Cette page existe aussi en français. Voir en français

Esta página también está disponible en español. Ver en español

Back
U2: An Irish Story

Photo : Ivan Erskine

Sep 23 – Dec 18Free

U2: An Irish Story

Discover the raw beginnings of Ireland's most legendary rock band through an evocative collection of iconic photographs. This exhibit transports you back to the Dublin streets that birthed a global phenomenon, mapping out their decades-long journey from garage rehearsals to sold-out stadiums.

Centre Culturel Irlandais (Paris 5th)

Event website

About

Immerse yourself in the legendary story of U2 at the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris's 5th arrondissement. The exhibition titled U2: An Irish Story chronicles five decades of the iconic rock band, from its humble origins at a Dublin school in 1976 to its status as a global phenomenon. Featuring striking historical photography presented in the style of photojournalism, this retrospective highlights the people and locations that shaped the musicians' early years and their profound cultural impact. This exhibition is open to the public free of charge from September 23 to December 18, 2026, offering a unique look at the journey of one of music's most decorated groups.

It was indeed on 25 September 1976 that Larry Mullen pinned the now legendary phrase—"Drummer seeks musicians to form a band"—to the notice board of Mount Temple Comprehensive School, located in the north of Dublin.

Since then, U2 has toured the world countless times with some of the most groundbreaking tours of all time. The band has released 15 studio albums and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammy Awards and Amnesty International's "Ambassador of Conscience" award. Almost ten years after their last studio album, Songs of Experience, a new album is announced for the end of this year.

The exhibition presented at the CCI offers a selection of striking and historical photographs, in the spirit of the great reports of the French weekly magazine Paris Match. It explores the band's Dublin roots, the people and places that shaped its history in its early days, as well as the profound impact that U2 has had on music, culture, and Ireland's international influence over the past five decades.

  • Monday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday until 8 p.m.
Our take on this event

The Centre Culturel Irlandais celebrates the remarkable trajectory of U2 through an exclusive exhibition. The narrative begins on September 25, 1976, when a drummer named Larry Mullen posted a note in a Dublin school bulletin board, sparking the formation of a band that would go on to release 15 studio albums and secure 22 Grammy Awards. The collection explores the group's roots, its members' influences, and its enduring role in shaping Ireland's international image over the past fifty years.

Displayed through a series of evocative photographs, the exhibition captures the essence of early rock history in the vein of classic investigative photojournalism. Visitors will discover rare visual insights into the band's development and their deep connection to their Dublin hometown, alongside glimpses of their evolution ahead of their latest studio release. It is a comprehensive visual documentation of a career defined by innovation and global touring.

The exhibition is open to the public from September 23 through December 18, 2026. The venue is accessible from Monday to Sunday, between 14:00 and 18:00, with extended hours on Wednesdays until 20:00. Entry to the exhibition is entirely free, providing a perfect opportunity for music enthusiasts to delve into the history of this legendary ensemble in the heart of the 5th arrondissement.

You might also like

  • Heritage in Resistance, from Timbuktu to Odesa

    The exhibition brings together an exceptional collection of graphic documents, contemporary artworks, and digital replicas of lost sites. In the style of a major reportage, the ensemble weaves a documented, visual, and sensitive narrative, where the perspectives of actors and witnesses, architects, and artists intersect.

    Oct 10 – Jan 3Metro Trocadéro

  • Exhibition: Agatha Christie and Travel

    To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Agatha Christie's death, we are offering an exhibition themed around travel, in collaboration with the specialized libraries of the City of Paris.

    FreeNov 24 – Jan 6Metro Vaugirard

  • Exhibition: "Seokguram Grotto: The Millennial Secret of Buddhist Art"

    On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and France, the Korean Cultural Center, the city of Gyeongju, and the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage of Korea present an exhibition dedicated to the Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Gyeongju, the former capital of the Silla Kingdom. Through this iconic site, the exhibition invites the public to discover the Buddhist art that flourished during this era.

    FreeOct 2 – Mar 13Metro Miromesnil

  • Exhibition: A History of French Cinema - Maghrebi Legacies

    For over sixty years, French cinema has been transformed under the impetus of filmmakers and actors from Maghrebi immigration. Their works have introduced new narratives, new faces, and new forms, redefining the imaginaries of the seventh art. The exhibition A History of French Cinema retraces this history by highlighting those who have helped shape and continue to shape French cinema.

    Oct 30 – Mar 21Tram Porte Dorée

  • Exhibition "Workshop Mosaic"

    On the occasion of its twentieth anniversary, the Groupe d'Entraide Mutuelle (GEM) Connexion Plus exhibits the creations of its members.

    FreeOct 20 – Nov 6

  • You and your gang. Collective exhibition

    The exhibition "You and your gang" gathers the practices of artists and collectives located in various territories – countryside, high mountains, islands – whose common point is the choice to be away from urban centers.

    Oct 21 – Feb 14Metro Iéna

  • Rafael Pavarotti, photographer

    The Musée des Arts Décoratifs presents, for the first time in France from October 2, 2026, to May 2, 2027, the work of the Brazilian photographer, Rafael Pavarotti.

    Oct 10 – May 2Metro Palais Royal - Musée Du Louvre

  • Museum of Music - Permanent Collection

    To accompany the 30th anniversary of the Cité de la musique and the 10th anniversary of the Philharmonie in 2025, the Museum unveils the new presentation of its collection. More inclusive, the museography promotes the reconnection of musical heritages around the world, while highlighting their historical developments and contemporary dynamics.

    Oct 10, 2026 – Dec 31, 2027Metro Porte de Pantin

  • Immersive exhibition "Seokguram, an infinite world"

    Built in the 8th century, the Seokguram Grotto continues to testify to the richness of Korean heritage today. This immersive exhibition was designed to offer the public in France a sensory discovery of this iconic site. It also allows those who are already familiar with Seokguram to rediscover its atmosphere and revive the memory of it.

    FreeNov 23 – Mar 13Metro Miromesnil

  • Look! 40 years of fashion at the museum

    The Musée des Arts décoratifs celebrates the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Musée des Arts de la Mode within its walls through 40 iconic silhouettes.

    Oct 10 – Apr 4Metro Palais Royal - Musée Du Louvre