Businesses in Tuam are expected to benefit to the tune of more than one million euros as a direct result of the Saw Doctors’ two hometown concerts the weekend after next.

The town is expected to be thronged over the weekend with 10,000 fans attending the two concerts – joined by those who were not so fortunate to get a ticket but still want to savour the atmosphere.

And the benefit to Tuam could have been much greater if the organisers of the West’s Awake Festival had been allowed permission to accommodate 10,000 fans each night.

However, following various consultations with the authorities, the crowd at both concerts was restricted to just less than 5,000.

Band manager Ollie Jennings said that one of the reasons that the concerts were being held on the extensive grounds of St Jarlath’s College was that a much larger attendance could be accommodated – as opposed to holding it in Tuam Stadium where numbers would be more restricted.

But the two concerts on Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20, will still result in a financial bonanza for local businesses and particularly the publicans who recently successfully applied to the local court en-bloc for an exemption until 12.30am.

Those involved in business and entertainment say that the crowds expected in Tuam that weekend will generate a spend of around €1.2 million.

Photo:

Leo Moran and Davy Carton testing the ground ahead of their big gigs in Tuam!

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