Evan Walsh and Bob Geldof in honor of Sinéad O’Connor. Photo: Adrian Donohoe
“Absolutely why not, I wouldn’t mind it at all,” said Bob Geldof with a laugh when asked if he would be happy to become an “honorary” Cavan if the offer was ever extended.
Geldof, who famously returned the Dublin Freedom Award in 2017 in protest of Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi receiving the same honour, spoke to Celt after The Boomtown Rats, full of guitarist and Ballyjamesduff, Patrick Cusack, aka Pete Brickett, enthused: ” It’s a great county, with great people.”
On stage, Geldof pulled a bunch of jokes on both Patrick and county expenses, including how it took the band “47 years” to find their way to play here. But it was all in jest, he emphasizes “a sense of humour.”
Wearing a “more blacks, more dogs, more Irish” T-shirt, the 71-year-old Geldof is now relaxed after swaying hard and swaggering through an expletive-laden set for nearly two hours.
The band catches a collective breath, and they are joined by family and close friends who have made the trip to see The Boomtown Rats play Cavan’s only show. The Greenroom is located at the Declan Woods Auction. Outside are two brand new VW ID Buzz electric vans, provided by Bradys of Arva, to take the band members and their entourage to the Farnham Estate where they will stay for the night.
“It was a great party, great fun,” he says: “We kind of tried pissing off. (Patrick) didn’t have a king clue. But we’re really here because he wanted to do it, and once you’re here you’re right in the moment and you’re bound.” If you are not committed to the moment, you can also let it go, that’s all.”
Of the show at Cavan Town’s Egg Market, he adds: “From the moment you walk in, your focus has to be complete. We wouldn’t do or give anything less if we were playing anywhere else, that’s for sure.”
Bob again laughs at the idea of having the concert in the “parking lot”, which he refers to as part of his manner of speaking. The internationally recognized singer-songwriter and political activist was informed by a Celt reporter that there was a real tinge of surrealism in the beginning, as many in the audience could hardly believe what they were seeing on stage.
“If they were, I certainly would. I obviously understand not going to Cavan. I’ve been through it a few times,” he says, laughing again.
Will the rats return? “No reason not to. Great crowd, good fun. We really enjoyed ourselves.”
