Imelda May reveals why she cancelled festival gig to sing at Conor McGregor fight
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Imelda May reveals why she cancelled festival gig to sing at Conor McGregor fight

SINGER Imelda May said duty called when she decided to cancel a festival appearance in England to sing at the Conor McGregor fight in Las Vegas.

Fans of the songstress were left disappointed when the Dubliner pulled out of an appearance at Rugby's Down on the Close Festival to sing the Irish national anthem on fight night in the US.

After delivering a beautiful rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann last night, May took to Instagram to explain her reasons for the last minute change - saying it was not a decision she made lightly.

"I was asked to represent my country at the biggest sporting event in our small island's history," she said.

"I was very honoured and so proud to sing our national anthem to the world.

"I sincerely thank the amazing Conor McGregor for asking me to be part of his special, unbelievable evening."

She added: "I did not make the decision to cancel, lightly. I did not do it for money by the way. I did not do it for fame.

"I am fully aware my performance will be probably forgotten in two seconds. I simply felt duty called."

May apologised for letting her fans down and promised to make it up to them, while also praising McGregor.

"He won our hearts last night," she said.

"I thank all of you for your support as I was nervous as hell until I started singing and then felt all your good vibes with me."

Nevada desert morning. I feel I to address a few things. (Brace yourselves it's a long winded one!) I want to apologise to disappointed fans at Rugbys Down On The Close Festival for letting you down. I get it. Myself and my management have been working closely with the promoter to fix this situation. I hear most people were fine and that the festival was a huge success and everyone had a great time that went. I hear Cara Dillon was amazing. I've had a long, lovely conversation with Lee Martin who runs the @downontheclose festival and has been so understanding. I did not make the decision to cancel, lightly. I did not do it for money by the way. I did not do it for fame. I am fully aware my performance will be probably forgotten in 2seconds. . I simply felt duty called... I was asked to represent my country at the biggest sporting event in our small islands history. I was very honoured and so proud to sing our national anthem to the world. I sincerely thank the amazing Conor McGregor for asking me to be part of his special, unbelievable evening. He won our hearts last night. I thank all of you for your support as I was nervous as hell until I started singing and then felt all your good vibes with me. I felt my family with me. I especially thank the good wishes from Lee and all those at the festival. I will make it up to you. Imelda X

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