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Grand re-opening of the Mayo School of music
In case you missed it!
For a big birthday recently, three of my brilliant friends gave me quite a special gift. Heather, Ginny and Conrad started a fundraising campaign in my name to help supply equipment for a new recording studio at the Mayo School of Music, near the ancestral home of our Kavanagh family in Ireland. Led by School Director Shaun Heneghan, The Mayo School of Music, with its amazingly talented teachers and staff, has provided quality music education to students for over a decade. This new facilty will give budding musicians in the area the opportunity to use recording and production equipment to help develop their musical skills and talents. At the birthday gathering, Heather surprised me with a toast and a letter from Shaun presenting this honor. I was so overwhelmed, so touched and so grateful. To them and, of course, to Shaun.
Together, we began a fundraising campaign both here and in Ireland and were so successful that we were able to double our goal thanks to our generous family and friends. As you can see in the pics below, Shaun and his team did a stellar job designing, building and equipping the space. Now, as of Jan 2022, the school and studio are up and running and - I'm thrilled to say - flourishing. Once again, I'm so grateful to Ginny, Heather and Conrad who came up with this tribute and to all those who lavishly donated to make this happen for Shaun, Finola and their students. The school in Kiltimagh lies just north of the town of Ballinrobe where John Kavanagh, my great great grandfather, was born in the 1820's. I can't describe how moved I am by the whole bloody thing. It's just magical. Sláinte.
The John Kavanaugh Studio
BECAUSE OF YOU
THE STORY
I guess perhaps I should be a bit embarrassed to post this song, but it's so special that I feel I really need to tell you about it. And it's not a song I've written. As some of you know, and is explained above, last year a small group of us went to Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland for the grand opening of the John Kavanaugh Studio at the Mayo School of Music. For the grand opening ceremony in May 2023, school director Shaun Heneghan produced a stunning concert featuring superbly talented teachers and students. We were so moved, so impressed and so thrilled for all involved. However, Shaun explained to those gathered that one of the scheduled performers, Brian Flanagan, (a very successful and well-known Irish musician) had written a song especially for this day but was unable to attend at the last minute. Thankfully for us, he recently went into the studio to record it. It’s a beautiful tribute to what we achieved, to me and to all of those who contributed to this magical cause. If you listen closely, you may hear that he’s telling the story of my great-great grandfather, John Kavanagh, who came to the U.S. in 1852. He tells the story of the Mayo school and the many beautiful friends who made this happen. He even tips his hat to my mother, to my career at Disney, to Efren and my life in Los Angeles. We are so moved and overcome by this guys’ talent and blown away by this incredible song. Enjoy!
Brian Flanagan - Because of You
Check out this great video