1. Windmill Lane Studios/U2 wall: This is where the music began. The first three U2 albums were recorded here in their entirety. The band continued to use the studios throughout the 1980s. The outer walls of the studio building are something to behold. Fans from around the world have recorded their own tributes to U2 in paint, marker, and chalk. The "Windmill Studios" are no longer located at this Windmill Lane location, but have moved to Ringsend Road in Dublin. (see #3 below)
Address: 4 Windmill Lane, Dublin 2. Located along the docks on the south side of the River Liffey. From O'Connell St. bridge going south, walk left (east) along south bank of river. Follow City Quay, and turn right on Creighton St. to Windmill Lane.
Photo: Windmill Lane, 1984, before the painting began!
Photo: Windmill Lane, June 1996
Photo: "Rock N Stroll" plaque at Windmill Lane, June 1996
Photo: Windmill Lane building NOT part of the recording studio, graffiti removed, March, 1999
Photo: Windmill Lane, with graffiti, March 1999 (see small sign "THE WALL" in center of picture)
Photo: Windmill Lane, no graffiti, March 1999 (see small sign "THIS IS NOT THE WALL")
(last 3 pictures courtesy Sherry Colombaro)
Photo: Windmill Lane, non-U2 graffiti, March 2000 (Thanks to Laurel!)
Photo: Windmill Lane, lots of non-U2 graffiti, March 2002 (Thanks to Amanda W.!)
2. Hanover Quay Studios: This studio is U2 recording headquarters. Much of the work on recent albums was done here, in an unassuming building overlooking the River Liffey. These studio will close down sometime in 2004-2005 and be demolished as part of the city's plans for docklands revitalization. U2 will move into a new, yet-to-be-built studio down the road a bit to the east. Due to all the construction, it's difficult to get to Hanover without a long walk. It's best to walk along the river.
Address: Hanover Quay, Dublin 4. Just east of Windmill Lane, and north of Ringsend Road.
Photo: Hanover Studios from the outside, March 2000, photo courtesy Becky O.
Photo: Hanover Studios from the outside, October 1996, photo courtesy Michelle Perez
Photo: Edge and Sam O'Sullivan outside Hanover studios, summer 1998, photo courtesy Karine Maucourt
Photo: The music room inside the Hanover studios, September 1996
Photo: The mixing room inside the Hanover studios, October 1996
Photos courtesy Peter Hanning, and of course, U2/Island Records!
3. Ringsend Road (Windmill) Studios: In the late 1980s, the Windmill Lane Studios moved to this new location and became the Ringsend Road Studios. (Thanks to Oli for the help!)
Address: 20 Ringsend Road, Dublin 4.
Photo: Interior of Ringsend Road studio office, January, 2001, photo courtesy Paul Tuthill!
Photo: Exterior of Ringsend Road studios, December, 1999, photo courtesy Gina Rivera!
4. The Factory: Rehearsal and recording studio. The band always seems to do at least part of the work on its albums here, as well as some pre-tour rehearsals.
Address: 35A Barrow Street, Dublin 4.
Photo: main rehearsal room, August 2001, photo courtesy Oli G!
Photo: main rehearsal room, August 2001, photo courtesy Oli G!
Photo: Exterior of The Factory, December, 1999, photo courtesy Gina Rivera!
Photo: Interior walkway of The Factory, December, 1999, photo courtesy Gina Rivera!
5. STS Studios: Another studio that U2 usually uses at some point to work on any given album, which begs the question: maybe it wouldn't take three years between albums if they did everything in one place? When you go, don't blink. It is literally no bigger from the outside than a thin doorway. As of January, 1999, STS was closed.
Address: 2 Cecilia Street, just off Dame Street in Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Near the Project Arts Centre.
6. The Project Arts Centre: This is where Paul McGuinness saw U2 perform for the first time, back in 1978. It's a small, multidisciplinary arts center with performances and exhibitions that lean toward the experimental.
Address: 39 Essex Street East, Dublin 2. From O'Connell St. bridge south, turn right onto Aston Quay, follow to Wellington Quay, then turn left on Fownes Street. Turn right on Essex Street.
Photo: Front entrance to The Project, March 2002 (photo courtesy Amanda W.!)
7. The Point Depot Theatre: Once a Victorian railroad terminal, it's now Ireland's top live music theatre, seating 7,500. U2 recorded some of the studio portions of Rattle & Hum here, and the makeshift recording facility is prominent featured in the movie during "Desire." After becoming a concert hall, U2 played their now-famous Christmas 1989, New Year's 1990 shows here.
Address: East Link Bridge, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1. North bank of the river, downstream from the city center. DART to Connolly Station or bus 53A.
Photo: Point Depot, 1998 (thanks to Joe Orefice!)
8. Slane Castle: Owned by Lord Henry Mount Charles, U2 used this castle for the first-half of the studio sessions which led to The Unforgettable Fire album. The band also performed an unprecedented two summer concerts there in 2001. A fire caused severe damage to the interior of the castle on November 20, 1991 -- the day after Achtung Baby was released worldwide.
Address: Slane, about 45 minutes north of Dublin city. Take the N2 north.
Photo: Slane Castle, March 2000, courtesy Becky O.
Photo: Slane Castle, June 1996
Photo: Slane Castle fire, November 20, 1991
9. Moydrum Castle: This is the castle which is seen on the front cover of The Unforgettable Fire album. It's a ruins. The castle sits on private land, and there is barbed wire fencing around the perimeter. The land is a working pedigree farm, so be careful and mind your own business.
Address: Near the town of Athlone, in the heart of Ireland, about 90 minutes west of Dublin city. From Dublin, take the N6 towards Athlone, and make right turn onto N55. Take first right turn immediately after crossing the overpass onto the next "dual-carriageway" (like a highway in the U.S.) -- this road should be marked with a sign pointing to "Mount Temple". Stay on this road until you come to the first MILEAGE sign saying "Mount Temple" -- turn RIGHT here (note: if you do not turn right here, you will end up in Mount Temple village, which is not where you want to go). Stay on this road for appoximately 2.8 miles. You'll pass by some industrial buildings - Tubs & Tiles will be one of them. Take a right after you pass by 2 red brick homes. Then, take your immediate right. Follow this road for just under 1 mile. The castle will be in front of you on the right.
Photo: Moydrum Castle, July 2004
Photo: Moydrum Castle, June 1996
Link: Don't miss Lyndon Nixon's Moydrum Castle webpage, with map and directions
10. East Link Bridge/Loughs on Grand Canal Docks: The East Link Bridge is featured in the first "Pride" video, directed by Donald Cammell. The Loughs on the Grand Canal Docks are where the cover picture of October was shot.
Address: To get to the East Link Bridge, go right from the Point Depot Theatre. To get to the Locks on the Grand Canal Docks from the East Link Bridge, go over the footpath, through the gate, towards Thorncastle and Bridge streets, toward Ringsend Road.
Photo: East Link bridge seen from the sky, 1984 ("Pride" video)
Photo: East Link bridge seen from the ground, 1998 (thanks to Joe Orefice!)
11. SFX Centre: This is where interiors of the first "Pride" video were filmed. It's now used for live shows, exhibitions, discos, etc.
Address: 23 Upper Sherrard Street, Dublin 1.
Photo: SFX Centre, photo courtesy Stefan Geier!
12. Kilmainham Gaol (Jail): This is where U2 filmed the video for "A Celebration." The jail was built in 1789, closed in 1924, and restored in the 1960s. In its time, this jail housed many of those involved in the fight for Irish independence. It was used for the filming of the movie In The Name Of The Father, and tours are offered year-round. Go here for more than the U2 experience.
Address: Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8.
Photo: Kilmainham Jail, 2002 (thanks to Jo Whitby!)
Photo: Kilmainham Jail, 1998 (thanks to Joe Orefice!)
13. Bono's House: The only reason to go here, other than trying to see yer man in the flesh, is to gawk at his gates. They're a tourist attraction in their own right, with artwork, poetry, tributes to his mum and writings from the ancient Greeks. This is the only reason I include it here. Need proof? Here's a portion of what the gates say. DISCLAIMER: This is the man's home. If you go, be quiet and respectful, don't deface anything, don't hang around longer than you have to and don't trespass! Remember, there's a small security camera to your right as you gawk and you're on your own if you overstep the bounds.
Address: Killiney. You figure out the rest.
Photo: View of Bono's house and Killiney Bay from above, 2003 (thanks Ashleigh!)
Photo: Close-up of Bono's gates, 2003 (thanks Ashleigh)
Photo: U2 fan Juan P. in front of Bono's gates, 2001 (thanks Juan!)
Photo: View of Bono's house from the beach below, 1999 (thanks Laurel!)
Photo: View of Killiney Bay through Bono's front gates, June 1996
Photo: Matt gawking at Bono's gates, June 1996
Photo: Closeup of Bono's gates, June 1996
14. Edge's House: If you find Bono's house, you might as well take a gander at the home of his neighborly guitarist. During my visit in June, 1996, there was a plainly visible John Mellencamp influence. DISCLAIMER: see above.
Address: A stone's throw from Bono's house.
15. 10 Cedarwood Road house: Where Bono and his family lived when he was growing up. Please be courteous, and do not disturb the current residents.
Address: 10 Cedarwood Road, of course. North side of town. From O'Connell Street Bridge, drive north past the GPO and hospital. Turn right onto Dorset Street lower, then left onto North Circular Road. Make a right turn at Prospect Road, and then a left onto Finglas Road. Turn right onto Mellowes/Seamus Ennis Road, and a left onto Jamestown Road. Then a right onto Sycamore Road, and a left onto Cedarwood Road.
Photo: 10 Cedarwood Road, 2003 (thanks Ashleigh)
16. 60 Rosemount Avenue: Larry Mullen's boyhood home. This is where those who answered that bulletin board note had their first meeting. Where it all began. Again, be courteous and do not disturb the current residents.
Address: 60 Rosemount Avenue, where else? Northside Dublin. From Mt. Temple (see #17 below), go north on Malahide Road. At the roundabout, go right onto Brookwood Avenue, then make a left onto Brookwood Gr. Rosemount will be the first right turn after that.
17. Mount Temple Comprehensive School: Where Larry put up that now-famous note asking for band members. All four band members went to secondary school here (with varying degrees of success). The school is a private property, so you really have no business walking or driving down the driveway.
Address: Malahide Road. North side of town. From the Point Depot (see #7 above), go north on East Wall Road. Go past Fairview Park, and turn right on Annesley Br. Turn left onto Malahide Road, and the school is a half-kilometre up the road on your right, just past Copeland.
Photo: Inside the Mount Temple schoolgrounds, June 1996
Photo: Mount Temple School entrance, 1998 (thanks Joe Orefice!)
18. The Ballymun Flats: A large housing project less than a mile from Bono's childhood home. It's what Bono was referring to in "Running To Stand Still" -- "I see seven towers/But I only see one way out." Ballymun is a very run-down suburb of Dublin, and not what you would call a good part of town. Be careful, and only go during the day, preferably in a taxicab. Trust us. In March, 1997, the Irish government announced plans to tear down the Ballymun Flats and replace them with more than 2,500 residential homes.
Address: Ballymun is in the extreme northern edge of town, near the airport, Dublin 9.
Photo: Ballymun Towers, photo courtesy Irish Times!
19. Bonavox hearing aid store: Provided the inspiration for the teenage Paul Hewson's new name. Storefront was renovated in 1999 with a new sign that is pictured below.
Address: Earl Street North, just off O'Connell Street. Easy to find.
Photo: Bonavox Hearing Aid store, photo courtesy Stefan Geier!
Photo: NEW Bonavox Hearing Aid store, photo courtesy Joe Orefice!
20. Principle Management Offices: Headquarters. If you've got time to kill, hang out -- you might spot one of the band, or Paul McGuinness, or any one of several other recognizable folks. If you're courageous enough to go in, look for Bono's artwork on the walls.
Address: Dublin, in plain view of the Point Depot. Look it up in the White Pages if you're desperate.
21. The Clarence Hotel and The Kitchen: The hotel isowned by Bono, Edge, and a business partner of theirs. The Clarence is a place they used to hang around when they were just beginning, and they've since bought it. This is where the band taped the BBC Top of the Pops version of "Beautiful Day" in September, 2000. The Kitchen nightclub was in the hotel's basement, but closed in May, 2002. The Octagon, the hotel's newest bar, opened in 1996. Dress nice, but don't look like you're "trying." Very nice, very modern.
Address: 6/8 Wellington Quay, Dublin 2. In the artsy, trendy Temple Bar area. It's near the Ha' Penny bridge, facing the River Liffey.
Photo: Front entrance to The Clarence, March 2002 (Thanks to Amanda W.!)
Photo: Back entrance to The Clarence, photo courtesy Joe Orefice!
Photo: The Clarence as seen across the River Liffey (Thanks to Laurel!)
Photo: Entrance to The Kitchen, photo courtesy Joe Orefice!
22. Tosca: A now-closed Italian restaurant which was run by Bono's brother Norman. Tosca closed in August, 2000, as Norman announced plans to sell it while he focuses on his successful "Nude" cafe. The Tosca location is now a cafe called Cafe Twenty-Four.
Address: 20 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2, near Trinity College. Next to the site formerly occupied by Mr. Pussy's Cafe Deluxe. From O'Connell St. Bridge, walk south on Westmoreland St., then onto College Street, and finally turn right onto Suffolk Street.
Photo: Tosca restaurant, photo courtesy Stefan Geier!
23. Nude: Norman Hewson's 1999 addition to the luncheon opportunities in Dublin, this small caf� is located immediately adjacent to his Tosca restaurant in the site of what used to be Mr. Pussy's Cafe De Luxe (see #29 below). Food is very good, crowds are very big.
Address: see above
Photo: Nude caf�, photo courtesy J. Coachman!
24. Dockers Pub: A pub where band members are/were often seen. Look for the gold U2 discs hanging on the wall.
Address: Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin 4. Just around the corner from Windmill Lane Studios.
Photo: Dockers Pub, March 2002 (Thanks to Amanda W.!)
25. POD: The latest in dance music in a former winery. This is where Bono gave the "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me" single its first public airing.
Address: 35 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, south of St. Stephen's Green.
26. The Blue Light: Site of one of the darker moments in U2 history. Watering hole outside which Adam Clayton was busted for drug possession in August, 1989, and coughed up 25,000 pounds to a Dublin rape crisis centre as an act of redemption.
Address: Kitternan, Co. Dublin, tucked away in the mountains.
27. Dandelion Market: One of the places where U2 played live a lot during the early days. It is now the location of the St. Stephen's Green Shopping Complex, which bears no resemblance to the old car-park-turned-concert-stage U2 made famous in its early days. Look for the "Rock n Stroll" plaque commemorating the Dandelion Market at the TGI Friday's restaurant.
Address: Located at St. Stephen's Green (top of Grafton St.), Dublin 2.
Photo: Former Dandelion Mkt. site, 1998 (thanks to Joe Orefice!)
Photo: U2 plaque at the former Dandelion Mkt. site, 1998 (thanks to Joe Orefice!)
Photo: St. Stephen's Green shopping center, 1998 (thanks to Joe Orefice!)
28. The Baggot Inn: Another of the places the band played a lot in the early days. It closed down temporarily in the mid-90s, then was purchased by a consortium including Jack Charlton. It's now called Big Jack's Baggot Inn.
UPDATE: September, 2002 - a reader tells us the Baggot is closed again!
Address: 143 Lower Baggot St., just east of St. Stephen's Green.
Photo: Entrance to Big Jack's Baggot Inn, (thanks to Tina Venbeveren)
Photo: Big Jack's Baggot Inn (thanks to Joe Orefice)
29. Mr. Pussy's Cafe De Luxe: This was a cabaret/cafe owned by Bono, Gavin Friday, and director Jim Sheridan (In the Name of the Father, My Left Foot), and located next to Tosca, Norman Hewson's old Italian restaurant (see #22 above). Mr. Pussy is a drag queen who was the host. It had lounge-lizard atmosphere and music. This spot is now an eaterie called "Nude" - see #23 above.
Address: Was located on Suffolk Street
Photo: Mr. Pussy's Cafe De Luxe, photo courtesy Stefan Geier!
30. Cyberia: One of Dublin's cyber cafes, this one stands out in a crowd because it's owned by Sebastian Clayton, Adam's brother.
Address: Temple Bar Lane South, Dublin 2, in the heart of Temple Bar.
31. Hot Press Irish Music Hall of Fame: Opened in 1999, this facility is a tribute to Ireland's contributions to rock and roll over the years. U2 fans won't want to miss the collection of artifacts and memorabilia from our favorite band, such as early handwritten lyrics from Bono, Bono's gold MacPhisto suit and the band's other "Zooropa" suits, and much more. We're told the restaurant inside is also good, and there's a small concert theatre, as well, which hosts regular shows by all kinds of bands. Open daily 10 am to 6 pm.
UPDATE: August, 2001 - Hot Press have sold their building and the Hall of Fame is closed temporarily while a new location is found. (Thanks Oli!)
Address: 57 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1.
Photo: Bono's handwritten lyrics at IMHF, courtesy Jenny Sermas
Photo: Bono's gold MacPhisto suit on display, courtesy Jenny Sermas
Photo: Irish Music Hall of Fame, back entrance, courtesy Jenny Sermas
Feb
1-7: band rehearsals in South of France
Tue 8: Rehearse Brit Awards
Wed 9: Brit Awards
10-11: Band rehearsals in South of France
Sun 13: Grammy Awards
15-18: Band rehearsals - TBA
19-25: Band/Production rehearsals Miami
26: Load in Miami AAA - after NBA
27-28: Production rehearsals Miami AAA
March
1, 3: Miami - American Airlines Arena
5: Tampa - St Pete Times Arena
7, 8: Atlanta - Philips Arena
10: Hartford - Civic Center
12: Buffalo - HSBC Arena
14 NYC - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Dinner
16: Philadelphia - Wachovia Center
17, 19, 20: NYC - MSG
23, 24: Montreal - Bell Centre
26, 27: Toronto - Air Canada Centre
29, 31: Boston - Fleet Center
April
1: Boston - Fleet Center
4, 5: East Rutherford - Continental Arena
7, 8, 12, 13: Chicago - United Center
16,17: Denver - Pepsi Center
20, 21: Phoenix - America West
24, 25: Seattle - Key Arena
28, 29: Vancouver - GM Place
May:
2, 3: Oakland - Oakland Arena
6,7: San Diego - Sports Arena
10, 11, 14,15: L.A. - Staples Center
16-31: break
June:
1, 4, 5: Amsterdam - Amsterdam Arena
8: Zurich - Letzigrund Stadium
10: Gelsenkirchen - Schalke Stadium
12: Brussels - Roi Boudoin
14: Manchester - Stadium of Light
18,19: London - Twickenham
21: Glasgow - Hampden Park
25, 26: Dublin - Croke Park
29: Cardiff - Millenium Stadium
July
2: Vienna - Ernest Happel Stadium
5: Budapest - NEP Stadium
7: Berlin - Olympic Stadium
9: Paris - Stade de France
10-18: break
19, 21: Milan San Siro or Florence Stadium
23: Rome - Olympic Stadium
27: Oslo - Vallehovin
29: Gothenburg -Ullevi
31: Copenhagen - Parken
August:
3: Munich - Olympic Stadium
5: Nice - Parc de Sports Charles Ehrman
7: Barcelona - Olympic or FC Barc
9: San Sebastian - Anoeta Stadium
11: Madrid - Calderon
14: Lisbon - Alvalade
15-31: break
September
1-12: break
13: break, load in Toronto
14: break, load in Toronto
15: break, load in Toronto
16, 17: Toronto - Air Canada Centre
20, 21: Chicago - United Center
23: Minneapolis - Xcel or Target
25: Milwaukee - Bradley Center
27: Cleveland - Gund Arena
30: Boston - Fleet Center
October
1, 3, 4 Boston - Fleet Center
7, 8, 10,11: New York - MSG
14: New York MSG / Albany-Pepsi
15: off / New York - MSG
16,17: Philadelphia - Wachovia
19, 20: Washington - MCI Center
21: off pre rig Pittsburgh
22: Pittsburgh - Mellon Arena
25: Detroit - Palace of Auburn Hills
28: Houston - Toyota Center
29: Dallas - American Airlines
November
1,2: Anaheim - Pond
4: off/ Las Vegas MGM
5: Las Vegas MGM
6: Las Vegas MGM - off
7: Off - Sacramento - Arco / LA Staples
9,10: San Jose
18,19, 22, 23: Tokyo - Budokan or Yokohama
December:
2, 3: Brisbane - Entertainment Center
6, 7, 9,10: Melbourne - Rod Laver
13,14,17,18: Sydney - Superdome
