‘I hope he doesn’t hear about that!’ How U2 star became the unwitting target of a cheeky move by talented young musician when she shared a stage with the legendary band at their old school
Eighteen-year-old musician Shannon Murphy joined U2 on stage at their former school, Mount Temple in Dublin, playing violin on their song “One”. Her performance showcased Music Generation, the music education programme U2 has helped fund since 2010, which aims to make tuition accessible regardless of a student’s background.
Murphy said she kept the concert secret despite finding it difficult, and described the band as welcoming when they met the young musicians afterwards. She took home Bono’s signed setlist and, as a cheeky extra memento, a guitar pick she quietly took from Adam Clayton’s equipment. Music Generation provided free tuition to more than 130,000 pupils last year, around one in ten students in Ireland.
In short
- Shannon Murphy played violin with U2 at their former school.
- She took a guitar pick from Adam Clayton’s equipment.
- Music Generation gave free tuition to over 130,000 pupils last year.
Explained simply
U2 formed in Dublin and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, the setting for this performance. The band have supported Music Generation, an Irish programme that helps young people access music lessons, since it began in 2010.
The programme offers tuition to pupils regardless of their background. It reached more than 130,000 pupils in Ireland last year, about one in ten students, making access to music education a central part of the story.
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