The superstar, who plays the Odyssey in Belfast on December 15, will be back in the spring to grace the RDS in Dublin on May 22.

The surprise announcement comes at a time when fans of The Boss are licking their wounds after many of them were unable to get tickets for his Odyssey gig.

When they went on sale several weeks ago they sold out in minutes and Aiken Promotions fielded scores of complaints.

But ever since Peter Aiken has been working behind the scenes to put the situation right.

And as he prepared to announce the Dublin date today, he said: "When the fans are dissatisfied so are Aikens, even though the Springsteen situation wasn't of our making.

"The RDS appointment is our way of giving fans of The Boss a happy Christmas.

"The May time tickets will be snapped up as Christmas presents and there will be an exodus across the border to the concert in the spring.

"In the meantime the December 15 production at the Odyssey will be a real Christmas time bash."

Springsteen has an affection for Belfast because of his friendship with the late Jim Aiken to whom he paid tribute after his passing on his best-selling CD, which is now in the shops.

Tickets for the RDS concert go on sale next Wednesday, November 28.