The day started seeing pictures of Rod in the morning at The Royal Cork yacht Club with his Celtic shirt in hand, so we knew the rumours of him doing a last minute dash from Hampden Park where Celtic were hoping to complete an historic Treble Treble by winning the Scottish cup were not true!
Our first stop was The Oliver Plunkett that was bursting with Rod’s fans for a pre gig drink then it was on to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the big event, It’s Hard to know where to start really because this concert was a bit different from the others I have attended as I had my 10 year old daughter with me.
It was a beautiful evening in Co.Cork, sun was shining and everyone in good form. Rod played most of his old classics and 3 new songs, Of course the old stuff was perfect for the 35,000 crowd. A two hour straight gig with no interval started with Infatuation and the whole set was fantastic.
My daughter Clodagh was blown away by it. When the gig finished she said ” I really liked that concert and can I go to see him again when he comes back” . we were seated in row G beside a woman who was not far off 80 years who was accompanied by her daughter who was 50 and then me at 45 years young and my daughter who is 10 years, well that says it all really!.
Of course Celtic winning and completing the Treble Treble was an added bonus with a very fitting tribute during You’re In My Heart to Ex Celtic and Manchester United player Liam Miller in his home town of Cork, that was a lovely touch.
And the highly emotional version of Grace that was sung to perfection by the crowd leaving Rod with a tear in his eye was a highlight.
The sound was beyond brilliant so well done to all involved in that. The show finished with a firework display. My daughter said to me “Rod is my favourite singer and he sounds better here than on the radio”.
I just want to round this truly memorable evening with a big thank you to Rod Stewart and all of the amazing and, from the drummers to the saxophone player and everyone else who made the evening so good. Most of all you have given my daughter a memorable concert with her Mum and nothing will ever replace that, so from the “Fields of Athenry” here in Co.Galway, your the best Rodxx.
Review By Aoife O’Neill Cousins
Photos By Aoife O’Neill Cousins
Rod Stewart photos By Gerard Rafferty
Montage By Tommy Kevitt