Latest news with #citizenshipCeremony
Irish Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Citizen Edge: U2's English-born guitarist conferred with Irish citizenship in Kerry ceremony
David Howell Evans – better known as The Edge and the guitarist in rock band U2 – was among thousands of new Irish citizens conferred at a ceremony in Co Kerry . Born to Welsh parents in Essex, Evans (63) has lived in Ireland since he was an infant but never got around to applying for citizenship until recent years, despite always considering himself Irish. 'I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I'm so grateful for that,' he said. Sitting in one of the front rows at the citizenship ceremony in the Gleneagle Arena in Killarney and wearing an Irish Tricolour clip on his lapel, the famous guitarist smiled throughout and shook hands with those around him after taking the oath of allegiance. READ MORE He described becoming an Irish citizen among 7,500 people who will be conferred over two days in Co Kerry as a 'very moving' experience and 'a monumental day' for all in attendance. The musician said his citizenship application was 'long overdue'. 'I'm a little tardy with the paperwork. I've been living in Ireland now since I was one years 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,' he said. The country was 'showing real leadership right now in the world', he said. '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. David Evans, aka The Edge, guitarist with U2, attending a ceremony in Killarney where he became an Irish citizen after living in Ireland for more than 60 years. Photograph: Anne Lucey The application was quite straightforward to complete, he said. '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,' he said. It felt 'more meaningful' because of 'what is going on in the world right now, what Ireland stands for – it's very powerful,' he said, referring to Ireland's support for the United Nations and the International Criminal Court. Applicants from more than 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island will make a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State and become Irish citizens over the two days. Citizenship ceremonies were first introduced in 2011 and more than 206,000 people have been conferred citizens at ceremonies since then. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, who attended the Killarney ceremony, told those gathered that becoming a citizen was a 'great privilege' and 'comes with responsibilities and duties'. People from all walks of life became citizens on Monday, including more than 20 meat workers from Brazil who arrived in Ireland 16 years ago. Roberti Costa arrived in Co Cork to work in a meat factory in Charleville. He said he was 'happy' to be Irish now. His friend and fellow Brazilian Martina de Freitas Boneberg, who lives near Millstreet in Co Cork and is already an Irish citizen, has helped 22 people from the South American country secure their citizenship, assisting them with the language and paperwork. 'It's a big step for them to become Irish,' Martina said after the ceremony, surrounded by several very happy workers from a meat plant in Bunclody, Co Wexford. Gina London, a White House correspondent during the Clinton presidency, was among 224 citizens from the US to become an Irish citizen. 'I am thrilled. This is for me,' said Ms London, who became tearful during the ceremony. Alongside her was Monika Braja-Matuszewska who works in supermarket Lidl in Portlaoise. Originally from Poland, she has lived in Ireland for 10 years with her husband Míhal who became a citizen last year. 'We are both Irish now,' said a delighted Monika. Aarushi Sharma came to Ireland as a student from New Delhi in India in 2018 and stayed on. She works for a finance company in Dublin and has seen Ireland as her home since she arrived. Her husband Divyang Jain, from a neighbouring street in New Delhi, moved here in 2017 and he became a citizen last year. They had two weddings last year when they married one in Dublin and one New Delhi.
CBC
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
New citizens get 'true Canadian experience' at Manito Ahbee Festival ceremony
For two decades, the Manito Ahbee festival has been showcasing Indigenous cultures, inviting all Manitobans to experience one of the largest powwows in North America. On Sunday, the festival at Red River Exhibition Park welcomed 43 new Canadians at a citizenship ceremony — a first in Manito Ahbee's 20-year history. The ceremony was facilitated by Suzanne Carrière, Canada's first Métis citizenship judge. "Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is a responsibility shared by all Canadians, even new Canadians, as you're about to become," Carrière said during the ceremony. Carrière led attendees through an oath, later shaking hands with each of the new citizens as they were welcomed by Indigenous leaders. Manito Ahbee board chair David Dandeneau said it was a "joyful" experience to hold a citizenship ceremony at the festival, adding it was the "perfect setting" for new Canadians to experience the many cultures of their new home. "The Indigenous peoples were the first ones here. So the very essence of Canada is rooted in that. And I think if they want to have the Canadian experience, the true Canadian experience, they have to experience this," Dandeneau said. He said he hopes the festival will continue to hold citizenship ceremonies moving forward. Hugh Oates, who moved from Jamaica to Winnipeg about six years ago, said it was a joyous moment to celebrate Indigenous culture while becoming a Canadian citizen. "It was good, knowing that they have built this country and we are here with them. It's a good feeling knowing that we are enjoying the legacy that they put out for us," Oates said. His wife, Kera Blake-Oates, said "proud is an understatement" when it comes to becoming a Canadian. And achieving that milestone at Manito Ahbee "makes us feel very welcome." Oates said the family has tickets for the festival and they are excited to learn more about Indigenous cultures. Shortly after the citizenship ceremony, a powwow featuring hundreds of dancers in regalia began. Outside, photographer Katie Lambe said she was working on a nearby film shoot but she felt that the drums were calling to her. A Canadian citizen originally from Newfoundland, Lambe said experiencing her first powwow at Manito Ahbee on Sunday was a "life-changing" experience. "It was the most beautiful display of community," she said, getting emotional while recounting what it was like to see a sea of dancers dancing in unison. "The singing and the drums, the dancing, the glitter. It was incredible. I was just in awe of the entire thing, " Lambe said. Lambe said that in that moment she felt "lucky" to live in Manitoba, a province with "such a beautiful, vibrant community of Indigenous people." Dandeneau said the powwow experience "touches you in the most profound way." That's why the new Canadians were introduced during the powwow's grand entry at noon on Sunday. "If you honour and respect your fellow man, or women, or whoever, that's where you establish bonds and you establish reconciliation — true reconciliation," Dandeneau said. Citizenship ceremony held at one of the largest powwows in Canada 27 minutes ago Duration 1:59 New Canadians take their citizenship oaths during the 20th edition of Winnipeg's Manito Ahbee festival, one of the largest celebrations of Indigenous culture in North America.
