Beautiful day as U2's The Edge becomes an Irish citizen

Mon, 23 Jun, 2025 - 17:52

Anne Lucey

It was a beautiful day for U2 guitarist The Edge, who finally became an Irish citizen after a lifetime representing the country on the global stage.

David Howell Evans, 63, famously known as The Edge, was born in Essex and is the child of Welsh parents, but has lived in Ireland since he was a one-year-old.

The Edge shakes hands with a fellow new citizen after the ceremony at Gleneagle Killarney. He said: 'Today’s ceremony was very moving, the room was full of so many people, everyone from different backgrounds, with different stories. It was a privilege to be a part of it and to experience the collective joy as we all became citizens together.' Picture: Don MacMonagle

He was among thousands of people receiving Irish citizenship at a special event in Killarney on Monday.

Sporting a tricolour clip on his lapel, and wearing his distinctive cap, the guitarist enjoyed every moment of the ceremony, describing it as a "monumental day”.

Thousands of new Irish citizens at the citizenship ceremony at Gleneagle Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

"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."

Former CNN News TV anchor Gina London from Indiana in the US celebrates after receiving her Irish citizenship in Killarney on Monday. Photo: Don MacMonagle

On Ireland's role in international relations amid devastating conflicts in the Middle East, he added: "We are talking really about showing leadership in the world, supporting our international bodies, the ICC [the International Criminal Court], the UN, speaking truth to power."

Applicants from 143 countries, numbering 7,500 people, are making the declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State to become Irish citizens in ceremonies taking place over two days.

Gina London, a CNN White House correspondent during the Clinton presidency, was among 224 citizens from the USA receiving citizenship.

Gina, originally from Indiana, has been living in Ireland for 10 years and became emotional during the ceremony.

“I am thrilled. This is for me," she said.