An elderly man reportedly shouted that they had been sent by Oliver Cromwell, then climbed onto the front of the car and attempted to smash the windshield with his foot. The incident reflected how not everyone welcomed The Rolling Stones during their first tour in Ireland.
By Website Content Manager
We’ve been told that having long hair makes us resemble women.
The Rolling Stones had already completed two tours of the United States and performed across several European countries, including France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, before embarking on their first Irish tour in January 1965. The band’s visit included two shows in Belfast, two in Dublin, and two in Cork, making it a short but unforgettable trip, even though their reception was mixed in some areas.
Guitarist Brian Jones later described the experience as energizing, recalling an incident on the Cork–Dublin road where a seemingly harmless interaction with locals escalated unexpectedly when they misunderstood his attempt to film them, leading to a chaotic moment that forced him back into the car.
The band had already experienced intense reactions in Ireland the previous summer during a Belfast show at Ulster Hall, where overwhelming fan excitement reportedly caused the performance to be cut short after the crowd surged toward the stage. Reports at the time claimed hundreds of audience members fainted, with several requiring hospital treatment, prompting police officials to describe it as unlike anything they had ever seen.
When the group returned to Belfast in January 1965 for two more shows at the ABC Theatre, the atmosphere was noticeably calmer. In interviews before the concerts, members of the band played along with media questions, with drummer Charlie Watts joking about the group’s growing commercial success, while lead singer Mick Jagger avoided comparisons with rival bands.
During a press interaction the following morning with Irish broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the band was asked about criticism of their long hair. When told that some believed their hairstyles made them look like women, Jagger dismissed the claim, calling it untrue, while guitarist Keith Richards responded humorously in a mocking tone.
Richards would later go on to recount additional stories from the band’s journey to Cork, highlighting the unpredictable and often chaotic nature of their early tours.