U2 are to play their first Irish gig in four years in Croke Park this summer as part of their Vertigo 2005 world tour, which starts in the US in March.
The band has announced a run of 37 concerts to take place over almost five months in North America and Europe. The tour starts in San Diego, California, on March 28th and reaches Dublin on June 24th.
The Croke Park concert will be the band's first in Ireland since they played a two-day run in Slane in August 2001. U2 played their first Croke Park concert in 1985 and last played there in 1987. The band had postponed the announcement of the tour earlier this months following reports of a family illness.
The original tour was to have twice as many dates with 114 shows over 10 months, beginning in the US before travelling to Europe and Japan and then Australia. The Japanese and Australian dates have been removed.
U2 manager Mr Paul McGuinness said: "Now that all the logistics are worked out, the band are really looking forward to getting on the road. I've heard the new songs in rehearsal, they sound really great and the new production is going to blow everyone away."
Tickets for the Irish date go on sale on February 4th at 8 a.m. through Ticketmaster and usual outlets. Subscribers to U2's official website u2.com can reserve tickets.Tickets will cost €59.50, €70.00 and €80.00 including booking fee.
