* It's boom and bust in Dublin city's nightclubs. How else could you explain that in the same month that Renards went into liquidation, rival club owner Oliver Hughes revealed plans to The Diary for a €4m expansion of Lillie's Bordello?

"What we want to do is extend the library in Lillie's so we can cater for even more events and launches. I'd like to see more eclectic stuff happening there," says Oliver (50).

However, everything is on hold until the government takes another look at the licensing laws which helped send Robbie Fox to the wall.

"Tourists come expecting an all-night party. You have to explain to them we have the most restrictive licensing laws in the world."

* Bob Geldof will perform tonight at a gig in memory of a schoolfriend.

Taking place in Blackrock rugby club, A Midsummer's Night Farewell will honour David McHale who passed away last month. A gifted saxophone and keyboard player, McHale worked with acts including the Boomtown Rats and the Dubliners.

Best pal Bob is expected to perform song 'Dave', the second-last Rats single, in McHale's memory.

* The Xposé girls finally got to say their goodbyes to Lorraine Keane on Friday when they gathered in Dublin's Saba Restaurant.

The former TV3 star made a hasty exit from Ballymount but there was plenty of reminiscing at the gathering attended by presenters Glenda Gilson, Karen Koster, Aisling O'Loughlin, Lisa Cannon and Sybil Mulcahy.

* Manager Paul McGuinness has revealed U2 has been paying out a fortune in rent to prepare for their world tour. Rehearsing for the last month with a massive 50-metre stage dubbed the Claw, U2 have had to hire the Camp Nou in Barcelona. "If you think rents are expensive, you should try renting out a football stadium by the week," joked McGuinness, who said he was looking forward to U2's opener in Barcelona on 30 June.