Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Dublin for concert

The former political prisoner arrived on a flight from Norway, where she had collected her Nobel Peace Prize 21 years after it was awarded.

Ms Suu Kyi, who turns 67 today, was met by Ireland’s foreign minister, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore.

He praised Ms Suu Kyi and pledged Irish support to her future efforts in Burma.

He said her election to parliament alongside the military-backed government heralds a new era of peace, democracy and human rights.

Ms Suu Kyi arrived at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre to thunderous applause from more than 2,000 human rights campaigners, celebrities and music fans as the Electric Burma concert got under way.

U2 star Bono thanked her for choosing to visit Ireland during her first trip away from Burma as a free woman.

“We are humbled, grateful at the fact [that on] one of your first trips overseas, you have chosen a small rock in the north Atlantic,” said Bono.

Presenting Ms Suu Kyi with an Amnesty Ambassador of Conscience Award, the U2 frontman said that Ireland and the world have much to learn from her, saying she teaches that “peace is not the absence of war around us, but the absence of war within us”.

Accepting her award, Ms Suu Kyi said she found the whole experience “totally unexpected”.

“To receive this award is to remind me that 24 years ago, I took on duties from which I have never been relieved,” said Ms Suu Kyi.

“But you have given me the strength to carry them out. You have shown me that I shall never be alone as I go about my discharge of these duties.”