"He had a girlfriend at home, from his school days, before he auditioned for X Factor. But then he was doing that and she was doing exams, so life is very different for him now. I don't know if he sees much of her when he's home, she was lovely, but they were only 16 at the time -- there's never anything too steady about a relationship at that age," said his mother Maura.

The mother of Mullingar heartthrob Niall Horan has said his popularity in the U.S. is down to his Irish roots. During his recent Stateside trip Horan was dubbed as One Direction’s hottest member.

“Being the little Irish fella helped -- I do think it's because he's Irish,” Maura Gallagher told the Evening Herald.

"Niall's was the only name I have heard being chanted there (U.S.), it was especially nice because for me, it was great to hear that."

The proud mother just arrived home to Ireland after Niall brought her on a two week vacation to  the U.S.

"I brought him 14 years ago and he brought me this time around -- I didn't put my hand in my pocket at all, I've never had that in my life," she added.

The Westmeath woman said that witnessing her 18-year-old son rise to stardom has been among the proudest moments of his life.

"It makes me very emotional seeing what he's doing, it really is changing his life -- it's so huge. What else could a mother ask for for her child? I absolutely never dreamt that this would all happen, it's mind blowing."

"He's a great head on his shoulders too, he's very humble and gives everyone a minute. I always warn him to be nice to the girls and always chat to them and pose for pictures."