Arena Market: Ireland
Ireland suffered economically for many years after the collapse of the Celtic Tiger, which in 2008 threw the country into a hard recession. Recent years have been far more positive, with the domestic economy growing by 2.7% in 2024. In addition to this, PwC reported that live revenue in Ireland reached €243m in 2023 (up 23.5% from 2022) and is forecast to grow to €279m by 2028.
Cormac Rennick, general manager of the 13,300-cap 3Arena in Dublin, is effusive about the state of the live music market in the country. “Business has grown year-on-year since Covid, and that trend looks likely to continue in 2025,” he says of activities at the 3Arena in particular.
“Consumer spending seems to be holding, and all the biggest tours are still visiting Ireland in general and Dublin in particular.”
Around 95% of 3Arena’s music bookings are international acts – including Sabrina Carpenter, Lionel Richie, Teddy Swims, and Andrea Bocelli this year – and Rennick says the venue’s new retractable seating system, developed by the venue in collaboration with architects Populous and seating company Nowy Styl, gives it a significant advantage.
“Our arena is very flexible, and we work…
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