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.

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5 Responses to “U2 Tour of Tiny Towns”

  1. Tassoula 3 April 2006 at 11:57 am permalink

    This is hilarious, Kelly.

    Looks like the next move in my nomadic lifestyle will have to be to Nebraska.

  2. Kelly 3 April 2006 at 4:26 pm permalink

    I bet there are a lot of Mullen-looking guys there.

  3. Keir 3 April 2006 at 8:21 pm permalink

    Nice. This receives my geography-geek stamp of approval. Whatever that’s worth…

  4. dachelle 4 April 2006 at 12:47 pm permalink

    There’s a profile of Edge, Texas, here.

    Texas also boasts a Bono and a Clayton. Sadly, there is no Mullen.

  5. Kelly 4 April 2006 at 1:49 pm permalink

    Oh WOW! I had no idea, thank you. Way to go, Texas!