'It was hard to keep it secret from the kids': Gavin James plays surprise concert at Cork school

Pupils at a school on Cork's northside got a major surprise this afternoon when a famous face showed up for a private concert.

Members of the school band at Scoil Iosagain, Farranree were 'starstruck' when the singer/songwriter Gavin James joined them for one of their practice sessions.

Fifth class teacher Jim O’Connell told The Echo that the older students had been learning to play a number of Gavin James songs over the past weeks - not knowing that they would soon be joined by the singer himself.

“It was hard to keep the secret from the kids. They just couldn’t believe it. Even some of the teachers and SNAs didn’t know so they were also jumping around with excitement,” Mr O’Connell said.

The singer jammed along with the members of the school band before posing for pictures and signing autographs for the future musicians.

The entire school then gathered in the school hall, where Gavin James had set up for a private concert.

“All of the kids were signing along. I had wondered how many of them would know the songs, but I was surprised that even the little ones were singing along. He sang some of his biggest songs like Boxes and Hearts on Fire,” the Farranree teacher said.

“We were trying to keep a bit of law and order but by the end of it Gavin had them all up and dancing around. I think even he was surprised by the reception he got.” 

The impromptu performance came thanks to parent Eoin Aher, who used his Cyprus Avenue connections to give back to the school.

“I went to school in Scoil Iosagain myself and now my kids are there too. Gavin was well up for it when I was talking him through the idea. The kids were screaming their heads off and it was so great to have a smaller guitar and band workshop with some of the children, playing some of his songs,” Mr Aher said, hoping that he had earned himself some “cool dad points” with his children.

Teacher Jim O’Connell had stressed how important music was to their school as they have an active music program where children can learn anything from the guitar to the tin whistle.

“It was also great that Gavin told the children how he started playing the tin whistle in school, so it was very encouraging and a wonderful experience.”