Singer Niall Horan has said he tries to move people away from stereotypes when they talk about Ireland.

The 'One Direction' singer has said there are some stereotypes that we live up to.

Niall told The Hard Shoulder is 'happy' to play his role as an ambassador for Ireland.

"I love going around flying the flag, probably just by being myself," he said.

"Obviously get asked to do mental stuff like perform at The White House for the President on St Patrick's Day.

"I like being an ambassador for Ireland - I'm very proud to be Irish, so there's no reason why I shouldn't want to parade our country world-wide".

Niall Horan speaking to The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk. Picture by: Newstalk

Asked if he encounters stereotyped expectations, Niall said he tries to move people away from them.

"There's a bit of eye rolling going on," he said.

"It's like, 'What you think we are is sometimes not the case'.

"A lot of people are well attuned that it's not as 'diddly-diddly' as you think - although it is.

"We do live up to quite a few of our stereotypes, we are a country of stereotype[s] that we live up to.

"The kind of jokey side we kind of like, start to push to the side as we get older.

"We are a bit of craic, let's be honest, but the more creative - the arts side of things - what we're really known for is, like, our poets and things like that.

"I try to drag that into the conversation as much as I can".

'That makes me feel anxious'

On releasing new music, Niall said it still makes him nervous.

"The build-up, the tension, having not released music in a while - I've nearly forgotten what that's like," he said.

"The unknown makes me feel a bit like, 'Jesus, what happens now' - that's a scary thing.

"Obviously I've known about the music for a long time, written the thing and I like it - but you don't know what people are going to think.

"That makes me feel anxious".

'You want it to do well'

Niall said it is really just for the fans.

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't care," he said.

"Anything that anyone does in life, you're not wanting it to do bad are you?

"You want it to do well, whatever it is you may do in your life.

"I care about what the fans think; because at the end of the day, they're the ones that are taking it onboard," he added.

Listen back to the full interview below:

Main image: Niall Horan with The Hard Shoulder host Kieran Cuddihy. Picture by: Newstalk