Notice there was a gap between 87 - 2003 where U2 didn't play Croke Park.
They loved playing there. Bono said in 85 Madison Square Gardens was a warm up for Croke Park.
Croke Park would have perfectly suited ZooTV & Popmart.
Suppose nothing wrong with a change.
I vaguely remember something about regulations regarding what time shows had to finish at night. With Ireland being so far north, they had to start outdoor shows in the summer daylight, which interfered with the visuals, and then they were also up against a strict cut-off.
Speaking as an American, most of us have a mental conception of Ireland being more or less on the same latitudes as New York City or Boston, and we tend to be surprised when we see just how far north-shifted European cities are compared to our suppositions.
I don’t know who this would surprise more, Americans or Europeans, but the French Riviera is as far north as Milwaukee.