Northern Ireland

In Pictures: Ed Sheeran wows fans at sold-out Belfast gig

 Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell
 Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell  Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell

40,000 Ed Sheeran fans sang their hearts out last night. 

Ed played at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast and fans queued in the rain for hours ahead of the sold-out concert.

Supported by Irish folk band Beoga, who co-wrote Sheeran's international hit Galway Girl, the star came on stage to huge applause just before 9pm.

The singer, whose paternal grandparents are Irish, thrilled his audience with hits including Perfect and Shape of You.

There was heavy traffic across Belfast from early afternoon due to two major concerts and a football match at Windsor Park.

Ed Sheeran fans from L-R Alana Keenan, Megan Toner and Tara Gray   at Boucher Road in Belfast. Picture by Pacemaker Press
Ed Sheeran fans from L-R Alana Keenan, Megan Toner and Tara Gray at Boucher Road in Belfast. Picture by Pacemaker Press Ed Sheeran fans from L-R Alana Keenan, Megan Toner and Tara Gray at Boucher Road in Belfast. Picture by Pacemaker Press

Former Oasis star Noel Gallagher was performing at the SSE Arena and between Linfield and Glentoran were also playing in Europa League play off semi final.

Sheeran's Belfast gig was just one of a string of Irish dates which began in Cork last week. He will play Pearse Stadium in Galway on May 12 and 13 before performing at Phoenix Park in Dublin on May 16, 18 and 19.

Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell
Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell
Picture by Pacemaker Press
Picture by Pacemaker Press Picture by Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press 
Pacemaker Press  Pacemaker Press 
Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell
Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell Ed Sheeran live in Belfast last night. Picture by Hugh Russell