Longford native Sharyn Ward provided the "Wow" factor on the opening night of Ireland's Got Talent on Saturday evening with a stunning acapella performance of Finbar Furey's 'Sweet Sixteen'.
The 33-year-old mum-of-two started off with her version of 'Stand By Me' by Ben E King, but after Louis Walsh asking, "why didn't you sing an Irish song? Coz that's what you are", that's when the magic happened:
Who else could listen to Sharyn Ward all day?😍 We can’t get enough of her! #GotTalentIRL pic.twitter.com/d1fmU7p4Km
— Ireland's Got Talent (@GotTalentIRL) February 2, 2019
We were like putty in her hands after that haunting rendition of Furey's classic 80's love song, a moment we may have never witnessed if it wasn't for IGT host Lucy Kennedy.
Speaking on Today FM's Dermot and Dave, Sharyn explains how during an episode of Livin' with Lucy (where Lucy had moved in with Sharyn's nephew, actor John Connors), Kennedy heard her sing and told her she had to go for an audition.
Not being sold on the idea, it took a little coaxing, but even as she was about to go out on stage for the first time, it was Lucy who detected her nerves and intervened, "she (Lucy) knew by me, I was literally about to grab my bag and walk out". And 'Johno' played his part in this story too.
The 'Pride of Longford' also has a laugh about some of the social media haters (you won't ruffle this lady's feathers I tell ya), tells us how music is ingrained in her DNA, and thanks Ireland for the positivity.
Sharyn's got one of the purest voices we've heard in a long time, she's savage craic and a pure diamond, so we cannot wait to hear and see more from her.
Check out the chat in full by pressing the play button on screen.
