It's a landmark date for all U2 fans! On September 25, 2026, the iconic Irish band marks its 50th anniversary! Indeed, it was on September 25, 1976 that the group led by Bono formed in Dublin. Since then, U2 has released 14 studio albums, including the iconic "War". Released in 1983, this third album includes the global hits "New Year's Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday".
Almost ten years after their last studio album, "Songs of Experience", many fans are eagerly awaiting one thing: a new release and a global tour. On the music side, the Irish outfit is poised to drop a fresh album soon. On July 7, U2 unveiled the track "Street of Dreams", the first preview from the upcoming album due to arrive later this year.
Fans are eager to see Bono, The Edge and the others back on stage very soon, performing their new material alongside a clutch of classic hits.
Meanwhile, U2 is rightly marking its 50th anniversary! In Paris, a exhibition puts the Irish band in the spotlight for the occasion. Entitled "U2: An Irish Story", this display is not to be missed from 23 September to 18 December 2026 at the Irish Cultural Centre.
On site, don’t expect to admire a row of framed photographs hanging on the walls of the exhibition room. The display is to be discovered in the grand courtyard of the cultural center, which hosts a year‑round lineup of events, including the famed St Patrick’s Day and the Music Festival.
For the occasion, 15 long panels have been installed in the courtyard. The selected photographs, notably by Ross Halfin and Colm Henry, are paired with captions available in French and English. They are presented in a spirit akin to Paris Match’s flagship photo reports. It’s worth noting that the renowned French weekly magazine is organizing this event in partnership with Tourism Ireland.
Diverse anecdotes are thus told there. Anecdotes that longtime fans probably know, but which should surprise others and the curious passing through the Irish Cultural Centre. For example, did you know that the Trinity College, a true institution in Ireland, hosted some of U2's earliest concerts as early as 1978, or that the Clarence Hotel, located in the bustling Temple Bar district, was owned by Bono and The Edge from 1992 to 2023? The display also reminds us that the band, at the time, took the gamble of recording its first album "Boy" at the Studios Windmill Lane Recording in Dublin; studios that would later become a genuine Abbey Road of Ireland.
Designed as a walk through Dublin, the exhibition retraces U2's career, exploring the band's Dublin roots and recalling the people and places that shaped its early days. It's a chance to discover the strong bond tying Bono's group to his hometown.
The installation, a true map of memories linking U2 and Dublin, is also a way to celebrate Irish music, recalling bands and artists as famous as Thin Lizzy, The Cranberries, or the late Sinéad O'Connor. This musical heritage continues today with, notably, Fontaines D.C. or Inhaler, whose frontman is none other than the son of a certain... Bono!
If you're a U2 fan, don't expect an exhibition that centers only on Bono's band, but rather a narrative that threads together Irish culture with Dublin's legendary quartet.
In the end, the visit goes quickly. But it's a great chance to discover the Irish Cultural Centre if you haven't already. And the exhibition is completely free and open to everyone. So head to the Irish Cultural Centre from Wednesday, September 23, to Friday, December 18, to explore this exhibit "U2: An Irish Story" and to learn more about the strong bond that ties the band to Dublin and its homeland. Since the exhibition is outdoors, opt for sunny weather to enjoy it. Note that the cultural centre is open Monday through Sunday from 14:00 to 18:00, and on Wednesdays until 20:00.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 23, 2026 to December 18, 2026
Location
Center Culturel Irlandais
5 Rue des Irlandais
75005 Paris 5
Route planner
Prices
Free
Official website
www.centreculturelirlandais.com
