Strabane piper scores TV landing with advert

Kendrick Lamar wasn’t the one musical star showcasing their abilities through the Tremendous Bowl, one man from County Tyrone additionally had his music performed to the numerous thousands and thousands tuning in from across the globe.

Chris McMullan, who’s an uilleann piper from Strabane, mentioned it was the “spotlight of his profession” to have his music featured in an advert starring Irish actor Barry Keoghan through the recreation’s TV protection.

The 30-second advert for US agency Squarespace, which pays homage to The Banshees Of Inisherin movie, ran between the primary and second quarters of Sunday’s Tremendous Bowl LIX.

The sport noticed the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 40-22, to disclaim them an unprecedented third straight Tremendous Bowl.

The advert sees Keoghan, depicting his Banshees character Dominic Kearney, using a donkey that’s meandering alongside on a path in rural Eire whereas he tosses laptops out of a satchel to bemused islanders.

Talking to BBC Information NI, Mr McMullan mentioned he was overjoyed that his rendition of the ‘Limerick Lament’ was used for the advert.

Chris has been enjoying the uilleann pipes for a few years, and mentioned he additionally enjoys enjoying the flute and tin-whistles.

The uilleann pipes, also referred to as Union pipes or Irish pipes, have been performed for hundreds of years and are a beloved instrument in Irish conventional music.

He mentioned “out of the blue” he obtained an e-mail asking if his music may very well be used for a Tremendous Bowl commercial.

“I used to be engaged on a cruise ship on the time,” Chris defined.

“The e-mail got here by means of at about 05:30 within the the morning and the e-mail heading was one thing like: ‘Can we use your music for a Superbowl advert?’

“I assumed absolutely that is a spam e-mail so I ignored it, however then a second e-mail got here by means of after which after two days a 3rd e-mail arrived.

“At that time I used to be like OK and checked it out, they confirmed me all their credentials and I checked them out after which, as soon as I used to be satisfied they had been like the true deal, went for it.”

Chris mentioned the tune they requested to make use of was really recorded in his home and all finished utilizing a normal microphone.

“The tune is known as the Limerick Lament and it is from the late 1600s, so it has been round awhile,” he mentioned.

“They simply appeared to go for it as a result of it was the sound they had been after.”

Requested if he stayed as much as watch his Tremendous Bowl debut, Chris mentioned that sadly jet lag bought the higher of him and he was unable to remain awake to witness it play out stay to a world viewers.

“I used to be flying again from the Caribbean after engaged on the cruise ship and I used to be completely wrecked,” he mentioned.

“I attempted my perfect to remain up, however I simply could not.

“So many individuals although, family and friends, all recorded it for me and I additionally managed to observe it again on the re-runs in order that’s one thing.

“The response has been unimaginable and I am simply actually happy with it.”

Chris mentioned because the advert aired, he has obtained so many messages asking concerning the uilleann pipes and mentioned he was delighted to assist spotlight the instrument.