The Day The Beatles Came To Dublin

"Many injured as Beatle crowds run riot in city"

Was the headline in the morning paper.
London? - Liverpool? - Hamburg? - New York?

No - it was in fact Dublin. 7 November 1963. That was the day The Beatles played in the Adelphi cinema. The crowds went wild and I mean wild, what with a riot and cars overturned, windows damaged and people injured, this was the scene the day The Beatles came to Dublin. But let us look at the different events and stages of this visit by the Beatles, and picture yourself as if you are one of the crowd.

- Good Morning Dublin -

The 7 November was just like any other day, except for four young men from Liverpool will try to enter Dublin unobtrusively, spend 24 hours in the capital, and just as unobtrusively leave for Belfast the next day. Their efforts, however, will be a waste of their valuable time. For The Beatles, making their first appearance in this country, were as well know here by thousands of young enthusiasts, as they are in their homeland and on the Continent.

Everywhere they have appeared in recent months they have been mobbed by their fans both inside and outside theatres. So nobody expected Dublin to be different.

Beatlemania was well established in Dublin. Already barbers had their hands full creating the latest Beatle cut and they were expected to be inundated with young customers when the visitors from Liverpool leave Dublin. At the time a Dublin hairdresser said: "We got two young lads in about 10 days ago asking for a Beatle cut. We explained that our prices would have to be increased for such a specialty and that was the end of that. Too much trouble involved".

Meanwhile back at the Adelphi cinema, the Manager, Harry Lush, drafted in extra ushers, and it was expected that at least 50 civic guards would be on special duty in Middle Abbey Street while the two ‘concerts’ at 6.30pm and at 9.OOpm are taking place. Highlights for the Dublin fans unable to get into the shows will be the departure from the cinema of The Beatles for their rooms in the Gresham Hotel. Rumours were going around and there were several reports that The Beatles had slipped into Dublin the day before, and that they were already in the Gresham Hotel and were taking things easy.

But a spokesman for the Hotel said: "They are not here yet. We expect them to-morrow (Thursday) for one night". There were also reports that two of The Beatles would travel by B&I ferries from Liverpool to Dublin and that the other two would travel by Aer Lingus in a bid to avoid a warm welcome from the Irish fans. However, Mr. Arthur Howes, the producer, who was organising the Irish tour, said: "All four Beatles would travel together from London. They were due to arrive at Dublin airport at 12.15pm."

 The afternoon was to be spent quietly resting in their hotel and were not expected to venture outside the Gresham until they leave for the first ‘concert’. A number of other noted British artists will support The Beatles programme.

They include the Brook Brothers, Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers, The Kestrels and the Vernon Girls.

- The Arrival -

12.00 noon, Dublin airport and a crowd of 300 - 400 people were waiting for The Beatles to arrive. At 12.1 5pm an Aer Lingus plane lands and comes to a halt in front of the crowd. Five minutes after the plane came to a halt Paul, John, Ringo and George came down the steps and the crows went wild with excitement. Putting their feet on Irish soil for the first time, the press were eager to get their story and interview The Beatles at the airport.

One of the reporters to interview The Beatles at the airport was Frank Hall of Radio Telefis Eireann (the national television station), during which they were asked about their Irish backgrounds. Paul commented "I think we’ve all got a bit, except ‘Limey’ on the end here" pointing to Ringo.John, Paul and George all had Irish ancestry, and George’s mother Louise was at the airport, having come over to Ireland to visit her numerous relations.

The interview was carried out in the noise and bustle of the airport, with planes taking off and landing. After a quick interview The Beatles were then driven to the Gresham Hotel and at the hotel they had lunch with Harry Lush and the other support groups that came with The Beatles.

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