Adam Clayton was "blessed" to spend time with his mother before she lost her battle with cancer.

The U2 star flew home from the band’s final leg of their world tour to be with his mother Jo at her Mayo home.

Jo Clayton, who had fought a long battle against cancer, played a huge role in the formative years of the band that went on to rule the world.

Close friends have revealed that the U2 bass player feels he was "lucky to be able to spend the last week by his mother’s side."

A friend explained to the Sunday Independent: “Adam’s mum used to drive him and the lads to the gigs in a Mercedes station wagon way back in the Seventies before anyone gave them a second look.

“She always believed in his talent and helped in any way she could. The two were very close.”

Family and friends were by Adam Clayton’s side as he said goodbye to his mother at a cremation ceremony in Glasnevin Cemetery on Saturday.

Gavin Friday, long time friend of the band, said, “Adam flew home to be with his mum and he was very grateful to be able to spend a week with her before she died.”

The paper also reports that Adam’s French girlfriend and their baby son attended a private service in Foxford, Co Mayo, along with his father Brian, younger brother Sebastian and his sister Sara Jane.

Bono and The Edge also attended the Mayo memorial before Mrs. Clayton’s body was brought to Dublin for the final service at the crematorium in Glasnevin, Dublin.