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Irish Independent
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Biird star Lisa Canny recalls ‘bonkers' gig with Ed Sheeran at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
The Mayo woman and some of her bandmates joined Sheeran, Amble, Beoga and Aaron Rowe in a surprise gig in Wexford town during the ongoing Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. 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.
Irish Independent
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Mayo musician Lisa Canny recalls ‘bonkers' gig with Ed Sheeran
The Mayo woman and some of her bandmates joined Sheeran, Amble, Beoga and Aaron Rowe in a surprise gig in Wexford town during the ongoing Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. 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.
Irish Post
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Ed Sheeran performs surprise gig at Wexford pub
ED SHEERAN performed a surprise show in Wexford Town on Tuesday night at the Sky & The Ground pub, delivering an intimate set during Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025. As Ireland's largest traditional music festival continued to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, Sheeran's appearance brought part of South Main Street to a standstill. Rumours had swirled earlier in the week about a possible Sheeran appearance, especially after speculation he would open the Fleadh on Sunday fell flat. Yet by late afternoon Tuesday, the buzz returned, and hopeful fans began to gather in droves outside the well-known Wexford venue. The crowd grew so large that gardaí were forced to restrict access to the street for public safety. Inside the pub, Sheeran joined a stellar line-up of Irish talent, including trad supergroup BIIRD, folk band Amble, celebrated fusion group Beoga, and singer Aaron Rowe. The packed pub erupted as Sheeran launched into a short but memorable set that included hits like Castle On The Hill, Shape of You, and Nancy Mulligan. 'I'm honoured to be here,' Sheeran told the fans inside the pub. 'Thanks for coming down. We're going to play a few songs that hopefully you know. If you don't, it's going to be awkward for me and for you.' Sheeran collaborated with BIIRD on a moving rendition of Wild Mountain Thyme and later joined Amble and BIIRD for an emotional performance of Raglan Road. Though many outside the venue were initially disappointed not to gain entry, Sheeran made sure they didn't miss out. In a throwback to his early days busking on the streets of Galway and London, he climbed atop a box in the pub's rear courtyard and delivered an unplugged acoustic version of his ballad Perfect. The singer's Irish connection runs deep, his paternal grandmother hailed from Gorey, and recently Sheeran has publicly embraced his cultural roots, even saying he now identifies as culturally Irish. His affection for Wexford is well known, having previously donned a county jersey at a sold-out Croke Park show 'to keep the family happy'. Before heading off, Sheeran even took time to enjoy a quiet pint at Mernagh's of Oylegate, where he posed for photos with staff. His appearance comes in the midst of his ongoing Mathematics European tour, and his spontaneous stop at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann only added to the festival's atmosphere. With over 750,000 people expected to visit the town throughout the week, Sheeran's visit will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the event's standout moments. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann continues in Wexford until Sunday. See More: Co. Wexford, Ed Sheeran, Fleadh Cheoil
Saudi Gazette
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Saudi Gazette
Ed Sheeran surprises fans with Irish performance
BELFAST — Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has surprised fans by playing a number of original songs and Irish tunes during a music and arts festival in Wexford town. The hitmaker played alongside Irish bands Amble, BIIRD, Beoga and Aaron Rowe in the Sky and The Ground pub on Tuesday night, as part of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. Brought up in Suffolk, the Galway Girl singer's dad hails from Belfast, and in June Sheeran announced that he identifies culturally as Irish. Sheeran also made sure fans who couldn't get make inside the pub didn't miss out, as he made his way outside to perform an acoustic rendition of his hit single Perfect. Sheeran and all-female trad supergroup BIIRD performed traditional folk song Wild Mountain Thyme together. The crowd sang along as Sheeran played the guitar, accompanied by the other artists on violin and the bodhrán - a traditional Irish frame drum. Wild Mountain Thyme is a Scottish and Irish folk song which was first recorded in 1957 and has been performed by many people. Aaron Rowe and Irish folk band Amble joined BIIRD and Sheeran to perform folk song Raglan Road to the crowd of enthusiastic Fleadh-goers. The performance of Raglan Road was no different, with everyone singing together as the violin, accordion and guitar were played while the musicians stood in a circle at the pub. On Raglan Road was originally written by Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh and it was brought to musical life and made famous by The Dubliners. Vocals and instrumentals from Irish folk band Beoga, Aaron Rowe, BIIRD, and Sheeran came together for a rendition of The Parting Glass. The origins of the song can be found in Scotland with it being first printed along with its familiar melody in Colm O Lochlainn's Irish Street Ballads in 1939. Cork poet Patrick Galvin recorded the song in 1956 and The Clancy Brothers popularised it when they included it on their 1959 album. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann - the All-Ireland Fleadh - is held for a week during August and, in the past, has welcomed up to 600,000 visitors to the host town or city. It is the world's largest annual festival of Irish music and hosts street performers, intimate concerts, big-name acts and more 150 competitions showcasing the best of traditional music talent. Fleadh Cheoil is run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann - the society of the musicians of Ireland. The organisation was founded in 1951 by traditional musicians and Gaelic culture advocates from across Ireland. Each year Comhaltas hosts numerous fleadhanna (festivals) across the island at county and provincial level. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the best known of the festivals, often simply known as the Fleadh. — BBC
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ed Sheeran surprises fans at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran surprised fans by playing a number of original songs and Irish tunes at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford town. The hitmaker played alongside Irish bands Amble, BIIRD, Beoga and Aaron Rowe in the Sky and The Ground pub on Tuesday night. Brought up in Suffolk, the Galway Girl singer's dad hails from Belfast, and in June Sheeran announced that he identifies culturally as Irish. Sheeran also made sure fans who didn't make it into the pub didn't miss as he made his way outside to perform an acoustic rendition of his hit single Perfect. Fair play…not wanting those outside The Sky & The Ground in #Wexford to feel cheated, Ed Sheeran went outside and did an acoustic/unplugged tune for the crowd gathered there. That's a big one for the Fleadh anyways…and it's only Tuesday! 😅 — Pádraig Byrne (@byrne_padraig) August 5, 2025 Sheeran and all-female trad supergroup BIIRD performed traditional folk song Wild Mountain Thyme together. Irish folk band Amble joined BIIRD and Sheeran to perform folk song Raglan Road to the crowd of enthusiastic Fleadh-goers. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RTÉ 2FM (@rte2fm) Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann is the world's largest annual festival of Irish music. It hosts street performers, intimate concerts, big-name acts and over 150 competitions showcasing the best of traditional music talent. Ed Sheeran says he identifies culturally as Irish Ed Sheeran thrills with surprise set at Big Weekend
