You would think that no one in their right mind would try to stage a rock gig right smack between an old folks' home and a graveyard, and expect it to be a success. But that's exactly what happened in Roscommon town yesterday when it hosted its first major international concert in Dr Hyde Park, located between the county home and the town graveyard.
And despite all the predictions, the Beach Boys, Don McLean and Brian Kennedy thrilled an audience of between 10,000 and 12,000.
They were not, however, the kind of folk one normally would see at a gig and, indeed, it was very fitting for myself as a grandad of a week standing to be there. I felt positively juvenile at times bearing in mind that the main act, the Beach Boys, had their first hit when I was only 14-years-old.
It did not surprise me to read that the Beach Boys have performed more shows than any other major rock act in the world.
If you have been around that long you would have to wear out the opposition.
No one was surprised when they kicked-off late as well, but, unfortunately, there was no sign of the palm trees they had demanded for the stage.
There was, however, a selection of old American cars, including a Chevy and a few more vehicles that evoked the golden era of rock.
Despite the fact that Beach Boy lead singer Mike Love now looks like a retired US general left in charge of the reconstruction of some newly-acquired territory, the music was well up to standard.
The boys tore into Surfin' USA as if they were staring at a Californian beach rather than the sylvan setting of Roscommon sheep pasture and Roscommon Castle.
But Don McLean stole the show, and had our zimmerframes rattling with some of his finest songs, including I love You So and, of course, The Mountains of Mourne.
There was a vicious rumour going around that he was not prepared to go the full 21-minute version of American Pie because it might be too much excitement for such a mature audience, but that proved untrue. We had nine full minutes of it, and he left the stage to thunderous applause to return and give us Vincent while all sang along.
McLean, of course, had sang in Hyde Park before, but not the Roscommon one. He sang to 85,000 fans in Hyde Park in London some years ago.
The success of the event was the second one of the weekend for Roscommon people who were still celebrating their victory over Kildare on Saturday. This fact was noted by young Brian Kennedy, who delivered The Curragh of Kildare to an enthusiastic crowd.
And like Saturday's game when Roscommon scraped through, the businessmen, Donon, Brennan and Doyle - who were making their first venture into the promotion business - had an attendance which should ensure they will at least not lose any money.
That should mean that Dr Hyde Park may be the venue for three more such concerts next year, for which they have sought planning permission.
A check with Roscommon gardaí after the concert revealed there were no arrests of any kind - not even a cardiac one.