U2 40th Anniversary: Some of Ireland's most famous faces had a lot to say about U2

Arguably one of the most best things to come out of the capital, U2 are celebrating 40 years in music.

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jnr have been rocking it out since Mullen first put up a notice searching for bandmates in Dublin’s Mount Temple Comprehensive school.
Four decades on and the rockers have released 16 albums and won every award imaginable - including 22 Grammy awards
Rock lord and Irish Daily Mirror columnist, Henry Mount Charles:

“What I really admire about U2 is their capacity, even after 40 years, to still produce good music and most importantly, from my perspective, to still produce brilliant live shows.

“I’ve been to more than I care to remember.

“I burst into tears when they came on stage at Slane in 2001, because it also marked the completion of a 10-year restoration programme after the real unforgettable fire in the castle.”

Today FM’s Ian Dempsey:

“When I was growing up Bono used to live up the road from me and he got slagged for his look and mad clothes - people just thought he was a weirdo.

“He obviously has proved us all wrong so fair play to him.

“I met the guys last year in London for an interview and what struck me about them is they’re still so into their music - they reminded me of a new band. They were still excited about it.

“It was great to see. When you think of how far they’ve come in 40 years it’s amazing.”

TV presenter and former entertainment reporter Lorraine Keane:

“I’ve some great memories with U2.

“Bono even has a nickname for me - Cato, the character who jumps out everywhere in the Peter Sellers movie The Pink Panther.

“He said I was like Cato and that wherever he went I was jumping out at him with a microphone.

“So anytime when there was a world exclusive with loads of cameras and I’d be lost, he said to always shout out ‘It’s Cato’ and he’d know it was me.

“He’d hear me and be like, ‘Excuse me, excuse me, where’s Lorraine? Get her in’.

“He’s just one of my favourite people in the world.


Former Late Late Show host Gay Byrne:

“Over the years the band have always been very pleasant during interviews and of course I want to wish them well on this occasion.

“I also did a wonderful interview with Bono on the Meaning of Life - there have been several great moments with them.”


RTE broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan:

'I love U2 - they are a brilliantly talented band that got huge success on a global scale which was do well deserved.

“I feel very proud that they are Irish."


Newstalk presenter George Hook:

“I never listened to their music but interestingly in a previous life I used to cater for their concerts.

“The first movie I ever catered for was a Sean Connery film called Zardoz and Paul McGuinness - who was to become the manager of U2 - was the third assistant director.

“The great thing about Paul was he never forgot a friend, so years later when their concerts in Slane and everywhere came up, he remembered me.”

http://www.dublinlive.ie/