U2 haven't shown particular favouritism to their hometown on past tours and I don't think their about to start now.  They've already played to the same numbers of UK fans on this tour as they did on the Vertigo tour.

Yes, and they will soon have played to more French, Spanish and German fans than they did on the Vertigo Tour.

And U2 have absoloutely shown particular favouritism to their hometown on past tours! In 2005, they played what is still their longest ever set there, in every tour up to PopMart they played a minimum of two locations in the country (And Elevation and Vertigo were both scaled down anyway), and on both Vertigo and the 360 tour they played more nights in Dublin than any other city. Hell, Bono even referred to every gig prior to Croker this year as 'practice' for it... so if anything, the opposite is true- they have always shown favouritism to their hometown.

U2 played MORE shows in England alone than in The Republic Of Ireland on the 360, Vertigo, POP-MART, Elevation, ZOO TV/Zooropa, Joshua Tree, The Unforgettable Fire tours so I think U2 show more favouritism to the English fans than the Irish fans.

Nonsensical logic. I was specifically speaking about Dublin, their hometown. And given the sizes, the fact that U2 play the Republic of Ireland at all is a HUGE tribute to them. Seriously, population-wise Ireland isn't exactly charting with almost any other country they're playing- and certainly none of those countries get three nights.

you're not wrong bud.

Sorry have to disagree, U2 in Dublin is no longer U2 in Dublin, went to Dublin 2 and 3 and there were too many foreigners there(myself included) so the great Irish atmosphere that is created by Irish people and makes the hometown shows so special was non-existent. Even Bono was surprised when he took a straw poll during Dublin 3 and found that thousands of the audience  weren't from Ireland.
The fire of the hometown shows you are talking about is gone forever, the entire standing area rising as one did not happen at Croke in 09 like it did in 87.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2kquGIBBpA

OK !! UP UP UP UP !!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure the UK shows were full of foreigners too.  U2 are a cosmopolitan band. Have you heard Bono's accent lately?

have a feeling that the tour could hit cork and possibly belfast.

If there are Uk shows i reckon 2 at most probably manchester and london.

Rome was mentioned for 2010, so i'm more than happy to wait and see the final list....and i honestly think they'll do poland again.    

Just noticed they are playing the attaturk stadium in istanbul.

WTF this stadium is in the middle of nowhere, miles outside of istanbul, it looks like a giant flying saucer form a distant, god help anyone trying to get there as there is litterlaly one road in and out back to istanbul, and from memory nothing within miles of the stadium, it's hardly every used now.

I was there for the champions league final in 2005  but F@@@ me what a nightmare to get to!

Seeing U2 play in Dublin is definitely on my bucket list.
I didn't get the opportunity this last time around, but you can bet your arse that I'll pull it off if they do it again in 2010. And having never been to Ireland, I could care less if the show is loaded up with 'foreigners' like myself.  I would probably have to say that the best U2 DVD I have seen is Slane Castle....oh if they could pull THAT one off!!!  I was already planning a trip to Scotland/Ireland for next year with a friend...I am going to sit tight and watch for any NEW news!

@Bullet - Good plan!  Ireland is FANTASTIC and beautiful, and its people are great too.  Seriously.  You'll have a blast & a concert at Croke would be the best.    
I'd like to go back sometime with my buds and also do Scotland but separate trips.  Ireland is a lot bigger than you'd think and I could definitely spend alot more time there to see more. 

Sorry have to disagree, U2 in Dublin is no longer U2 in Dublin, went to Dublin 2 and 3 and there were too many foreigners there(myself included) so the great Irish atmosphere that is created by Irish people and makes the hometown shows so special was non-existent. Even Bono was surprised when he took a straw poll during Dublin 3 and found that thousands of the audience  weren't from Ireland.

As someone who was also at Dublin 2 and 3, I'd have to disagree completely- the atmosphere was absoloutely there. Witness the roars of the crowd when Bono sang "Croke Park, you know your name", when he talked about a special spirit in the country, when he sang the "My Hometown" snippet in Beautiful Day. And yes, Bono was surprised- pleasantly surprised! The thousands of people from across the world coming to see them play their hometown only added to the atmosphere, IMO. If you expect every Irish gig to be Slane 2001, of course you're going to be diappointed, but they're still very special concerts for them, and for us!

have a feeling that the tour could hit cork and possibly belfast.

I would love it but I can't see it- Botanic Gardens is the only possible venue in Belfast and it can only fit maybe 40,000 - a little more with the Claw, perhaps. That's assuming the Claw can even fit into Botanic Gardens! Plus, Belfast's tiny compared to every single other city they're playing.

have a feeling that the tour could hit cork and possibly belfast.

If there are Uk shows i reckon 2 at most probably manchester and london.

Rome was mentioned for 2010, so i'm more than happy to wait and see the final list....and i honestly think they'll do poland again.    

Manchester would be great! But where, as there is the possibility of football season putting the dampner on a football stadium. Old Trafford, but i haven't been to the "refurbished" old trafford, the seating was miles away at the old one.

have a feeling that the tour could hit cork and possibly belfast.

If there are Uk shows i reckon 2 at most probably manchester and london.

Rome was mentioned for 2010, so i'm more than happy to wait and see the final list....and i honestly think they'll do poland again.    

great to see my hometown Cork being mentioned - thats a bit of a rarity here.

The only possible venue in Cork is Pairc Ui Chaoimh, they played there in '87 and '93, but it is a very old and dilapadated stadium at this stage and has standing terraces at both ends. Croke Parks standing terraces were left empty during their 3 gigs there in July.
I doubt they will play there, but it would be of course fantastic if they do.
There is also the issue of Bono taking the absolute piss out of both the GAA organisation and chairman Frank Murphy at the gig there in '93,over the banning of the sale of Actung Baby condoms. I don't think that went down that well, and they haven't played there since.

More more likely is the new Avviva stadium in Dublin.(opening next April) It will be easier to sell as 3 gigs at Croker has taken away some of the demand. The casual fan won't go again to the same show, so the smaller,  50,000+ all seater capacity will be both an easier sell, and give the full 360 experience to Dublin for the first time.

The main reason for the realease of these dates and early on-sales is to gauge the demand and whether multiple shows in certain locations will be required, which may affect other posible dates. Logisitical issues are currently being worked out with regard to UK dates. Ideally, a northern/middle england location such as Manchester would've been preferred but at that time of year Old Trafford and City of Manchester stadiums are unavailable due to Man Utd and Man City football requirements. A Leeds date is still being mulled over. The one definite UK date to be added is a return to the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff where the tour DVD will be filmed. The band believe the acoustics and atmosphere generated in the Millennium Stadium are unrivalled.