Residents in the village of Slane are relaxed ahead of this year’s huge open air concert with Madonna’s performance guaranteed to draw both parents and children alike.

A historic town was under siege today and at the heart of an unprecedented security operation ahead of rock band U2’s first home soil gig for four years.

The owner of Slane Castle in Co. Meath has welcomed Environment Minister Noel Dempsey's plans to simplify the application process for planning permission to stage large outdoor concerts.