Oklahoma Irish Caucus comments on selection of Irish band U2 as Woody Guthrie Prize honorees

OKLAHOMA CITY – Co-chairs of the Oklahoma Irish Caucus issued the following statement on Friday after it was announced that the Irish band U2 had been named the winner of the 2025 Woody Guthrie Prize. Members Bono and The Edge will accept the award on behalf of the entire band on October 21 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa. The annual award recognizes those who embody Guthrie’s social consciousness and musical legacy.

The American Irish State Legislators Caucus is an organization to foster and strengthen the longstanding relationship between Ireland and the United States of America. The Oklahoma Irish Caucus includes 62 members of the Oklahoma State Legislature.

“Our caucus is thrilled with the selection of Ireland’s U2 as this year’s winner of the Woody Guthrie Prize. Fifteen years before the Good Friday Irish Peace Agreement was signed in 1998, this groundbreaking band released ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday,’ decrying the devastating violence and senseless loss of life in Northern Ireland during The Troubles.

“Music can be a bridge for people to transcend political differences to celebrate our shared humanity and acknowledge our desire for a better world. Our caucus thanks the Woody Guthrie Center for keeping his legacy of music and social consciousness alive, and congratulates U2’s Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. on being this year’s honorees.” – Oklahoma Irish Caucus co-chairs, Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Sen. Julie McIntosh, R-Porter, Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang.

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For more information, contact:
Sen. Mary Boren and Sen. Julie McIntosh at 405-524-0126
Rep. Forrest Bennett and Rep. Brian Hill at 405-521-2711