Originally posted by The Press Association:

The revamp of one of Dublin's landmark hotels by a world-class architect would be an incredible coup for the Irish capital, U2's the Edge has said. Speaking outside a planning board hearing into the controversial redevelopment of the Clarence Hotel, owned by Bono and the Edge, the rock star said the scheme would bring life back into the city's quays. The 150 million euro (about £100 million) proposal by Lord (Norman) Foster would see the construction of a new building topped with a massive glass dome. It has faced strong criticism from heritage groups who have accused the superstars of presiding over the destruction of an historic area of the city along the River Liffey. But the Edge hit back, branding the period buildings around the hotel "ordinary." "We feel that while it's very important to preserve the fabric of the period parts of the city, you've got to weigh up the benefits of what would be an incredible coup for Dublin City, a Norman Foster building," he said. "I feel that that outweighs the sacrifice of parts of what are relatively ordinary period buildings." He claimed conservation just for the sake of conservation was of little value. "If it is something that is not being used, if it's something that is lying dormant that's basically a dead building, a missing tooth if you want in the smile of the Liffey frontage, we want to bring that back. "We want to reconstitute and bring life back to the city along that quay front and I think that's the best way to do it," he said. The hotel on Dublin's south quays was bought by Bono and the Edge in 1996 and has 49 rooms. The redevelopment would increase the capacity to 140 rooms, with 26 suites. © Press Association Ltd., 2008.

Originally posted by germcevoy:

Bono in Belfast last week. He kept his appearance very quiet. If i'd have know he was in my hometown i'd have had myself a stake out : http://www.u2exit.com/

Originally posted by MWSAH:

[..] He never visits my hometown...(no reason to though, lol)

Originally posted by gerryhickey:

I seen larry and edge arrive at the studio last thursday and my mate spotted bono drinking coffee on on a bence near h.q. this morning , was just titting there chillin' like a villian , . The band normally arrives at the studio at 2.00p.m.

Originally posted by gerryhickey:

I seen larry and edge arrive at the studio last thursday (got a thumbs up off edge) and my mate spotted bono drinking coffee on on a bench near h.q. this morning , was just sitting there chillin' like a villian , . The band normally arrives at the studio at 2.00p.m.

Originally posted by Ali709:

[..] he doesn't visit mine either...I wonder why