‘I couldn't be more proud of my country' – U2's The Edge becomes Irish citizen more than 60 years after moving to country
David Howell Evans (63), better known as The Edge, was among thousands of people who attended the citizenship ceremonies in Killarney, Co Kerry, today.
Speaking to RTÉ after the ceremony, he said: "I'm a little tardy with the paperwork. 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.
"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.
He told RTÉ that Ireland is showing real leadership in the world.
Following the oath of allegiance during the second ceremony, the U2 member was shaking hands with those beside him.
He said that becoming an Irish citizen 'could not have been more meaningful than the present time.'
The guitarist, who set up the legendary Irish rock band U2 with his classmates, was born in Essex in England to Welsh parents, but has lived in Ireland since he was one year old.
Ireland welcomed around 7,500 new citizens today, who came from more than 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island.
Seven citizenship ceremonies are being held over two days, attended by Minister of Justice Jim O'Callaghan and Ministers of State Colm Brophy and Niall Collins.
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