On June 25th, Iron Maiden stormed the stage at Malahide Castle, delivering the biggest metal gig Ireland has seen so far in 2025 and what a night it was. With a crowd made up of headbangers of all ages, from toddlers in oversized band tees to lifelong fans who’ve ridden with Maiden for decades, this was more than just a concert, it was a pilgrimage.
The anticipation was electric from the second Doctor Doctor blasted over the PA. Thousands of fists punched the sky in sync, voices howled along, and the tension built until finally—boom—Iron Maiden exploded onto the stage in a blaze of pyro, smoke, and roaring metal glory. The roar from the crowd as they launched into their set could probably be heard across all of Dublin.
Frontman Bruce Dickinson was in razor-sharp form, tearing through the setlist with that iconic voice that hasn’t lost an ounce of power. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Maiden gig without Eddie, their towering mascot, who stomped across the stage to massive cheers. At over ten feet tall, Eddie was impossible to miss, and impossible not to love.
The atmosphere was pure chaos in the best way. From start to finish, the crowd never stopped, headbanging, screaming lyrics, hands in the air, and kids on shoulders soaking in their very first taste of true heavy metal. It was sweaty, loud, and absolutely glorious.
Warming up the fire before Maiden took the stage were two explosive acts. The Raven Age kicked off the evening with a punchy set that showcased serious talent, especially from guitarist George Harris, son of Maiden’s legendary bassist Steve Harris. The metal legacy clearly runs deep, and the band set the bar high right out of the gate.
Next up, American rockers Halestorm brought the thunder with their signature high-octane energy. Lzzy Hale’s powerhouse vocals had the crowd hooked from the first scream, and by the end of their set, the energy in Malahide Castle was at boiling point.
From the massive crowd singalongs to the epic pyro and flawless musicianship, Iron Maiden proved once again why they are the gods of metal. If you were lucky enough to be there, you already know, this wasn’t just a show. It was a legendary night in Irish rock history.
Halestorm photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Fallen Star
I Miss the Misery
Love Bites (So Do I)
WATCH OUT!
Darkness Always Wins
Familiar Taste of Poison – First verse and chorus only
Rain Your Blood on Me
Drum Solo
Freak Like Me
I Get Off
Everest
Iron Maiden photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Doctor Doctor (UFO song taped intro)
The Ides of March (Taped intro)
Murders in the Rue Morgue
Wrathchild
Killers
Phantom of the Opera
The Number of the Beast
The Clairvoyant
Powerslave
2 Minutes to Midnight
Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Run to the Hills
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
The Trooper
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Iron Maiden
___________________________________________________________
Churchill’s Speech
Aces High
Fear of the Dark
Wasted Years
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (Monty Python song taped outro)
Photos & words – Erica Keogh @ericasnapz
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