Dublin rocks as big gigs draw 250,000 music fans

MORE than 250,000 music fans braved road chaos, scorching weather and massive crowds to see the likes of Robbie Williams, Guns ‘N’ Roses and the Eagles in action in Dublin over the weekend.

Fans flocked to Lansdowne Road, Croke Park and the RDS for the packed concerts on Friday, Saturday and yesterday.

Music lovers came from across Ireland and beyond, but faced massive delays as they made their way to Dublin as some of the music industry’s biggest names played the capital’s biggest venues.

Music journalist Karl Tsigdinos said the atmosphere in Dublin was buzzing as the capital hosted the big-name acts at the same time.

“That many concerts in one weekend was not the norm,” he said.

“There was a time when you’d get one every couple of months and people would be grateful, but Dublin is part of the concert circuit now.

“The weekend was fantastic and town was buzzing — and we also had beautiful weather.”

Fans travelling from Cork to see 1980s US rockers Guns ‘N’ Roses, at the RDS, faced a six-hour road journey as traffic tailed back on the main route to the capital.

Hard rockers Metallica also took to the stage over the bumper weekend, which earned venue owners a staggering €4 million in rent.

The GAA, the IRFU and the RDS will share the bumper sum from Robbie Williams at Croker, the Eagles at Lansdowne Road, and Guns ‘N’ Roses and Metallica at the RDS.