The Edge becomes an Irish citizen after 62 years
The guitarist, whose real name is David Howell Evans, was born in Essex in England to Welsh parents and as a result never held Irish citizenship even though he has lived in Ireland since he was one.
On Monday, the 63-year-old was officially conferred citizenship along with thousands of other new citizens during a ceremony in Killarney, which he hailed as "a monumental day for all of us."
According to Irish outlet The Journal, he told reporters: "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."
The Edge admitted the process was "quite straightforward" and he could have gone through it much sooner.
"Honestly there were many moments in the past when I could have done it with just the form to be filled out but I'm happy it's now. It feels more significant, it feels more meaningful.
"Because of what is going on in the world right now.
"What Ireland stands for, it's very powerful. We are talking really about showing leadership in the world, supporting our international bodies, the ICC, UN, speaking truth to power. Really important what Ireland is representing right now."
The Edge isn't the only member of U2 not to be born in Ireland, Adam Clayton was born in Oxfordshire but the bassist was granted Irish citizenship in 1989.
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