Social commentator, podcaster and performer Blindboy Boatclub has expressed his surprise after a New York Times profile on his podcast revealed his real name.
The well-known personality, who made his name as part of Limerick duo The Rubberbandits, was interviewed for the piece in the New York Times which shared his real name, David Chambers.
Blindboy is famed for his face being covered at all times with a shopping bag and admitted that he didn't know his real name would be used in the article.
Read More: Gerry Hutch may never face new Regency attack charge, gardai believe
Sharing the article with his followers, he said: "The New York times did a profile on my Podcast.
"I didn't know my real name was going to be all over this. But at this stage, I'm hardly anonymous. I have a pen name and a pen face because I like privacy and going to Aldi. I'm diagnosed autistic and having a very quiet life and simple life is important to me. That's about it.
"To be clear too. The journalist was lovely, I've been a fan of her articles since I started reading them. It was a privilege to be profiled by her. The name thing was an editorial decision more than likely. My name is public domain, I'm not entitled to literal anonymity."
Followers were quick to heap praise on Blindboy for such exposure in the US publication but some fans took issue with his real name being used.
One fellow writer, Laura Kennedy, said: "Disappointed @Rubberbandits was unnecessarily named here, but Blindboy is doing something very valuable and is generally ignored by Irish legacy media - partially due to its inherent insularity, and partially because his work threatens it."
Another follower said: "The New York Times didn’t need to use Blindboy’s real name in this profile. His identity as a podcaster and in the Rubber Bandits is clear and he chose a pseudonym for artistic and personal reasons. I don’t like this."
The article itself was a glowing representation of the success of the Blindboy podcast, pointing out that it "regularly attracts 700,000 to one million monthly listeners."
The author described it as something of a "cultural phenomenon" in Ireland, pointing out that even the President, Michael D Higgins, has appeared as a guest. It also revealed that half of Blindboy's listeners are from outside of Ireland, a number almost certain to rise now with this newfound exposure Stateside.
READ NEXT:
Donald Trump to visit Ireland just weeks after US President Joe Biden's trip
Body found on beach prompts huge Garda probe as public urged not to share images
Ryan Tubridy responds to alternative Late Late Show host replacement suggestion
GAA club official jailed for 16 years for 'campaign of sexual offending'
Met Eireann confirms unusual 72-hour influx as frost makes bitter comeback
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
