‘I couldn’t be more proud of my country’ – U2’s The Edge becomes Irish citizen more than 60 years after moving to country
‘I'm a little tardy with the paperwork. I’ve been living in Ireland now since I was one’
The Edge (David Howell-Evans) pictured with fellow citizens after they received Irish Citizenship at Gleneagle Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle
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U2 guitarist The Edge has become an Irish citizen at a ceremony in Co Kerry this afternoon, more than 60 years after moving to the country.
David Howell Evans (63), better known as The Edge, was among thousands of people who attended the citizenship ceremonies in Gleneagle Arena in Killarney, Co Kerry, today.
Speaking to RTÉ after the ceremony, he said: "I'm a little tardy with the paperwork. I’ve been living in Ireland now since I was one.”
"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 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," he said, describing becoming an Irish citizen along with 7,500 new citizens as a “monumental day for all of us”.
"What an amazingly joyful event, and for all of us, a monumental day,” he told RTÉ’s Six One.
Today's news in 90 Seconds - Monday June 23
Following the oath of allegiance during the second ceremony, the U2 member was shaking hands with those beside him.
He said that becoming an Irish citizen “could not have been more meaningful than the present time,” adding that Ireland is showing real leadership in the world.
The guitarist was born to Welsh parents in Barking, England, but has lived in Ireland since he was only one year old.
Mr Evans, along with his classmates from Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Clontarf, set up the legendary Irish rock band U2 in Dublin in 1976.
The band, which consists of the guitarist The Edge, vocalist and guitarist Bono, guitarist Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr, released 15 studio albums, including War (1983), The Joshua Tree (1987), Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa (1993), Pop (1997), and How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004).
Their biggest hits include With or Without You, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Beautiful Day, One, Ordinary Love, and Where the Streets Have No Name.
The Edge is also the only U2 member who released a solo album, Captive, the soundtrack for the film of the same title.
Ireland is set to welcome more than 7,500 new citizens over two days, who will make a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State.
The applicants came from more than 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island.
The most applications were made by citizens of India – almost 2,000 – followed by 817 from Brazilians, 516 from the British, 480 from Filipinos, 470 from Romanians and 396 from Poles.
Seven citizenship ceremonies in total are being held today and tomorrow, attended by Minister of Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Ministers of State Colm Brophy and Niall Collins.
Speaking ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said that this ceremony “marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship”.
"For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people.
"Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation.
"I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society,” he said.
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