10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘I am just so happy to be at this point' says beloved Dublin music icon as he finally becomes Irish citizen aged 63
THOUSANDS of new citizens were conferred with Irish citizenship today - including U2 guitarist The Edge.
The musician otherwise known as
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The Edge obtained his Irish citizenship after 62 years of living in Ireland
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Thousands were conferred with Irish citizenship in the ceremony
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Former CNN News TV anchor Gina London celebrates after receiving her Irish citizenship
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Sitting literally at the edge of the row at the ceremony in
He smiled throughout and shook hands with his neighbours front and back after the oath of allegiance.
Becoming an Irish citizen could not have been more meaningful than at the present time, he said.
Speaking briefly to reporters afterwards, he described becoming an Irish citizen with so many others as 'a monumental day for all of us'.
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He said: "I guess, you know, I'm a little tardy with the paperwork. I've been living in
"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 application didn't take that long and was quite straightforward.
He said: 'A couple of years to deal with all the ins and outs. But it was actually quite straight forward.
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"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."
He added: "It feels more significant, it feels more meaningful."
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Asked why, the
"We are talking really about showing leadership in the world, supporting our international bodies, the ICC,
Asked if Ireland could do more, he said: "Can it do more? I think it's doing a lot. I'm not sure there is much more it could do more to be honest.
"I'm not sure there's much more it could do to be honest."
7,500 NEW IRISH CITIZENS
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island numbering 7,500 are making the declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State and becoming Irish citizens.
Over seven ceremonies held over two days, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration,
NEW IRISH CITIZENSHIPS STATS
Top 10 nationalities of applicants:
India - 1,888
Brazil - 817
UK - 516
Philippines - 480
Romania - 470
Poland - 396
South Africa - 318
Nigeria - 257
China (including Hong Kong) - 234
USA - 224
Applicants per county:
Antrim - 27
Armagh - 6
Carlow - 76
Cavan - 95
Clare - 123
Cork - 777
Derry 4
Donegal - 115
Down - 15
Dublin - 3,820
Fermanagh - 2
Galway - 358
Kerry - 114
Kildare - 619
Kilkenny - 77
Laois - 132
Leitrim - 19
Limerick - 270
Longford - 49
Louth - 248
Mayo - 104
Meath - 380
Monagahn - 42
Offaly - 63
Roscommon - 58
Sligo - 52
Tipperary - 118
Tyrone - 4
Waterford - 145
Westmeath - 135
Wexford - 130
Wicklow - 270
Speaking at the ceremonies on Monday, Minister O'Callaghan it was a special and important occasion in Killarney and he congratulated everyone.
O'Callaghan said: 'It is a great privilege to become a citizen of this country and obviously with it comes responsibilities and duties and I think everyone who is taking on citizenship will be aware of that."
The word citizen in Irish is derived from the word 'saor', meaning freedom, the Minister said.
He added that he hopes Ireland's newest citizens would embrace 'the full freedom and opportunities Ireland has to offer you.'
There was another important Irish word, 'meitheal', and it meant working together towards a common good, the minister also said.
He added: "I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society".
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Thousands were seen celebrating after the ceremony
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O'Callaghan hopes Ireland's newest citizens would embrace 'opportunities Ireland has to offer you'
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