Mayo musician Lisa Canny recalls ‘bonkers' gig with Ed Sheeran
Large crowds flocked to the Sky and the Ground on South Main Street when news of Sheeran's presence filtered through the town, which is expected to welcome 750,000 people over the course of the eight-day traditional Irish music festival.
There, he treated the small, intimate crowd to a number of his biggest hits, including 'Nancy Mulligan' – which was inspired by his grandparents – 'Castle On A Hill', 'Galway Girl' and 'Perfect'.
He was also accompanied by the groups for a rendition of the well-known Irish folk song 'Wild Mountain Thyme'.
The gig had been planned by Warner Music weeks in advance with what were described as 'M16 level preparations'.
Speaking on Newstalk, BIIRD founder Lisa Canny described the gig as 'bonkers'. Mr Sheeran wore the band's signature white jersey which the band have sold as merchandise.
Ms Canny founded BIIRD earlier this year with a large group of other female traditional Irish musicians, including fellow Mayo woman, Sal Heneghan.
'We just came off the main stage at All Together Now on Sunday and sure we were dying a death on Monday and then had to go down to Wexford on Tuesday to hop on a song with Ed Sheeran,' explained Ms Canny, who hails from Hollymount.
'It was surreal, we haven't really taken it all in yet but he was an absolute dote,' added the renowned harpist and banjo player.
'There's no airs and graces about him whatsoever, he was as sound as could be. He came up and literally sat down with us and asking about our plans and offering us advice and help and gave us contact details. He's sound, sound as could be.'
Mr Sheeran was born and raised in Yorkshire but spent a lot of his time in Ireland as a child.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
‘An honour & joy', says RTE radio icon stepping down from ‘memorable' 30-year hosting career after ‘truly special' time
The legendary broadcaster will host his final show this weekend BOW OUT 'An honour & joy', says RTE radio icon stepping down from 'memorable' 30-year hosting career after 'truly special' time AFTER three decades Ceili House hero Kieran Hanrahan is calling time on his RTE Radio 1 reign. The legendary presenter will host his final show this Saturday night - and he's going out with a bang. 2 Kieran Hanrahan is set to retire from RTE after 30 years 2 Kieran will host his final show tomorrow night from 9pm Hanrahan will broadcasting live from the Gig Rig at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Wexford on Saturday, August 9 from 9.02pm Kieran, who joined RTE back in 1992, first made waves with Fleadh Club and Both Sides Now before taking the reins of Ceili House in 1995 — and he's been the heartbeat of the show ever since. RTE have hailed the trad trailblazer in a statement saying: "His warmth, knowledge and passion for music and his love of the stories behind it made Ceili House a weekend staple for listeners." First hitting the airwaves in the 1950s, the long-running programme found its groove under Hanrahan's helm — becoming a must-listen for lovers of all things traditional. RTE told how Kieran "made the show his own" over the past 30 years. Speaking on his departure from the station, Hanrahan said it had been "an honour and a joy" to present Ceili House. "For me, every night was a highlight whether we were in someone's home, the local pub, the parish hall, or the National Concert Hall. "I am deeply grateful to our loyal listeners, and to the countless musicians, singers, and dancers, whose talent and generosity brought the music to life. "Thank you for making this phase of my life so rich, rewarding, memorable, and truly special." Tara Campbell, Head of RTE Radio 1, said: "Céilí House under the masterful stewardship of Kieran Hanrahan for the last 30 years has represented public service broadcasting at its best. RTE star Jennifer Zamparelli takes on new project "It's such a privilege for Radio 1 to be so warmly welcomed by musicians and performers in the heart of their communities and to be able to share their amazing talents with our loyal listeners. "We wish Kieran the very best in whatever comes next and thank him most sincerely for his significant contribution to Radio 1 over more than three decades." TOP CLASS As well as his radio success, Kieran is also an assistant lecturer at the Conservatory of Music and Drama at Dublin Institute of Technology where he works in the Traditional Music program. He achieved a First Class Honors master's degree and was also awarded the DIT Gold medal for Academic Achievement in 2012. Over the past five years he has also been the artistic director of the Temple Bar TradFest in Dublin, Ireland. The Ennis native not only had a passion for sharing traditional music but has played it his entire life. He began playing traditional Irish music on the tenor banjo at the age of fourteen, and had won the All-Ireland banjo championship by the time he was eighteen. Over the years, Kieran has helped found a number of traditional bands, including Inchiquin, Stockton's Wing, and the Templehouse Ceili Band.
The Irish Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Irish celebrity chef to replace Gregg Wallace on MasterChef in major shake-up after host's misconduct probe sacking
AN IRISH celebrity chef is set to cause a stir in the MasterChef kitchen — by replacing sacked presenter Gregg Wallace as the winner of the competition is crowned. Tallaght native Anna Haugh will join the MasterChef team for the final episodes of this season, bringing some serious Irish flavour to the iconic series. 4 Gregg Wallace was sacked by the BBC after allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerged 4 Tallaght native Anna Haugh will join the MasterChef show Credit: Bryan Meade - The Sunday Times 4 The Irish chef is set to replace Wallace in the final episodes of the series Its understood that the Irish cooking sensation will replace Wallace who was sacked from the BBC after allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerged against him during filming last November. Now, Dublin chef Anna Haugh is stepping up to the plate to replace Gregg for the final few episodes of the series. Last month, the BBC confirmed the new series of MasterChef would be broadcast in August, adding that it had "not been an easy decision in the circumstances". The BBC added: "Broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process". "We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series." The final series of MasterChef which features former presenters Gregg Wallace and John Torode began on BBC One on Wednesday. However, Haugh is expected to finish out the last couple of episodes in the season, taking over from Wallace. Haugh has appeared on several BBC cooking shows, including her very own Big Irish Food Tour - in which she took a culinary tour of Ireland. The London-based foodie runs two swanky spots in the UK capital —Myrtlerestaurant and The Wee Sister wine bar. BBC botches bid to edit out sacked duo Gregg Wallace & John Torode from new Masterchef amid calls to axe scandal-hit show Anna lives in south London with her partner Richard Elwell, who co-owns Myrtle Sister, along with her son Oisin, and stepson Henry. But it wasn't always high-end dining and BBC studios for Anna. She was once offered a place to study graphic design at what's now TU Dublin, but turned it down to pursue her real passion—food. She trained in professional cookery at Cathal Brugha Street and cut her teeth at the Salthill Hotel in Galway before working her way through Michelin-starred kitchens across Dublin, London, Paris and the US. EARLY INSPIRATION One of her earliest gigs was under legendary Irish chef Derry Clarke at the Michelin-starred L'Ecrivain in Dublin's city centre. Speaking on The Anton Savage Show in May, Haugh said: "It was my second-year apprenticeship, so I was really keen to kind of learn the craft, and L'Ecrivain was a great place to teach you that." She also worked for Gordon Ramsay for 10 years, both in the UK and the US. In an Instagram post last year, she said: "I've always worked for talented, fiercely passionate chefs, but working for Gordon gave me the experience and strength to open up Myrtle Restaurant." 'DEMANDING JOB' 'I saw how supportive he was to everyone, including the often-forgotten kitchen porters. It was a demanding job and I loved it completely.' Myrtle and The Wee Sister, which sit side by side in London, showcase the best of Irish produce—with dishes such as boxty, Carlingford oysters and Clonakilty black pudding all on the menu. Back in July, Wallace, 60, was formally sacked by the BBC after an investigation into his behaviour. MasterChef presenter John Torode was also let go from the show. The BBC fired both hosts on the back of a report which revealed more than 40 historic complaints against Gregg had been upheld, along with a claim that John once used a racist term.
Extra.ie
an hour ago
- Extra.ie
Mel Gibson back in Ireland
Australian actor and Hollywood superstar Mel Gibson is reliving his days as William Wallace in County Meath this week, as the hit movie Braveheart celebrates its 30th anniversary. Gibson, who produced, directed and starred in the film, will be guest of honour at the annual 'King John Summer Prom Festival' in Trim, County Meath, where the theme for this year's festival is the movie 'Braveheart.' Today's top videos STORY CONTINUES BELOW The film tells the story of Sir William Wallace, a minor Scottish nobleman, who attempted to lead an uprising against English rule under King Edward I in the 13th century, and the movie was filmed across Ireland, England and Scotland in 1995. Photo by Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock (Braveheart, Mel Gibson Film and Television The ruins of Trim Castle were transformed into the medieval English city of York for filming, while the 'London Square' where Braveheart is punished for his leadership of the Scottish rebellion was also created at Trim, with the castle walls used as its backdrop. The film went on to win five Oscars in 1996, for Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Effects, Best Makeup and Best Picture. Mel Gibson has dual Irish and Australian citizenship, his mother, Anne Patricia Reilly, was from Ardagh in County Longford, and the actor has always had a fondness for Ireland. Mel Gibson. Pic:The Oscar winner flew in from Italy where he has been filming a follow-up to his movie 'The Passion of the Christ', which was a huge hit back in 2004, with the sequel due for release early next year. Tonight, Mel Gibson will attend a concert in Trim, County Meath, celebrating Irelands musical heritage, with Irish actor Patrick Bergin expected to perform. Tomorrow morning its believed the Hollywood superstar will be signing Braveheart posters at Trim Castle Hotel, with the proceeds from the sale of the posters going to the Irish Equity Benevolent Fund, which supports actors and equity members who find themselves in financial difficulties. .
