Niall Breslin

Niall Breslin
Bressie with The Blizzards at Junction 7.08, June 2008
Bressie with The Blizzards at Junction 7.08, June 2008
Background information
Birth nameNiall Breslin
Also known asBressie
Born (1980-10-22) 22 October 1980 (age 44)
Artane, Dublin, Ireland
GenresSoft rock, pop
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, television personality, former footballer
InstrumentsGuitar, drums, piano
LabelsSony Music
Websitebressiemusic.com
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Second row
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2002–2004 Leinster 14 (0)
Correct as of 6 May 2015

Niall Breslin (born 22 October 1980), known as Bressie, is an Irish musician, former Westmeath Gaelic footballer and Leinster Rugby player. Breslin found success as the lead singer, guitarist, songwriter with pop band The Blizzards, as a co-writer and producer with XIX Entertainment and as a solo artist. He was the winning coach on the first, third and fifth seasons of The Voice of Ireland.

Biography

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Early life

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Born in Dublin to father Enda, who was from Bundoran in County Donegal,[1] and mother Mandy, Breslin is the second youngest of five children,[2] including siblings Ronan, Laura, Julie and Andrea.[3] At the age of two, he and his family moved to Mullingar, and attended Coláiste Mhuire in the town. As a result of Enda's military deployment when Breslin was 13, the family relocated to Israel for five months.[4] Breslin attended University College Dublin on a sports scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Sociology (2003) and a master's degree in Mindfulness Based Interventions (2019).[5] In 2022, Breslin was awarded UCD Alumnus of the Year in Social Sciences.

Sports career

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Breslin represented Westmeath, in Gaelic football at Minor, and U-21 Championship levels.[6] He won a Leinster Under-21 Football Championship medal with Westmeath in 2000. He was also a professional rugby player with Leinster Rugby.[7][8] He had a scholarship in UCD for rugby and also represented Ireland at Under-21 level in the World Cup.[8]

Writing career

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In 2015, Breslin published his first book Me and My Mate Jeffrey, a combination memoir/self-help book. "Jeffrey" is a personification of Breslin's anxiety disorder.[9] The book won the 2015 Irish Book Award for popular non fiction.[10]

Podcast

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In July 2019, Breslin launched a podcast called Where Is My Mind? which focuses on mental health and wellbeing.[11]

In April 2020, Breslin followed up his previous podcast with another series focusing on mental wellbeing and meditation, this time exclusively for Spotify, called Wake Up / Wind Down (UK & IE).[12]

Music career

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The Blizzards

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With childhood friends, Breslin formed The Blizzards in 2004. They released two albums that achieved commercial success, A Public Display of Affection in 2006 and Domino Effect in 2008. The band split up in 2009.[13] Following the band's split, Breslin joined Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment as a songwriter and producer in 2010.[13]

Solo career

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In 2011, Breslin released a solo album, Colourblind Stereo. Four singles were released from the album. During a performance at the Festival of Fires in Westmeath on 5 May 2012, he urged thousands of fans to vote against the government coalition of Fine Gael/Labour, saying before leaving the stage "I don’t normally do politics, but this Government is an awful bollocks. I want to make an appeal to all you people out there. Don't make the same mistakes we did by voting them in again".[14]

In 2012, he was a coach on the inaugural season of The Voice of Ireland,[15] mentoring the winner, Pat Byrne.[16][17][18][19]

Through the end of 2012, Breslin began work on his second solo album "Rage and Romance".[20] A music video was filmed for Show Me Love, featuring Moone Boy actors David Rawle and Ian O'Reilly. In 2014 Breslin appeared on the second series of Moone Boy as a PE Teacher.

In January 2014, Breslin announced putting his solo career as a recording artist on hold, with the intention to focus on his work as a judge on The Voice of Ireland and writing and producing music.[21]

Personal life

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In late March 2013, Breslin opened up on his blog about his struggles with Generalized anxiety disorder.[22] Having experienced a severe panic attack on a live show taping during the first series of The Voice of Ireland, Breslin sought professional help and ultimately decided to manage his anxiety, by adopting a more active lifestyle. He began training for a triathlon, in support of Lakelands Area Retreat & Cancer Centre (LARCC),[23] a foundation on which his mother serves as director.[24]

Breslin is also an ambassador for Cycle Against Suicide (CAS),[25] an organisation that seeks to raise awareness and bring support to those dealing with mental health issues. In April and May 2013, Breslin participated as a cyclist with CAS, in a series of legs around Ireland, stopping at local schools to give mental health-related talks and also he was dating Miss Universe Ireland 2010 Rozanna Purcell.[26]

Discography

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Studio albums
Year Album Title Peak chart positions
IRE
2011 Colourblind Stereo 8[27]
2013 Rage and Romance 1
Singles
Year Song Peak chart positions Album
IRE UK
2011 "Can't Stay Young Forever" 9 - Colourblind Stereo
"Good Intentions" 36 -
2012 "Breaking My Fall" 14 -
2013 "Show Me Love" 53 - Rage and Romance
2013 "Silence Is Your Saviour" - -
Guest appearances

References

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  1. ^ 'Bressie brings popular podcast to Letterkenny this weekend' (Derry People - Donegal News, 27 October 2023). https://donegalnews.com/bressie-brings-popular-podcast-to-letterkenny-this-weekend/
  2. ^ Borrill, Rachel. "Why Bressie is the man of the moment". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  3. ^ Breslin, Niall (2011). Colourblind Stereo CD insert. Sony Music Entertainment (Ireland).
  4. ^ Finn, Melanie. "From rugby jock to rock star... how Bressie became the hottest man on TV". Evening Herald. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  5. ^ "Niall Breslin | Author. co-Founder of @LustForLife | UCD Business Alumni Challenge". ucdbusinesschallenge.ie. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Q&A: Niall Breslin". Irish Independent. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
  7. ^ "Niall "Bressie" Breslin – Personally Speaking Bureau". Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Striking the right note after injuries force rethink on rugby career". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  9. ^ O’Sullivan, Eoghan (27 August 2016). "Book review: Me and My Mate Jeffrey". Irish Examiner. Irish Examiner Ltd. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  10. ^ "Me and My Mate Jeffrey". Irish Book Awards. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  11. ^ O'Toole, Lucy. "Niall Breslin launches mental health podcast series Where Is My Mind?". Hotpress. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  12. ^ Newsdesk, The Hot Press. "Bressie revealed as voice of Spotify's new 'Wake Up/Wind Down' podcast series". Hotpress. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  13. ^ a b Cummins, Steve (11 December 2009). "The Blizzards: The last waltz?". Irish Independent. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  14. ^ "Bressie attacks government at gig". breakingnews.ie. 6 May 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  15. ^ Finn, Melanie (28 October 2011). "Bressie's in the hotseat in search for the Voice". Evening Herald. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  16. ^ "Pat Byrne wins The Voice of Ireland". RTÉ Ten. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  17. ^ Sweeney, Ken (1 May 2012). "'Voice' winner Pat Byrne to bring party home to Borris, Co Carlow". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  18. ^ Sweeney, Ken (30 April 2012). "Teacher Pat Byrne chalks up 'Voice' victory, but Bressie a winner too". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  19. ^ "Pat Byrne wins The Voice of Ireland". 98FM. Communicorp – owned by Denis O'Brien. 30 April 2012. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  20. ^ Breslin, Niall. "Twitter, Rage and Romance". Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  21. ^ McBride, Caitlin. "Bressie reveals he is ending his solo career for the 'foreseeable future'". Irish Independent.
  22. ^ Breslin, Niall. "You Get What You Pay For When Silence Is Your Saviour".
  23. ^ "LARRC".[permanent dead link]
  24. ^ "LARRC Fundraiser". Archived from the original on 15 June 2013.
  25. ^ "Home".
  26. ^ "Bressie gets on his bike to cycle against suicide". fuzion.ie.
  27. ^ "acharts.us- Colorblind Stereo chart performance". αCharts. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
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