Is Ed Sheeran performing a surprise gig in Dublin TONIGHT?

Ed Sheeran's two-night concert run at Croke Park doesn't start until Friday, but there are rumours that Dublin fans could be treated to a very special secret performance… tonight.

The rumoured gig is said to be taking place in Whelan's on Wexford St at 7pm, according to various users on Twitter:

Friend of mine had Ed Sheeran's manager on her flight to Dublin. He told her that Ed is doing a surprise gig in Whelans tonight at 7pm.

— Alan Daly (@Garthicus) July 22, 2015

Crowds have been gathering for the last 30 minutes, but bouncers have apparently already begun refusing entry, so it seems pretty likely Mr. Sheeran is indeed present at the iconic venue.

@edsheeran standing outside whelans, please invite us in!!!!!!! @SandraFlood91 pic.twitter.com/TIYXKfnkfc

— Siobhan Brown (@BrwnSiobhan) July 22, 2015

Already today there were various other rumours about where the Thinking Out Loud singer would be spending his first night in Ireland, with some papers reporting he had tried to blag two tickets for the sold-out Dundalk match against BATE Borisov in Oriel Park this evening.

 

UPDATE, 7.30pm
Ed is indeed performing in Whelan's tonight for one of four 'secret gigs' across the globe as part of a competition being run by Australian radio station Nova. 28 Aussie winners were flown over for the gig, with a few Irish fans getting last-minute passes too.

So @edsheeran playing to Aussie comp winners in #whelans as part of @nova937 #NovasRedRoomGlobalTour. Some lucky Irish fans on guest list.

— Catriona Loughran (@Cat_thestar) July 22, 2015

Were you lucky enough to get inside?