U2 may play in Auckland 

U2, currently on their Vertigo world tour, last performed in New Zealand in 1993. Picture / Reuters

Irish rockers U2 could be celebrating next St Patrick's Day with a concert in Auckland.

The band are strongly rumoured to be planning one show - possibly two - at Western Springs Stadium as part of their Vertigo world tour. A probable Auckland date is Friday, March 17 - St Patrick's Day.

Meanwhile, there is also speculation the Rolling Stones will include New Zealand on their A Bigger Bang world tour, which is due to hit Australasia in March and April.

One music industry source told the Herald that St Patrick's Day and the day after had been booked for U2. It was not clear whether the second night was a "rain date" or for a second performance.

Forums on the local U2 fansite, u2newzooland.com, have been running hot with news the band could be touring here for the first time since 1993's Zooropa tour.

A Christchurch fan, who attended two U2 concerts in Los Angeles recently, made a post on the website saying U2's longtime soundman, Joe O'Herlihy, told him before one of the shows that the band would be playing in Auckland on St Patrick's Day.

"He said they will be playing Western Springs and for two nights," said the post.

On U2's official website, U2.com, there are no tour dates for Australia or New Zealand. However, an email was sent to subscribers saying an announcement about concerts would be made in the next few days.

It is understood Australian promoter Michael Coppel is talking to U2 about touring Downunder. But a Coppel spokesman said, "No agreements have been signed and any speculation is premature."

U2 have a special bond with New Zealand since the song One Tree Hill, from the 1987 Joshua Tree album, was dedicated to a Kiwi U2 crew member, Greg Carroll, who died in a car accident in Dublin in 1986.

Bono, his wife, and drummer Larry Mullen Jnr attended the funeral in New Zealand.