Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles appearance in Ireland, Dublin plays host to the inaugural Beatles Festival today – 7th November.
The jam-packed four day programme of gigs by tribute groups, modern musicians, plays, walks and talks, exhibitions of memorabilia and art have been organised to celebrate this anniversary, when back in 1963 on the 7th November, the Fab-Four played two gigs in Ireland’s capital.
The venue that the Beatles played in back in 1963 was the Adelphi Cinema on Middle Abbey Street, which is now Arnott’s Goods Inward, and at the time it caused panic and mayhem as over 200 Gardaí fought to contain the crowds of fans in attendance and there to catch a glimpse of their idols!
Visitors on Ireland Vacations, locals in the area and Beatles fans old and new can look forward to enjoying a host of wonderful Beatle related events over the next few days, such as meeting specialist Beatles memorabilia organisation – Beatles Days – who will be giving free evaluations on all Beatles related keepsakes and collectables, and on Saturday night at The Gresham Hotel, John Lennon’s original band, The Quarrymen, which he formed when a teenager, shall perform.
Beatlemania that day in 1963 saw thousands of fans all vying to get into one small venue, and although they were only in Dublin for one day, the chaos caused is still fondly remembered!