Do you want to learn some interesting facts about Niall Horan?
Born on September 13, 1993, Irish singer-songwriter Niall Horan has carved out a reputation for himself in the music and entertainment industry. He was catapulted to stardom as a member of the extremely famous boy band One Direction, which was formed in 2010 on the TV program The X Factor.
Alongside Niall Horan, the group included Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Harry Styles. They released five bestselling albums, making One Direction one of the most successful boy bands in history.
Niall Horan’s exceptional vocals and undeniable charisma have captured the hearts of fans from all around the world. Following the disbandment of One Direction, Horan embarked on a successful solo career, presenting music that highlights his distinct musical talents.
While we are acquainted with his ascent to fame as a member of One Direction, there are lesser-known aspects of Niall Horan’s life that invite curiosity. Let’s delve into more interesting facts about Niall Horan below.
Things you'll find in this article
- 15 Interesting Facts About Niall Horan
- 1. Niall Horan was the sole member of One Direction not born in England
- 2. Niall Horan discovered his passion for music at a young age
- 3. “Niall and the Potatoes” was Niall Horan’s proposed band name before it became “One Direction”
- 4. Niall Horan was the second youngest member of One Direction
- 5. Niall Horan’s microphone proudly displays the colors of the Irish flag on its bottom
- 6. He is color blind
- 7. Niall Horan is left-handed
- 8. He is claustrophobic
- 9. He is also scared of pigeons
- 10. The only book he’s ever read is To Kill A Mockingbird
- 11. He started reading the first page of Fifty Shades of Grey but didn’t finish it
- 12. Niall Horan has a strong passion for sports
- 13. He has a business venture that has to do with golf
- 14. He is a homebody
- 15. Niall Horan is a huge Belieber
15 Interesting Facts About Niall Horan
1. Niall Horan was the sole member of One Direction not born in England
Niall Horan was actually born in Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland. Mullingar is a charming town nestled amidst rolling green hills and serene lakes, with rich history and vibrant community. It’s located roughly in the middle of the Emerald Isle.
Horan’s journey from a small town in Ireland to becoming an international sensation is impressive – a pure testament to his talent and dedication. But despite his global fame, he remains grounded and connected to his roots.
2. Niall Horan discovered his passion for music at a young age
The Irish singer attributes his musical career’s beginning to an Eagles concert he watched when he was 4 years old. He taught himself how to write and play songs on the guitar.
At the age of 12, he was already playing the guitar and performing in local talent shows. When he was 13, he participated in his school’s talent show.
Although he didn’t win, his performance attracted significant local media attention and positive feedback.
3. “Niall and the Potatoes” was Niall Horan’s proposed band name before it became “One Direction”
Prior to settling on the name “One Direction,” Niall proposed the idea of calling the band “Niall and the Potatoes” because he is quite fond of potatoes. But of course, he was just being playful!
His bandmate, Harry Styles, shared in an interview that he (Styles) came up with the name “One Direction” for the band because he felt it sounded good.
4. Niall Horan was the second youngest member of One Direction
The youngest one was Harry Styles, who was born on February 1, 1994 – about 5.5 months Horan’s junior.
5. Niall Horan’s microphone proudly displays the colors of the Irish flag on its bottom
One Direction’s fans would quickly spot something special about his microphone – it was adorned with the vibrant colors of the Irish flag at its base.
This unique touch holds a meaningful reason. While being Irish is part of it, there’s more to the story. Read on!
6. He is color blind
Niall, being color blind, faced a challenge in identifying his microphone among the others used by the One Direction members.
He struggles to distinguish between orange and red, green and yellow, and various shades of blue and purple.
So, the Irish flag is cleverly placed under his microphone to help him distinguish it using the distinct stripes, which he can perceive more easily than a single solid color.
7. Niall Horan is left-handed
Numerous studies indicate that about 1 in 10 people are left-handed. This means that this famous Irish singer is part of the 20% who are lefties!
8. He is claustrophobic
Niall Horan’s got claustrophobia, which means he’s afraid of small or enclosed spaces such as an elevator… and girls crowding around his car when he comes out of airports!
9. He is also scared of pigeons
Horan has this quirky thing about pigeons. He once said that he gets all jittery if there are pigeons flying around before his shows.
This is because one time, a pigeon actually flew in through his bathroom window and decided to interrupt him while he was using the loo. He has been pretty scared of these birds since then.
10. The only book he’s ever read is To Kill A Mockingbird
First published in 1960, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel that delves into themes of racial injustice, moral development, and the loss of innocence through the perspective of its young protagonist.
To Kill a Mockingbird’s impact and relevance have made it a beloved work in American literature. It is widely studied in literature programs and conversations about race, justice, and human behavior.
11. He started reading the first page of Fifty Shades of Grey but didn’t finish it
He thought it was good, but he didn’t continue reading to the end. Fifty Shades of Grey is a novel published in 2011 that gained significant attention for its explicit content and themes centered around erotica and BDSM.
While some readers were drawn to the passionate romance, others criticized the writing style and characterization.
The book became a cultural phenomenon, reaching a wide readership and inspiring adaptations into other media forms, including a film series starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.
12. Niall Horan has a strong passion for sports
While Niall Horan is famous for his musical prowess, there are some hidden talents that might surprise his fans. He is an excellent golfer and has even caddied for professional golfer Rory McIlroy.
He is a big fan of the English football club Derby County. He has been going to their matches since he was four. As he grew up, Niall would often travel from Ireland to England to watch the games and support the team.
In addition, Horan plays the sport. His skills on the pitch have impressed not just a few. He has also played in charity matches alongside renowned football stars.
13. He has a business venture that has to do with golf
In 2016, Niall Horan and his close friend Mark McDonnell, who previously worked as an account manager for prominent companies like Srixon and TaylorMade, co-founded Modest! Golf Management.
This company handles various aspects of golf-related activities and can be seen as an extension of the firm that represented One Direction.
Even with his hectic schedule, Horan takes an active role in every facet of his company’s operations. He is deeply engaged in all the decisions and aspects of business management.
14. He is a homebody
When he’s not busy, which is pretty rare, Horan enjoys spending evenings at home and finds comfort in being alone, especially on weekends when he can simply watch movies or football on TV.
Horan once said that his perfect relaxation scheme is to just “sit back, get the feet up on the couch” in front of the television.
15. Niall Horan is a huge Belieber
Horan is a huge fan of Justin Bieber – a “Belieber.” He was really excited when Justin Bieber followed him on Twitter, now X.
The Irish celebrity is interested in collaborating with his Canadian counterpart in the future.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 60 countries for the past 12 years. I also lived in 4 continents – from the Caribbean, South East Asia, Africa and now in Europe. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. A country that had been a part of my life since I was 14 because of my love for Irish music and bands. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland.