Garth Brooks has threatened to cancel all five of his shows at Croke Park rather than accept the decision of Dublin City Council that only three should take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday the 25th to 27th of July.
The loss of two would mean a hit of around €1.6 Million to the GAA and a much higher figure to business around the city and country.
Tickets for the two concerts that have now been stopped were the last to be added back in February and were sold, as is the case with all public events with more than 5,000 people, subject to license.
Talk on chat shows and in mainstream media of suing promoters makes a good sound bite but has no basis.
The biggest impact in terms of revenue which may now be lost is in the 70,000 fans from overseas that had booked.
Spending
A survey from UCD in 2010 showed that overseas visitors on a Six Nations Rugby Weekend spent an average of €882.25 per head while in Dublin for a match.
Taking that as a broad equivalent for concert goers it would mean that a cancellation of all five could see a loss of ‘fresh’ money for Ireland of as much as €61.7 Million.
On a pro rata basis the cancellation of even two would mean €12.3 Million foregone. That’s a big call for Dublin City Council to make, especially so late in the day and saying nothing about the potential reputation damage.
There is talk from as high as the office of an Taoiseach about ‘reaching an accommodation’ which may be a way of saying that more cash for residents will ease concerns, let the concerts go ahead and that this will never happen again.
Solution
The GAA and Residents met with Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of the Irish Sports Council last month to discuss brokering a solution to address both sides needs. That emerged with a promise of a maximum nine concerts over the next three years and a payment of €500,000 to a community fund.
The point was made that a number of those behind the residents campaign of living well away from the area but still, the concerns on planning and quality of life are genuine.
The GAA has said that it will not make a statement until after the weekend, the residents group that they will also refrain from comment until after a public meeting.
There is no appeal process on the Council decision. Only they can potentially reverse it with extra conditions.
Alternative
An alternative could be to shift the two concerts to another venue. Limerick GAA were quick to offer the Gaelic Grounds and Punchestown Racecourse said they would be available to offer an alternative, supported by local residents and the Naas business community.
There may be a few more twists and turns before this is finally settled but in the meantime at least two of his song lyrics are weighted with a little extra meaning:
There’s two dates in time
That they’ll carve on your stone
And everyone knows what they mean
What’s more important
Is the time that is known
In that little dash there in betweenYou aren’t wealthy until you have something money can’t buy.
