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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Planning Ed Sheeran's surprise gig was like MI6 secret mission – but it was still worst kept secret, says pub boss
THE landlord of a Wexford pub where superstar Ed Sheeran performed a surprise show has said it was planned like an MI6 operation. Bar owner Caolan Barron revealed he had no idea who would be plugging in his boozer, the Sky & The Ground pub on Wexford's South Main Street, when he was first contacted by organisers of the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann. Advertisement 4 Ed played a surprise set at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford Credit: Mark Surrdige 4 Ed performed a number of trad tunes Credit: Mark Surrdige 4 Ed ended up spending three hours in the Sky & The Ground pub on Wexford's South Main Street Credit: google maps Caolan said: 'We were approached in some way a couple of weeks ago to potentially hold an event but we really didn't know what it was and it was all very vague. 'We didn't know what or who. It was very secretive and very hush, hush but we got on quite well with them'. It was only last week, the publican learned his historic boozer was to play host to a set from superstar Ed Sheeran. He said: 'I'd say about four days ago I learned it was Ed Sheeran . I then found myself thrown into organising this massive thing. It's been MI6 level of preparations. Advertisement 'The WhatsApp group I was in was insane with top level Gardai, event management, the people for the Fleadh and Ed Sheeran's security detail. The last thing we wanted was 20,000 people turning up on our doorstep'. The secret WhatsApp group continued right up to the moment Ed appeared in their bar. He said: 'We were getting minute by minute updates like 'currently on the M50, this is our estimated time of arrival'. 'In fairness, everyone put their heads together and made sure we were pretty well prepared when he arrived. Advertisement 'Although no one in our family breathed a word, it was the worst kept secret in town. In fairness I think we benefited from multiple rumours of different bands playing'. The Shape of You star ended up spending three hours in the Wexford pub, recording a podcast in an upstairs room with the 2 Johnnies and doing other chats with radio stations before coming down to perform in the pub. Ed Sheeran shuts down Wexford Fleadh Ceoil with secret gig Hitmaker Ed jammed along with local acts Amble, BIIRD, and Beoga during the session but he also made sure fans who couldn't get make inside the pub didn't miss out, making his way outside to perform an acoustic rendition of his hit single Perfect. Caolan stressed the musician seemed at home in the town. Advertisement He told RTE: 'Ed's father is from Wexford and was born here and Ed spent most of his summers in Wexford, he looks like one of us'. Speaking to Dave Moore on Today FM yesterday, Ed chatted about his connections to Ireland and his most famous celtic theme tune, Galway Girl: 'I've never actually been to this part of Wexford, I've only ever been to Gorey and I've never been to one before (Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann), even as a child. TRAD MUSIC 'I think if you've got family that's Irish and you're brought up with that as your culture, who is someone else to tell you what you grew up with. 'And this is the argument I have with people sometimes. Galway Girl is seen in trad head circles as the Anti-Christ but I know that it's been a gateway drug for a lot of kids to pick up instruments and learning trad and discovering new and old trad. Advertisement 'So I think it's a double edged sword. Sometimes I think you need stuff like that and people are always going to have opinions.' Ed indulged his love of Ireland with a string of covers during his Wexford set including Raglan Road and The Parting Glass, and his own song Nancy Mulligan penned about his Irish grandmother who passed away in 2023.
Irish Post
5 days ago
- 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
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘We were sworn to secrecy, it was like MI6,' say owners of pub that hosted surprise Ed Sheeran Fleadh gig
As Ed Sheeran and his crew departed the car park of the iconic Sky & The Ground pub in Wexford town to a chorus of screams from fans, there was a couple of sighs of relief from members of the Barron family. A moment to wipe the sweat from their brow before getting straight back to dealing with the 'regular' madness of the thousands of people on the streets and in the pub for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.
The Journal
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Journal
Ed Sheeran packs out Wexford town with a surprise gig at Fleadh Cheoil
ED SHEERAN MADE a surprise appearance at an Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford town this afternoon at the well-known Sky & The Ground pub. Massive crowds gathered on the streets of the south-east town today, hoping to catch a glimpse of the English singer, who frequently cites his Irish roots. He was joined by members of the Irish bands Biird and Amble and performed a number of his original songs as well as traditional Irish trad tunes. Ed Sheeran just rocked up to Wexford for a surprise gig 🎤👀 Ed showed up at Sky & The Ground and belted out a few tunes in front of a jam-packed pub 🍻🎶 Rumours had been flying all day - and for once, they were true! 😳 @warnermusicirl — Today FM 💛 (@TodayFM) August 5, 2025 Advertisement The Sky & the Ground quickly filled up this morning as the rumour mill ran wild in Wexford, leading to a full house at the pub this afternoon. Not wanting to leave anyone out, Sheeran made his way outside to perform an acoustic set for fans who could not make their way into the pub. 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 Caolán Barron, a member of the family who runs the pub, said they were delighted to welcome Sheeran today. He added that his mother had made up the spare room for him to stay and cook him a dinner – chicken curry – just in case he needed a feed. Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the annual traditional music and culture festival, continues until Sunday in Wexford town. Dozens of acts and events – ticketed and free – are still to follow throughout the rest of the week. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Ed Sheeran wows crowds with a surprise appearance at the Fleadh
Ed Sheeran made a surprise appearance at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Wexford town on Tuesday night, delighting a packed-out pub in the town when he performed a handful of original songs alongside a few traditional Irish tunes. Following rumours he would be popping up at the 2025 Fleadh, the Yorkshire-born singer-songwriter took to the stage at the Sky & The Ground pub on Wexford's South Main Street alongside Irish bands Amble and BIIRD. Sheeran, whose grandmother hailed from Gorey, played his chart-topping 2017 hit Castle On The Hi ll, with the crowd singing enthusiastically along. The hitmaker, who recently revealed he identifies culturally as Irish, also performed the traditional folk song Wild Mountain Thyme alongside BIIRD. Amble, BIIRD and Sheeran wowed the Fleadh-goers when they performed a trad tune together. Making sure no-one was left out, the 34-year-old singer also made his way outside to perform an acoustic rendition of his hit single Perfect for fans who did not make it into the jammed pub. 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 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, which is expected to welcome 750,000 people, continues in Wexford Town until Sunday with extensive live coverage on TG4.
