Irish rock band U2 will become the first Irish recipients of the Ivors Academy Fellowship, the highest honour given by the UK’s Ivors Academy for song writing and composition.

Formed in Dublin in 1978, the band consists of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. With this award, they join previous Fellowship recipients such as Elton John, Kate Bush, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen.

"U2’s early songs announced a band unafraid to tackle issues of social unrest and human rights, shaping rock’s engagement with political activism," the Academy shared in a statement.

Tom Gray, Chair of The Ivors Academy said: “With fearless poetic lyricism always centre-stage in panoramic musical vistas, the sound of U2 has redefined the fabric of popular music.

"Their songs are sweeping catalysts: hymnals and rallying cries. U2’s induction into Fellowship honours their seminal contributions to music through exceptional song writing craft.”

The quartet have all shared their reactions to the honour. Bono said: “We were a band before we could play, let alone write songs… In fact it was our inability to play other people’s songs that kicked off our own song writing.

"Early musical heroes like The Ramones, Patti Smith, The Clash were our inspiration. There’s alchemy at play, turning base metals into gold… your shite into gold would be another way of putting it.”

The Edge added: “Songs are kind of magic. The best ones feel like gifts from some other dimension, but to catch them you have to make yourself available. I’m not sure songs can change the world but they sure have changed mine.”

Adam Clayton also commented, saying: “To be recognised in this way by The Ivors Academy feels very special indeed. The appreciation of one’s peers is a humbling honour and we are immensely grateful.

"We’ve been playing our songs in this country for over 45 years, thank you to all those who have not just supported us, but carried us… producers, engineers, crew, fans, management, label.”

Larry Mullen Jr. stated: “Making music collectively, as we’ve done for close to 50 years, has been an incredible experience and privilege for the four of us and I believe it’s a testament to a band that values individual creativity and independence of mind. We are grateful to each other and very grateful to The Ivors Academy for recognising us with this award.”

U2’s career includes 15 studio albums, more than 175 million records sold worldwide, and 28 tours. They are the only band to top the US Billboard 200 in four consecutive decades, and have achieved 10 UK number-one albums as well as 22 Grammy Awards.

The award will be presented at the Ivor Novello Awards, better known as The Ivors, on Thursday, 22 May at Grosvenor House in London.