Bono attends his father's funeral the day before U2 play the first of two concerts at Slane Castle.
Final preparations are being made for one of the most eagerly awaited U2 concerts in years, when the Elevation Tour comes to Slane Castle in County Meath. The tour supports the group's 2000 album 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'. A massive operation is underway to safely transport the estimated 80,000 fans to and from the venue. It will all be repeated the following weekend when U2 return for a second sell-out gig at Slane.
While the stage is smaller than previous U2 tours such as Zooropa and PopMart, Justin Green of MCD Promotions points out that the size is deceptive,
There's enough power on the site to run Navan town itself.
Lord Henry Mount Charles warns people not to buy forged tickets, as they will not be admitted to the venue. He asks concert-goers to respect the locality, the people of Slane and their property. While it may look calm, whirlpools and currents make the River Boyne treacherous. He warns
Most important of all, look at the beauties of the River Boyne, but don't go near it; it's a dangerous river.
He focuses on what a concert at Slane is about,
It's about rock music, it's about entertainment, it's about everything that's good in life.
Chief Superintendent Michael Finnegan of Navan Garda Station warns those planning to attend the concert against drinking to excess and to have nothing to do with drugs.
On the eve of their first Slane show, the members of U2 attended the funeral of Bono's father Bob Hewson in the Church of the Assumption in Howth. Bob Hewson died at the age of 75 in Beaumont Hospital on 21 August 2001 after a long illness. The burial took place in Old Balgriffin cemetery after the Requiem Mass. Bono and his brother Norman led the mourners, who included Guggi and Ronnie Drew.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 August 2001. The reporter is Michael O'Kane.
