Hi my name is Fionn and I’m a 14 year old musician and singer from Blessington, Co. Wicklow.
I busk on Grafton Street whenever I can and I play golf, hurling and Gaelic football. I also went to a Gaelscoil and have fluent Gaeilge. I started playing the bódhran and tin whistle when I was 5 years old, and the guitar when I was 7. I took guitar lessons after school every Tuesday, and bódhran and tin whistle lessons every Sunday evening.
When I’m being creative, I feel relaxed. I think of it as a way to express myself and have fun.
My creative hero is Ed Sheeran. He also started busking when he was young, and I think he’s an incredible songwriter and performer. I actually met him last summer over in the Czech Republic. I performed at one of his concerts and met him before he went on stage. He spoke about his love for busking and how it’s a great way for young people to start performing.
I think the best thing about Cruinniú na nÓg is giving kids an opportunity to show off their talents and creativity. A lot of the young people participating in Cruinniu na nÓg might not be experienced in performing or standing in front of a crowd, and I think it’s a great way to build their confidence.