This is massive.
Live entertainment in Ireland generated a staggering €1.7bn for the economy, with over 11,000 jobs created off the back of those figures.
At an event in Dublin's Westbury Hotel to show just how pivotal a role the entertainment sector plays in Ireland, Justin Green of Wide Awake Communications told JOE about the massive figures - both in terms of jobs and revenue - that live shows play in this country.
"Everyone knew how great the industry was but it doesn't always get seen as the tangible, viable business that it is. I think, today, everyone has come together to put on record what the actual industry is worth," he said.
"For the firs time it's been quantified as €1.7bn and you also have over 11,000 jobs. The live entertainment scene in Ireland employs more than Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter combined.
"There's nearly half a million visitors to the state for events and the reason they come here is for events, and 99% of them say they would recommend it to family or a friend."
