The Joshua Free

Source: Sunday world March 19, 2000.

U2 receive freedom of the city
Bono, Edge, Larry, Adam and Paul McGuinness receive Dublin's greatest tribute.

Dublin yesterday presented U2 with the freedom of the city and a Waterford Crystal Joshua Tree, inspired by one of their multi-million selling albums.

The four superstars, along with their manager Paul McGuinness, were told by Lord Mayor Mary Freehill That the award had nothing to do with their success in selling a staggering 100 MILLION albums worldwide.
It was to honour Bono and his cohorts for their humanitarian work and promotion of the city of Dublin.
" From the beginning, U2 have used their talent for the benefit of others.We remember their participation in Live Aid, Self Aid and many other benefit concerts," she said.
" The band have campaigned actively for Amnesty and Greenpeace. paul has broughthis expertise to Government bodies and organisations in the arts and entertainment area.
Campaign:
" And there's Jubilee 2000, the campaign to cancel unpayable debts in the third world. I am sure Bono met a lot of cynicism and incredulity when he undertook this Herculean task. Who was he, a pop star, to talk to world leaders on economic and financial matters?
" little did they know. Bono, I salute you on your vision and tenacity."
  On their commitment to their hometown of Dublin, The Lord Mayor added:" It must have been tempting to relocate the band abroad, but you stayed, recorded here and encouraged others to do the same. A new breed of tourist was seen - the U2 tourist.
" You contributed to Dublin's change of image abroad, but, more importantly, you helped change the way we saw ourselves. Dublin's current success has many fathers, but I am talking to five of them today."
  Burmese Freedom leader Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday became the third prisoner of conscience to receive a Freedom of the City honour in Dublin. The previous recipients were TD Sullivan, the Home Ruler, and Nelson Mandela of South Africa.
  The award and a Dove of Peace, sculpted in glass by Waterford Crystal, was collected by her son Kim Aris, as his mother has been under house arrest in Burma since 1989.

Last night's ceremonies were preceded by an evening of entertainment in the newly-refurbished Smithfield Civic Plaza, which is the largest open space within the city and the size of two-and-a-half GAA pitches.
  The shindig was hosted by the Sunday World's movie critic Dave Fanning and performers included the legendary Ronnie Drew, as well as newcomers Juliet Turner, Dara and Bell X1.

By EDDIE ROWLEY