One Direction’s big weekend, emotional reunions and the group’s fans

going, friends on Sunday night, then we have all the relations and friends. And of course Niall will have taken care of his friends from school.

‘I will see more people up there than I normally do in town.

‘I have been focusing on Croke Park and I forget that there is more for the rest of the year. This show going to be number one for him, and why shouldn’t it be? But I’m sure some of the others will have a similar experience when they go to other stadiums.

‘I’m sure there is one in Manchester – I mean, what is that going to be like for Harry? The gigs in England and Ireland will be extra special for all the boys. But then they are just back from South America and they are going to Europe – I can’t keep up with them.’

She is also very struck by how loyal the bands fans, known as Directioners, are to the boys.

‘They have such fans all over the world, it’s just incredible. They are devoted – I am not sure if other bands have the same sort of following.

‘It may be something to do with the internet that the boys are known in every little corner of the world and they queue up to make sure they get tickets for a gig that is a year away. That is just amazing and the boys wouldn’t be where they were if it wasn’t for these fans.’

foodie: Niall flips a pancake; his Croke Park rider includes sausages

destined for fame: A young Niall strikes a cheeky pose

music lessons: Niall grew up to play guitar and sing with 1D

bundle of joy: Niall as a baby – he was born to Bobby and Maura in 1993 at play: Niall Horan as a child

mother’s pet: Niall at 14 with his mother, left; above, Niall and Maura with brother Greg and father Bobby