Mary Byrne (born 3 november 1959) is an irish singer-songwriter from ballyfermot, dublin. She rose to fame in 2010 after becoming a finalist on the seventh series of the x factor in 2010. Following her elimination in the live semi-final, she signed a record deal with sony music ireland. Byrne and her fellow the x factor finalists gained a number-one single on the UK singles chart and the irish singles chart after releasing "heroes" a cover of david bowie, in aid of help for heroes.