U2s The Edge Finally Becomes an Irish Citizen: A Monumental Day for the Band and Country
The four members of U2, one of the world's most famous Irish rock bands, have been making headlines again this week. The band's guitarist, David Howell Evans, known as The Edge, finally received his Irish citizenship during a ceremony in Killarney, County Kerry.
The 63-year-old musician was born in Essex, England, to Welsh parents and has lived in Ireland since he was one year old. Despite his long-standing residence in Ireland, he had never held Irish citizenship until now.
During the ceremony, The Edge wore an Irish tricolour flag clip on his lapel and described the occasion as a "monumental day" for all involved. He is among about 7,500 people who have made a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the Irish state and become Irish citizens on Monday and Tuesday.
The musician told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that he had been "a little tardy with the paperwork" but that the time was right for him to become an Irish citizen. He expressed his pride in his country and its representation, saying that it couldn't come at a better moment for him.
Last month, it was revealed that U2 are back in the studio making new music after an eight-year break. The band's drummer, Larry Mullen Jr., had been recovering from neck surgery during this time. The Edge was a founding member of the band, which was formed in Dublin in the 1970s.
The band's return to the studio is a testament to their continued dedication to creating music that resonates with their fans around the world. With The Edge now an official Irish citizen, it seems that the band's connection to their homeland is even deeper than ever before.
