Argillan is the new Slane - you heard it here first. I was one of the 25,000+ who saw Moby and R.E.M. in concert on Sunday night at Ardgillan Castle in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. What a wonderful setting! With the castle at the top of a hill which rolls gently down to the stage and the vista of the Irish Sea beyond, this venue is set to be the place for concerts in the future.
Unlike Slane it is easily and quickly accessed from the capital, everyone had a great view of the stage, traffic congestion was at a minimum and the surroundings are beautiful.
Moby's performance was excellent, with him even giving a rendition of the Father Ted classic, My Lovely Horse! A crowd pleaser if there ever was one. Actually, Moby is a huge Father Ted fan.
R.E.M. were good, but for me didn't really get a great momentum going. They did however give a special birthday mention to Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest in Burma for the last number of years. The message, which was beamed to Burma via RTE 2fm, was a touching gesture.
I may be going to see Coldplay tomorrow evening in Marlay Park, either that or meeting Linda Evangelista - tough decision to be made.
