The season’s first game on International soil is starting soon, and the anticipation for the exciting clash between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers is touching the sky. On the special game, the NFL has honored Irish singer Lyra to perform the Irish National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann, before the Vikings and Steelers take on the field. For that very reason, we’ve presented this article with everything you need to know about Lyra, including her net worth, salary, and more.

Meet Lyra: Ireland’s Chosen Voice for the Anthem

Laura McNamara, who goes by the name of Lyra professionally, made her debut with “Whispers in the Wind” in 2015. She truly earned the spotlight last year, when her album topped the Irish Independent Albums Chart. But it was long before that she realized her love for singing. At age 6. 

She grew up singing in church choirs. She’s a songwriter, singer, and multi-instrumentalist. Her music style can best be defined as Electropop, which is a popular fusion of electronic and pop styles. Some of her popular songs include ‘Falling’, ‘New Day’, ‘Never Let Go’, and ‘Broken Down.’ 

Hosting the first-ever NFL regular-season game, Tim Tubito, Senior Director of Global Game Presentation and Entertainment at the NFL, said, “Our aim is to celebrate this historic occasion with the kind of world-class entertainment fans expect from the NFL and showcasing a mix of global and local talent.” Thus, Lyra, who is a Crok-born singer, was given the opportunity to sing the Irish National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann. 

Why the NFL Chose a Local Voice for Dublin’s Opening?

Hosting a game in Ireland wasn’t merely about an international game. It was to celebrate Irish Culture and music. “We’re looking forward to making Irish talent and traditions central to an unforgettable gameday experience for fans in the stadium and watching around the world,” said NFL U.K. & Ireland General Manager Henry Hodgson. 

So what could be better than having a local singer, who topped the Irish charts in 2024, sing the National Anthem? The announcement came early in September. “As an Irish singer, standing at the center of Croke Park, singing in front of my fellow Irish and visitors from around the world, fills me with immense pride,” Lyra said about the honor. 

It was a moment to represent her homeland. “To be part of such an iconic moment, as the NFL makes history with its first regular-season game in Ireland, is an honor I will carry in my heart forever,” she added. 

As expected, Lyra was loved by the fans. She wore a beautiful dress that looked like a mix between a jersey and a gown when she sang the Irish National Anthem at Croke Park, and her performance brought a quiet hush over the crowd. 

As the Irish and American flags waved across the pitch and the players stood united in respect, viewers both in the stadium and online flooded social media with praise, celebrating how her powerful voice connected with the moment and brought a unique cultural heartbeat to the NFL’s big event in Dublin.

Lyra’s Journey: Career Highlights & Achievements

Back in 2004, long before she became the Irish star known as Lyra, she took a brave step onto the big stage by entering a popular Irish singing contest called You’re a Star. She picked a different name, Laura Brophy. 

However, she couldn’t make it past the first heats at first. Still, there was one person, Linda Martin (one of the judges), who saw something special in Lyra and gave her a second chance as a wild card.

From there, Laura sang songs like ‘Country Roads’ and ‘Angel,’ earning praise for her voice and style. One judge even compared her to the younger version of the famous Shania Twain. Even though she didn’t win and finished seventh, those early live shows helped shape her path. 

Lyra has shared her music on some of the biggest festival stages, including the Great Escape, Music Cork, Latitude, and Electric Picnic, gaining fans across Ireland and beyond. She’s also made TV appearances as a guest performer on shows like Dancing with the Stars and Ireland’s Got Talent. In 2020, Lyra released a cover of Jackie Lomax’s “New Day,” which was featured in TV commercials in the UK and the Netherlands, further expanding her presence beyond music festivals and TV stages.

Having a singer of her stature to honor the Irish culture and perform on the same stage as Award-winning music artist Myles Smith was truly a day for the pages of history.