Garth-mania: Less than handful of hotel rooms on dates of Limerick gigs
Country music megastar to play two nights at TUS Gaelic Grounds
GARTH Brooks-mania has gripped Limerick, with only a small number of local hotel rooms available to book on the nights of his gigs.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Limerick for the gigs by the Grammy award winner at TUS Gaelic Grounds.
The venue on Limerick’s northside can hold approximately 44,000 people for sporting fixtures, meaning a bumper attendance in the city if the singer, as expected, sells out both nights.
Tickets for the hotly anticipated gigs go on sale next Thursday, November 12.
But by this Thursday, it appears many people had already snapped up a hotel room.
As of 3pm this Thursday, only hours after it was revealed the country music megastar was playing at the Ennis Road venue, there were just two hotel rooms left to book in the city on the accommodation website www.booking.com for night one, Friday, June 11.
For the following night, June 12, only one room was available according to the same website.
And if you do fancy a hotel night in Limerick, it will cost you well into the three figures to stay on those nights.
While Airbnb properties are available throughout the county on those dates, those seeking accommodation close to Limerick city for less than €100 a night will find their options severely limited.
Aengus D’Arcy, who owns Limerick’s oldest pub, JJ Bowles, is expecting a bumper summer with Brooks added to the billing. The publican pointed to the range of musical offerings in 2027 with Thomond Park to play host to iconic boy-band Take That in May, alongside folk stars Amble in July.
Take That’s original member Robbie Williams is also playing two nights at the home of Munster Rugby on Tuesday, July 6 and Wednesday, July 7, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Limerick’s Hermitage Green in support.
Limerick band Kingfishr will enjoy homecoming shows at Thomond Park on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10.
“It’s going to be a busy summer for us,” acknowledged the pub owner. “I’d imagine they are going to be huge.”
“We are within shouting distance of both the Gaelic Grounds and Thomond Park. Our beer garden is ideally situated on the river. It's busy in the the summer anyway, but it will be fully on for these events,” he said.
Aengus revealed the range of gigs in Limerick last summer saw the pub hire five new staff, who have remained in place since.
“It's a huge bonus for us. July of this year was our second busiest month of the year after Christmas,” he added.
Garth Brooks has previously spoken warmly of Limerick, having singled out the Treaty County's fans after ticketing difficulties left many disappointed ahead of his abandoned Croke Park concerts in 2014.
He subsequently assured Limerick supporters that they would be looked after, telling a Nashville press conference that he had ensured everyone from the city who had queued for tickets was taken care of.
He also described Limerick as “fabulous” following a visit to the county in 2022.
It’s likely all sales for his Irish tour - which also takes in Belfast, Cork, Kilkenny and Galway - will be sold online through Ticketmaster.
Donal Mulcahy, who runs Nancy Blake’s, Tom Collins’s, and the Woodfield House Hotel - which is in the shadow of the TUS Gaelic Grounds has welcomed the news.
“It will be a beano for us for about two or three days. People coming before, the day after. It will be of great benefit. We would be one of the closest (businesses), but any premises on the main Ennis Road and further out will benefit too. The fast food joints, the hotels will all be busy, and I am sure they will come up with packages for the occasion,” the businessman said.
“I remember for so many years, people said that no-one went to the Gaelic Grounds. It's great to see it being used for this,” added Donal.
Former Chamber chief executive Donnacha Hurley is now general manager of the Strand Hotel.
He said: “It will take over the city. There will be cowboy hats all over the place and it creates a great atmosphere. Yee-haw!”
“For the city, it creates a vibe. Every time we have concerts or these large events it just brings the city alive. People come out and are engaging with the city and enjoying themselves. For The Strand, it's brilliant for us, because hopefully we will have lots new visitors coming to the city looking for somewhere to stay. They'll experience Limerick and they'll have a great time,” the hotel boss added.