Ed Sheeran took to the stage at Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday evening as the sun was beginning to set and proceeded to delight the 40,000 strong crowd with a selection of his best tracks.
It was the first of three sold-out gigs at the newly refurbished stadium in Cork City and bode well for the Saturday and Sunday night concerts.
One of Sheeran's supports acts Jamie Lawson tweeted that it was "an incredible first night" adding "if every night is as good as that it's going to be an amazing tour". Irish trad band Beoga and singer-songwriter Anne-Marie are also supporting Ed on his Irish stint.
Wow, what an incredible first night. If every night is as good as that it’s going to be an amazing tour. Thank you Cork, Night 1!!#edsheeran #jamielawson #divide #happyaccidents pic.twitter.com/9K7fM12IrW
— jamie lawson (@jamielawsonuk) May 4, 2018
Ed was lucky with the weather, walking out on stage for the last of the glorious sunshine.
Glorious evening in glorious #PaircUiChaoimh #EdCork @edsheeran pic.twitter.com/mQg7VjJeTB
— PaircUiSheeran (@PaircUiChaoimh1) May 4, 2018
Waiting for The Man @PaircUiCha0imh #edsheeran #norain #CorkLike #summer2018 pic.twitter.com/2uqcc2LwS5
— Jolanta Capron (@jolanta_capron) May 4, 2018
The screams were deafening as the Shape of You hitmaker walked out, giving a quick wave to his fans while smiling widely.
And we’re off! #EdIrishTour #PaircUiChaoimh #EdCork pic.twitter.com/d4YaMa9yNE
— Ed Sheeran Ireland (@EdSheeranEire) May 4, 2018
His much loved single Castle On The Hill received a great reception from the crowd and had everyone singing along word for word.
— Peter Murphy (@RepublicofPeter) May 4, 2018
The singer-songwriter kept his look typically low-key in a burgundy tee and check shirt. Looking good Ed!
Cork City also looked incredible for the first of Ed's three consecutive concerts. There was a beautiful night sky as the sun set over Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
As the sun faded, the stadium lit up with phone torches. And it looked quite gorgeous.
Sky full of lighters! .... phone torches at @PaircUiCha0imh @edsheeran @Ed_Sheerleaders #EdCork #EdIrishTour @fyicork @corkcitycouncil @corkcitycentre @EoinBearla @AlanHealy pic.twitter.com/TZPSBbWizL
— Peter Murphy (@RepublicofPeter) May 4, 2018
#EdCork pic.twitter.com/3o3duNQ05P
— Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) May 4, 2018
— PaircUiSheeran (@PaircUiChaoimh1) May 4, 2018
We thought fans couldn't be more delighted with the gig, and then Ed reappeared on stage for an encore wearing a Cork GAA jersey. Well played Ed, well played.
Turns out redheads look well in red #EdCork pic.twitter.com/3UaoeEffdW
— Denise O'Donoghue (@deniseodonoghue) May 4, 2018
Can you play corner-back, @edsheeran? Seriously....#EdCork #EdConcert pic.twitter.com/mU93XNHEVK
— Brian Cronin (@Barnflake) May 4, 2018
Cork night #1 !
— 21st Hub.Com (@21stHub) May 4, 2018
Massive Love for @edsheeran#21sthub #edsheeran #corknightlife #corknights #music #musicians #concert #musicconcert #celebrity #celebrityglamour pic.twitter.com/0bljAjZLPL
Check out some more photos and reactions from Ed's fans below. An epic night by all accounts!
Walked on stage at 8:45pm. Kicked off with castle on the hill #EdCork @EoinBearla pic.twitter.com/erUM7gp5nG
— Des Barry (@A_Great_Human) May 4, 2018
8.45 on the dot. Good man Ed #edsheeran #EdFM pic.twitter.com/H2nOTA6ryL
— Brian O Keeffe (@tweetBrianOK) May 4, 2018
Great day for the County #kaching #edcork pic.twitter.com/Dyedfm3Rnk
— Dr Eoin Lettice (@eoinlettice) May 4, 2018
@EdSheeranEire @edsheeran @Ed_Sheerleaders #EdCork #rockingit pic.twitter.com/oPHX7pkYLP
— PaircUiSheeran (@PaircUiChaoimh1) May 4, 2018
Pairc Ui Chaoimh looking absolutely smashing for the first Ed Sheeran gig this evening (it's complete mayhem, but a very photogenic mayhen) #edsheeran #cork pic.twitter.com/zu3DSx6wYp
— James Duggan (@JamesDuggan01) May 4, 2018
#EdCork legend...thinking out loud!!! pic.twitter.com/Duae8IIqKb
— Rachel Meehan (@113121) May 4, 2018
GOOSEBUMPS! @PaircUiCha0imh looking beautiful 👐 share your snaps with us using #EdCork #EdSheerleaders #EdIrishTour pic.twitter.com/gq9k4pW4aA
— ed_sheerleaders (@Ed_Sheerleaders) May 4, 2018
A star above stage shining down on the real star of the night @edsheeran - what a night!#EdIrishTour #EdCork #EdSheeran #EdSheerleaders pic.twitter.com/WBibMh8LQN
— Aiken Promotions (@aikenpromotions) May 4, 2018
What a crackin' opening night of #EdIrishTour - roll on tomorrow! We hope you all enjoyed the show. Safe home everyone and please remember to respect the local community #EdCork #EdIrishTour pic.twitter.com/ntAbhXPE1H
— Aiken Promotions (@aikenpromotions) May 4, 2018
@PaircUiCha0imh is looking well for @edsheeran's first gig #edsheeran #edmania #cork pic.twitter.com/xzit3QQmDd
— Roisin Burke (@Journo_lady) May 4, 2018
Wearing a Cork jersey. Red and white over @PaircUiCha0imh. What a night @edsheeran! #EdCork pic.twitter.com/Tz6QqibenM
— Jonathan Healy (@jonathanhealy) May 4, 2018
What a fantastic first concert in the new stadium!
— Páirc Uí Chaoimh (@PaircUiCha0imh) May 4, 2018
We look forward to doing it all again tomorrow! #EdCork #EdIrishTour pic.twitter.com/rcTlBoUxyK
What a way to kick off the bank holiday weekend!
Best of luck to Ed with his Saturday and Sunday gigs. It looks like fans who have managed to bag tickets have a serious treat in store.
If you weren't lucky enough to get tickets to the gigs, fear not. It sounds like Ed could be heard all across Cork city and beyond on Friday night!
Sound is unreal on the northside of Cork City from #edsheeran @PaircUiCha0imh !!
— Laura Leahy (@babyboddins) May 4, 2018
#EdSheeran heard blaring over the cool air if the night in #blackrock #Cork #EdCork @PaircUiCha0imh rocking!
— John (@BabyfaceJohn) May 4, 2018
You can hear the Ed Sheeran concert in Passage West lol #EdCork
— Daniel Henderson (@_D_H_) May 4, 2018
In fairness #EdSheeran #EdCork sounds amazing from a distance. What an evening for it #cork brilliant #PaircUiChaoimh
— Leonard Leahy (@Redtawnie) May 4, 2018
The sound of Ed Sherran from 5 miles away with a backup of barking dogs is the best he's ever sounded. #EdCork
— Farnsworth (@CPinky90) May 4, 2018
#EdSheeran can be heard in Carrigtwohill.. mad😎 pic.twitter.com/VgvaHOe18F
— Eva Corbett (@CorbettEva) May 4, 2018
Oh just casually listening to Ed Sheeran out the back garden... in Glanmire!! #EdSheeran #edsheerancork
— Jenn (@jenndynan) May 4, 2018
