“We’ve an international award-winning designer, Brian McDonald, coming in to give the place a complete makeover,” Paddy reveals. “The P.A.’s going to be top match, and we’re increasing the size of the balcony so the capacity will be going up from 625 to around 750. The ground floor’s going to be rearranged, and the bars made more user-friendly and accessible. It’s a great venue in a great location, but it needs money spending on it.”
That’s not the only thing keeping Dunning busy, with his Grouse Lodge Studios set-up in Westmeath getting ready to welcome R.E.M. and their Irish producer Garrett ‘Jacknife’ Lee.
“We’re really excited about that,” he enthuses. “They’re coming in as soon as Lars Winnerback, who’s sort of the Swedeish Bob Dylan, has finished his 10th album. We also had Editors in doing An End Has A Start, so we’re ticking over nicely.”
(Pictured: Peaches live at the Temple Bar Music Centre, 2004)