Guinness present ‘Niall Horan’s Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar with Lewis Capaldi’

There was a bit of a stir in Mullingar when Niall Horan showed up during the fleadh with Lewis Capaldi. They had a camera crew in tow as they toured the town, played a bit of music and greeted fans.

Next week, Virgin Media One (10pm, Sunday October 16), we’ll be able to find out more, as Guinness present ‘Niall Horan’s Homecoming: The Road to Mullingar with Lewis Capaldi’.

It documents the three days the two musicians spent on a road trip filled with fun, friendship and laughter, say Guinness.

The film was inspired by Niall Horan’s desire to revisit and reconnect with the things he loves at home, and to experience the reality of Ireland today, along with his friend, Lewis Capaldi.

On their journey they met world class guitar maker George Lowden, Tolu Makay of Tullamore, and Dublin busker, Jacob Koopman.

Photo by Lucy Foster

Niall took his Scottish visitor to the Guinness Storehouse, where a resident beer specialist took them behind the scenes of the story, scents, and of course taste, of the famous stout.

In Gravity Bar, they learned how to pull pints of Guinness and officially become certified pint pouring experts.

They also explored the Liberties are, and find themselves among the after-work crowds and tourists on busy Grafton Street, where they performed an impromptu set with busker Jacob Koopman.

The duo sang their own songs including ‘Slow Hands’.

Photo by Lucy Foster

“I feel like I’ve never left,” Niall said as he sipped on a pint of Guinness in Clarke’s, a pub in Mullingar that he has fond memories of. “Every time I come home, I’m just blown away by the creativity here. Not in a Hollywood way, it’s real, authentic talent, people going out there and doing it for the pure love of the craft.”

Niall shares how he first connected with Lewis over social media after being introduced to his music by his cousin.

Their friendship began when the Mullingar men invited the Scotsman to open for him during his 2018 ‘Flicker’ tour in Lewis’s hometown, Glasgow.

That gave Lewis a boost in his career and marked the beginning of his path to stardom.

“It was St Patrick’s Day, we had a couple of Guinness,” said Niall. “Seriously, he is the funniest person I know, when you’re with Lewis, you never quite know where a night will go, but you’re guaranteed a good time.”

In a statement, Guinness said, the film tells a story of friendship and talent while celebrating modern Irish culture through the lens of two global superstars who have an authentic connection to Ireland. Both Niall and Lewis embody the values of camaraderie and friendship, and, as two global icons grounded in their roots, they never sway away from where they started from.

Homecoming is a celebration of what it’s like to live in an Ireland simmering with optimistic energy, possibility, momentum, endless inspiration and… chicken fillet rolls.

• The episode will air at 10pm on 16 October on Virgin Media One.

• visitGuinness.com/en-ie/our-craft/homecoming

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Photo by Lucy Foster