After cousin's big day in Spiddal, Ed Sheeran toasts Irish weddings...and the three-day bender

Musician Ed Sheeran has credited his first cousin Laura Sheeran, whose wedding he attended last week, for helping him achieve global fame.

Laura gave Ed a Damien Rice album when they were both teenagers and the album inspired Sheeran to start singing and writing his own music.

Singer Ed Sheeran pictured an during a private gig in RTE Radio 1 studios . Pic : Frank Mc Grath

"We have been best friends forever, since we were born really," he explained. "She was the first person to introduce me to Damien Rice's music. So she's to thank for all this."

Sheeran attended his cousin's festival themed wedding in Spiddal last week and said it was a memorable weekend.

"I think all weddings should be three days long because you can have a gin and tonic at 10am the following day," he said.

"It was great fun and nice being back with all the family. We all rocked out at a silent disco which felt a little surreal."

Ed Sheeran performs at HMV Henry Street as guest on Today FM's Louise Duffy Show

The singer has spent the past few days travelling around the country meeting up with friends and playing a series of intimate gigs.

On Friday he travelled to Derry to catch up with his friend Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol.

The ginger rock star claims credit for introducing McDaid to his fiancée Courtney Cox and had a few drinks with the happy couple. He also performed at the Ruby Sessions in Doyle's Pub in Dublin to an appreciative crowd.

"It was very hot and very sweaty but good fun," he said.

Ed previously played there in September 2011 and joins a list of performers including Paulo Nutini, Mumford & Sons, Kodaline and James Blunt.

Sheeran has built up a loyal fan base in Ireland and also chatted about his love of gritty gangland drama 'Love/Hate'.

"Taylor Swift's roadies gave me the box set and I am completely hooked. I think it's like the Irish Breaking Bad. I want Nidge to be my best mate. I can do a Nidge impression - it's just a lot of nodding and saying Trish."

The singer also performed a gig in 2fm studios for a small crowd of 80 fans.

Hoards of screaming girls gathered outside the building prior to the concert.

"I love him and his music so much it hurts," said super fan Karen O'Brien (18).