Overview
- Government file 2025/124/461 records a February 1987 meeting where U2 manager Paul McGuinness discussed “possible mutual cooperation” to promote Ireland’s image abroad.
- On that understanding, Dublin told posts in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington that perhaps 50–60 backstage seats could be used to host key contacts.
- Later correspondence set the offer at 10 tickets per show, prompting a Boston telex that the limit “puts us in an embarrassing situation” after guests had been approached.
- Department headquarters replied that little could be done about the “U-turn” and suggested asking the band contact to allow “a few more than the ten per night.”
- The files also note U2 were considered for an Eiffel Tower centenary concert, which instead featured Johnny Hallyday and Stevie Wonder.