Michael Bublé shared a heartwarming reunion with one of his most devoted Irish fans during his concert at Malahide Castle, recognising her more than a decade after they first met.
Caithríona Madden, from Ireland, attended the Canadian singer's show with her husband, Michael, marking the ninth time she has seen Bublé perform live.
Her connection with the singer dates back to 2013, when a light-hearted joke involving a life-sized cardboard cutout led to an unforgettable backstage experience.
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Caithríona first became a fan while living in Canada for five years, where she discovered Bublé before he was filling arenas around the world. Her love for the singer even extended to owning a cardboard cutout of him, with a friend taking photos of her serving dinner to the life-sized standee.
The pictures eventually made their way to Bublé himself.
"When he came to play in Dublin in 2013, my friend Maria Mason was playing violin for his concert in the then O2," she explained.
"She showed him my then profile picture on Facebook which was me making dinner for his cutout and he told her that as I had made dinner for him, it was only fair that he invited me out for a meal."
"So I was invited backstage for two hours before the concert to have dinner with him and his band and crew in the canteen."
The fan said the experience was one she'll never forget.
"I was so sick with nerves and excitement that I couldn't eat a thing. It was the most amazing experience and he was just so lovely, funny and down to earth."
Now, 13 years later, she brought the memory full circle during Bublé's concert at Malahide Castle.
As the singer made his way through the audience during the show, Caithríona held up her phone displaying a photo of the pair together from their backstage dinner.
"He looked at me in surprise and even people around us could tell he recognised me. He continued singing but shook my hand."
She added with a laugh: "But I can still say he lives in my house, even if he is cardboard there."
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The touching reunion came just days after Bublé delighted Irish fans with a surprise appearance at The Ruby Sessions in Dublin ahead of his Irish tour dates.
The singer performed an intimate set at Doyle's Pub on College Street, treating the audience to several of his biggest hits, a rendition of Van Morrison's Moondance, and a preview of songs from his forthcoming album, which he has described as "a love letter to country music."
Appearing alongside his nine-piece band, Bublé joked to the crowd: "I can't believe I'm here either... I was hoping for Lewis Capaldi."
Founded in 1999, The Ruby Sessions has become one of Dublin's best-known live music nights thanks to its unique "blind booking" format, where ticket holders buy tickets without knowing who will perform. Over the years it has welcomed artists including Ed Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, Mumford & Sons, Lewis Capaldi and Hozier.
Bublé's Irish visit continues with performances at Thomond Park in Limerick and Ormeau Park in Belfast after his sold-out show at Malahide Castle.
