U2 are set to be honoured with a special €2 commemorative coin marking 50 years since the formation of the legendary Irish rock band.
The coin celebrates five decades of U2’s music, iconic live performances and extraordinary international success, recognising the lasting impact the Dublin-formed group has had on generations of fans around the world.
Part of the Central Bank of Ireland’s approved Commemorative Coin Programme, the U2 coin will be issued in both Brilliant Uncirculated and Proof Quality editions. It marks a major milestone for one of Ireland’s most internationally celebrated musical acts, whose career has taken them from their beginnings in Dublin to global superstardom.
Formed in 1976, U2 went on to become one of the biggest rock bands in the world, with a career spanning multiple generations and a catalogue of music that has become closely associated with Ireland’s cultural identity. Their acclaimed live shows have also helped cement their reputation as one of the most influential touring acts in music history.
The U2 commemorative coin is one of two special cultural issues being released by the Central Bank, with the second celebrating another hugely influential Irish figure.
A €15 Silver Proof coin will honour acclaimed author Maeve Binchy, celebrating her life and enduring contribution to Irish literature. Binchy’s warm, character-driven stories won her a devoted readership in Ireland and internationally, with her novels and short stories exploring family, friendship, relationships and everyday life.
Her distinctive storytelling helped make her one of Ireland’s best-loved writers, and her work continues to introduce new generations of readers to her memorable characters and observations of Irish life.
The U2 coin follows the launch in July of a separate €2 commemorative coin marking Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. That issue features the Irish Presidency logo, incorporating five spirals containing 27 dots representing the EU’s 27 member states.
With the U2 and Maeve Binchy coins, the Central Bank’s commemorative programme celebrates two very different sides of Ireland’s cultural influence — a globally renowned rock band and one of the country’s most cherished literary voices.
