The Edge Becomes an Irish Citizen After 60 Years: U2 Guitarist's Momentous Milestone

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There was one headline that eclipsed all others for U2 this week: The Edge, the band’s iconic guitarist, finally became an Irish citizen in a ceremony on June 23, after living in Ireland for over 60 years. Reporters caught The Edge—real name David Howell Evans—fresh from the official event in Killarney, where he described the moment as both overdue and deeply meaningful. “I guess, you know, I’m a little tardy with the paperwork,” he quipped to The Journal and PEOPLE magazine. Though born in Essex, England, The Edge moved to Ireland as a one-year-old and has always called it home. He told assembled crowds that the timing felt right and spoke glowingly about Ireland’s role on the world stage, saying, “It’s showing real leadership right now in the world and it couldn’t come at a better moment for me. I am just so happy to be at this point, to be in even deeper connection with my homeland” PEOPLE and Irish Times both highlighted the significance, considering almost half of U2’s members were born outside Ireland despite forming in Dublin in the mid-70s.

Social media lit up with congratulatory messages. U2’s own Instagram fan accounts, such as u2_onelove, posted images and brief clips of the Killarney ceremony, drawing supportive comments from fans worldwide. The story trended under entertainment and music news, with classic rock and pop culture sites like American Songwriter and 98 Rock Online weighing in both on the delay and the pride The Edge takes in his Irish identity. The guitarist’s lighthearted remarks—admitting he procrastinated for decades on the paperwork—added to the charm of the coverage.

In terms of business activity and public appearances, there have been no surprise live performances reported this week. However, U2’s legacy from their recent Las Vegas Sphere residency continues to make waves. Their groundbreaking 40-date residency “U2:UV Achtung Baby Live” drew praise from Rolling Stone and The Telegraph, with many critics saying the show might change the face of live entertainment. The immersive concert film V-U2, based on their Sphere shows, remains a hot ticket at the venue into late June, according to Ticketmaster.

While rumors persist about a possible U2 tour in late 2025, no official announcements have come from the band or their management. Speculation continues in UK media about potential venues and dates, but fans await word from U2 directly. Meanwhile, the focus remains squarely on The Edge’s citizenship milestone and the continuing celebration of U2’s place in Irish history.

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