A return to the old normal for Ireland's live music lovers will begin on Thursday night when singer/songwriter James Vincent McMorrow steps out on stage at the Iveagh Gardens.
The concert is the first of several planned pilot events that will determine the nation's ability to return to staging live entertainment with crowds. Micheál Martin says the events will "test the logistical requirements for further reopening."
With a reduced capacity of 500, tickets for McMorrow's gig sold out within minutes of going on sale to the public, an indication of the hunger for a return to live entertainment after a 15 month shutdown for the sector.
Dubliner McMorrow told RTE that he's "predicting tears" at what will be an intimate but nonetheless historic gig, and said he has been "dreaming of walking out on stage for the first time in a year and a half in front of people." It will be the singer's first live performance since playing to a crowd in
The concert comes ahead of the release of McMorrow's latest album, Grapefruit Season, on July 16th.
Joining McMorrow at the unique concert will be
Special requirements have been put in place for the concert, which will be standing only with attendees grouped in pods of a maximum of four people. Socially distanced (two metres) queuing systems will be in operation. Masks must be worn but can be removed while in your pod. To avoid large crowds at entry points, attendees will be assigned specific, staggered arrival times.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 23rd, Limerick University Concert Hall will host the first test event outside
The first larger scale event is currently scheduled to take place in the
On the same day, a more intimate concert will take place at the INEC Club in Killarney, Co. Kerry. 200 people will be allowed to attend a fully seated indoor music performance.
The usually lively
Cork Opera House is the venue for a live performance by the Irish National Opera on July 10th, while in late July the first nightclub event will take place at
Along with live music, several sporting events will be welcoming back spectators over the course of the summer, beginning with 1,200 fans at
With more events expected to be announced for later this summer, it seems the entertainment sector is finally getting back on its feet.