Niall Horan Instagram
The Voicecoach’s parents split when he was 5 years old, and he and his brother, Greg Horan, moved in with their dad. Still, Maura remained involved in their lives — even inspiring the singer’s famous love of cardigans.
“It is strange being his mother and watching him on the television and grinning from one ear to the other,” she said during an October 2022 appearance on RTÉ Radio 1, perThe Irish Mirror. “And when you think of him as a world star, it is mind blowing really.”
“I am more proud of that than anything he has done," he explained in August 2020. “At the end of the day you’d like your children to grow up with respect for other people, and he has done that and I have to commend him for that.”
They’re from Mullingar, Ireland
Niall Horan playing a toy guitar as a child.Niall Horan Instagram
Niall’s parents raised him and Greg in the town of Mullingar, which is about an hour west of Dublin. There, the singer performed in school plays and participated in a choir, perNBC.
Niall and fellow singer-songwriterLewis Capaldihonored his roots in the 2022 documentary,Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar. In the film, the best friends go on a road trip across Ireland and perform at their final destination.
Niall has a song about their split
He added, “I was very lonely for that year without them so of course I was really happy to have them back. I had a family around me again.”
During a June 2023 interview onThe Zach Sang Show, Niall revealed that his parents' separation affected how he viewed love, and their relationship inspired his 2023 track, “Never Grow Up.”
The singer explained, “When you’ve seen it crumble so many times in front of you — not just even within my family — you’re just, like, ‘I’d prefer not to have that if I can stop it.’ I’d prefer to not see it crumble.”
They share two sons and a grandson
Maura Gallagher with her grandson Theo.Niall Horan Instagram
In July 2021, Maura posted anInstagram photoof herself posing with her kids and grandson. “Family xx,” she wrote in the caption.
At the time, the singer’s father wasn’t interested in quitting after his son shot to stardom. “Niall knows I love my work and wouldn’t want to stop so he’s not going to force money on to me,” he said.
Maura was anxious when Niall first got famous
Maura Gallagher at Niall Horan’s 21st birthday party in September 2014 in London, England.Rotello/Shutterstock
Rotello/Shutterstock
When One Direction first skyrocketed to fame in 2010, Maura struggled to adjust to the new lifestyle, particularly interacting with the media and industry people.
“It actually took a lot out of me when it happened,” she shared withThe Irish Mirrorin October 2022. “I got so anxious and everything because all of a sudden you had to be doing interviews and meetings in England, because he was underage.”
She added that she was “very quiet” and didn’t have “huge confidence for public speaking” at the time.
Fortunately, the band members were well cared for and had a great security team, according to Maura. “You didn’t have to worry about the dangers of the outside world, just you’d feel sorry if he was sick and you couldn’t get near him to give him a hug and a hot drink,” she explained.
He added, “I’m happy with what I’ve got. There’s no way he’d offer me a car because I can’t drive. He might offer me a push bike, that would be nice, but I would never take a penny of his money.”
“No, I love it,” he said about his father’s attitude toward his earnings during a May 2017Billboardinterview. “I always say there’s ignorance and there’s Irish ignorance. It’s on a different level. He’ll barely take a Christmas present off me … He just wants me to come visit.”
Niall Horan on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ in December 2017 in New York City.Theo Wargo/Getty
Theo Wargo/Getty
Over the years, Niall’s parents have gotten more comfortable with his level of fame.
“My dad is fine with it,” the singer toldThe Sunin March 2020. “Even now, I’d bring him to a lot of golf tournament[s] and he’d go up to a famous golfer and say ‘I was only watching you on the telly last week.’ ”
“My mother loves going up toThe Late Late Showin Dublin when I’m on it,” Niall said. “My father is like ‘Jesus, [Ryan] Tubridy is a lovely fella.' "
Still, they aren’t as up-to-date with his work in the U.S. “I didSaturday Night Livebefore Christmas but they wouldn’t have a clue,” he added.
Maura inspired Niall’s love of cardigans
During a February 2023appearanceonThe Kelly Clarkson Show, hostKelly Clarksonasked Niall about his notoriously large cardigan collection.
They’re very proud of Niall
Ian Gavan/Getty
He also explained she’s his biggest fan and wanted the original version of his debut album,Flicker, the deluxe version, the vinyl and all the posters.
When Niall performed forPresident Joe Bidenas part of the traditional shamrock ceremony for St. Patrick’s Day 2023, Maura felt anxious for him over “the honor.”
She toldRTÉ, “I didn’t sleep a wink. He told me it was happening and I was so nervous for him."
source: people.com
