RUMOURS OF the impending demise of boy band Jedward are, like the death of Mark Twain, greatly exaggerated, it appears.
The “Sold Out” signs were up long before last night’s show in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, which was the first stop on their nationwide tour.
It’s a similar story for tonight in Leisureland in Galway, and tomorrow night in Limerick.
The queues for last night’s show in Castlebar began in the mid-afternoon, and by early evening were stretching back into nearby Mountain View.
Hawkers did a brisk business among the lines of mostly eight- to 18-year-olds, with a smattering of mothers and fathers there for minding purposes.
For a mere €1 you could have an “I love Jedward” transfer plastered on your face or hand. The Jedward T-shirts cost €10, and business was booming.
Jennifer Murphy, from Claremorris, opted to have the transfer placed on her right cheek so that the world would know “how much I love Jedward”.
Nine-year-old John Kelly, also from Claremorris, who attended with older members of his family, gave perhaps the most succinct quote from the queue, declaring confidently of his idols: “They’re the best. They’re going to be big.”
Some 2,000 youngsters subsequently crowded into the Royal Theatre for a show that was described as “fast-paced and visual”.
Theatre proprietor Pat Jennings said the show had sold out faster than other Irish pop or rock acts.
“It’s nice for Louis Walsh to be beginning what looks like being a hugely successful Jedward tour in his home county,” Mr Jennings observed.