U2 guitarist The Edge has become an Irish citizen
The 63-year-old guitarist was born in Essex, East England, but moved to Ireland as a young child and on Monday (23.06.25), he was officially conferred along with thousands of other new citizens during a ceremony in Killarney, Co. Kerry, which he hailed as "a monumental day for all of us"
26 June 2025
According to Irish outlet The Journal, he told reports afterwards: "I guess, you know, I'm a little tardy with the paper work.
"I've been living in Ireland now since I was one year old. But the time is right. And I couldn't be more proud of my country for all that it represents and all that it is doing.
"It's showing real leadership right now in the world and it couldn't come at a better moment for me so I am just so happy to be at this point to be in even deeper connection with my homeland."
The Edge - whose real name is David Howell Evans - admitted the process was "quite straightforward" and he could have gone through it much sooner, but taking Irish citizenship now felt "more meaningful".
He said: "Honestly there were many moments in the past when I could have done it with just the form to be filled out but I'm happy it's now. It feels more significant, it feels more meaningful.
"Because of what is going on in the world right now.
"What Ireland stands for, it's very powerful. We are talking really about showing leadership in the world, supporting our international bodies, the ICC, UN, speaking truth to power. Really important what Ireland is representing right now."
The Edge isn't the only member of U2 not to be born in Ireland, despite him, Bono, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. forming the band during their schooldays in Dublin.
Adam was born in Oxfordshire, South East England, but raised in Ireland and the 65-year-old bassist was granted citizenship back in 1989.
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