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U2 pay tribute to inspirational women from the north

Dozens of inspirational women, including former Irish President Mary McAleese were honoured by U2 at their Croke Park concert
Dozens of inspirational women, including former Irish President Mary McAleese were honoured by U2 at their Croke Park concert Dozens of inspirational women, including former Irish President Mary McAleese were honoured by U2 at their Croke Park concert
By Gareth McKeown

FOUR inspirational women from the north were amongst those honoured in a visual tribute by rockers U2 during their Croke Park concert.

In an unprecedented move the band's song 'Ultraviolet' (Light My Way) was accompanied by a breathtaking on-screen visualisation of inspirational women.

The dozens of striking images appeared and disappeared on screen at the concert highlighting the story of ‘luminous' women who ‘light the way’ to a better world.

These were displayed on a massive 200-feet wide and 45-feet high stage screen, which was the backdrop for the sell-out gig.

Among those to be recognised were former Irish President Mary McAleese, who hails from Belfast, founding member of the Irish Women's Liberation Movement and Derry woman Nell McCafferty, as well as co-recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize Mairead Corrigan-Maguire and Betty Williams.

A former Queens University graduate Mrs McAleese served as the eighth Irish President from 1997 to 2011. She was joined by her predecessor Mary Robinson in the visual tribute.

Irish journalist, playwright and civil rights campaigner Nell McCafferty has long been a champion for women's rights, with notable work including her coverage of the Kerry Babies Case.

Both from Belfast, Mairead Corrigan-Maguire and Betty Williams were co-founders of Community of Peace People, an organisation dedicated to promoting a peaceful resolution to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. They were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 for their ground-breaking work.

Other Irish representatives included in the tribute included Olympic champion boxer Katie Taylor, the late Irish Coast Guard Captain Dara Fitzpatrick and the anti-apartheid striking Dunnes Stores workers

Ahead of the concert an appeal was made by the band for nominations for the on-screen depiction of ‘herstory’,with others to feature including; Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and murdered MP Jo Cox.