U2’s The Edge becomes an Irish citizen

It was a proud day for U2 guitarist David Howell Evans, better known as The Edge, who officially became an Irish citizen during a naturalisation ceremony in Killarney, County Kerry.

Evans, 63, who was born in Essex to Welsh parents but has lived in Ireland since infancy, was among thousands to take the oath of allegiance at the event in Killarney on Monday.

“Becoming an Irish citizen could not have been more meaningful than the present time,” he said after completing the formalities and shaking hands with fellow new citizens.

Speaking to RTÉ, Evans reflected on the significance of the moment. “I’m a little tardy with the paperwork,” he joked. “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.”

The Edge, who co-founded U2 in 1976 with classmates at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, praised Ireland’s position in global affairs.

“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.

A total of 7,500 people from 143 countries, representing every county on the island of Ireland, were granted citizenship across a series of seven ceremonies held over two days.

Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan, Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy, and Minister of State for International Law and Youth Justice Niall Collins were all present at the event.