Barbra Streisand Performs First Ever Open-Air Concert at Castletown House in Ireland

Barbra Streisand tonight continued her box-office, record-breaking European tour at Ireland's Palladian Mansion, the State Historic Castletown House, which was once the ancestral (O Conghaile) home of the former Speaker of the Irish House of Commons William Conolly.

This is the sixth stop on Streisand's first ever European tour, and it was her first performance in Ireland, as part of her series of concerts.

The star-studded audience included actress Kim Catrell, singer Liam Clancy, music entrepreneur and TV personality Louis Walsh, writer Fionnuala Sherry and other luminaries.

Streisand's 17,000 devoted fans braved the traffic queues due to the heavy downpours earlier to give her a standing ovation as she appeared in the palatial open-air setting. Relaxed and joking, Streisand chatted to the audience before the excited crowd alerted her to a giant rainbow that scaled the entire stage set above her head. Streisand commented: 'Wow. Rainbows are lucky, aren't they?' which prompted "Come Rain or Come Shine, " much to the delight of the audience.

A 58-piece orchestra accompanied Streisand as she performed many of the classic songs from her unique repertoire such as "Evergreen", "People", "The Way We Were", "Don't Rain on My Parade" and many more.

Streisand's Manchester show received plaudits from across the UK including the Daily Telegraph who praised her : "enduring appeal". The Independent : "The power range and tonal quality of her voice becomes fully apparent...an enduring star quality". The Daily Mail hailed : "Barbra : The evergreen makes it all llook so easy...her incredible vocal ability ".

This followed her historic performance in Germany where she signed Berlin's prestigious Guest Book at the Waldbuhne in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit. The Guest Book remained in the City Hall and had never before in its history been moved from its resting place. A special exception was granted for Barbra Streisand.

It has been a fantastic European tour for Streisand who, prior to Berlin, was presented with the Legion of Honour by President Sarkozy in Paris. The award is the highest honour that can be given to a civilian. President Sarkozy was quoted as saying: "you are the American we love".

Streisand performed at Paris' Bercy on to a star-studded audience including the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Benard Kouchner, Diane Von Furstenberg, Dominique Bession, Charles Aznavour, Jean Paul Belmondo, Alain Delon, Line Renaud and Cécilia Sarkozy, wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The remaining dates for the Barbra Streisand European Tour are:


18 July London The O2 Arena
22 July London The O2 Arena
25 July London The O2 Arena

Barbra Streisand is the US music industry's #1 best-selling female recording artist. She is second in the all-time charts, ahead of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, exceeded only by Elvis. Streisand remains the only artist to receive an Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, Cable Ace, and Peabody Awards, and the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award.

The tour is presented by Concert Productions International and Solo.
For tour and ticket information please go to www.barbrastreisand.com