Bono hopes to give a rare performance in Dublin this week but don’t expect to hear any of the rockstar’s greatest hits. The U2 front man is instead hoping to appear before planning officials in the latest bid to win approval for a $237.2
million plan to expand his Clarence Hotel.Bono, U2 guitarist The Edge and a group of investors have drawn up plans with architect Sir Norman Foster for an ambitious redevelopment and expansion of The Clarence, which includes a vast
glass atrium in the shape of a Viking long boat.The plan has been given the go-ahead by Dublin City Council but must be approved by the An Bord Pleanala, an Irish government body that deals with planning appeals.

The project, which involves the partial demolition of several large Georgian buildings that surround the existing Clarence site in Dublin’s trendy Wellington Quay, has drawn the ire of localpreservation groups, however.The opposition has grown so vocal that the planning board must decide if it can go ahead unhindered.If it is given the green light the Clarence expansion will become the first Sir Norman Foster-designed building in the Republic of Ireland.It is also expected to
reverse the chic hotel’s dire financial fortunes.

The Clarence, which only sleeps 49, is run at a loss and is considered a vanity asset by those who know Bono and
his colleagues. The expansion will more than double the number of rooms and boost revenues.A source close to Bono confirmed that the U2 lead singer is in Dublin preparing for the crucial planning meetings with lawyers, architects and
other advisors.”This meeting, like the hotel project, is very important to him and he is in Dublin to make sure everything goes well,” the source said.

A final decision on whether Bono will appear personally at the meeting will be made in the next two days as issues such as security are still being addressed.”He very much wants to attend,” the source said.

News Source: New York Post