Damien Dempsey’s exclusive school visit for Mayo competition winners

Rising music stars and students of St. Mary’s Secondary School in Ballina, Aisling Mullarkey and Hope Gillespie, are looking forward to the visit of Dublin singer Damien Dempsey to their school on September 8.

Before the summer break, the talented singer songwriters won the Sing All Your Cares Away song competition organised by the Inspiring You organisation in conjunction with Damien Dempsey.

Their inspirational composition entitled 'Skies of Blue' impressed the Inspiring You judges and Damien. In their song, Aisling and Hope urge listeners to look beyond the challenges and worries associated with the Covid-19 lockdown and not to despair as brighter days lie ahead.

Inspired by Dempsey's hit track 'Sing All Your Cares Away', the organisation launched its song competition as a means of encouraging young Irish musicians to sing about a brighter tomorrow.

Galway-based teacher and Inspiring You founder Philip Cribbin said: “The idea behind Inspiring You is to help engage the natural enthusiasm of students of all ages through musical, sporting and cultural concepts. Hope and Aisling's song shows how creative and inspirational Ireland's future leaders can be, even in the most testing of circumstances. They are worthy winners of our national song competition.”

Damien worked closely with Inspiring You during lockdown to encourage students of all ages to sing about their hopes, dreams, fears and aspirations during a very challenging time. The renowned singer noted how music is about 'healing and community and hope'. “It’s a way of life,” he stated.

Aisling and Hope were supported in their composition by St. Mary's SS music teacher Ms. Regina Deacy, while local musician Mark O'Donnell of the band Billow Wood assisted with accompaniment and recording.

St. Mary's SS principal Mr. Robert O'Reilly congratulated the girls, Ms. Deacy and all those who helped in the production and recording of 'Skies of Blue', which he described as a beautiful composition with a powerful message for everyone.

He added: “The sky is not only blue for Aisling and Hope, the sky is also the limit for these two terrific girls.”

Damien will be visiting St. Mary's on Wednesday, September 8, and is looking forward to hearing a live performance of 'Skies of Blue'. No doubt he will help lift the spirits with a few songs of his own in what will be a memorable day for Aisling, Hope and St. Mary's Secondary School.