Niall Breslin
{{Short description|Irish musician and rugby player (born 1980)}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Niall Breslin
| alias = Bressie
| image = The Blizzards.JPG
| caption = Bressie with The Blizzards at Junction 7.08, June 2008
| birth_name = Niall Breslin
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|10|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland
| instruments = Guitar, drums, piano
| genre = Soft rock, pop
| occupations = Singer-songwriter, television personality, former footballer
| label = Sony Music
| associated_acts = The Blizzards
Brendan McCahey Michael Bohan
| website = {{URL|bressiemusic.com}}
| module = {{Infobox rugby biography | embed = yes
| ru_currentclub =
| ru_position = Flanker, Second row
| clubs1 = Leinster
| years1 = 2002–2004
| apps1 = 14
| points1 = 0
| ru_clubupdate = 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
=Early life=
Born on 22 October 1980 in Dublin, Ireland{{Cite web |title=Niall Breslin: Musician |url=https://anthemtalentagency.com/talent/niall-breslin/ |access-date=31 January 2025 |website=Anthem Talent Agency}} to father Enda, who was from Bundoran in County Donegal, '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/ and mother Mandy, Breslin is the second youngest of five children,{{cite news|first=Rachel|last=Borrill|title=Why Bressie is the man of the moment|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/weekend/features/why-bressie-is-the-man-of-the-moment-188802.html|newspaper=Irish Examiner|access-date=30 May 2012}} including siblings Ronan, Laura, Julie and Andrea.{{cite book|last=Breslin|first=Niall|title=Colourblind Stereo CD insert|year=2011|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment (Ireland)}} 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.{{cite news|first=Melanie|last=Finn|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/from-rugby-jock-to-rock-star-how-bressie-became-the-hottest-man-on-tv-3019994.html|title=From rugby jock to rock star... how Bressie became the hottest man on TV|newspaper=Evening Herald|access-date=30 May 2012}}
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).{{Cite web |title=Niall Breslin {{!}} Author. co-Founder of @LustForLife {{!}} UCD Business Alumni Challenge |url=https://www.ucdbusinesschallenge.ie/contributor/niall-breslin |access-date=2022-09-03 |website=ucdbusinesschallenge.ie}} In 2022, Breslin was awarded UCD Alumnus of the Year in Social Sciences.
=Sports career=
Breslin represented Westmeath, in Gaelic football at Minor, and U-21 Championship levels.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/features/qampa-niall-breslin-1478264.html|title=Q&A: Niall Breslin|date=19 September 2008|access-date=24 October 2008|work=Irish Independent}} He won a Leinster Under-21 Football Championship medal with Westmeath in 2000. He was also a professional rugby player with Leinster Rugby.{{cite web |url=https://www.personallyspeakingbureau.com/speaker/niall-breslin/|title=Niall "Bressie" Breslin – Personally Speaking Bureau|access-date=25 May 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/striking-the-right-note-after-injuries-force-rethink-on-rugby-career-1.678028|title=Striking the right note after injuries force rethink on rugby career|newspaper=The Irish Times |access-date=25 May 2018}} He had a scholarship in UCD for rugby and also represented Ireland at Under-21 level in the World Cup.
=Writing career=
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.{{cite web|last1=O’Sullivan|first1=Eoghan|title=Book review: Me and My Mate Jeffrey|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/artsfilmtv/books/book-reviewme-and-my-mate-jeffrey-417889.html|website=Irish Examiner|date=27 August 2016 |publisher=Irish Examiner Ltd|access-date=30 December 2016}} The book won the 2015 Irish Book Award for popular non fiction.{{cite web|title=Me and My Mate Jeffrey|url=http://www.irishbookawards.irish/nominee/me-and-my-mate-jeffrey/|website=Irish Book Awards|access-date=30 December 2016}}
= Podcast =
In July 2019, Breslin launched a podcast called Where Is My Mind? which focuses on mental health and wellbeing.{{Cite web|last=O'Toole|first=Lucy|title=Niall Breslin launches mental health podcast series Where Is My Mind?|url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/niall-breslin-launches-mental-health-podcast-series-mind-22781675|access-date=2020-10-14|website=Hotpress}}
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).{{Cite web|last=Newsdesk|first=The Hot Press|title=Bressie revealed as voice of Spotify's new 'Wake Up/Wind Down' podcast series|url=https://www.hotpress.com/culture/bressie-revealed-voice-spotifys-new-wake-upwind-podcast-series-22813769|access-date=2020-10-14|website=Hotpress}}
Music career
=The Blizzards=
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. Following the band's split, Breslin joined Simon Fuller's XIX Entertainment as a songwriter and producer in 2010.{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Cummins|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/features/the-blizzards-the-last-waltz-1971278.html|title=The Blizzards: The last waltz?|work=Irish Independent|date=11 December 2009|access-date=9 January 2010}}
=Solo career=
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".{{cite news|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/entertainment/bressie-attacks-government-at-gig-550415.html|title=Bressie attacks government at gig|work=breakingnews.ie|date=6 May 2012|access-date=6 May 2012}}
In 2012, he was a coach on the inaugural season of The Voice of Ireland,{{cite news|url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/bressies-in-the-hotseat-in-search-for-the-voice-2919863.html|title=Bressie's in the hotseat in search for the Voice|date=28 October 2011|access-date=28 October 2011|last=Finn|first=Melanie|work=Evening Herald}} mentoring the winner, Pat Byrne.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2012/0430/thevoiceofireland.html|title=Pat Byrne wins The Voice of Ireland|date=30 April 2012|access-date=30 April 2012|work=RTÉ Ten|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/voice-winner-pat-byrne-to-bring-party-home-to-borris-co-carlow-3096174.html|title='Voice' winner Pat Byrne to bring party home to Borris, Co Carlow|work=Irish Independent|date=1 May 2012|access-date=1 May 2012}}{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Sweeney|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/teacher-pat-byrne-chalks-up-voice-victory-but-bressie-a-winner-too-3095428.html|title=Teacher Pat Byrne chalks up 'Voice' victory, but Bressie a winner too|work=Irish Independent|date=30 April 2012|access-date=30 April 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.98fm.com/2012/category-entertainment/gossipgirl/category-showbiz/pat-byrne-wins-the-voice-of-ireland/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716062336/http://www.98fm.com/2012/category-entertainment/gossipgirl/category-showbiz/pat-byrne-wins-the-voice-of-ireland/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2012 |title=Pat Byrne wins The Voice of Ireland |work=98FM |publisher=Communicorp – owned by Denis O'Brien |date=30 April 2012 |access-date=30 April 2012 }}
Through the end of 2012, Breslin began work on his second solo album "Rage and Romance".{{cite web|last=Breslin|first=Niall|title=Twitter, Rage and Romance|url=https://twitter.com/nbrez/status/296325426777817091|access-date=29 January 2013}}
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.{{cite web|last1=McBride|first1=Caitlin|title=Bressie reveals he is ending his solo career for the 'foreseeable future'|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/bressie-reveals-he-is-ending-his-solo-music-career-for-the-foreseeable-future-29929042.html|website=Irish Independent}}
Personal life
In late March 2013, Breslin opened up on his blog about his struggles with Generalized anxiety disorder.{{cite web|last=Breslin|first=Niall|title=You Get What You Pay For When Silence Is Your Saviour|url=http://www.bressiemusic.com/?page_id=1011}} 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),{{cite web|title=LARRC |url=http://www.laarc.ie }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} a foundation on which his mother serves as director.{{cite web|title=LARRC Fundraiser |url=http://larcc.ie/2013/02/bressie-hosts-fundraising-lunch-for-larcc/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615205407/http://larcc.ie/2013/02/bressie-hosts-fundraising-lunch-for-larcc/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-06-15 }}
Breslin is also an ambassador for Cycle Against Suicide (CAS),{{Cite web|url=http://www.cycleagainstsuicide.com/|title=Home}} 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.{{cite web|title=Bressie gets on his bike to cycle against suicide|url=http://www.fuzion.ie/index.cfm?page=viewNews&newsId=851|publisher=fuzion.ie}}
Discography
;Studio albums
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Album Title !colspan="1"|Peak chart positions |
|---|
| style="width:6em;text-align:center;font-size:75%;"|IRE |
| style="text-align:center;"|2011
|Colourblind Stereo
|style="text-align:center;"|8{{cite web|title=acharts.us- Colorblind Stereo chart performance|website=αCharts |url=http://acharts.us/album/65610|access-date=31 May 2012}} |
| style="text-align:center;"|2013
|Rage and Romance
|style="text-align:center;"|1 |
;Singles
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|Song !colspan="2"|Peak chart positions !rowspan="2"|Album |
|---|
| style="width:3em;font-size:75%;"|IRE
!style="width:3em;font-size:75%;"|UK |
| rowspan="2"|2011
| style="text-align:center;"|9 | style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="3"| Colourblind Stereo |
| "Good Intentions"
| style="text-align:center;"|36 | style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="1"|2012
| "Breaking My Fall" | style="text-align:center;"|14 | style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="1"|2013
| "Show Me Love" | style="text-align:center;"|53 | style="text-align:center;" |
| rowspan="2"| Rage and Romance |
| rowspan="1"|2013
| style="text-align:center;" |
| style="text-align:center;" |
;Guest appearances
- 2012 – "Rocky Road to Poland"
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://twitter.com/nbrez Twitter]
- {{IMDb name|nm2637062}}
- [http://www.hotpress.com/archive/3875970.html Video interview at Oxegen 07]
- [http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=187914 Friday interview: Bressie], Hogan Stand, 15 March 2013.
{{The Blizzards}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Breslin, Niall}}
Category:Alumni of University College Dublin
Category:Gaelic footballers who switched code
Category:Irish male guitarists
Category:Irish record producers
Category:Irish rock guitarists
Category:Irish rugby union players
Category:Irish male singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century Irish singer-songwriters
Category:Irish television personalities
Category:Leinster Rugby players
Category:Mullingar Shamrocks Gaelic footballers
Category:People from Mullingar
Category:Sportspeople from County Westmeath
Category:Westmeath Gaelic footballers
Category:21st-century Irish male singers
Category:21st-century Irish guitarists