By Dan Walsh in Wexford town
Just when we all thought the appearance of the world famous tenor from Kiltealy, Anthony Kearns had won the hearts of Fleadh-goers on the Gig Rig on Wexford Quay on Sunday afternoon with his beautiful rendition of Boolavogue and we all thought it couldn’t get better… and today (Tuesday) along comes the brilliant Ed Sheeran!
OK, the appeal was for a much younger age group, but Ed Sheeran’s appearance at The Sky and The Ground this afternoon called for security as fans thronged South Main Street to get a glimpse of their hero!
WexfordLocal.com understands that Sheeran was recording some television material for TG4 and it was filmed in The Sky and The Ground, however, such was the local support that the 34 year old singer performed outside on the street and his fans loved every moment of it.
Ed Sheeran’s Wexford connections are as follows; When I worked for the now defunct Gorey Echo I reported the death of Anne Mary Sheeran (née Mulligan), Craanford, Gorey, who was grandmother to internationally renowned singer songwriter Ed Sheeran. She passed away peacefully at Castle Gardens Nursing Home, Enniscorthy, aged 98 years, in 2023.
Ed Sheeran wrote a chart-topping song about his grandmother called ‘Nancy Mulligan’.
A nurse from Gorey, Anne Mary Mulligan married Bill Sheeran from Co. Derry in 1951 in London where they raised a family. Bill was deep into the local boxing world, both as a fighter and later in life as a teacher and historian.
In 1983 Bill and Anne Sheeran retired to her childhood home in Gorey, where both immersed themselves into promotion of Gorey Boxing Club, and undoubtedly enjoyed watching their grandson Ed Sheeran storming the worldwide pop charts.
Anne and her family were also closely associated with Courtown Golf Club, Gorey Musical Society, Gorey Tennis Club, Gorey and District Lions Club and Gorey Cricket Club.
I had many discussions with Anne Sheeran and I know that Ed used to stay in her home while performing in Dublin, however, despite many requests for an exclusive interview, Anne politely told me it was not possible to break the secrecy of his holiday time while relaxing in Gorey, where he was often seen walking the streets and frequently in local hostelries.
Since then, Ed Sheeran has become a world class modern singer with millions of admirers.. a handful of them (numerically) where privileged to cheer him on in Wexford town today.
WexfordLocal.com 