Music
02 May 23

Ed Sheeran's beloved grandmother Anne Mary has passed away

Credit: RTÉ

The late Anne Mary was the inspiration behind Sheeran's song, 'Nancy Mulligan'.

The Irish grandmother of Ed Sheeran, and namesake of his song, 'Nancy Mulligan' has passed away.

The singer’s grandmother Anne Mary, known as Nancy- originally from Gorey- passed away at Castle Gardens nursing home in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

‘Nancy Mulligan’, an Irish folk song found on Sheeran’s third album Divide, was inspired by his Irish grandmother, which followed the story of William 'Bill' Sheeran, Protestant from Belfast who fell in love with Ms Mulligan and married her on the Wexford border.

The death notice of the late Ms Sheeran reads: “beloved wife of the late Bill and loving mother of Jim, Bill, Peter, Chris, John, MaryAnne, Bridget and the late Sally and sister of the late Thomas, Jim, May and Peggy.”

“Deeply regretted by her loving sons, daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, niece, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours,” the notice continues.

Sheeran’s grandmother had previously opened up about her grandson’s success in an interview with RTÉ in 2017, referring to Ed as a “lovely” kid.

“He came [to Wexford] every year on holidays once we moved here,” the then 92-year-old recalled.

“I'll never think of him as famous. He's exactly the same as he always was when he visits and it's very rare because he's always working,” she continued.

With condolences pouring in for Ms Sheeran, the Gorey Musical Society has paid tribute to the singer’s late grandmother writing, “Sincere condolences to the Sheeran family on the death of Ann. Ann was a wonderful supporter of the musical Society for many many years and we are very grateful to her for all her help. May her gentle soul now rest in peace.”

After reposing at Floods Funeral Home in McDermott Street, Gorey yesterday from 3pm to 8pm, Anne Sheeran’s mass will take place tomorrow, Wednesday May 3rd at 11am in St Patrick's Church, Monaseed, Gorey. She will be laid to rest after in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Craanford. Donations, if desired, should be made to St. Aidan's Daycare Centre Gorey.