OF ALL the major artists touring Ireland this summer, arguably the most eagerly anticipated is Leonard Cohen who begins the first of three concerts in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, this evening.
Most of his fans had despaired of ever seeing him live, partly because of his age (73) and partly because of his reclusiveness (he had a stint in a Buddhist monastery in the late 1990s).
The theft of his fortune and his publishing rights by his former manager Kelley Lynch might have been the catalyst that pushed him out on to the road for one last time. If so, it is an ill wind that has blown some good for those who revere him and his music.
Cohen's three concerts will be the first played outdoor at the Royal Hospital. The concert is all-seated and all 36,000 tickets have been sold for the event - unusual in a summer when many concerts have failed to sell out.
It is the first time Cohen has played Ireland in 22 years and his tour, which started in his native Canada earlier this month, is his first for 15 years.
Promoter John Reynolds says securing Cohen is the highlight of his career. "I ran gigs for my father in the Fountain Blue in Longford. It's a long way from Longford to Leonard Cohen. It doesn't get any better than that.
"Leonard Cohen is a storyteller and a poet and that's why he resonates with so many Irish people. He's doing more tickets here than he is in London."
Among those expected in the audience are the members of U2, Minister for Justice and Law Reform Dermot Ahern, who is a lifelong fan; British ambassador David Reddaway; actor Daniel Day-Lewis and actress Scarlett Johansson.
There will be no public car parking at all and patrons are asked to use public transport, most notably the Luas as the venue is less than 10 minutes from the Luas stop at Heuston Station.
As befits a man who is the epitome of suave, the food on offer will be a notch above usual concert fare, with a wine bar offering gourmet burgers, a sushi bar and Thai and Mexican outlets. Champagne will also be available by the glass. The weather forecast is for cool, dry conditions although there are some who believe an incessant drizzle is the only way to watch the bard of melancholia.
The Royal Hospital will also host Iggy Pop and the Stooges on Monday, a concert which could now be a sell-out after this week's sudden cancellation of the Prince concert. This weekend also sees Neil Diamond play Croke Park.
Meanwhile, the line-up has been announced for the last major festival of the summer. Travis, Supergrass, The Zutons, The Futureheads, Seasick Steve and The Coronas have all been confirmed for Cois Farraige which takes place in Kilkee, Co Clare, from September 5th-7th this year.
