Heading to Croke Park this weekend?
Westlife are set to bring their The Twenty Tour to a close this weekend with back-to-back shows at Croke Park.
The recently-reunited band will take to the stage at the Home of GAA on July 5 and July 6, for the final dates of the UK and Irish leg of their comeback tour.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning on heading along this weekend.
The stage times
The gates are due to open at 5pm, with concert-goers advised to be there “in sufficient time” due to increased security measures.
For Friday, the first opening act of the evening, Wild Youth, are expected to take to the stage around 6pm. They will be followed by James Arthur at 7.05pm, before Westlife at 8.30pm.
Things are slightly different for Saturday, though – so you better take note.
Wild Youth are expected to take to the stage around 5.45pm. They will be followed by James Arthur at 6.50pm, before Westlife at 8.15pm.
The set list
Including covers and encores, there are 19 tracks on the setlist – and it sounds like fans are in for a treat.
Here’s what the set list is
- Hello My Love
- Swear It Again
- What About Now
- My Love
- When You’re Looking Like That
- Uptown Girl (Billy Joel Cover)
- Mandy (Scott English Cover)
- If I Let You Go
- Home (Michael Bublé Cover)
- Better Man
- Another One Bites the Dust / Radio Gaga / I Want to Break Free / Somebody to Love / Don’t Stop Me Now / We Will Rock You / We Are the Champions (Queen Cover)
- I Have A Dream (ABBA Cover)
- Unbreakable
- Fool Again
- Queen of My Heart
- What Makes a Man
- You Raise Me Up
And as for the encores?
- Flying Without Wings
- World of Our Own
The safety precautions
According to the concert promoters, any would-be concert-goers under the age of 14 are not allowed on the pitch – either accompanied or unaccompanied.
And anyone under the age of 16 attending the concert MUST be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian.
For everything else you need to know about what you can (and cannot) bring, read on:
- Do not bring backpacks or large handbags. Bags exceeding the size of A4 WILL NOT be permitted entry. There will be no cloakroom or storage facilities on site. Bags must not be left at entrances or surrounding areas. Any items left will be removed and disposed of accordingly.
- Searching is a condition of entry to protect your safety and that of others.
- This is an outdoor event and concert will take place rain or shine. Please check weather conditions and dress appropriately, but remember no umbrellas.
- There is NO cloakroom service available.
- Glass or cans, umbrellas, alcohol, garden furniture, selfie sticks, flares will not be permitted. (Full list of prohibited items on www.mcd.ie )
- The Promoter deems that large outdoor concerts are not a suitable environment for children under 5 years old. We have no facilities in place for babies/ small children at the venue.
The directions
While fans are encouraged to “walk, bike, or use public transportation to the show”, those are planning on driving have been advised that “traffic and parking delays are inevitable.”
“Allow at least an extra 2 hours travel time to and from the venue,” promoters have suggested.
Bus services serving Croke Park (1, 13, 16, 33, 40/B/D, 41/A/B/C, 44) operating as normal, with complete NiteLink services operating both nights also.
Extra services on both red and green Luas lines both nights.
Meanwhile, if you’re planning to get to (or get home from) Dublin by train, there will be extra trains will be provided on Friday July 5 and Saturday July 6.
Additional Services
- 23:50hrs Dublin Connolly to Sligo
- 00:40hrs Dublin Heuston to Cork*
- 02:13hrs Limerick Junction to Limerick*
- 00:30hrs Dublin Heuston to Galway*
- Extra DART services will operate before and after the Westlife concerts. For timetable information please see our Journey Planner.
The pre-concert parties
If you’re heading along to tomorrow’s gig and looking to kick off the festivities earlier in the day, loads of places across the capital are offering Westlife-themed brunches.
Here are four that are definitely worth checking out.
The cinema screening
Yes, that’s right.
If you weren’t able to get a ticket to Westlife’s Croke Park gigs but still want to see the show, we’ve got good news: there’s still a way for you to be able to see the show this weekend.
Saturday night’s gig will be broadcast live across a number of cinemas in Ireland and the UK, starting at 8pm.
You can find out more information about that – including whether your local cinema will be showing the performance – here.
