Bruce Springsteen in Kilkenny: how to get to Nowlan Park, set lists, weather forecast, tickets info and more

Everything you need to know about the singer’s concert in Kilkenny on Sunday, May 12th


After a triumphant concert at Boucher Road Playing Fields in Belfast on Thursday evening, Bruce Springsteen heads to Nowlan Park, Kilkenny, on Sunday for the second concert of his Irish tour.

In a five-star review, Stuart Bailie describes the night in Belfast as “an immense show” and dedicated to lost friends and, as Springsteen put it, “things that leave us, and what remains”.

Next up will be Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork on Thursday, May 16th and the final gig of the tour at Croke Park in Dublin on Sunday, May 19th. In the past calendar year, Springsteen will have sold 350,000 tickets in Ireland, and an incredible one million in total since his first concert in the country in 1985 at Slane Castle, Co Meath.

Can I still buy tickets for the show?

While the concert is officially sold out, promoter Aiken says some tickets are available on Ticketmaster. Seated tickets cost €161.25, with standing tickets priced at €136.25. The promoters advise only buying tickets from authorised sellers.

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The ticket box office, beside the roundabout at the junction of Hebron and O’Loughlin Roads, will be open from 2pm on Sunday.

Where is Nowlan Park?

The stadium, which is home to the Kilkenny hurling team, is located at O’Loughlin Road in the city. It has two covered stands, with the stage at one end and a terrace at the other.

What time does the gig start?

The venue opens at 5pm, and Springsteen and his band will be on stage at 7pm sharp. There is no support act and he’s expected to play for three hours.

Which songs will he play?

Springsteen set lists can be unpredictable – he often picks a song from placards held up by fans and plays it. Here is what The Boss played in Belfast on Thursday:

  • No Surrender
  • Lonesome Day
  • Prove It All Night
  • Ghosts
  • Letter to You
  • Better Days
  • The Promised Land
  • Spirit in the Night
  • Hungry Heart
  • Nightshift
  • My City of Ruins
  • Last Man Standing
  • Backstreets
  • Because the Night
  • If I Was the Priest
  • She’s the One
  • Wrecking Ball
  • The Rising
  • Badlands
  • Thunder Road
1st encore
  • Land of Hope and Dreams
  • Born to Run
  • Bobby Jean
  • Glory Days
  • Dancing in the Dark
  • Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
  • Twist and Shout
2nd encore
  • I’ll See You in My Dreams

How do I get to the venue?

Concertgoers are encouraged to use public transport to get to the venue. Nowlan Park is well served by public transport, with bus and rail transport options within 10 minutes’ walk of the stadium. Plan your journey online from anywhere in Ireland to the stadium on www.transportforireland.ie

With traffic diversions due to be in place in the areas surrounding the venue, parking, drop off or collections may not be possible.

Please check your ticket, it will have reference to a route colour code. There will be signage to direct patrons to the appropriate entrance. Follow the coloured route directions as indicated on your ticket.

  • Blue Route: Hebron Road
  • Red Route: O’Loughlin Road
  • Yellow Route: Hebron Road (wheelchair route)

Will roads be closed in the area around the venue?

Temporary road closures will be put in place as required before and after the show. For full details please check garda.ie.

What are the entry requirements to the venue?

Download your tickets from your Ticketmaster account to your iPhone wallet/Google Pay wallet in advance of show day. Screenshots or printouts of digital tickets will not be accepted.

No under-14s will be allowed entry to the standing/pitch area and will only be permitted in seating areas.

All under-16s must be accompanied by a person 18-plus. All under-14s must have seated tickets as they will not be permitted on the pitch/standing area.

Children under six will not be admitted. All people entering the stadium must have a valid ticket.

Can I queue early at the venue?

Early queuing is not permitted. Ticket holders are requested to please respect the privacy of the residents and businesses in the local community.

What can I bring or not bring to the concert?

Prohibited items include flag poles, selfie sticks and sticks for banners. Umbrellas, professional cameras and recording devices (this will apply to cameras that have detachable lenses), bottles, glass vessels, cans, flasks, flares, laser devices, prams/push chairs, inflatable and folding chairs are also prohibited. Concertgoers are advised not bring a bag unless it is totally necessary. People without bags will be fast-tracked.

Can I leave and re-enter the venue throughout the day?

No. Once you leave the venue on the show day, re-entry will not be possible.

What’s the weather going to be like?

Sunday evening is expected to be cloudy with a couple of showers. Temperatures will be about 13 degrees, but it will feel a bit cooler than that. As it is an outdoor concert, dress appropriately for inclement weather.

Will there be a designated area for wheelchair users at the concert?

Yes. Please note space within this area is limited. Please check availability through ticketmaster.ie.

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