Past pupil and renowned tenor Paul Byrom will return to Blackrock College to perform a special fundraising concert in the Jubilee Hall, with proceeds going to the Mission Fund Sponsorship Programme, for deprived communities in the developing world, particularly in Kenya, who have the ability to succeed but lack the financial means to access a good education.

.The Sponsorship Programme was established in 2011 after Aidan Corless learned about the financial barriers facing talented young students. Since then, it has had an extraordinary impact, but demand continues to grow.

“Each year we get many more applicants than we can financially sponsor,” says Aidan. “As a result, we decided to hold a fundraising musical in the Jubilee Hall, reaching out to the entire Blackrock family in the hope we can raise much-needed funds.”

For the concert, the Mission Fund is delighted to welcome back one of Blackrock’s best-known musical talents, tenor Paul Byrom, for what promises to be an entertaining and memorable evening.

For Paul, the performance will also be an opportunity to return to the place where his love of performing was first nurtured.

Reflecting on his time at Blackrock, Paul recalls that music was one of the things that excited him most about coming to the College.

“Although it was, as is now, known primarily for its sporting dominance, I was excited at the fact that they had a fantastic music programme.”

From his earliest days at the College, Paul became heavily involved in music, singing at church services and developing his skills as a classical singer. But it was the school musicals that had perhaps the greatest influence on the performer he would become.

“When it came to the school musicals, that’s when my love for the stage was really nurtured and developed.”

Paul remembers the significant influence of Toirleac O’Brien, who encouraged him to develop not just as a singer but as a performer.

“I remember him asking me to sing The Impossible Dream at a Leman Concert one year and I had never heard of it. He taught me how to stand and deliver. Encouraged stage presence and performance over anything else and instilled a love for theatre that I have to this day.”

Alongside Toirleac O’Brien, Paul also remembers the encouragement of Father Cormac O’Brolchain, both of whom helped give him the confidence to pursue a career in music.

“Between Father Cormac O’Brolchain and Toirleac O’Brien, I was encouraged to chase the dream and have a career in music.”

For Paul, his experience at Blackrock was about far more than one particular discipline.

“Blackrock College is more than just a ‘rugby school’. It was a school that nurtured and encouraged all talent and led you to believe anything was possible. For that, I will always be extremely grateful.”

Those words make this concert particularly appropriate. The Mission Fund Sponsorship Programme exists to give young people the opportunity to fulfil their own potential, regardless of their financial circumstances.

The concert will therefore combine an evening of outstanding music with an opportunity for the wider Blackrock family to help provide that same sense of possibility to another generation.

Tickets are now available through the Blackrock College Union website at this link or below 

We hope the Blackrock family will come together in numbers to support the Mission Fund, enjoy what promises to be a wonderful performance from Paul Byrom, and help give more young people the opportunity to chase their own dreams.

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