On Christmas Day in 1975, bassist Steve Harris founded a band named after a character in 'The Man in the Iron Mask.

' Half a century later, Iron Maiden is still going strong, maintaining their status as one of the largest bands in heavy metal history.

The band will celebrate their 50th anniversary with a 27-date 'Run for Your Lives' world tour, which will include a performance in Dublin on June 25th.

The show will feature songs from the band's heyday, spanning the nine albums from their eponymous debut album in 1980 to 'Fear of the Dark' in 1992, after which the singer left the band for a time.

Dickinson promised fans a 'once-in-a-lifetime live experience,' saying, 'This is a tour that's going to put a smile on your face and a cheer in your throat.

If you've seen us before, then get ready to take that experience to a whole new level.

If you've never seen us before, then what the hell have you been waiting for? Now's your chance to find out what you've been missing!'Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said they are working on an 'even more spectacular and elaborate new show which will bring the songs to life more than we have ever been able to do before.

' He added, 'This is going to be a huge couple of years for Iron Maiden, and Eddie of course, and we are very excited about what we have up our sleeves for you fans throughout the whole of our 50th year.

I promise you are all going to be very happy indeed!'Special guests for the first half of the tour, including the London and Dublin outdoor shows but not the UK arenas, will be American rockers Halestorm.

Tickets, priced from €83.

75 to €88.

75 including booking fees, are limited to six per transaction and go on sale at midday on Friday, September 27th, from Ticketmaster.