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01-07-02 news
Van Shows U2 how it's done...

We've said it once and we will say it again. There is only one man who can outdo the rich and famous of Dalkey and Kiliney and that's Van Morrison.

This week as Bono nursed his hangover from "that wedding" Van the man was celebrating.

Recently filmmaker Jim Sheridan, Bono plus other members of U2 have all been refused planning permission by Dun Laoire / Rathdown County Council.

Everyone seems to fall under the mercy of the council except for Van the man.

On Tuesday Van was granted permission to carry out some major work on his Kiliney mansion, Kilcross House.

The council gave Van the man full permission, despite six local objections to the application.

Why would someone want to object to Van doing a bit of building?

All he is doing is building a flat roof sundeck, knocking down a few walls and putting up bigger walls as well as a bigger gate.

Then he is taking down some old bushes and trees and putting up some more walls. Well, security is a must for every ageing rock star.

Hence why the only way to see Van in person these days is to see him in concert in Kilkenny with Paul Simon next month or go a step further and pay £37,000 for a private concert just like the English landlords Gary and Sarah Jane Marlow have done.

The couple who own a pub Salisbury plains in Wiltshire have confirmed they paid £37,000 for the hour and a half performance by Van, which will take place n their pub on August 3rd.

A stage is being built at the back of the pub for the outdoor concert and Mr. Marlow said he has already had a list of demands from the singer and his eight-piece band, three pages in total, the contents of which he cannot contractually disclose.

But the size of Van dressing room takes some beating. "He's pretty much got the pub and the whole of the restaurant," said Mr. Marlow.

Tickets and information on the gig on August 3 are available on 01264 852664.

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