It was ALL about Niall Horan – as the One Direction lads took to the stage last night to launch the first of three sell-out gigs in Dublin.

Around a quarter of a million fans camped out in the rain outside Croke park, bursting with excitement as the countdown began for the moment they’d all been waiting for!

After a warm-up from Aussie boyband 5 Seconds of Summer, the lads took to the stage.

Stunned fans looked up to the skies when an entire warehouse worth of fireworks went off, as the band opened with Midnight Memories.

From there on in, the gig couldn’t have gotten more Irish, as Niall rocked out on stage decked out in the Irish jersey with a guitar in hand.

At one stage, Niall even led the lads at an attempt of an Irish dance while blasting out the chorus of Pat Shortt’s classic Jumbo Breakfast Roll.

Harry Styles even had one or two stories about Niall for the crowd, who were loving seeing the Mullingar singer on his home turf!

An emotional Niall called the experience, the “best night” of his life.

The lads will take the stage again tonight and Sunday – and fans are in a BIG treat!