We’d sort of claimed him as one of our own already…
But now it’s official as Ed Sheeran says he identifies culturally as Irish, despite being born and raised in England.
Yes, the UK singer, who grew up in Suffolk, has strong Irish roots and shared that he spent many of his childhood holidays in Ireland with his extended family.
Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Ed admitted: “I class my culture as Irish. I think that’s what I grew up with.
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“My mum’s family is very, very small, it’s her and her parents, and my dad’s family is… he’s got seven brothers and sisters.
“We’d spend all of our holidays in Ireland,” he added.
“My first musical experiences were in Ireland, where I grew up with trad music in the house. So I identify culturally as Irish, but I was obviously born and raised in Britain.
“I do feel like my culture is something that I’m really proud of and grew up with and want to express,” he further explained.
“And I feel like just because I was born in Britain doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to just be (British), there are loads of people I know that are half this or quarter this.
“I don’t think there’s any rules to it. It should be how you feel and how you were raised and what you lean into.”
Continuing on, Ed noted how Ireland is his second home and the place that he’s “most successful” musically.
You’ve got to love the support from the Irish!
