It’s not every national school that can persuade a double Oscar nominated Hollywood A-lister and a multi-platinum album selling singer-songwriter to take up roles in their end-of-year school video – but they don’t do things in half measures at St Oliver’s in Ballycasheen.
In the lead-up to Christmas the staff devised a brilliant two-part festive season comedy sketch based on a remake of the Band Aid charity hit Do they know it’s Christmas?
The hilarious, fast-paced and wonderfully scripted storyline sees principal Colm Ó Súilleabháin looking for volunteers to sing a line or two in the reworked song but he is quite taken aback when all the teachers want what is termed “The Bono Bit” – the brief but iconic contribution the U2 frontman made to the 1982 Christmas number one single.
The whole idea was the brainchild of St Oliver’s teacher and accomplished musician Noel O’Sullivan who took on the role of casting director for the song remake and linked up with Oisín O’ Connor – of the famous Liam O’Connor band – to persuade staff and visitors to the school to audition for the am… er… unuqie Ballycasheen version of the Band Aid track.
It seems there was no limit to what some of the star-struck, game-for-a-laugh teachers would go to land “The Bono Bit” and even in the principal’s office, Mr Ó Súilleabháin himself was fancying his chances of getting the gig.
But they all face stiff opposition – from none other than superstar actor Michael Fassbender and balladeer and double Meteor Award winner Paddy Casey who both popped into the school in search of the green light for the chance to emulate Bono.
And they weren’t the only ones – throw in a Kerry GAA legend, a glamorous Queen of Fashion brandishing an apple tart and a famous scene from Love Actually and you all have the ingredients for a right good yarn.
So who will get The Bono Bit? Well, it seems we’ll have to wait for part two of the festive story with a difference to be released but, in the meantime, the smart money is on Mr Ó Súilleabháin who let it be known that he has the power to make the casting director’s worst nightmare become a reality.
In a message to parents, Mr Ó Súilleabháin said the staff and pupils have been getting in to the Christmas spirit over the last while and it has been hugely enjoyable as Covid restrictions meant many of the fun events were not possible in the recent past.
“The classes have been full of music, carols ad Christmas songs and I think the atmosphere has got to all of us,” he laughed.
“Noel O’Sullivan came up with an idea and along with Oisín O’ Connor, they persuaded staff and surprise visitors alike to take part. We hope you all enjoy it as we had great fun putting it together and see if you can spot the celebrity cameos,” the popular principal said.
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