Thousands flock to U2 homecoming gig

Tens of thousands of fans were today making their way from across Dublin, Ireland and the world for the first of U2’s homecoming concerts.

Gates opened at 4pm this evening for the first of three sell-out gigs at Dublin’s Croke Park and a handful of fans had braved the rain to camp out all night to ensure they got the best spots on the pitch.

As well as Ireland’s most famous rock band, the 80,000 fans at tonight’s concert will also get to see Snow Patrol and The Radiators.

On Saturday The Thrills and Padd Casey will be lining up to support U2, with Ash and The Bravery on Monday’s bill.

One U2 fan, Martin Burgel from Cologne in Germany, said he had waited for four weeks to get tickets for tonight’s concert.

Asked what it was like to be going to one of U2’s gigs in their home city, he said: “It’s the best thing in the world.

“I think this is one of the biggest days for me.

Mr Burgel, who had flown in from Germany to Dublin just a few hours earlier and was on his way to Croke Park, added: “This is a very nice city.”

Asked how the band were feeling about playing the concerts in their home city, U2 manager Paul McGuinness said: “They’re apprehensive, I’m sure, but very confident.

“It’s great to be playing this magnificent stadium.

“Playing Dublin is always extra excitement, extra pressure,” he added.

Dublin has been gearing up for the concerts, with hotels sold out across the city for the weekend and roads closed around the stadium since this morning.

A garda spokesman said despite the closures, traffic was flowing “as normal” for a Friday evening and there had been no reports of any trouble in the build-up to the concert.

Tickets for the three gigs have been going for as much as €500 on the internet after they sold out within hours of being released.