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Country star Michael English on how Louis Walsh's mother played key role in music career
The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94
Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church
Country music star Michael English told yesterday how Louis Walsh's mother played a key role in one of the biggest highlights of his career.
The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 and whose funeral took place in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo.
And Michael English gave his final performance for Maureen when he was chosen to sing at her funeral service on Thursday, where the attendance included Westlife stars Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, plus Eurovision winner Dana.
Michael says: 'It was a huge honour to sing at it with the Kiltimagh Parish Choir. I was looking down the church and seeing the Westlife lads and seeing Dana and all these other singers, so it was a great privilege to get the opportunity to do it for Maureen.
Kian Egan and wife Jodi Albert with Louis Walsh
'Maureen and her daughters Sarah and Evelyn and other members of the Walsh family used to come to my shows in the early days.
'And the first time I met Maureen she told me I was her favourite singer. It was around 2008 and I was a bit younger at the time and a bit chuffed that Louis Walsh's mother was into what I did.
Family and friends of Maureen Walsh attend her funeral
Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025
'Maureen was just a lovely country woman who reminded me of my own mother. We struck up a little bond and she said, 'I'm going to get Louis to ring you now and see if he can help you in any way.'
'I thought no more of it, but sure enough Louis did ring me and we arranged to meet up. We had a good chat and I found Louis to be very similar to the rest of his family. I thought he was going to be completely different, but we got on like a house on fire.'
Shane Filanwas among the mourners
Louis went on to land a major record deal for English with Sony Music – and Michael ended up recording with British producer Nigel Wright, whose work includes the score for The Phantom of the Opera.
'It was a huge experience for me at such a young age and also a huge thrill to be working with Nigel because I'd been a massive fan of The Phantom of the Opera and have seen it about 15 times,' Michael says.
'Nigel arranged for me to go backstage one time to see the workings of it and the illusions that were created by magician Paul Daniels.
Dana was among the mourners
'So as well as getting the opportunity to record two great albums I was living the dream – and it was Maureen who had made all that happen for me.
'I would go on to concentrate on the country music scene, but Louis had been great to me while we worked together.'
Maureen had been living with Alzheimer's for 12 years before she died.
'I went to see her a few times in the nursing home,' Michael says. 'I was so fond of her and she was a very much loved person in the area, not just because her son was on The X Factor but because of who she was.
Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church
'Her house was open to everybody. I was in the house a hundred times and it reminded me of my house, when people would come into my mother she'd say 'will you have a cup of tea?' and she'd take every different kind of biscuit out of the press.
'Louis's mother was like that. She ran an open house and a very welcoming house,' Michael adds.
