First the Pope, then the Irish football team and now Robbie Williams. The multi-millionaire pop star announced details of his European tour, including a concert in the Phoenix Park in Dublin next August, to a packed press conference in Berlin yesterday.
The Phoenix Park concert on August 9th will be the last date in his tour, during which about a million fans will get the chance to see the singer live.
Williams last performed in Ireland at Lansdowne Road in July last year and sold out Slane Castle in 1999.
"Irish people have always been extremely supportive and I'm delighted at the opportunity to play the Phoenix Park," he said yesterday.
"For me, touring is the ultimate adrenalin rush, and this is going to be one of my best tours yet. I'm really excited at the prospect of being back on the road."
The concert is part of a 15- date tour which will take in eight European countries. The singer, who recently signed a record deal for £80 million, has a new album, Escapology, out this week.
MCD, the promoters of the Phoenix Park concert, said yesterday that the tickets were expected to out in record time when they went on sale on Saturday.
"We are predicting record sales and advise fans to book tickets as early as possible," said a spokesman. More than 100,000 fans are expected to attend.
Dublin will benefit from the spin-offs, such as accommodation and entertainment for fans, which will bring an estimated €20 million windfall to the city.
The concert is being organised with the co-operation of Dublin City Council, Dúchas, the heritage service, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and the Garda.
Some residents have voiced concerns about the gig, which will be held in the evening. The Deputy Lord Mayor, Mr Brendan Carr, who lives near the park, said locals were hoping that the organisers would consult them about the event.
"A concert of this size is bound to cause problems for people living nearby," he said. "We have already met the gardaí about issues such as traffic and the influx of more than 100,000 people into the area. We want an assurance from the organisers that our concerns will be addressed."
A spokesman for the Department of the Environment said that the Minister, Mr Cullen, had agreed "in principle" to the concert, but full approval would only be given when all the conditions laid down by the Department had been met.
Tickets are priced at €59.50 and are limited to four to each person. They will be on sale from 8 a.m this Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets or via two 24-hour telephone lines, 1890 719 889 and 1890 925 100. The website is www.ticketmaster.ie