On a warm spring night at Kauffman Stadium, something magical happened before the first pitch. Irish singer and actor Damian McGinty took center field — and with a single microphone and a whole lot of heart, delivered one of the most unforgettable renditions of the U.S. National Anthem the crowd had ever heard.
Best known for his time with Celtic Thunder and his fan-favorite role on Glee, McGinty brought pure, unfiltered emotion to “The Star-Spangled Banner.” No dramatic runs, no backing track — just a steady, soaring voice that commanded silence from thousands.
Dressed in a smart suit and standing tall at home plate, he turned the buzzing stadium into a quiet space of reflection. The notes rang out with warmth, control, and sincerity — and when he hit that final high note, the stadium erupted.
The reactions came fast. “That Irishman just gave me chills,” one Royals fan posted online. Another said simply: “Flawless. Powerful. Thank you, Damian.”
For McGinty, this wasn’t just a performance — it was a tribute. A way of saying thank you to the country that helped shape his music career and welcomed him with open arms.
And for everyone lucky enough to be in that stadium on that May evening, it was a reminder: the anthem isn’t just a song. In the right hands — and with the right heart — it becomes something greater.
Damian McGinty may have been far from Ireland, but for a few stirring minutes in Kansas City, he sang like he belonged to all of us.
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