Sightings of Bono
Sightings of Bono was first published in the Sunday Tribune in 1995 and was subsequently nominated for a Sunday Tribune/Hennessey Award. It was included in the anthology The Hennessey Book of Irish Fiction (ed. Dermot Bolger, New Island Press, 1995) featuring a selection of the best stories from the Hennessey Awards over twenty-five years. It was broadcast twice by BBC Radio 4 (read by Pauline McGlynn (in August 1998 and June 1999). In 2002 it was adapted for film (Parallel Productions, Dublin), Sightings of Bono, directed by Patrick Kavanagh and featuring Bono as himself. It was later published as a Paprika short (Avvi Stando Bono,) by Scritturapura Editore, Italy and was released as an e-book by Fallen Timbers Press, 2011.
Gerard Beirne – “author of cult short story Sightings of Bono.” (Uncut – music magazine)
BONO SIGHTINGS OF BONO DVD/VCD ****** Sightings of Bono is a short film, 7 minutes in length, that was released as a short subject in Ireland in 2000. It follows the tale of a girl who sees "Bono" everywhere and becomes obsessed, writes a diary, and eventually meets the real Bono, who plays himself in this movie. The movie stars Bono, Marcella Plunkett, and is directed by Peter Kavanagh and produced by Orla Bleahen-Melvin and Tim Palmer. It was written by Kathy Gilfillan, who adapted it from the short story entitled "Sightings of Bono" by Gerard Beirne. The story was shortlisted for a Hennessy Literary Award and was included in The Hennessy Book of Irish Fiction. An Italian translation was published as a Paprika Short by Scritturapura Editore, Italy. This movie was included on a DVD of Ireland's greatest musicians as a special feature. This is the only commercial release. The soundtack features only 2 songs, "Sweetest Thing" by U2 and "Miss Sarajevo" by U2 and Luciano Pavarotti.