, for those worried about the price of hotel rooms, that we have it in many ways in Ireland .
Although there are slightly cheaper hotels on the outskirts of Dublin – such as the Travelodge Dublin Airport North in Swords offering a double room for €318 – with the scarcity of taxis, particularly around Dublin at the moment, the chances of getting stranded in Swords or after the concert are extremely high.
Looking at hotels closer to the Croke Park location for September 9, 10, 11, 16 and 17 – Brooks’ final stadium gigs – it’s no surprise that prices are starting to climb. The Croke Park Hotel has been fully booked for a long time, with even local Airbnbs starting at €317 for one night.
The cheapest option to find is a bunk in a female room with seven other people at the Leevin Hostel, Mountjoy, for €84 per person.
The one-star Gate Hotel on Parnell Street is priced at €430 for two people for the night, excluding breakfast, with the 3-star Blooms Hotel charging €525 for two. If you’re cash-shy, there’s a one-night slot in a basic ‘Premier’ room for two with breakfast available at The Marker for €734.
With such pressure on Dublin spectators’ bank accounts, some fans got creative with their hotel plans and booked accommodation in the North. Belfast currently has 10 rooms on AirBnB for less than €50. If you are leaving Croke Park for 10.30pm, take the 16 bus to Dublin Airport, then the X1 will take you to Belfast from £8.50 (€10) each way, arriving in Belfast by 1.20am.
Another option for participants from the south would be the Dublin coach, better known as the Green Bus, which runs from Burgh Quay to Limerick until 11.45pm, costing €12 online / €15 on the bus each way.
However, the real winners are the 600-800 fans who – months ago – booked into Camac Valley Tourist Caravan & Camping Park in Clondalkin. Smart campers pay €26 for a tent pitch or €42 for a serviced pitch, with buses carrying to and from the stadium for around €10 per person.
Owners Vincent and Ellen Keogh confessed that they never adjust prices for big events. Speaking to the Irish Sunday Mirror, Vincent said: ‘We want our visitors to have a good time, not to go home with a bad taste in their mouths. People booked with us as soon as he announced he was playing in Dublin.
With limited availability for September 16th and 17th, fans would be wise to book early with the Keoghs!
These five nights in Croke Park come seven years after the singer was forced to cancel his concerts in Dublin. In 2014, the musician had to cancel five parties at the same venue after a licensing dispute with local authorities.
Dublin City Council said at the time that it would only license three of the gigs. It was a controversial decision, which put promoters Aiken Promotions and the singer in an almost impossible situation. In the end, Garth Brooks himself decided not to perform unless all five showed up.
“What was supposed to start it all, is now going to be where it all ends,” the country artist said.
“If there is a blessing in what happened in this curse in 2014, it is the fact that there is a chance that this artist and these people, who are nice enough to get tickets, have now a chance to meet again.
“It’s the greatest privilege and the greatest joy an artist can have to play against Ireland. It’s the greatest heartbreak to hear that you can’t. It’s been a rollercoaster for me .”
To prepare for the country crooner’s highly anticipated Irish takeover, check out this playlist of Garth Brooks’ greatest hits below.
Comments are closed.