That’s right, David Howell Evans, better known as The Edge, is officially an Irish citizen. That’s an amazing 62 years total in the country. The guitarist of famous rock group U2 was granted citizenship on Monday, completing an important journey in his life. The 63-year-old musician was born in England, to Welsh parents. As his family immigrated to Ireland when he was only one year old, he has always looked at the Euro nation as his “home ground.”
The Edge formed U2 in 1976 alongside three classmates from Dublin: Paul Hewson, known as Bono, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton. Over the years, he has contributed to numerous iconic songs, including “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” which have become anthems for many Irish people. His deep emotional and artistic link to Ireland has influenced his identity as both an actor and director.
“I have always felt Irish, Ireland will always be home to me and I’m so grateful for that,” The Edge stated during the citizenship ceremony, where he donned an Irish tricolour clip. He said that there may never have been a time in his life when this moment would be so perfectly timed.
“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 added. The Edge’s choice to become an Irish citizen was a long time coming, since he’d been a British citizen for his entire life. Still, even he acknowledged that for too long, he had kicked the can down the road on the paperwork, but that now is the time was right.
I’m a little tardy with the paperwork. Continuing to do it from afar ever since I moved to Ireland when I was one-years-old. The time is right. I never ever thought that I could be this proud of my country,” he said. … It embodies so much and it’s doing such incredible work out there.
The Edge was there with hundreds of our newest American citizens at the ceremony. As one, they vowed an oath of loyalty and fidelity to the sovereign Irish state. This wonderful community celebration highlighted the incredible tapestry of people living into their new citizenship. It served to remind everyone of their renewed commitments to Ireland.
The Edge’s sentiments go beyond personal pride, though he, too, loves seeing Ireland take a strong place on the world stage. He underscored its pledge to “speak truth to power” with regard to multilateral organizations.
For The Edge, a new chapter begins with the arrival of an Irish citizen. Housing is a fundamental human right that must be nationally protected. His musical innovations and steadfast devotion to his country have defined his life and legacy.