The Boomtown Rats have confirmed their first Irish date since 1986 on July 5 as part of the Cork Live At The Marquee festivities. Tickets priced €35 and €45 go on sale on Friday, February 22.

“The old town looks the same, as I step down from the train, and there to greet me is…” mock croons Mr. Geldof. “I won’t quote Phillo and say, ‘The boys are back in town’ or, ‘The Rats are back in Boomtown’ (but they are!) I’ll just say we fancied getting up there and playing those songs again for the sheer joy of it and we hope some of you would like to hear them from the band that made them. Anyway it'll be good to be back and better to see everyone again!”

Needless to say, we’ll be having some longer words with Mr. G soon.