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Piper scores TV touchdown with Super Bowl advert

Mike McBride
BBC News NI
Chris McMullan Chris McMullan in a blue shirt playing the uilleann pipesChris McMullan
Chris McMullan, who is an uilleann piper from Strabane, says it was the "highlight of his career" to have his music featured in a Superbowl advert

Kendrick Lamar wasn't the only musical star showcasing their talents during the Super Bowl, one man from County Tyrone also had his music played to the many millions tuning in from around the globe.

Chris McMullan, who is an uilleann piper from Strabane, said it was the "highlight of his career" to have his music featured in an advert starring Irish actor Barry Keoghan during the game's TV coverage.

The 30-second advert for US firm Squarespace, which pays homage to The Banshees Of Inisherin film, ran between the first and second quarters of Sunday's Super Bowl LIX.

The game saw the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, to deny them an unprecedented third straight Super Bowl.

Reuters CJ Gardner-Johnson and Tyler Steen celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl winReuters
CJ Gardner-Johnson and Tyler Steen celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl win

The advert sees Keoghan, depicting his Banshees character Dominic Kearney, riding a donkey that is meandering along on a path in rural Ireland while he tosses laptops out of a satchel to bemused islanders.

Speaking to BBC News NI, Mr McMullan said he was overjoyed that his rendition of the 'Limerick Lament' was used for the advert.

Getty Images Barry Keoghan Getty Images
Barry Keoghan won a Bafta for his performance in The Banshees Of Inisherin

Chris has been playing the uilleann pipes for many years, and said he also enjoys playing the flute and tin-whistles.

The uilleann pipes, also known as Union pipes or Irish pipes, have been played for centuries and are a beloved instrument in Irish traditional music.

He said "out of the blue" he received an email asking if his music could be used for a Super Bowl ment.

'I thought it was a scam email at first'

"I was working on a cruise ship at the time," Chris explained.

"The email came through at about 05:30 in the the morning and the email heading was something like: 'Can we use your music for a Superbowl advert"A view of Londonderry with the Peace Bridge over the Foyle river in the foreground and the Guildhall and other building in the background. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/>

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