Nathan Carter surprised the group with a few of his country hits

Nothing could spark that festive feeling more than a surprise show from country star Nathan Carter - and a dance to his version of the catchy 'Wagon Wheel'.

The singer played his sold-out gig in the West County Hotel, Ennis last night - but first he was spotted by a well-wisher who whisked him away to surprise up to 400 elderly people at a Christmas party in the hotel.

The Clare Division Older Persons Christmas party was in full swing in the function room, when a number of gardaí noticed Nathan Carter in the lobby of the hotel.

The country music star was keeping a low profile in the hotel the night before his gig.

But the gardaí approached Carter and asked would he bring his guitar into the Christmas party.

Describing him as a "good craic", they told of how he strummed his way into the room for the surprise gig.

"He started with Wagon Wheel and, honestly, within a minute more than half of the party were up on their feet dancing," one said.

The singer posed for photographs with his fans afterwards and gardaí were quick to thank him for the good deed.

They posted an image on their official Facebook page, writing; "A big thank you to Nathan Carter for calling into the Clare Division Older Persons Christmas party at West County Hotel, Ennis this afternoon. Rock me Mamma!."

The social media post has garnered hundreds of likes in the space of a few hours, with many commenting on his devoted fans.

"May call the garda, Nathan may not get out alive!!," one Facebook user joked.

Another compared the snap to the Father Ted scene with the character Eoin McLove.

"Hilarious picture it's like the scene from father Ted eoin mclove on father ted [sic]," another wrote.

Online Editors