Tickets for U2’s Irish gigs to go on sale

Tickets for the Belfast and Dublin shows were limited to two per purchaser and were priced at between £30 and £165 for Belfast and between €30 and €185 for Dublin, plus charges.

Around 25 fans braved the weather for the tickets, which are available from 9am this morning online from Ticketmaster and from the former Odyssey arena.

Fans who queued from yesterday outside the 3 Arena were all smiles as they got their hands on tickets for the U2 bonanza.

The homecoming had been in doubt over the suitability of venues for the show’s unique set.

Tickets to all of U2’s Dublin gigs sold out in a matter of minutes this morning.

One couple in their 50s said they were extremely miffed, as you would have to provide a student ID card on the night – so there was no way they could use their tickets. One fan contacted the Belfast Telegraph newspaper to complain. “When the fans are happy, we’re happy.” said Arthur Fogel, U2 tour promoter with Live Nation.

The sold-out shows will mark the first time that Bono and co will perform songs from their recent album Songs of Innocence to an Irish crowd.

The album released previous year charts the group’s earliest experiences growing up in Dublin influenced by 70s rock, punk and early 80s electronica.