Excitement builds in Mayo as Oasis set to play Croke Park in 2025

A Charlestown pub owner whose tavern has been frequented by Noel and Liam Gallagher on several occasions has said he hopes the newly reunited musicians will visit him next year. 

JJ Finan, owner of John Finan’s hardware store and pub on The Square, said he is ‘delighted’ to see Oasis announce their reformation for a highly-anticipated reunion tour.

The legendary Britpop band are due to play a fourteen-gig tour of the UK and Ireland next year, starting with a concert in Cardiff and ending with two gigs in Croke Park on August 16/17.

Born and raised in Manchester to Irish parents, the brothers have always maintained strong links with their mother Peggy’s native Charlestown.

The Gallaghers often visited the East Mayo town as children, where they holidayed with late grandmother, Maggie Sweeney. 

The pair continued to visit the area during the height of their fame, with Liam treating some locals to a couple of tunes in Finan’s back in 2015. 

Speaking to The Mayo News, Mr Finan said he had ‘memorable nights’ any time either brother would call. 

“They were two nice lads to me. They were very sociable types of lads, we had good craic,” he said, describing the famous brothers as ‘gentlemen’. 

“We had memorable nights in the pub and the grandmother was there for years and she came in and did her shopping there. That’s how I got to know through them, through the grandmother.”

Liam and Noel visited several local establishments during their visits, including James Casey’s.

“It’s gone now - James sold it - but they called into me after that,” explained Mr Finan.

“Liam liked a game of pool and they called to me afterwards but he called several times. It’s years now since he called. They are nice lads, good sociable types of lads and good character and nice to talk to.”

Earlier today, Charlestown GAA shared a photo of Liam Gallagher launching the club’s website before extending an invitation to the Gallaghers to their ‘spiritual home’ at Fr O’Hara Park. 

For the day that’s in it!

Throwback to 2015 when Liam Gallagher helped John Casey launch our website.

We look forward to welcoming the lads to Fr.O’Hara Park next summer when they visit their spiritual home. pic.twitter.com/3n6Qs7SOz4

— Charlestown GAA (@CharlestownGAA) August 27, 2024

“I hope they do,” Mr Finan said when asked if he would like to see the brothers visit their ancestral home.

“I’d be delighted to have the two of them play again or come in for a cup of tea or a drink or something like that, I’d be delighted to have them. They are very nice lads and they are good friends of mine, they have been good friends of mine. They have complimented my pub a few times in the paper and stuff like that. As far as I’m concerned I’m delighted to see them back.”

In 2015, Liam, the younger of the brothers, was pictured with a ‘Keep calm and Mayo for Sam’ t-shirt at Ireland Westport Airport Knock.

It won’t be the Gallaghers’ first time playing in Croke Park, however. The experienced songwriter played GAA HQ as a support act to Garth Brooks last summer. In 1982, he played an exhibition match in the famous venue against Kilmacud Crokes with Oisín GAA from Manchester. 

The brothers have not performed together since Noel quit the band before a gig in Paris in 2009. 

The pair subsequently enjoyed successful solo careers, recording a number of albums and touring extensively. 

Tickets for Oasis' comeback tour go on sale this Saturday.