Croke Park ‘the big one’ for 1D’s Niall Horan
Maura Gallagher has not seen her 20-year-old son since he sat down with the rest of the family for Christmas dinner at the family’s Mullingar home in Co Westmeath.
Speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday, Maura said she felt a mixture of emotions on the eve of Niall’s three-night stint at Croke Park — it was where he auditioned for The X Factor four years ago.
Asked if she would see her famous son over the weekend, Maura said she would definitely see him perform on stage. “I am guaranteed that anyway,” she said.
“This is a very special weekend in Niall’s life and our lives. It will be my return to Croke Park and what a difference!”
Maura said her son had been all around the world, but performing in Croke Park would be “the big one” and she intended making the most of it.
As for her son, well, she was sure he would be extremely proud and emotional when he came out on stage.
Maura said that the rest of the band — Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne — loved coming to Ireland, meeting their fans, and enjoying a bit of craic.
Asked about the campaign to turn Croke Park green, which appeared to be gathering momentum, Maura said she had no intention of turning up in a green wig and top hat. “No, I have no green plan but I might wave something green.”
Maura said it would be a big family occasion — there would be hardly anybody left in Mullingar over the weekend.
She said her other son, Greg, had a cardboard cut-out of Niall for his nephew, baby Theo, so he knew what he looked like. “When he is asked ‘where’s Niall?’ he turns around and looks at this cardboard cut-out,” said Maura. “You know, I’ll have to buy one myself because that is all I see of him in recent times.”
Asked how she had coped with her son’s fame, Maura said it was tough at times because of the enormity of it.
“It is hard to take in at times as a parent.”
Maura said her life was much the same: “I live my life day to day. Niall is the one on this fantastic journey and we support him all we can but my feet are well on the ground.”
Maura said the boys also supported one another. “I know Niall will never be alone when he is away with those lads.”
She keeps in touch with her son by phone and text, but did not use Skype to make video calls.
Asked how Niall was since Christmas, Maura said he had made a good recovery from major knee surgery in a Colorado clinic in the US.
“Niall is a great young man,” she said. “He is an independent little lad. He will live in the moment and get on with life. For a young man of his age — I would say this, as his mother — I think he is brilliant.”
Maura also said her son was very much a ‘people’ person. “He would talk to anyone — he just loves the banter and the craic,” she said.
Asked about Niall’s request for Clonakilty sausages and Barry’s Tea for the concerts, Maura said she knew about the Clonakilty sausages but as for him wanting Barry’s Tea, that was news to her — she never sent him any when he was on tour.
Maura said she only heard about a big after-party through the media. “I am sure if there is something going on I might be there — if mammies are allowed,” she said. “It might be a young persons’ party.”
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