Bruce Springsteen is on the home stretch of his four-date Irish tour, having enthralled, delighted and surprised thousands and thousands of fans in Belfast on Thursday of last week and Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, on Sunday. Some 40,000 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork on Thursday night were even treated to a rendition of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. Springsteen finished his set on a rainy night in Cork with a moving version of The Pogues’ Rainy Night in Soho, in tribute to the late Shane MacGowan.
He plays the final concert of the tour at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday, May 19th. The concert be a particular achievement for the The Boss: it will mark one million in ticket sales since his first concert in the country in 1985 at Slane Castle, Co Meath.
In a five-star review Stuart Bailie described the night in Belfast as “an immense show” and dedicated to lost friends and, as Springsteen put it, “things that leave us, and what remains”. For anyone heading to Cork on Thursday, here’s what you need to know.
[ Bruce Springsteen at Croke Park: Tell us your verdictOpens in new window ]
In Nowlan Park last Sunday, fans praised a “phenomenal evening” which included a touching tribute to Shane MacGowan. Springsteen opened the show with a cover version of The Pogues’s Rainy Night in Soho, in memory of MacGowan, who died in November 2023.
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For anyone heading to Croke Park on Sunday, here’s what you need to know.
[ In pictures: Bruce Springsteen’s No Surrender live show in BelfastOpens in new window ]
Can I still buy tickets for the show?
While the concert is officially sold out, there are some resale tickets available on Ticketmaster. The promoters advise only buying tickets from authorised sellers.
The ticket box office, at the junction of Gills Corner and North Circular Road, will be open from 2pm on concert day.
What time does the gig start?
The venue opens at 5pm and Springsteen and his band will be on stage at 7pm sharp. There is no support act and he is expected to play for three hours.
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What songs will he play?
Springsteen set lists can be unpredictable – he often picks a song from placards held up by fans and plays it. Here is what The Boss played in Cork on Thursday:
- Who’ll Stop the Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival cover)
- Youngstown
- Seeds
- Lonesome Day
- Ghosts
- Letter to You
- The Promised Land
- Hungry Heart
- Light of Day (sign request)
- Atlantic City (sign request)
- Darlington County
- Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (sign request)
- My City of Ruins
- Nightshift (Commodores cover)
- Last Man Standing (acoustic)
- Backstreets
- Because the Night
- She’s the One
- Wrecking Ball
- The Rising
- Badlands
- Thunder Road
Encore
- Born to Run
- Bobby Jean
- Dancing in the Dark
- Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
- Twist and Shout (The Top Notes cover)
- A Rainy Night in Soho (The Pogues cover)
How do I get to the venue?
Croke Park is well served by public transport. Bus, rail, Dart and Luas transport options can all bring you within walking distance of the venue. O’Connell street is a 15-20 minute walk to the stadium. Plan your journey online from anywhere in Ireland to the venue via transportforireland.ie
Will roads be closed in the area around the venue?
Temporary road closures will be put in place as required before and after the show. For full details please check garda.ie.
What are the entry requirements to the venue?
Download your tickets from your Ticketmaster account to your iPhone wallet/Google Pay wallet in advance of show day. Screenshots or printouts of digital tickets will not be accepted.
No under-14s will be allowed entry to the standing/pitch area and will only be permitted in seating areas.
All under-16s must be accompanied by a person 18-plus. All under-14s must have seated tickets as they will not be permitted on the pitch/standing area.
Children under six will not be admitted. All people entering the stadium must have a valid ticket.
Can I queue early at the venue?
Early queuing is not permitted. Ticket holders are requested to respect the privacy of the residents and businesses in the local community.
What can I bring or not bring to the concert?
Prohibited items include flag poles, selfie sticks and sticks for banners. Umbrellas, professional cameras and recording devices (this will apply to cameras that have detachable lenses), bottles, glass vessels, cans, flasks, flares, laser devices, prams/push chairs, inflatable and folding chairs are also prohibited. Concertgoers are advised not bring a bag unless it is necessary. People without bags will be fast-tracked.
Can I leave and re-enter the venue throughout the day?
No. Once you leave the venue on the show day, re-entry will not be possible.
What’s the weather going to be like?
Weather forecast here Sunday is expected to be a mostly dry day with sunny spells. Highs of 17 to 21 or 22 degrees with light northerly or variable breezes are forecast. As this is an outdoor concert, dress appropriately for inclement weather.
Will there be a designated area for wheelchair users?
Yes. Please note space within this area is limited. Please check availability through ticketmaster.ie.
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