Former Six star is music to the ears of Fine Gael
After rapid success as a young popstar, Sinead Sheppard decided to change her tune, writes Andrea Byrne
Sunday November 29 2009
'I feel very strongly that there isn't enough female representation in politics," says Sinead Sheppard who successfully ran for local election in June. Representing Fine Gael, she was elected to Cobh Town Council.
Many saw it as a strange career move for the young wide-eyed, broad-smiled Cork woman given that she has had a high-profile music career. "In many ways, I felt like I had to work harder than other candidates because people would think, having done pop, what would I know about politics," she says before adding firmly: "You don't do this for a joke. I wanted to do it to give back to my community. I wanted to get off the fence."
In 2001, at the age of 18, Sinead, along with five other fame-seekers, was chosen to form part of Ireland's hottest new popband -- Six. The search became the subject of the popular reality TV show Popstars starring Louis Walsh. Despite a promising start (their debut is still the fastest-selling single in Irish musical history), the band disbanded in 2003 due to poor sales and growing disinterest.
However, Sinead holds only fond memories of her brief brush with stardom. "Honestly, I do not have one regret. I had just turned 18. I got to travel the world, staying in gorgeous hotels. I never went through that broke student phase. I am lucky enough now that Six gave me my dance school here in Cork. It's the reason I am so involved still -- being able to do panto. I think it moulded me into the person I am today and you can't have any regrets about that," she announces in her chirpy-toned, fast-paced Cork drawl.
Sheppard, who is just about to star in her second ever panto -- Jack and the Beanstalk at the Cork Opera House -- is still in contact with her former bandmates. "We usually meet up around Christmas time for drinks and dinner. These are five people you will always have a bond with, they know exactly what you went through, the highs and the lows that nobody else would understand. There will always be something there between all of us."
When Six finished, Sheppard set up a dance school in Cork, and now her empire has expanded to six schools in the Cork area. "Cork really opened its arms to me," she says, then laughs loudly in agreement when I suggest that if she was a Dub they may not have taken to her quite as enthusiastically. "It's a Cork thing. I am very lucky that anything I have ever done, they have supported me. Half of what anyone does is down to luck, and I am very lucky that people have been so kind to me."
Sheppard's parents' political allegiance has always been with Fine Gael, and her brother is a member of young FG. "The Irish people do have a tendency to going with their family's party, the one you grew up with. But at the same time, I felt that it was a party that was very much behind the youth. As well as that I liked its policies; its healthcare policy was certainly something I sat up and listened to. And I thought, if I am going to run, it may as well be with a party that I feel passionate about," she says convincingly, demonstrating that despite her short tenure in politics, she's well able to talk the talk.
"I feel like this year has been a great year for me. I am really happy with where I am. At 27, I am very lucky to be able to say that. I am hoping that next year will only bring bigger and better things."
Sinead Sheppard appears in Jack and the Beanstalk in the Cork Opera House from December 13 until January 17. For bookings see www.corkoperahouse.ie
- Andrea Byrne
Sunday Independent
