Young Limerick boy hits all the right keys, wins gold medal for piano recital

A YOUNG boy from Limerick has been awarded a gold medal following his first piano recital exam.

Christopher Culhane is nine years old and was born blind. A talented musician, he plays the button accordion, drums and piano, but excels at the latter, with his mum Monika saying he “has an ear for melodies”. 

Living just outside of Askeaton with his mum, dad Pat and three siblings, Lucas, age 11, Nico age seven and Marco, age four, Christopher attends primary school in Foynes and loves to do things with his hands - especially Lego and, playing piano.

“He got a Lidl piano accordion for Christmas when he was two years old in 2017 and he started going to classes in January 2022 in Croagh,” Christopher’s mum Monika said. 

“We are so happy for him. It is great for him to have something that he achieved and worked really hard on, practising songs and that. It’s fantastic. He goes from himself to play and he enjoys it, he loves it.”

A practising pianist at Croagh School of Music, Christopher has now embarked on his musical journey with an admirable start having been awarded a gold medal for his Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) exam performance.

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Croagh School of Music shared the news on Facebook, saying: “A massive congratulations to our student Christopher on receiving a gold medal in his Royal Irish Academy of Music piano recital exam! 

“Completing one’s first recital is an important milestone in every young musician’s life and we are honoured to be a part of this moment.

“This is an amazing achievement and we are both proud and excited to see what the future holds for this brilliant young musician!”

Garnering much attention online, the post with Christopher holding his certificate and gold medal got over 700 likes, with many people congratulating the “star” and wishing him well.

With this achievement now under his belt, Monika said she hopes that he continues to pursue music throughout his life.

“He loves practical stuff, building things, as well as science and technology. He picks up music very good, he hears melodies and tunes and takes it away. I hope he continues.”

The Croagh School of Music provides music lessons for all ages in wide selection of instruments and genres provided by experienced professional musicians.

Founded in 2001 by two music graduates Darren Murphy and Marian Giltenane, it has grown from our humble beginnings of a garden shed, to the present purpose built building in 2005 and has expanded to circa 700 students with a large staff body.