To all the lucky feckers going to Ed Sheeran this weekend, here’s all you need to know

Give Ed some love, won't you?

Conor Heneghan

To all the lucky feckers going to Ed Sheeran this weekend, here’s all you need to know

Happy Ed Sheeran day everybody.

Unless you happened to be at the secret gig in Whelan’s on Wednesday night, the big day has arrived for thousands upon thousands of Ed Sheeran fans in a country where there are arguably more Ed Sheeran fans per capita than anywhere else in the world.

The ginger genius takes to the Croke Park stage this evening for the first of two sell-out concerts, looking to replicate the feats of Colm Cooper, Henry Shefflin, Paul McShane and other immensely-talented redheads in the hallowed venue.

Croke Park is well used to hosting capacity crowds of over 80,000 people, so both concerts should go off without a hitch, but here’s some information to bear in mind to ensure that your experience is as hassle-free as possible.

Getting there

Many of you probably know well how to get to Croke Park by now, but just in case you’re unfamiliar with the area or not a huge GAA fan, a timely reminder is no harm.

You can familarise yourself with all the public transport routes to the stadium here, but Croker is only a short walk from Drumcondra (train) and Connolly (LUAS and train) stations, while the area is served by a multitude of bus routes.

Iarnród Éireann will provide additional capacity on DART and Commuter routes for fans attending the concerts on Friday and Saturday and extra late night intercity services will also operate afterwards.

For more information, check out Irish Rail.

Gardai strongly advise concert goers to avail of public transport to get to the venue and it’s also worth remembering that Croke Park is only a walk of 20 minutes or so from O’Connell Street, which is nothing on a fine evening (which will hopefully be the case at the weekend).

If you absolutely must drive there, remember that on-street parking is very limited and strict clamping will be in operation. Don’t come running to us saying we didn’t warn you if you get caught.

Getting in

Doors open at 5pm at Croke Park.

While we know that there’ll be a rush to get as close to the stage as possible, it should be noted that early queuing WILL NOT be permitted in the streets around Croke Park.

It’s a residential area and ticket holders are urged to respect the privacy of residents in Drumcondra and the surrounding areas.

Support

On Friday evening, the great Gavin James is due on stage at six bells, with Bell X1 to follow at 7pm before the main man arrives to inevitable hysteria at 8.30pm.

On Saturday, Jamie Lawson will get the ball rolling at 6pm, followed by Bell X1 and Ed himself at the same times as the night before.

Teenagers and kids

No person under 14 will be allowed onto the Croke Park pitch at any stage, regardless of whether they are accompanied by an adult or not.

Everyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Strict age monitoring will be in place and proof of age may be requested. Fake ID cards will probably be found out.

FREE TAG-A-KID safety wristbands, which have space to write a contact number and seat number, will be available at all the customer care points both outside and inside the venue in the event that an adult and child become separated during the concert.

Booze and fags

If you’ve been to enough concerts at this stage you know the drill; if you’re caught trying to bring booze in, it will be confiscated.

Pic via dailydawdle.com

Alcohol will be available to all patrons over 18 and there will be a wide range of food available as well.

NO SMOKING is allowed apart from at designated areas throughout the grounds.

NO SELFIE STICKS

One of a number of things that (thank the Lord) are not permitted at the gig.

Others include video and audio recording devices, garden furniture, laser pointers and fireworks. Who in their right minds tries to smuggle fireworks into a concert anyway?