Shane Filan and Gillian Walsh have been married for 21 years but they have actually known one another for many more.
The singer and his wife met at the tender age of 13 in Sligo, well before he shot to fame in Westlife.
Over the years, they’ve welcomed three children and battled life’s ups and downs together, always staying strong as a couple. Here we have a look back at how they met – and trust us, it’s a cute story!
Shane and Gillian Filan at Adare Manor. Pic: Instagram
Childhood sweethearts
Shane previously revealed to the East Bourne Herald that when he and Gillian were barely teenagers, they started going out but the relationship only lasted for a few months.
He said that after those sweet first weeks, Gillian ‘chucked’ him but they remained close throughout their teenage years and rekindled their romance later down the line.
Shane and Gillian Filan. Pic: Instagram
It was definitely a childhood romance with these two. And guess who just happens to be Gillian’s first cousin? Shane’s bandmate Kian Egan!
Tying the knot
The pair married in a romantic winter wedding on the 28th of December 2003.
Surrounded by family and friends, they tied the knot at the 800-year-old Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo followed by their reception in Ashford Castle.
In peak noughties fashion, both of them wore matching outfits for their big day. Beautiful bride Gillian wore a strapless ivory gown and Shane picked an ivory three-piece suit.
Around 200 of Westlife’s devoted fans turned out to wish Shane and Gillian well on their wedding day and stood and cheered as they made their way out of the church.
To mark their milestone 20th wedding anniversary in December 2023, Shane and Gillian returned to the place where it all started.
Shane said at the time: ‘What an incredible 20 years married to this lady Gillian Filan… and an unforgettable few days back in Ashford Castle to celebrate. I’m a lucky man!’
Growing their family
Shane and Gillian Filan on holiday in Italy with their children Nicole, Patrick and Shane. Pic: Instagram
The couple went on to welcome three children: daughter Nicole, now 18, and sons, 15-year-old Patrick and Shane, 14.
Shane and Gillian don’t share pictures of their children online all too often but have posted some lovely family snaps over the years to celebrate their achievements.
Pic: Shane Filan/Instagram
In May 2022, Shane shared a sweet photo of Gillian hugging their youngest son on his confirmation day and in October 2022 Gillian showed off their daughter’s very impressive baking skills on Instagram.
2024 was a big year for the family as Nicole turned 18 and graduated from school. Shane was away on tour at the time but the family still included him in the festivities with a life-sized cut-out!
Nicole also celebrated the end of school at two Debs, with the teen looking amazing in a detailed baby blue dress and later a shimmering mermaid-esque navy maxi.
Working through tough times
Shane and Gillian Filan. Pic: Instagram
Shane has long credited his other half with helping him through the worst moments of his life, including when he was forced to file for bankruptcy and the family had to relocate to England.
‘It was scary because your band is over and you have kids and you’re thinking “What is going on over here?” but Gillian was unbelievably strong,’ he told RTÉ Guide in 2021.
Gillian was also Shane’s rock when both of his parents, Peter and Mae, died within months of each other in 2020.
Spending time together
Gillian Filan, pictured with her husband Shane, wearing Zimmerman. Pic: Instagram
While they have been married for almost two decades, Shane and Gillian make sure to still take time out for themselves.
To mark their anniversary month in 2021, they took a glam trip to Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate in Galway, where they enjoyed the Orient Express dining experience at the Pullman restaurant.
The couple also makes sure to plan in time on holidays with their family, often sharing snaps of their summer trips away as a gang of five.
Going into business
Pic: Gillian Filan/Instagram
According to Extra.ie, Shane and Gillian have established a company called Map Property Venture Limited with both parties listed as co-directors.
Accounts filed with the CRO show that the business has assets of €238,914 as of late last year.
When it comes to music, accounts for Shane’s company Ocean Wave Music in 2024 have a solid €1,012,476 under their belt.
Wedding anniversary
Pic: Shane Filan/Instagram
In December 2025, Shane and Gillian celebrated their 22nd anniversary and in order to mark the occasion, the singer whisked his wife away on a romantic ski trip.
The pair hit the slopes and posted a selfie in their ski gear, showing that all these years later, they are just as loved-up as ever, with Shane writing: ‘Happy Anniversary @gillianfilansligo & what an amazing way to spend it. 22 years.’
See more pictures in the gallery below:
