Sinéad Sheppard
Sinéad Sheppard | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cobh, County Cork, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | Coláiste an Phiarsaigh |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, dancer, television talent judge |
| Known for | Membership of Six, Town Councillor |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
Sinéad Sheppard is an Irish politician and dancing tutor, and former member of the pop group Six. She rose to fame in the 2001–02 RTÉ One television series Popstars, in which she was selected as a member of the group. After the band's swift demise, Sheppard formed her own dance school and featured as an advisor to judge John Creedon in the 2009 talent show The All Ireland Talent Show. Since 2009 she has served as a member of local councils in Cork, representing Fine Gael.[1]
Early life
Sheppard is originally from Midleton Street in Cobh, County Cork. She is a fluent Irish speaker having been educated at Coláiste an Phíarsaigh, a gaelscoil in Glanmire, County Cork. Before being discovered by Louis Walsh, she was intending to pursue a career in public relations.[2]
Career
Six membership
Sheppard was nineteen when she was selected as a member of Six. Her first show as a member of Six was at the ChildLine Concert in the Point Theatre, Dublin, where she performed in front of 8000 people. Six released two multi-platinum selling singles, both of which reached No. 1 in the Irish Singles Chart, and also had a top five album in Ireland.[3] Their first single, "There's a Whole Lot of Loving" is the 3rd fastest-selling single in Irish musical history.[4] Six did an arena tour with Westlife in England, playing a total of sixty-six shows, and two nationwide tours of Ireland.
Other musical aspirations
Sheppard attempted to audition for the first series of the British-based talent show The X Factor in 2004 alongside fellow Popstars participants Emma O'Driscoll, Andy Orr, Liam McKenna and the runner-up in the first season of the Irish-based talent show You're a Star, Simon Casey.[5]
Television career
Sheppard featured on The All Ireland Talent Show which began in January 2009.[6] She appeared on 1 February 2009 episode to assist John Creedon in the selection of his five acts to represent The South in the competition, specialising in dance choreography.[7]
Politics
In the 2009 local elections, Sheppard was elected to Cobh town council for Fine Gael.[8][9] She was elected to Cork County Council for the municipal area of Cobh in the 2014 local elections.[10][11]
References
- ^ "Elected Members | Cork County".
- ^ "Mystery Popstar keeps them guessing". Irish Examiner. 15 January 2002. Archived from the original on 1 February 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
- ^ Quigley, Maeve (30 June 2002). "They've Six appeal". BNET. Retrieved 25 January 2009. originally published in the Sunday Mirror
- ^ "Emma O Driscoll" Archived 21 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Stage Door Ireland. Retrieved 16 November 2008.
- ^ "Star Simon turns down Six request". BNET. 13 June 2004. Archived from the original on 13 May 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2009. originally published in the Sunday Mirror
- ^ "All Ireland Talent Show judges revealed". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 13 November 2008.
- ^ "Star of the Day". RTÉ Guide. 1 February 2009. Archived from the original on 9 September 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
- ^ "Cobh.ie".
- ^ Sweeney, Ken (22 March 2009). "Former Six star joins new group: Fine Gael". Sunday Tribune. Archived from the original on 14 May 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ "Irish local election results". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ In a major reform in 2014, municipal districts replaced town councils. Councillors elected by district serve as county councillors but may meet also separately to fulfill some of the functions of the abolished town councillors.