U2: The Countdown to Croke Park

With the days counting down before U2 bring their Vertigo world tour onto home turf, ticket holders have been advised of the following stage times for the Croke Park performances:

Friday June 24
Doors open 3.00pm
The Radiators 6.15pm
Snow Patrol 7.30pm
U2 on stage 8.45pm

Saturday June 25
Doors open 3.00pm
The Thrills 6.15pm
Paddy Casey 7.30pm
U2 on stage 8.45 pm

Monday June 27
Doors open 3.00pm
The Bravery 6.15pm
Ash 7.30pm
U2 on stage 8.45pm

If you are driving to Croke Park (good luck!), full details of the surrounding area traffic restrictions can be found on www.mcd.ie.

And if you are not attending any of the shows you can still get in on some U2 action, with RTE television dedicating an entire night's programming to "the world's biggest rock band" on Saturday, June 25.

Kicking off at 9pm on RTE Two, the U2-fest will include the following:

** An introduction by Gerry Ryan, including new and archive material of the band

** 'U2 - Brussels Backstage': a short film based on the launch of the European leg of the Vertigo tour

** 'U2 - The Show': tracing the history of the U2 live show, from
Boy and Zoo TV to Popmart, Elevation and Vertigo.

** 'U2 - Covers': a look at some of the covers that have been made of U2 songs.

** 'U2 - Vertigo': band manager Paul McGuinness reveals the creative thinking behind the current tour

** 'U2 - The Walk on Tour': a humorous look at U2's Dublin through the eyes of John Keogh

** 'U2 - One': dedicated to this particular song and the three accompanying videos that were made

** 'U2 and I - Anton Corbijn': the band's resident photographer talks about his experiences with U2 over the last 23 years

In addition to these programs, fans can expect to see loads of interviews, videos and footage of U2 live from Slane Castle.