CLAIRE'S BOYZONE PRESENT
Claire's Boyzone present
BY: MICHELE CANNING
Omagh schoolgirl's bravery hailed as an inspiration
A 15 YEAR old Omagh schoolgirl, blinded in the August bombing, stole the hearts of Irish heart-throbs, boyzone, after they took a day off from their hectic schedule to make a private visit to the town on Thursday.
The chart-topping Irish boy band gave Claire Gallagher an extra special early Christmas present, after they jumped at the chance to visit the schoolgirl, and present her with a state-of-the-art music system.
An unsuspecting Claire met her idols last week, thanks to local man, Aidan Kirwan. who nominated her for Noel Edmunds 'Christmas Presents' show.
Claire, a talented musician, arrived at St Joseph's Hall with her family thinking that she was only to meet Noel Edmunds to make a recording for his Christmas day show, totally unaware that she was to have a private audience with Ronan, Keith, Shane, Stephen and Mikey.
The Dublin boys arrived in Omagh on their only day off before flying out to London to record Top of the Pops, ahead of their week long trip to the Seychelles, where Ronan Keating is presenting the Miss World contest.
Sitting at a piano in the parochial Hall in front of the TV cameras, Claire was asked by Noel to play a piece from one of her favourite bands, and, unprompted, chose to play Boyzone's "No Matter What".
Setting the scene for the surprise that was about to come, Noel Edmunds interrupted her and asked her to begin again.
As Claire began to play the first notes of the chart topping song the boys emerged singing from behind a curtain in the hall. The overwhelmed schoolgirl was unable to continue playing.
During a friendly chat with her pop idols, she was congratulated by Ronan on receiving a scholarship for an American University to continue with her music studies.
She told the band that she had no idea that they were part of the surprise. The boys then led Claire centre stage where she was presented with a second surprise - a high tech state-of-the-art computerised music system - aimed at helping Claire to fulfil her ambition of a career in music.
The system incorporates a talking computer, mixing desks. scanners and speakers will allow Claire to record, mix and edit.
Boyzone ensured that Claire will be unable to forget them having left a personalised message on the computer wishing her a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Each time Claire turns on the computer she will hear a rendition of the band's No 1 hit "No Matter What".
Ronan told her "You will hear that special piece every time you open the computer. You will never be allowed to forget us".
Speaking to the Herald afterwards, Ronan described Claire as an absolute inspiration to the community adding "if everyone had the strength that she has coming out of this terrible time."
He said the band had no problem in agreeing to come to Omagh to present Claire with an early Christmas present.
"We were over the moon to help in any way, especially as Christmas approaches. Her story will touch a lot of hearts."
Ronan said he hoped the Christmas present would help Claire in the future.
"It is a fantastic present with amazing technology and something that will give Claire a chance to achieve her ambition."
The band have extended a personal invite to Claire for their Belfast concert in the Belfast's King Hall on December 27th.
Ronan said "We are hoping to see Claire in the King's Hall in Belfast for our Christmas concert."
Claire said of the surprise "It is unbelievable, I did not have a clue what was going to happen although I knew something special was planned.
"I can't believe it. I don't remember too much of what Ronan said because it was such a shock."
Claire's mum, Marie, said she was totally overwhelmed by Boyzone's performance.
Marie was contacted two weeks ago by "Noel's Christmas Presents" Director, Andrew Nicholson.
Claire had been nominated as one of eight special people to appear on the show, thanks to Aidan Kirwan whose daughter is in the same music class as Claire.
Marie had to keep the surprise from Claire, admitting "there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and we had to be careful not to let anything slip".
Marie was only contacted on Monday and told that Boyzone would arrive in Omagh on Thursday to hand over the present to Claire.
She said Claire wasn't aware of what was going on, but knew there was some type of surprise planned when Noel Edmunds spoke to her by phone on Thursday morning.
Speaking before her daughter received the surprise of her life Marie said "She knows this morning that something is happening but she has no idea what it is."
Noel, who has a daughter the same age as Claire, said "She is fantastic, absolutely fantastic. It is a painful thing that has happened. There are no words to describe her.
"Everyone affected by this tragedy will be inspired by Claire's story" he added.
"The show is always about people and we try to find things that are uplifting for Christmas but then to see a young girl who has lost her sight it is very difficult.
"Her family are tremendous, and she is an inspiration to them. She is a wonderful gift to them.
"Because of what has happened this year Claire's is a very difficult story to tell, but she has come across very positively" said Noel.
The show attracts 7,000 applications every year and said Noel "it is very difficult to select who is appropriate because there are so many worthy causes".
Noel said he had never been to Omagh before and felt very sad that it had to be associated with what had happened.
But, he said "there is so much love in the community."
He said that Boyzone had no problem whatsoever in coming to Omagh to present Claire with her gift.
Local man, Aidan Kirwan, a Chartered Accountant, made the dream come true for the schoolgirl after writing off to BBC when he saw an advertisement in the Daily Mail in September.
Aidan's daughter Gemma is in the same GCSE music class as Claire.
He explained "I did not really know the Gallagher family. Two days after the bomb Gemma arrived back from a six week trip to America and found out that Claire had been injured.
"A few days later, we travelled to the hospital to see how Claire was and we met her parents who were very very gracious and welcoming."
It was after that meeting that Aidan came across the Daily Mail advertisement.
He said "I was reading the paper when I saw a small advert in the classifieds section asking "do you know a special child who deserves an extra special Christmas treat."
"So I wrote a letter off to the BBC giving bit of detail about the situation and suggested that it would be a nice idea if Claire was included.
"Then about two weeks ago I got a call from a researcher asking for more details and background."
Following that one of the people involved in the programme travelled to Omagh and met with Aidan and Claire's mum, which materialised into Thursday's visit.
A profoundly modest Aidan said he was glad and pleased that Claire had been chosen but said he had only a small part to play in the end result.
"I am very pleased for Claire. I think the programme will also show that the people of Omagh have not been forgotten" he added.
"Noel's Christmas Presents" will be screened on Christmas Day after the Queen's Speech.
Meanwhile, Claire's story also touched the heart of Oasis Star Noel Gallagher.
Noel, who was unable to make the visit to Ireland for a special screening of The Late Late Show on Friday night, sent Claire a tape - recorded five years ago - which has never been heard by anyone, apart from the band members.
He also handed over his Gold Disc to Claire on the condition that she continue with her music studies.
BY: MICHELE CANNING
Omagh schoolgirl's bravery hailed as an inspiration
A 15 YEAR old Omagh schoolgirl, blinded in the August bombing, stole the hearts of Irish heart-throbs, boyzone, after they took a day off from their hectic schedule to make a private visit to the town on Thursday.
The chart-topping Irish boy band gave Claire Gallagher an extra special early Christmas present, after they jumped at the chance to visit the schoolgirl, and present her with a state-of-the-art music system.
An unsuspecting Claire met her idols last week, thanks to local man, Aidan Kirwan. who nominated her for Noel Edmunds 'Christmas Presents' show.
Claire, a talented musician, arrived at St Joseph's Hall with her family thinking that she was only to meet Noel Edmunds to make a recording for his Christmas day show, totally unaware that she was to have a private audience with Ronan, Keith, Shane, Stephen and Mikey.
The Dublin boys arrived in Omagh on their only day off before flying out to London to record Top of the Pops, ahead of their week long trip to the Seychelles, where Ronan Keating is presenting the Miss World contest.
Sitting at a piano in the parochial Hall in front of the TV cameras, Claire was asked by Noel to play a piece from one of her favourite bands, and, unprompted, chose to play Boyzone's "No Matter What".
Setting the scene for the surprise that was about to come, Noel Edmunds interrupted her and asked her to begin again.
As Claire began to play the first notes of the chart topping song the boys emerged singing from behind a curtain in the hall. The overwhelmed schoolgirl was unable to continue playing.
During a friendly chat with her pop idols, she was congratulated by Ronan on receiving a scholarship for an American University to continue with her music studies.
She told the band that she had no idea that they were part of the surprise. The boys then led Claire centre stage where she was presented with a second surprise - a high tech state-of-the-art computerised music system - aimed at helping Claire to fulfil her ambition of a career in music.
The system incorporates a talking computer, mixing desks. scanners and speakers will allow Claire to record, mix and edit.
Boyzone ensured that Claire will be unable to forget them having left a personalised message on the computer wishing her a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Each time Claire turns on the computer she will hear a rendition of the band's No 1 hit "No Matter What".
Ronan told her "You will hear that special piece every time you open the computer. You will never be allowed to forget us".
Speaking to the Herald afterwards, Ronan described Claire as an absolute inspiration to the community adding "if everyone had the strength that she has coming out of this terrible time."
He said the band had no problem in agreeing to come to Omagh to present Claire with an early Christmas present.
"We were over the moon to help in any way, especially as Christmas approaches. Her story will touch a lot of hearts."
Ronan said he hoped the Christmas present would help Claire in the future.
"It is a fantastic present with amazing technology and something that will give Claire a chance to achieve her ambition."
The band have extended a personal invite to Claire for their Belfast concert in the Belfast's King Hall on December 27th.
Ronan said "We are hoping to see Claire in the King's Hall in Belfast for our Christmas concert."
Claire said of the surprise "It is unbelievable, I did not have a clue what was going to happen although I knew something special was planned.
"I can't believe it. I don't remember too much of what Ronan said because it was such a shock."
Claire's mum, Marie, said she was totally overwhelmed by Boyzone's performance.
Marie was contacted two weeks ago by "Noel's Christmas Presents" Director, Andrew Nicholson.
Claire had been nominated as one of eight special people to appear on the show, thanks to Aidan Kirwan whose daughter is in the same music class as Claire.
Marie had to keep the surprise from Claire, admitting "there was a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and we had to be careful not to let anything slip".
Marie was only contacted on Monday and told that Boyzone would arrive in Omagh on Thursday to hand over the present to Claire.
She said Claire wasn't aware of what was going on, but knew there was some type of surprise planned when Noel Edmunds spoke to her by phone on Thursday morning.
Speaking before her daughter received the surprise of her life Marie said "She knows this morning that something is happening but she has no idea what it is."
Noel, who has a daughter the same age as Claire, said "She is fantastic, absolutely fantastic. It is a painful thing that has happened. There are no words to describe her.
"Everyone affected by this tragedy will be inspired by Claire's story" he added.
"The show is always about people and we try to find things that are uplifting for Christmas but then to see a young girl who has lost her sight it is very difficult.
"Her family are tremendous, and she is an inspiration to them. She is a wonderful gift to them.
"Because of what has happened this year Claire's is a very difficult story to tell, but she has come across very positively" said Noel.
The show attracts 7,000 applications every year and said Noel "it is very difficult to select who is appropriate because there are so many worthy causes".
Noel said he had never been to Omagh before and felt very sad that it had to be associated with what had happened.
But, he said "there is so much love in the community."
He said that Boyzone had no problem whatsoever in coming to Omagh to present Claire with her gift.
Local man, Aidan Kirwan, a Chartered Accountant, made the dream come true for the schoolgirl after writing off to BBC when he saw an advertisement in the Daily Mail in September.
Aidan's daughter Gemma is in the same GCSE music class as Claire.
He explained "I did not really know the Gallagher family. Two days after the bomb Gemma arrived back from a six week trip to America and found out that Claire had been injured.
"A few days later, we travelled to the hospital to see how Claire was and we met her parents who were very very gracious and welcoming."
It was after that meeting that Aidan came across the Daily Mail advertisement.
He said "I was reading the paper when I saw a small advert in the classifieds section asking "do you know a special child who deserves an extra special Christmas treat."
"So I wrote a letter off to the BBC giving bit of detail about the situation and suggested that it would be a nice idea if Claire was included.
"Then about two weeks ago I got a call from a researcher asking for more details and background."
Following that one of the people involved in the programme travelled to Omagh and met with Aidan and Claire's mum, which materialised into Thursday's visit.
A profoundly modest Aidan said he was glad and pleased that Claire had been chosen but said he had only a small part to play in the end result.
"I am very pleased for Claire. I think the programme will also show that the people of Omagh have not been forgotten" he added.
"Noel's Christmas Presents" will be screened on Christmas Day after the Queen's Speech.
Meanwhile, Claire's story also touched the heart of Oasis Star Noel Gallagher.
Noel, who was unable to make the visit to Ireland for a special screening of The Late Late Show on Friday night, sent Claire a tape - recorded five years ago - which has never been heard by anyone, apart from the band members.
He also handed over his Gold Disc to Claire on the condition that she continue with her music studies.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0676
Published Date: 26-Nov-98
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