Irish rock band U2 brings their Elevation Tour back to Slane Castle in Slane, County Meath, on August 25, 2001, marking their first performance at the historic venue since opening for Thin Lizzy in 1981. The show draws an estimated 80,000+ fans in a field beside the castle on the River Boyne, under clear skies.

The night begins with a tribute to Thin Lizzy, as Relish opens, followed by JJ72, Kelis, Coldplay, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

In their main set U2 delivers a mix of classics and rare tracks including Elevation, Beautiful Day, Until the End of the World, New Year’s Day, Kite, A Sort of Homecoming (first live since June 27, 1987), I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday (with “Get Up Stand Up” snippet), Wake Up Dead Man, Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of, In a Little While, Dancing in the Moonlight (Thin Lizzy cover), Desire, Staring at the Sun, Bad (with “Fool to Cry,” “Yellow,” and “40” snippets), Where the Streets Have No Name, Mysterious Ways (with “Sexual Healing” snippet), and Pride. Their encore includes Bullet the Blue Sky, With or Without You, One (with “When Will I See You Again” snippet), and Walk On.

The concert is deeply personal for Bono, who dedicates Kite to his late father, Bob Hewson, and references his passing during the song. Images of Hewson appear on screens during One, and Bono adds a heartfelt “When Will I See You Again” line. The band also pays homage to Thin Lizzy with a brief Dancing in the Moonlight cover.

The audience, mostly young, is described as “one” in movement, especially during Elevation and Sunday Bloody Sunday. Bono thanks the sun, God, and the crowd for their patience, noting it has been twenty years since their last Slane appearance. Irish press hails it as “the concert of the year” and “stunning”.

The show is followed by a fireworks display over The Unforgettable Fire. It remains one of U2’s most emotional and historic performances, blending rock power with personal tribute and national pride.