They've won a multitude of awards over the course of their almost 50-year-long career, and now the Lifetime Achievement gongs are beginning to roll in.
The Dublin rockers received a prestigious honour from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC last night.
US President Joe Biden was amongst the guests who witnessed the four piece being honoured alongside actor George Clooney, musicians Amy Grant and Gladys Knight, and composer Tania Leon, all for their contributions to American culture.
Biden made a speech honouring the band, saying "As the song goes, 'We're one, but we're not the same We get to carry each other. From this Irish-American President, in a White House designed by Irish hands, who built this, I wanna thank U2 for all you've done and the way you lift people up. You really make a difference. Thank you."
The band did not perform, but a video tribute featuring the likes of Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Beyonce and Finneas reciting their lyrics over a montage U2 was played at the ceremony:
A live tribute to U2 did take place, however, and included their fellow Irish musician Hozier:
The band released a statement saying:
"In December 1980, we made our first trip across the Atlantic to America. Our first show was at The Ritz in New York City, the second, The Bayou in DC.
“We had big dreams then, fuelled in part by the commonly held belief at home that America smiles on Ireland. And it turned out to be true, yet again.
“But even in our wilder thoughts, we never imagined that 40 years on, we would be invited back to receive one of the nation’s greatest honours.
“It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and its culture.
“We consider America to be a home away from home and we are very grateful to the Kennedy Centre Honours for welcoming us into this great clan of extraordinary artists.”
