Ed Sheeran fever has hit Ireland as fans gear up to see the singer perform at venues across the country.
The singer-songwriter kicks off his much-anticipated Mathematics tour with two nights in Croke Park this weekend before travelling to Cork, Limerick and Belfast over the coming weeks. Fans have been promised that the shows will have "all the bells and whistles" with a stage set up "like nothing anyone has ever seen before".
Peter Aiken, of Aiken Promotions told the Irish Mirror: “This is the first year of his three-year world tour. It’s great that we’re getting the first date.
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“It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen everything. It’s in the round and it’s all bells and whistles. It’s going to be so different from anything he’s ever done before.”
Below is everything you need to know about this weekend’s Croke Park concerts
Tour dates
Croke Park, Dublin - Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24
Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork - Thursday, April 28 and Friday, 29
Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick - Thursday, May 5 and Friday, May 6
Boucher Playing Fields, Belfast - Thursday, May 12 and Friday, 13
Stage times
Gates are due to open at 4pm with the show set to start at 6pm. Ed Sheeran is expected onstage from 8pm until 10.30pm, although all times are subject to change.
Support acts
Denise Chaila and Maisie Peters will play as special guests on all Irish dates.
How to get there
Fans are strongly encouraged to use public transport. Croke Park is well served by bus, rail, DART (Dublin) and Luas (Dublin) transport options which can all bring you within walking distance of the venue.
You can plan your journey online from anywhere in Ireland to the venue via www.transportforireland.ie while a traffic management plan will be in operation by gardai.
Banned items
Attendees are asked not to bring a bag unless it’s absolutely necessary. No bags larger than A4 size will be allowed into the venues.
Prohibited articles and items are as follows: Professional cameras and recording devices (this will apply to cameras that have detachable lenses), bottles, glass vessels, cans, flasks, frisbees, and related items, dangerous or hazardous items, illegal substances, scooters, skateboards, or other skates, flag poles and flares, laser devices, prams/push chairs, inflatable and folding chairs, large suitcases, laptops, illegal merchandise items, umbrellas, hampers, and cold boxes, air horns, alcohol, drinks, selfie sticks, food, and animals (except service dogs and guide dogs).
Tickets
This is a digital ticket tour so fans need to bring a fully charged smartphone.
Remember to download your tickets from your Ticketmaster account to your phone in advance of show day.
Tickets for all shows are still available via Ticketmaster.
Setlist
Saturday will be the very first date of Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics World Tour so it is unknown what the setlist will look like.
However, the singer has been playing small ‘warm-up’ shows in advance of the tour. You can check which songs the singer has been playing at them here.
Weather
Met Eireann’s forecast for Saturday reads: "Generally dry and bright with long spells of sunshine and the chance of just a few light showers, mainly in the south. Somewhat breezy at times in moderate to fresh northeast winds. Highest temperatures of 14 to 18C generally, but cooler near eastern coasts.
"Saturday night will be mostly dry with clear spells and just a few showers in southern counties. Lowest temperatures of 3 to 6C in light to moderate northeast winds."
For Sunday, the National Forecaster predicts: "It will be another mainly dry day with long spells of spring sunshine and just isolated light showers. It will be slightly cloudier in Munster at times in the afternoon. Highest temperatures of 13 to 17C, a little cooler along Irish Sea coasts, in moderate easterly winds."
A spokesperson from Aiken Promotions advised: “These are outdoor events and Ireland loves its fair share of rain, so please watch the weather forecast prior to the show days and dress accordingly. We are hoping the sun will come out for all the shows so if this is the case please don’t forget your sun-cream! The venue can get colder as the day goes on so please dress with this in mind. An important tip – no one likes unhappy feet at a concert right? So make sure to wear comfy footwear to allow for lots of dancing.”
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