A section of the queue for Garth Brooks tickets at Letterkenny Shopping Centre.
REPORT BY SEAN P. FEENY & VIDEO BY DECLAN DOHERTY
HUNDREDS of Garth Brooks fans braved the cold January weather to queue for Croke Park concert tickets which went on sale yesterday morning (Thursday) at 9am.
They came from as far as Killybegs and some even camped outside Letterkenny Shopping Centre for two full days and nights.
Following the announcement that the American Country Music Hall of Fame was making his return to the live stage right here in Ireland this July, the ticket frenzy began and so high was the demand that a third date was announced yesterday morning.
There was considerable disappointment for some, although reports of trouble in the queues and that gardai had to be called have been exaggerated.
A Garda spokesman said gardai were in the vicinity of Letterkenny Shopping Centre and monitored the situation. Some ‘verbals’ were exhanged by disappointed ticket-seekers, no incidents occured or arrests made.
Amongst the American Country fans queuing was Letterkenny Town Councillor Gerry McMonagle who was hoping for six tickets for his family. If he managed to get them, Gerry said he wouldn’t have to do the dishes for years. As it turned out he can leave the Fairy liquid aside for delighted Gerry said he got all six tickets for the Saturday night date.
“They’re not all together, but we’re delighted that we got six tickets and for the night we wanted. We were number 49 in the queue and as we were leaving most people were leaving with big smiles on the faces,” he said.
The first Garth Brooks fans started queuing for tickets in Letterkenny on Tuesday morning to purchase tickets at Link2 Music & Gadget Store.
There was also young Megan Quinn from Killybegs who entertained the crowds half-way down the queue with a couple of Brooks tunes. A big Brooks fan, 18-year-old Megan came up with her mother Teresa an friends to Letterkenny hoping for no less than 24 tickets. There was also disappointment yesterday morning with not everyone who queued up overnight being able to secure tickets.
See tomorrow’s Donegal News on Friday for full coverage.