Local backlash against plans for Musgrave Park concerts 

SUBMISSIONS are being made to Cork City Council to restrict the number of concerts at Musgrave Park.

The submissions are being made after MCD and Munster Rugby, which owns Musgrave Park, announced six concerts this summer between June 20 and June 26. Big acts, including George Ezra, Walking on Cars, The Coronas, Liam Gallagher, Hozier and Lauryn Hill, are all playing at the southside venue this summer.

Ballyphehane resident, Elaine Davis, said locals are resigned to the fact that this summer will be “marred” by the concerts, but they don’t want it to become an annual occurrence in their area. Ms Davis, who attended a meeting of 50 to 60 residents on Monday, hosted by MCD and Munster Rugby, said locals are concerned about noise pollution, traffic and anti-social behaviour.

“We learned about the concerts by letter in January after we contacted Munster Rugby and all hell broke loose.

“We thought one concert, fine, two we thought okay, but six, we are very concerned.”

Ms Davis, who has two small children, said the open-air concerts are on during the Leaving Certificate and there will be children studying and trying to sleep.

“Residents are very angry,” Ms Davis said.

“There is a right way and a wrong way to do things and this is the wrong way. It will be a nightmare for two weeks, from June 15 to June 29, from building it to dismantling it.”

On Monday night, residents met with representatives from the Gardaí, MCD promoters and Munster Rugby.

Councillor Paudie Dineen said that the meeting went well and submissions were being made to minimise the concerts to four in future.

“There are mixed feelings. Many people welcome the concerts but feel that six is too much. Residents have stressed that and I think MCD have heard that,” he said.

Mr Dineen said that the concert promoters did quell fears by outlining some of the plans in place.

Two-thirds of people will enter through Tramore Road and one third will enter the venue via Pearse Road.

There will be road closures from 4pm and the gates will open at 5pm.

Floodlights will be kept at 25% and only used at the end of the night.

Up to 28 gardaí will be manning the event, along with a security team and a litter company will work overnight to clean up after the concerts.

Residents will have car passes to move freely through closed roads and concert tickets will be provided for locals.

A spokesman for MCD said the meeting with residents and gardaí was “generally very positive”.

“There are some concerns from residents about aspects of the concerts which we have listened to and fully taken on board,” he said. “We will deal with these concerns within the overall running of these concerts and minimise disruption to those that live in the area as much as possible.”

Meanwhile, schools have been warned that they will be fined and supporters banned if tensions flare up during today’s Munster Senior Rugby Cup ties at Musgrave Park.

Letters warning of a “zero tolerance” approach to antisocial behaviour, including pitch invasions and the use of flares, were issued to all participating schools.

Presentation Brothers Cork take on Rockwell in the first of two ties at Musgrave Park. This will be followed by Bandon Grammar School versus Glenstal Abbey.