Nancy Pelosi was the special guest speaker in the Dáil, but Bono stole the show.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ms Pelosi, was the special guest of the Oireachtas for the day, but she ended up playing second fiddle to Bono instead.
He was sitting in the Distinguished Guests’ Gallery during Ms Pelosi’s address, and she gave him not one, but three mentions in her speech.
Apart from this, the U2 singer was plagued by selfie-hunting politicians before and after the speech, with ex-Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former Sinn Féin boss Gerry Adams among those going across to meet him.
Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee of Fianna Fáil was one of those that got up close and personal and got a one-on-one selfie with the Dalkey rock star.
There was a long queue to shake his hand and have a typical politician’s word in his ear, with most politicians conveniently decided to take the one exit of four from the Chamber that allowed them pass Bono.
Ms Pelosi was talking about Ireland’s great legacy in the world of the arts when she got around to addressing Bono.
She said that “William Butler Yeats, had redefined poetry, James Joyce had redefined the novel and Samuel Beckett had redefined theatre” in the world.
The Speaker then looked towards the U2 singer and said that Bono was “one of Ireland’s most beloved exports” and that he had “stirred the spirits of the world.”
She added: “I thank you Bono for being here.”
US Speaker Nancy Pelosi to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin
The sprightly 79 year old said that she has been to U2 concerts, but admitted that her grandchildren, Liam, Seán and Ryan are the bigger fans.
She also asked Bono that he “give my regards to the rest of U2.”
Congresswoman Pelosi as Speaker of the House of Representatives is the third most senior politician in America after President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.
She was in Leinster House to mark the 100th anniversary of the Dáil.
Astonishing 70% of Irish adults would vote for a United Ireland
The Dáil chamber was packed to capacity to hear her speak, with TDs, Senators and many past Members filling all the seats and railing stools for her stirring address.
She congratulated the Irish people for passing both the marriage equality and repealing of the 8th referendums.
Ms Pelosi spoke about Brexit and the importance of keeping Ireland border free.
She promised again that she wouldn’t stand for any new trade deal between the UK and US if a return of the border is threatened.
Ms Pelosi has the power to block any such deal that Donald Trump is talking about in her role as Speaker of the House.
Ms Pelosi said we had “witnessed the miracle of a new peace” in Northern Ireland 21 years ago this month with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and warned that nobody should put this in jeopardy.
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