Beatlemania in Dublin

The Beatles arrived in Dublin on 7 November 1963 to play what would be their only gig in Dublin. The location for the concert was the Adelphi Theatre in Middle Abbey Street, right in the centre of the city, and the band stayed a short distance away in the Gresham hotel, now partly owned by U2.

Beatlemania was in full force at the time, and the band had been mobbed at previous gigs in the UK. It was expected that Irish fans would also turn out in large numbers, so extra police forces were drafted in.

The Beatles at Dublin Airport on 7 November 1963. with Frank Hall on the left

The Beatles landed just after midday on 7 November, and were greeted by a crowd of about 200 or 300 fans. The Irish radio personality Frank Hall was also present to conduct a short interview with the Fab Four, asking the inevitable question about Irish roots. It turned out that Paul, John and George all had Irish roots or relatives, and George even went to meet some of his Irish relatives while in Dublin. His mother had come over separately for the family reunion also.

George Harrison signing an autograph for a fan

Business owners on Middle Abbey Street and in the surrounding area took extra care in locking up their premises that night. Most put strong shutters on their windows, and motorists were advised to not leave their cars in the area. Inside the Adelphi, the concert security managed to control the crowd until the Beatles started playing ‘Twist and Shout’. At that point, the crowd surged forward to the stage. The curtain was lowered, including the fire security curtain, and the gig came to an end.

Some of the fans waiting eagerly for their idols.

Outside on Middle Abbey Street, fans had gathered hoping for a glimpse of their idols. People could not leave the theatre, or get in for the next show, and there was a serious danger of crushing. The gardai eventually managed to press the crowd backwards to the O’Connell Street area for a while, but again the fans burst through their cordon. A glass plate window was broken and cars were damaged when fans clambered on top.

The Fab Four themselves were kept safely inside the theatre, away from all the commotion. It had been arranged than an Evening Herald van would carry them back to the Gresham. The Evening Herald newspapers were distributed from a warehouse beside the theatre, so the presence their vans would not arouse any suspicions. Only a few fans that were waiting at the back entrance to the Gresham managed to get close to the Beatles that night, and even then it was only for a brief moment.

The next day, the Beatles were taken by police escort to Belfast – the gardai escorting their car until the border and the RUC taking over from there. The Beatles said they had enjoyed their Dublin gig and that they must return, but a second gig wasn’t to materialize.

Beatles In Dublin

On this day 50 years ago the famous Liverpool band, The Beatles arrived in Dublin Airport ahead of performing at Dublin's Adelphi Cinema. The Dublin schedule was part of the band's 1963 Autumn tour. It was the only time that the group played in the Republic.

Harry Lush, the manager of the Adelphi summed up the mood of the time:

So the Beatles finished their first show and the crowd just shouted for more, more, more. The Beatles just could not get off the stage, they had to stay put. By this time there were 2,304 people looking for encore after encore. Time marched on and the crowd outside gathered for the late show. The crowds met leaving and entering from Abbey Street. I thought the doors of the Adelphi would collapse with the crowds, and the Hideout upstairs would come tumbling down. The police arrived to keep a kind of order. Fighting started because some wanted to get out and others clambered to get in. Cars were overturned and one car set on fire.

I can also recall people on top of the roof taking photographs of the commotion below in Abbey Street. The crowds spilled out into O'Connell Street and windows were broken in Clearys, leaving a trail of damage in O'Connell Street. We were at a loss for future shows. What would we do? We never thought they would be so popular.

For future shows an answer was found. After the first show we would let the crowd out through Prussia Street at the back of the Adelphi and up to the Capitol Cinema, which was owned by the Farley brothers. That was the way the Beatles escaped that night.

The crowds still gathered during the second show. Many just to get a glimpse or photograph. Well, they [The Beatles] were in our care and we had to look after their welfare.

We asked the Independent [newspaper] to help out. They said the easiest thing would be to use one of their vans, so the boys could walk up the stairs and jump into the van and be taken to the Gresham.

The Beatles were all so nice, courteous and answered all the questions. They had respect for their seniors and called you sir. I look back on the day The Beatles came to Dublin as one of the shiniest days in my career.

Beatles land at Dublin Airport on this day 50 years ago

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