Ed Sheeran sparks backlash from fans after revealing he ‘identifies culturally as Irish’ despite being born and raised in England and describes Ireland as his ‘second home’

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Ed Sheeran has faced criticism following his statement that he considers himself culturally Irish, even though he was born and brought up in England, due to the significant impact Ireland had on him during his stays there.

Born and raised in Suffolk, the 34-year-old singer-songwriter spent a significant portion of his childhood in Ireland because his father, John, is originally from Belfast.

In the recent edition of The Louis Theroux Podcast, Ed shared insights about his background, saying, ‘I consider myself to be of Irish descent. That’s the culture I was raised with.’

‘Growing up, my father hailed from a large household with seven siblings. We always spent our vacations in the beautiful country of Ireland.’

My initial encounters with music took place in Ireland, where traditional tunes filled our home. This cultural background makes me feel Irish, yet it’s clear that I was brought up and bred in Great Britain.

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The artist behind “Galway Girl” expressed his pride in his Irish cultural heritage and emphasized that one shouldn’t feel compelled to solely identify as British; rather, it’s about how one feels within.

He mentioned that he doesn’t dwell on it excessively, but he does take great pride in his cultural background, having been raised with it, and he desires to showcase it.

And it seems to me that merely being born in Britain does not automatically dictate that I must strictly identify as British, given the many individuals I know who are a mix of various ethnicities.

From my perspective as a lifestyle guide, I firmly believe that personal preferences and upbringing play a significant role in shaping one’s choices, rather than adhering strictly to set guidelines. Emotional intuition and individual background are essential elements that should be considered when making decisions about your lifestyle journey.

Furthermore, when queried if he receives a great deal of affection in Ireland, this top-charting celebrity likewise lauded the nation as feeling like his “second home.

He expressed that musically, he considers it almost like a second home for him. He also mentioned that Ireland is where he has achieved the most musical success.

Despite Ed’s comments, there was a strong response from fans who turned to the platform once called Twitter to challenge his claim of being Irish. They accused him of pretense.

1. Translation: ‘Identifying is merely pretending’

‘To identify something simply means to feign or fake it’;

Context: In this context, the speaker is explaining that identifying with someone or something doesn’t necessarily mean having a genuine connection but rather pretending or acting as if you do.

2. Translation: ‘Does Ed Sheeran qualify to play for the Irish national football team?’

‘Is Ed Sheeran good enough to represent the Irish national football team?’;

Context: This question is asking about whether or not the famous singer, Ed Sheeran, has the necessary skills and qualifications to play for the Irish national football team.

3. Translation: ‘They can take him’

‘He is at their disposal’;

Context: In this context, the speaker is saying that the person being referred to is available or under the control of those who are addressed. For example, “The company can take him on as a consultant” means that the individual in question is free to work for the company and is being offered a position within it.

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‘Where you originate from doesn’t define who you are; it’s your ancestry that matters most. Even though Cliff Richard hails from India, does that mean he’s Indian? Being born somewhere doesn’t necessarily mean adopting its culture as your own.’

1. ‘Although he originates from the Irish diaspora, he considers himself English.’

2. ‘Isn’t it simpler for him to define his identity based on who he truly is?’

3. ‘The Galway Girl surely left quite an impression on him.’

1. Way to rephrase the first sentence: ‘Posters advertising Ed Sheeran’s tour on top of the fireplace.’

2. Way to rephrase the second sentence: ‘He is now qualified to become a police officer, or more informally, he can join the Irish Police Force (Gardai).’

As a connoisseur of tunes, I must confess that the track “Galway Girl” doesn’t quite make it to my list of all-time favorites. It seems to be a bit of a stereotype, riddled with Irish clichés that, unfortunately, fall short in originality. While he appears to be a charming individual, I find myself yearning for more depth and innovation in his music. Perhaps next time, he might consider incorporating a lyrical shout-out to “up the ra,” if only to maintain the thematic consistency.

In their debate, it was seen as justified by some since he has an Irish father: ‘After all, that gives him a right to it.’

It’s possible to spend a significant portion of your life in England but still maintain a cultural identity as Irish. This isn’t an unusual occurrence.

‘He has roots. Nothing wrong with identifying with your heritage. He looks like us too.’

In a different part of the podcast, it was disclosed that Ed, who is the father of four-year-old Lyra and two-year-old Jupiter with his wife Cherry Seaborn, has arranged around-the-clock security due to worries about potential threats from harmful individuals.

Discussing his life under public scrutiny, he shared that someone tried to break into his expansive residence in Suffolk, affectionately known as Sheeranville. This incident prompted him to install round-the-clock security.

The musician expressed: “I believe we operate under a unique version of the ordinary, and for me, this includes constant security at my home and for my children.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I cherish the sense of safety and assurance that I share with my partner. Over the years, we’ve encountered a few unusual incidents, but we stand together, strengthened by our bond.

When Louis looked surprised, Ed explained: “I thought it would be good for you to understand – we’ve experienced an attempted break-in. There are many risky individuals around.

In my profession, it’s quite common, though not often discussed. It could be likened to an unspoken rule or expectation that comes with being in the limelight.

As a die-hard admirer, I can’t help but marvel at the brilliant success of this legend, the one and only Perfect star! Peeling back the curtains, he revealed an impressive array of friends that leaves me in absolute awe. From music icons like Elton John and Dave to the incredible Stormzy, his friend circle is nothing short of legendary!

He remembered the time when he offered Stormzy a ride to the pub following his purchase of a Mini, jokingly commenting: “He was too big to fit comfortably in the backseat.

He appears to be rather reserved, yet I believe he opens up once you become acquainted with him. His humor bears a strong resemblance to my own.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express my awe for Dave. Not only is he a phenomenal wordsmith, pouring out thought-provoking lyrics, but he also demonstrates exceptional skills as a producer and songwriter on the latest album.

One more notable figure that Ed has had the privilege of collaborating with is Eminem, whom he worked on the 2018 track “River” alongside as part of the A Team.

The star disclosed: ‘He is fond of comic books, Marvel films, and video games. I gave him a Nintendo 64 preloaded with Goldeneye as he hadn’t experienced it before.’

I can’t forget the time when Van Morrison, my hero, jolted me awake at the break of dawn following a wild night on the town with golfing sensation, Rory McIlroy. What a memory to cherish!

He mentioned that he was performing in Belfast, and his grandmother attended the show. She’s fond of golf, and coincidentally, Rory was also present. They both enjoyed being in his company and ended up chatting with him till around 4 am before retiring for the night.

At around 6 a.m., there was a call on my hotel phone from the reception — “Mr. Morrison is in the lobby, he’d like to have breakfast with you.” In a haze of sleep and slight intoxication, I simply hung up, leaving me puzzled, wondering, “Who on earth is Mr. Morrison?

Later on, I received another phone call, where they informed me, “Unfortunately, Van Morrison is unavailable.” Rushing down the stairs, there he was, already waiting for me. We shared a meal together, an incredibly strange experience.

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2025-06-11 12:36