The Cranberries will make a long awaited return to the Irish stage when they perform at the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics Ireland Games.
It has been almost a decade since the Limerick band played here and their first Irish performance will take place in Thomond Park rugby stadium on June 9th next.
Details of the opening ceremony for the 2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games, were unveiled today at the famous rugby venue where some 22,000 people will gather for the event.
Speaking at the announcement Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland described the ceremony as the biggest event of its kind ever staged by the Irish National Games.
“What a venue to hold the opening ceremony! This will be the biggest and best ceremony that the Irish National Games has ever held,” said Mr English.
“We dreamed back in September that we would have this opening ceremony in Thomond Park and because of the great response we got from so many people it has come to fruition… and we are delighted with the quality of performers that we will have at the opening ceremony.”
According to Mr English, the opening ceremony will be a celebration of the 1900 athletes participating in games which will take place in Limerick from 9-13th June.
Some 3,500 volunteers have signed up to support the event which will see athletes compete in 13 different venues throughout Limerick and Clare.
Also lining out for the opening ceremony will be The Supermodel Twins, Dagda/Garvey initiative and High Voltage dance group, all from Limerick.
Only 8,000 tickets will be made available to the public for the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics.
Tickets, for the alcohol free event, are priced between €10 - €20, and are available from www.ticketmaster.ie or by phone on 0818-719300