THREE nights in Cork and dates in Belfast, Galway and Dublin, have raised the question why Ed Sheeran and other big name performers are not playing in Limerick.
Thinking out loud was the perfect question posed by local Fianna Fail councillor and general election candidate James Collins as the UK superstar continues his sell-out Irish tour over the next two weeks.
With an estimated €60 million boost to the Cork economy, Cllr Collins is asking why one of the three Sheeran concert dates did not come to Limerick.
And he wants to know the reason why the Gaelic Grounds and Thomond Park are not hosting outdoor concerts.
“Cork County Board is set to pocket more than €1.4 million from the three nights of Ed Sheeran concerts at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Why is Limerick constantly passed over by big-name performers?
“Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Galway Girl’ is based on a Limerick girl, and features the Limerick band, Beoga, but he didn’t come here to play. We have to ask why?”
“The Gaelic Grounds has a capacity of almost 50,000. Thomond Park can sell 33,000 tickets for concerts, when you include fans on the pitch. Pairc Ui Chaoimh has a 45,000 capacity, which is significantly less than the Gaelic Grounds.
His comments come in the wake of UK pop dance act Steps cancelling their Thomond Park date.
Bruce Springsteen was the last major performer to rock Limerick in 2013; in 2010 Pink brought her Funhouse Carnival tour and in 2009, Elton John performed at the then newly revamped Thomond Park.
“We need cross-party support for a task force to examine what are the obstacles to big concerts being held in Limerick”, Cllr Collins said.
“Representatives from Limerick GAA, Munster Rugby, local hoteliers, vintners and restaurateurs, Limerick Chamber and Limerick City and County Council need to come together on to a task force to examine once and for all why we are losing out on millions in potential revenue.
“This task force should directly ask concert bookers and promoters if other financial incentives need to be offered to host gigs in Limerick,” he suggested.
Referring to the success of last weekend’s Riverfest, Cllr Collins said that the number of visitors to the city could be doubled if a star of Sheeran’s status played in the city for two nights”.
“There is a trend here of Cork winning out over Limerick and we have to examine why. Cork is getting €30 million towards a €73 million events centre. Limerick is not getting that kind of State support.
“We have some amazing facilities and a proven track record when it comes to hosting 100,000 visitors for events like RiverFest, so let’s get together and explore how we can go to the next step.
“We are Ireland’s third biggest city but we are behind the likes of Galway when it comes to big events,” he concluded.
