Sheeran inspires Portaferry singer for his new EP

Sheeran inspires Portaferry singer for his new EP

2 April 2025

A PORTAFERRY musician who once worked with superstar Ed Sheeran is releasing his next EP this week.

The offering comes from Ryan McMullan, five months after his acclaimed debut album, Redesign, was released in November. 

The title track of the EP, In This Room, was written with Sheeran when Ryan joined him for a writing session whilst supporting the hitmaker on his UK and European tour back in 2017.

Written for the 2018 film, The Delinquent Season, with Cillian Murphy and Andrew Scott, 

In This Room featured prominently in the movie but was never given a standalone release, until now. 

“Ed is a master writer,” Ryan said. “He’s an incredibly gifted guy, you know? If you don’t keep up with him, you won’t write anything, because he’ll just write the whole thing.

“I remember having to be on my ‘A-game’. Ed’s given you this opportunity. You can’t just let 

him do it, because then it won’t lead to any other opportunities.

“It’s really cool to have done it and I actually can’t wait to get the song out,” he added.

Following his album and EP release, Ryan and his band are looking forward to upcoming dates in Scotland, England and Ireland, including a show at one of his favourite Belfast venues, as well as Australia and Europe.

“I think the main thing about Redesign was your first album has a serious amount of pressure on it,” he explained. 

“As soon as the album came out, I couldn’t believe the amount of pressure, the weight that was lifted. It’s kind of mad.

“If I had any advice for anybody who’s putting out their debut album, it would be don’t think too much about it – just get it out there, because the longer you leave it, the more pressure that builds up.” 

The work doesn’t stop there for Ryan as he is currently in the process of writing his next album. 

“It will be nice to move on to more current songs that will be more about where I’m at these days,” he said.

The In This Room EP will be released on Friday. 

Ryan will appear at the Millennium Forum in Londonderry on Friday, April 18, and the Telegraph Building in Belfast on Tuesday, April 22.

Tickets are available via ticketmaster.ie.