Concert promoters are hoping for a “summer of fun” after Taoiseach Michael Martin announced restrictions have been lifted on all indoor events.
After a long two years of restrictions on the entertainment industry, festival bosses are gearing up for a busy summer after being limited to 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 attendees.
Ray O’Donoghue, Sea Sessions boss and OnHand Promoter, said we’re in for a mega summer.
He said: “With the news that all restrictions on indoor and outdoor events have been lifted it’s great news for Sea Sessions.
"We’re going to have one helluva party by the beach in Bundoran this summer. It will be 3 years since the last festival but I can guarantee it will be worth the wait.”
Mr O’Donoghue, who is also behind promoting Kodaline’s concert and Gavin James gig, said concerts will be even better than ever as they return this year.
“It feels like this summer will be the best one in three years by far. I think people will really appreciate it, they’ll be out, they’ll probably go to all the gigs and enjoy themselves that but more. They appreciate live music and our surfing events – that’s what I’d like to think anyway.”
And Fuels' Brian McDermott - who promotes Kaleidoscope Festival, said: "We are delighted with the announcement today. It really means the world to all our artists, crew, partners and contributors at Kaleidoscope Family Music and Arts Festival in Russborough House.
"We would also like to thank all the front line workers for their courageous work over the past two years. Roll on the summer."
Nightclub owner Eddie Langton, of Langtons in Kilkenny, said "it's the best possible news we could've got".
"It's almost surreal. I'm over the moon. I'm pinching myself," he told RTE's Six One News.
But he poured cold water on reopening his famous nightclub due to roster shortages.
"Probably not tomorrow.... there's a few elements we have to put together but we won't be long. Next couple of weeks we'll reopen the nightclub, absolutely."
He said it was "surreal" closing the doors on March 16, 2020.
"It was unusual. It was an uncomfortable time for us and all our staff... so it is great to get some guarantees going forward."
