U2 Tour of Tiny Towns
Are you a Midwesterner without the time, money, or inclination to visit Ireland, but you still want to get a taste of U2 tourism? Look no further: it’s the U2 Tour of Tiny Towns.
Begin your trip in Clayton, Illinois, population 904, in west-central Illinois. Actor John Anderson, who had a recurring role on TV’s MacGyver but was not in fact MacGyver himself, was born there.
Bono, Arkansas boasts a robust population of 1,512 and is in the northeast corner of the state. From Wikipedia: “Bono’s most prominent landmarks are the locally notorious Bono Bridge and the quaint, charming Bono Cemetery.” Not sure if the town pronounces Bono with an “ah.”
Mullen, Nebraska, population 491, is in the center of the state in Hooker County. Conversation starter: the town takes its name from founding father Raymond Mullen of Dundalk, Ireland–a Church of Ireland clergyman–who fled to America during the 1798 United Irishman rebellion.
Finally, you can drive down to east-central Texas where, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to locate Edge, population 100. I was unable to find any real information about Edge, other than the fact that it exists.
Tassoula said,
April 3, 2006 @ 11:57 am
This is hilarious, Kelly.
Looks like the next move in my nomadic lifestyle will have to be to Nebraska.
Kelly said,
April 3, 2006 @ 4:26 pm
I bet there are a lot of Mullen-looking guys there.
Keir said,
April 3, 2006 @ 8:21 pm
Nice. This receives my geography-geek stamp of approval. Whatever that’s worth…
dachelle said,
April 4, 2006 @ 12:47 pm
There’s a profile of Edge, Texas, here.
Texas also boasts a Bono and a Clayton. Sadly, there is no Mullen.
Kelly said,
April 4, 2006 @ 1:49 pm
Oh WOW! I had no idea, thank you. Way to go, Texas!