Young musician honoured as Limerick Person of the Month for his extraordinary talent

A YOUNG boy from Limerick has been named Limerick Person of the Month for his extraordinary musical talents.

Christopher Culhane is nine years old and was born blind. A talented musician, he plays the button accordion, drums and piano, but excels at the latter, with his proud mum Monika saying he “has an ear for melodies”. 

Having been awarded a gold medal in his first piano recital exam earlier this year, Christopher is a practising pianist at Croagh School of Music.

He has embarked on his musical journey with an admirable start, having been awarded a gold medal for his Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) exam performance.

Living outside of Askeaton with his mum Monika, dad Pat and three siblings, Lucas, age 11, Nico, age seven and Marcus, age four, Christopher attends primary school in Foynes and loves to do things with his hands - especially Lego, playing piano and particularly, drums.

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“We are so so proud,” Monika said upon accepting the Limerick Person of the Month award this Monday afternoon with Christopher at the Clayton Hotel, Limerick city. Christopher, a Manchester City fan, added that he is “so so happy”.

I met with Limerick Person of the Month, a young talented musician Christopher Culhane, from just outside Askeaton, and his mother Monika.
Christopher, who is blind, won a gold medal in one of his piano exams and plays at Croagh School of Music
Read more @Limerick_Leader pic.twitter.com/bMZvsTl6gE

— Faye Dorgan (@Dorgan_Faye) April 14, 2025

“He got a little toy piano for Christmas 2017 and started with piano and button accordion lessons in January 2022 in Croagh,” Christopher’s mum Monika said. 

“We are so happy for him. It is great for him to have something that he achieved and worked really hard on, practising songs and that. It’s fantastic. He goes from himself to play and he enjoys it, he loves it.”

With the RIAM achievement now under his belt, Monika said she hopes that he continues to pursue music throughout his life.

“He loves practical stuff, building things, as well as science and technology. He picks up music very good, he hears melodies and tunes and takes it away. I hope he continues.”

Earlier this year, Croagh School of Music congratulated Christopher for winning the gold medal on Facebook, saying: “A massive congratulations to our student Christopher on receiving a gold medal in his Royal Irish Academy of Music piano recital exam! 

“Completing one’s first recital is an important milestone in every young musician’s life and we are honoured to be a part of this moment.

“This is an amazing achievement and we are both proud and excited to see what the future holds for this brilliant young musician!”

Garnering much attention online, the post with Christopher holding his certificate and gold medal got hundreds of likes, with many people congratulating the “star” and wishing him well.

Limerick Person of the Month is sponsored by the Limerick Leader, Southern Media and the Clayton Hotel.