Government pulls plug on A Beautiful Night in Dublin [updated]

A joint RTE/BBC initiative, the May 1 action will now be confined to Belfast's Donegall Square where Van Morrison, Katie Melua and The Divine Comedy are among the attractions.

"Once again we're left looking like complete idiots down here," says a source close to one of the bands on the Dublin bill. "I can't believe that there weren't consultations between the A Beautiful Night organisers and Dublin Corporation before the O'Connell Street gig was announced."

In fact hotpress.com understands that plans for the event were shown to both Dublin Corporation and the Gardai as long as 3 months ago. Sources within RTE have indicated that they feel badly let down by the lack of government support for what promised to be a unique showcase for Ireland and for Irish talent. Sources also clarified that the decision not to go ahead with the show in a different location was jointly made by RTE and BBC.

Labour Euro candidate Ivana Bacik is unhappy that the organisers have rejected the idea of trying to find an alternative venue.

"Dublin should go ahead and hold its own concert," she insists. "Their insistence on O'Connell Street is bizarre given that it's never hosted an outdoor concert before and more suitable venues, such as Farmleigh or Smthfield Square, are available."

Whatever the outcome, the O'Connell Street cancellation will be grist to the mill of those who say the government doesn't do enough for Irish music.