A member of U2 has finally become an Irish citizen 62 years after moving there.
One of the best-selling bands in the world, U2 was formed in 1976 while the members were attending Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin.
The line-up comprises frontman Bono, guitarist the Edge, bassists Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr.
The group – whose biggest hits have included singles like Sunday Bloody Sunday, With Or Without You and Beautiful Day – quickly became known for their politically and socially minded Irish anthems, as well as their activism off the stage.
Despite being one of Ireland’s most successful bands globally, it turns out the Edge (real name David Howell Evans) wasn’t actually a citizen.
But this week the musician confirmed he’d finally got around to applying to officially become Irish.
The Edge, 63, was born in Barkin, Essex, the second child of Welsh parents Garvin and Gwenda Evans.
Soon after Evans was born his father, who was an engineer, was offered a promotion which took the family to Dublin.
Now, after 62 years living in Ireland, Evans has been granted Irish citizenship.
‘I’m a little tardy with the paperwork,’ he told reporters after a ceremony in Killarney, County Kerry on Monday.
‘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.’
Despite living in Ireland for most of his life, Evans explained why it took him so long to apply for citizenship.
‘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 and meaningful,’ he said.
How easy is it really to get your Irish citizenship?
Alana Anderson, Metro’s Deputy Entertainment Editor:
‘Like thousands of others, I applied for my Irish citizenship shortly after Brexit, so expected a long wait for my new passport to arrive. The process was slightly grueling, having never met my Irish grandfather, who died before I was born, digging out the birth and marriage certificates I needed for the foreign birth register was tedious to say the least. Due to my dual citizenship with Canada, my application was also frozen until I provided even more information about my previous immigration status. I feel incredibly fortunate to now have my citizenship, but the admin involved is a task in itself. I would highly recommend having your documents in order before starting the application for a smoother experience!’
Pierra Willix, Senior Entertainment Reporter:
‘I was lucky enough to be able to apply for citizenship for several different European countries through my grandparents, but with the Irish passport now being the strongest in the world, it was the obvious choice (and it was one of the countries I felt the closest connection with). After some of my cousins had a fairly straightforward (and quick) experience applying to get onto the Foreign Birth Registry and getting their passport soon after that, I had a more difficult time, mainly due to applying post-Brexit and then having my application repeatedly delayed during the pandemic. Despite having to wait much longer than anticipated, I am extremely grateful to now hold Irish citizenship, which has enabled me to move from Australia to the UK without any worries about visas.’
Wearing an Irish tricolour clip, Evans also swore an oath of loyalty and fidelity to the Irish state with hundreds of other newly created citizens at the ceremony.
‘I have always felt Irish. Ireland will always be home to me, and I’m so grateful for that,’ he shared.
‘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.’
Evans has previously spoken about using two different accents when growing up in the Irish capital.
At home he would use a Welsh accent, while he’d use an Irish one when outside. ‘The reason for this dual identity was mainly to be understood by my peers but also to be accepted,’ he once explained.
Over the years U2 has spoken out on issues including the shooting of unarmed protesters in Londonderry in 1972 by British soldiers with their 1983 song Sunday Bloody Sunday.
They also threw their support behind efforts to secure peace in Northern Ireland with the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement in 1998.
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