After two decades, rock legend Jon Bon Jovi’s feet touched down on the pitch in Croke Park today for a candid chat about his band’s Dublin gig next summer.
As the lead singer of one of the world’s best-known rock bands, New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi may be born and bred in the U.S of A, but at a packed press conference in the premium level of Croke Park, the musician said his Irish connections run deep.
‘My wife Dorotea is Irish,’ he told reporters.
Jon Bon Jovi at a media conference in Croke Park to announce Bon Jovi’s return to Ireland with a headline show on August 30, 2026, as part of the band’s Forever Tour. Pic: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
‘She is from Cork, her maiden name is Hurley, so my children are also half Irish,’ he continued.
‘And I’m still aspiring to be Irish’, Jon joked with reporters.
‘And in a musical sporting crossover, a clearly delighted Jon was presented with a bespoke Hurley stick to commemorate his historic return to the stadium and his band’s upcoming Croke Park date in August 2026.
‘I’m not overly familiar with Hurley,’ he said, ‘but I’m getting a Hurley later, so that will be my second Hurley,’ a humorous nod to his wife’s maiden name.
‘And in a touching moment, the rock legend recounted his band’s historic gig in Slane Castle in 2013, and he said he was very sorry to hear of the recent passing of Lord Henry Mount Charles.
Jon Bon Jovi with Lord Henry Mount Charles in Boyle’s Pub in Slane in 2013. Pic: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
‘I was very, very sorry to hear of the passing of Lord Henry. He was such a special person, and Slane Castle is such a special place to perform.’
