David Howell Evans, better known as The Edge, U2’s legendary guitarist, finally obtained Irish citizenship at the age of 63, on Monday, June 23, 2025, during a ceremony held in Killarney, County Kerry. It was a powerful symbolic gesture, marking the official recognition of a man who has lived on the island since he was just one year old.
It took more than sixty years for one of the world’s most famous musicians to officially formalize his belonging to the Irish nation. David Howell Evans, globally known by his stage name The Edge, the iconic guitarist of U2, officially became an Irish citizen at the age of 63, after having spent virtually his entire life on the island.
The scene unfolded in Killarney, County Kerry, on June 23, 2025. In the large hall where the collective citizenship ceremony took place, The Edge blended into the crowd of 7,500 participants from 143 countries, proudly wearing a tricolor pin on his jacket. With emotion and humility, he took the oath, while confiding to journalists that this gesture carried, for him, an important political and moral dimension in today’s international context.
Born in 1961 in Essex, England, to Welsh parents, David Howell Evans arrived in Dublin at just one year old. It was in the classrooms of the Irish capital that he met his future U2 bandmates: Paul Hewson (Bono), Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. Together, in 1976, they formed one of the most influential rock bands in modern history, carrying Ireland’s voice to every corner of the globe.
Despite this deeply Irish trajectory, The Edge had never bothered with the paperwork to apply for citizenship. During the ceremony, he admitted, with humor, that he was “a bit late.” But he also emphasized that this choice was far from trivial, given the unique role Ireland plays today.
For the musician, Irish citizenship represents a commitment. In a world where democratic values and justice are often undermined, he believes that Ireland continues to uphold institutions such as the UN and the International Criminal Court and to embody a moral voice on the global stage. It was this vision, more than simply regularizing his status, that motivated him to take the step after more than sixty years.
The welcoming ceremony unfolded in a warm yet solemn atmosphere. The Irish Minister for Justice reminded attendees that citizenship comes with as many responsibilities as it does rights, encouraging new citizens to engage in the democratic life of the country.
For The Edge, it was a “monumental day” that he shared with thousands of others from all walks of life. The cultural and human diversity of the participants reflects the open and inclusive character that Ireland strives to bring to its naturalization policy.
This official recognition crowns a relationship that has spanned decades between the man and the country. Alongside Bono, Adam, and Larry, The Edge has helped showcase Irish culture to the world, while staying deeply anchored in the social and political realities of his adopted country. U2 has long been known for its courageous stances in favor of peace in Northern Ireland, against poverty, and for human rights.
In his remarks, The Edge recalled that he had felt Irish at heart for as long as he could remember and that this ceremony simply put official words to a lived reality. “This country gave me everything—my family, my art, my causes. Today, I wanted to give it this formal acknowledgment in return,” he summed up.
For the band’s fans, this move is a strong symbol, confirming The Edge’s deep attachment to Ireland and the strength of his values. In a world where identities can sometimes divide, the guitarist’s citizenship sends a message of unity and fidelity to one’s roots.
The naturalization of The Edge is part of a broader movement. On that same day, 7,500 new citizens joined the Irish nation, reaffirming the country’s ability to welcome and integrate diverse populations. At a time when immigration debates are fueling tensions in parts of Europe, Ireland proudly maintains a more open and generous vision of citizenship, in line with its own history of migration and exile.
Jokingly, The Edge admitted that this recognition would likely change nothing in his daily life, but that it had changed everything in his heart. Having never left Ireland since he was one, having built his career, his family, and his commitments there, he sees this act as a crowning moment, a way of honoring a country that has given him so much. In his typically understated style, he concluded that he has never felt more Irish than he does today.
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