Point Depot

The Point Theatre (sometimes referred to as the Point Depot or simply as the Point) was a concert and events venue in Dublin, Ireland, that operated from 1988 to 2007, visited by in excess of 2 million people. It was located on the North Wall Quay of the River Liffey, amongst the Dublin Docklands. During its lifespan, the venue had a seated capacity of 6,300 or 8,500 standing.

The Point was noted for its flexible seating configurations; over the years it served not only as a music venue, but had also been turned into an ice rink, a boxing arena, a conference hall, an exhibition centre, a wrestling ring, a theatre, an opera house and a three ring circus. It hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, 1995 and 1997(the only venue to hold the event three times) and the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards.

In May 1996, 17-year-old Bernadette O’Brien was caught in a crowd crush during a Smashing Pumpkins concert at the venue, and suffered injuries which ultimately led to her death.

The Point was closed in the middle of 2007 for a major redevelopment and was succeeded by The O2 Arena in July 2008. it was renamed in September 2014 as the 3Arena.

History

The building was constructed in 1878 as a train depot to serve the nearby busy port. Among railwaymen it was always known as "The Point Store". In the late 1980s, after many years of neglect and disuse, it was bought by local developer, Harry Crosbie along with Apollo Leisure (now Live Nation) fitted out the venue with balconies, offices and backstage facilities. Before it was renovated, U2 recorded the second track of their 1988 album, ''Rattle and Hum'', "Van Diemen's Land" there, and footage of performances of this song and "Desire" from the building appear in the accompanying ''Rattle and Hum'' movie.

The Point opened in 1988. Melissa Etheridge being the support act for Huey Lewis and the News was the first to play there. U2 played four nights at the venue near the end of their Lovetown Tour from 26 to 31 December 1989. Their 31 December concert was broadcast live on radio stations around the world and would later receive an official online release via iTunes.

In the 1990s, the Point was seen by millions of European television viewers, as it was the venue for the Eurovision Song Contest on three separate occasions over four years, in 1994, 1995, and 1997, becoming the only venue to have hosted the final three times. Riverdance was first performed in the Point Depot, as the interval act during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994. It also hosted the Irish Eurovision national final, ''Eurosong'', in and .

Death of Bernadette O'Brien

On 11 May 1996, Bernadette O’Brien, a 17-year-old from Shanagarry, County Cork, was fatally injured during a Smashing Pumpkins concert at the Point Theatre. The venue was filled with approximately 8,500 fans when a surge at the front of the crowd led to panic, trampling, and serious injuries. O’Brien, who had travelled to Dublin with a friend and was staying with family in Rathmines, was pulled from the crush by security, treated by on-site medical personnel, and transported to the Mater Hospital in critical condition. She died the following afternoon after life support was withdrawn.

Multiple witnesses later described chaotic scenes of overcrowding near the stage, with people collapsing and being trampled. Some, like Robert Acton (17), lost consciousness due to the pressure and were rescued by fellow attendees. Acton later suffered crushed ribs and post-traumatic stress. Another attendee, Michael Nesdale (23), said the crowd was so tightly packed that movement was impossible, and he saw a "black hole" of fallen people. He attempted to lift others to safety and commended the band for stopping the show and appealing for calm.

The Smashing Pumpkins halted their performance twice. Vocalist Billy Corgan told the crowd, "There are people getting hurt down here", while bassist D'arcy Wretzky addressed the situation more bluntly, stating, "There's a girl dying backstage. Do you care?" The concert was ultimately abandoned, and the band cancelled a scheduled show in Belfast the following night. According to their record label, Virgin, the group was "devastated" by the incident.

Promoters MCD and the Point Exhibition Company issued a joint statement expressing condolences and announced a full inquiry. They stated that the event complied with safety regulations, with 110 security personnel and medical staff on site. The venue’s capacity had not been exceeded, and similar events had taken place without incident. Nonetheless, Gardaí investigated the decision to keep the venue’s bars open during a youth-heavy concert. At a subsequent inquest, testimony indicated widespread distress and a lack of crowd control at the front of the venue.

1999 to 2007

The 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards were held in the Point Depot on 11 November. Hosted by Ronan Keating, there were performances from Mariah Carey, The Corrs, Whitney Houston, Iggy Pop, Marilyn Manson and Britney Spears on the night. Award presenters included Alicia Silverstone, Mick Jagger, Pierce Brosnan, Carmen Electra, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Iggy Pop, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Des'ree, Five, Christina Aguilera, Damon Albarn, Geri Halliwell and Gary Barlow. The largest winner was Britney Spears who won four awards (Best Female, Best Pop, Best Breakthrough Artist, and Best Song for " ...Baby One More Time"). Boyzone won two awards (Best UK & Ireland Act and Best Album for '' By Request'').

The final event to take place before closure and rebranding was a boxing card featuring local boxer, Bernard Dunne on 25 August 2007. Promoter Brian Peters had moved his European title defence against Kiko Martinez from Dublin's boxing-specific National Stadium across the Liffey to the Point Depot where Dunne shattered former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis's previous attendance record for the venue.

Notable events

U2 performed four shows at the venue during the Lovetown Tour on 26, 27, 30, and 31 December 1989, with B.B. King as the opening act. The 30 December show is where Bono made his famous “Dream it all up again” speech that foreshadowed the drastic change of style for their next album, Achtung Baby.

Frank Sinatra took the stage on 9, 10 and 11 October 1991, and shortly afterwards, in November 1991, Kylie Minogue brought her Let's Get to It Tour European tour to the venue; a concert later filmed for VHS release.

In April 1992, Neville Marriner conducted a performance of Handel’s Messiah to mark its 250th anniversary, featuring Sylvia McNair, Anne Sofie von Otter, Michael Chance, Jerry Hadley and Robert Lloyd, with the Academy and Chorus of St Martin in the Fields. That same year, on 19 June 1992, Def Leppard began their Seven Day Weekend Tour of Europe at the Point Depot; it was the first time they’d taken their “in the round” stage show outside North America, complete with a revolving drum kit and movable lighting rig. Two days later, on 21 June 1992, Nirvana launched their summer European tour in support of ''Nevermind'' before a sell-out crowd. On 30 November 1992, Faith No More returned to the venue with L7 as support.

The Point introduced Riverdance to the world at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.

On 27 June 1996, Michael Flatley’s ‘‘ Lord of the Dance’’ premiered at The Point Theatre. A year later, Oasis

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