Raholp girl Caoimhe goes viral with video launch

Raholp girl Caoimhe goes viral with video launch

11 June 2025

A LOCAL girl is raising awareness about sight loss through her new music video.

Twelve-year-old Caoimhe Burns from Raholp has been visually-impaired since she was three, but has always had a passion for music.

A first-year student at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, she recently had a big opportunity to showcase her talents at the Alfie Boe James Huish Academy of Theatre Arts in Belfast, a performing arts school which she attends every Saturday. 

“James Huish produces songs and makes music videos with the students, and recently Caoimhe was able to get involved,” her mother Deirdre explained. 

“She sang ‘For Good’ from the musical Wicked, a song which she had performed at Assumption’s Open Day earlier in the year.

“The trailer for the movie Wicked: For Good was also released last weekend and Caoimhe was excited to hear Ariana Grande sing ‘For Good’ as part of it too.” 

After being uploaded to the ‘James Huish Introducing’ YouTube channel just over a week ago, the video has amassed over 760 views on Youtube, and the song will soon be available on Amazon and iTunes.

Deirdre believes Caoimhe’s music video will help others.

“She’s reluctant to tell people about her visual impairment and to take support offered,” Deirdre said. 

“She is confident and shows what she can achieve despite her disability.”

Caoimhe is going from strength to strength with her musical talents, having performed as Miss Honey in the musical Matilda at the Patrician Youth Centre in Downpatrick earlier this year.

She also sings in her school choir and takes singing lessons at GH Music School in Downpatrick with Lisa McCrissican, with whom she is due to take her Grade 2 exam over the summer. 

The future looks bright for Caoimhe, who has developed a talent for playing the piano by ear.

Having already achieved great marks in music in her first year of high school, she hopes to study GCSE Music in a few years’ time.