a bit of bonhomie

{ 15 } Comments

1. Dermod | 28 July 2007 at 9:08 am | Permalink

   Kildare County Council require a written report from MCD within 3 months. Irish Times

2. John Campbell | 3 August 2007 at 4:47 pm | Permalink

   It was to be a’once in a lifetime’experience for my friend,for whom I bought the ticket a special birthday gift.We arrived to complete chaos,no one seemed to be able to direct us to our 560e a seat.It was very difficult to understand the notices for the seating,we were supposed to be in HOT SEATS.I have great doubts about that.People milling around during the concert,either because they could not find their seats,or going to the bar to
   obtain drink.Although Barbra’s singing was magnificent,I do think the venue was a mistake.albeit a very beautiful place.I only knew 2 days prior to the concert,that it would be open air,otherwise I would not have chosen it.I was saddened by the obvious disorganisation of the event,but thoroughly mesmerised by Streisand’s performance.It was not a cheap visit to Ireland.

3. Tracey Fitzgerald | 18 September 2007 at 2:58 pm | Permalink

   So we are now 18 September and I personally have heard nothing from MCD or Ann Fitzgerald of the National Consumers Agency with regards to the results of the MCD committee’s findings.

   I purchased two tickets (1,132.70 euros). The tickets were for myself and my disabled sister. We arrived at the venue at approximately 5pm and were shown to the disabled parking area. We waited in our car until 6.10pm; we then proceeded to our seats where we remained until the end of the concert mainly due to us feeling so terrified that we would lose our seats and fearing our safety. The concert was to be a once in lifetime experience for us; we had waited 30 years to see the great diva perform, the concert was sold to us as a truly unforgettable experience in a classy intimate setting.

   We spent the whole of the first half of the concert looking at the back of people, who were taking photos, could not find their seats, or just decided that they had a better view where they were standing. The stewards were totally unprofessional in the way they handled the whole situation, it would seem that they had been employed for this concert only and had no previous experience of crowd control. People seating around me and I had to continually ask people to sit down or move so as we could see the show. At times people became irate and aggressive towards each other, we were unable to connect to the show as all around us it felt like complete anarchy. During the interval I complained to a steward standing at the back of block A, who advised me that she could not locate the supervisor and apologised for the lack of control, in her words she said it was ‘a cock up’. The second half proceeded without anyone mentioning during the interval that people must sit in their seats and that the taking of photographic materials is strictly forbidden. Although the second part of the concert was slightly better it was by no means perfect. People still stood in our view, took photos and then we had to put up with people leaving early to avoid the leaving rush. It was an awful experience that was frightening and left us feeling cheated of a lifetime dream.

   We had arrived at the concert on time and were suitably attired for the weather conditions. What we were not prepared for was the free for all that was clearly evident. We had purchased two ‘Hot seat package’ tickets for the price of the ticket we expected to see the performer perform and receive our memorabilia in time for the concert. The memorabilia arrived approximately a week after the concert, what is the point of sending it to me after the concert? I have no use for a necklace that bears the wording ‘Barbra Streisand Hot Seat’ after the concert. I found the merchandise sent to me a complete insult and wrong to send it late, when I purchased the tickets it clearly stated that I would receive it before the concert. Also the seating plan did not show a walkway when I purchased my tickets, people were allowed to walk up and down the walkway continually during the show, I would never have purchased the tickets if I had known that the walkway was to be in front of me, I feel that MCD are guilty of misleading information and inappropriate sale of the tickets.

   My sister and I both feel the MCD have not honoured the contract that they entered into once they sold us our tickets. We paid a high price to see a once in a lifetime performer and they did not honour that agreement. As consumers we have been cheated, it is MCD’s responsibility to guarantee that we were able to watch the show in its entirety, this sadly did not happen and consequently we feel that we are entitled to a complete refund of our tickets.

4. irene | 21 September 2007 at 9:33 pm | Permalink

   please keep me posted about any updates. Perhaps ‘ no news is good news.

5. Tracey Fitzgerald | 23 September 2007 at 2:23 pm | Permalink

   MCD have now issued a report and have set up a website. I am unable to access the report as I do not have a password can anyone help ?

   http://www.castletownconcertreport.com

6. Dermod | 24 September 2007 at 12:27 pm | Permalink

   The report doesn’t seem to be released to the general public yet.

7. Nirvana | 24 September 2007 at 12:35 pm | Permalink

   MCD get it wrong, time and time again… first it would out in early September, then week commencing 24th September… now its going to be the 26th. what next? wait for the white wash…. blame everone else… ?

8. Dermod | 24 September 2007 at 12:38 pm | Permalink

   I doubt they’d be delaying the release of a whitewash…

9. Tracey Fitzgerald | 26 September 2007 at 7:51 am | Permalink

   OK. So it is Wedenesday 26 Sept. When will this report be availbale to the general public???

10. Nirvana | 26 September 2007 at 4:59 pm | Permalink

    Stalling….. It appears that kildare Co CO will only investigate/review these types of disasters after the promoter has presented a report. The “event” must comply with, amongst other matters – see: http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/pdfs/safety%20at%20outdoor%20pop%20concerts%20and%20other%20outdoor%20musical%20events.pdf

11. Tracey Fitzgerald | 27 September 2007 at 10:06 am | Permalink

    Thanks Nirvana, that certainly makes an interesting read and clearly shows that MCD were way out of their depth. Their are certain points that they did not adhere to. Today is Thursday 27th and still no report open to the general public, are they waiting until all flights have been booked and they have vacated the country??

12. PHYLL LANE | 28 September 2007 at 4:17 pm | Permalink

    I have had no correspondence from mcd re-compensation. I have requested a full refund and if i do not get it I will go to the small claims court. My seats just did not exist and while I was seated eventually it took nearly 2 hours. This is just not good enough. Why in God’s name would I want to go to another event organised by these people.

13. elaine murray | 3 October 2007 at 10:33 pm | Permalink

    Thanks dermod for updating me….as i have received nothing from them yet.
    Elaine

14. Nirvana | 9 October 2007 at 12:14 pm | Permalink

    does anyone have the running list of songs to comapre with th erest of the tour?

15. Padraig O Driscoll | 11 December 2008 at 2:35 pm | Permalink

    I am currently researching a TV Documentary on the Barbara Streisand Concert last July and I would love to talk to those people who sent in their experiences of the night my number is 01 2084561

{ 2 } Trackbacks

1. a bit of bonhomie : Review: Barbra Streisand at Castletown House, Celbridge, Ireland | 27 July 2007 at 12:55 am | Permalink

   [...] Update #5: First response from MCD here.  [...]

2. a bit of bonhomie | 27 September 2007 at 12:41 pm | Permalink

   The Castletown House Report on MCD’s role in the Barbra Streisand concert…

   The report is now available for reading here. Anyone who was at the concert is welcome to comment here.
   ……

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