One Direction's Niall Horan – Not the most famous person in his town…at the moment

Posted by Emma Brankin on 08 August 2012 12:22 Comments

Everyone knows what a proud Irishman One Direction cutie Niall Horan is.

Hailing from the small town of Mullingar, the 18-year-old was overjoyed the other day when his five million plus followers got his hometown trending.

But – shock horror - in an exclusive chat, Niall’s big brother Greg Horan, 25, reveals that, at the moment, the international pop star - the only Irishman in One Direction beside Brits Liam Payne, 18, Harry Styles, 18, Zayn Malik, 19, and Louis Tomlinson, 20 - is not even the most famous of Mullingar’s 20,000 residents.

He tells us: “The limelight has been taken off him at the moment because of the Olympics – Mullingar has two Olympians over in London – [boxer] John Joe Nevin and [showjumper] Josh Murphy.

“Niall has proved himself, One Direction are massive but these Olympic guys are having their moment.

“The whole of Ireland have been behind them.”

Proud Mullingar boy Niall has even been to watch boxer John Joe Nevin, who having made it through to the semi-finals is guaranteed a medal, go for Olympic glory.

He tweeted: “On the phone to @johnJoeNevin for the last hour! He's a sound lad! We grew up 100 yards away from eachother, now he's goin for an olympic medal”

And Greg, who is judging a talent competition at Mullingar's Clarke's Bar this Saturday (August 11th), also revealed what Niall gets up to when gets a rare chance to get home.

He said: “When comes home, he kind of sits in, he doesn’t really go out much – just for a few drinks at night with friends to chill out.

“It can get pretty crazy. People come from all over the country and knock on his door.

“It’s okay though. The boys adore, and I mean adore, their fans.

“I don’t think he gets homesick [being away from Ireland] because he’s living the life he’s always dreamed of.

“He still gets excited at small things. He rings me from his hotel in New York and tells me that Doug The Bounty Hunter is staying at the same hotel. He rang me saying ‘he’s standing 10 feet away from me in the hotel gym!’

“All the family want to do is see him. We’re very close. If things ever turn bad, we’ll be there for him.”