Beragh boy’s sign language Christmas carol goes viral

A YOUNG Beragh boy has captured the hearts of many with his special performance of Silent Night using Makaton sign language.

Ronan O’Neill, who is aged eight and a pupil of Roscavey Primary School, has already had more than half-a-million views on social media since the heartwarming video was posted on Christmas Eve.

He has been practising with his teacher, Dympna McGowan, and first performed Silent Night as part of the school’s Christmas Carol service earlier this month.

Ronan’s mother, Katrina, said they were all delighted with the response to the video.

anniversary

She said the video was inspired by the approaching first anniversary of her father, Peter McSwiggan, from Gortin, who died from Covid-19.

“I just thought because of daddy’s anniversary that we’d do the video,” she said.

“Makaton is sign language used by young people and those, like Ronan, with Down’s Syndrome. It helps improve his speech and we’re just delighted with the progress that he has been making.

“I am so proud of Ronan and this is his moment. Down’s Syndrome children can be written off that they cannot do anything. But this shows us that this simply isn’t the case and that those with Down’s Syndrome have talents and qualities which can inspire so many people, as is the case with this video.

“People have contacted us to say how they were moved to tears by the video.”

important

Mrs O’Neill says it is important that parents of Down’s children and those who may have Down’s children in the future see the potential that they have.

“Dympna has put so much work into this with Ronan. The result is a credit to all the effort that both her and Ronan have been making.”

To view the video click this link.