In the 1970s, Ireland was on the cusp of something that would soon change music forever.

The cultural icon, and one of the most influential bands in history, U2, was already taking shape. Just four kids with barely-there musical skills but a drive and determination.

The band formed in Dublin in 1976, thanks to a bulletin board notice posted by drummer Larry Mullen Jr., looking for musicians to start a band. That flyer caught the attention of Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton, forming the lineup that would grow into a global phenomenon.

With their innovative sound and deeply emotional lyrics, U2 quickly gained international recognition. They poured blood, sweat, and tears into their craft, fusing early post-punk influences with something entirely their own.

This gallery takes us back, before the sold-out stadiums and shelves full of awards, to a time when it was just four young men and a shared, burning passion for music.