Colm & Lucy Surprise Ballyfermot Class with Signed Books After On-Air Win

03/03/2026

Est. Reading: 3 minutes

Paul Sherwood Photographer - Classic Hits, Classic Kindness: Colm & Lucy Surprise St. Raphaels School, Ballyfermot 3rd Class with Signed Books After an On-Air Win Classic Hits, Classic Kindness: Colm & Lucy Surprise St. Raphaels School, Ballyfermot 3rd Class with Signed Books After an On-Air Win

Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio brought huge excitement to Ballyfermot today...

St. Rapahel's Primary School was filled with excitement and pride as Ms Sweeney’s 3rd class celebrated a very special prize — a personal visit from Colm Hayes and Lucy Kennedy following their win on Colm and Lucy in the Morning.

Paul Sherwood Photographer - Classic Hits, Classic Kindness: Colm & Lucy Surprise St. Raphaels School, Ballyfermot 3rd Class with Signed Books After an On-Air Win

The delighted pupils were presented with signed copies of Lucy’s newest children’s book, Under the Floorboards of 39A, in a surprise that turned an ordinary school day into an unforgettable literary celebration.

Ms Sweeney’s class are known as some of the most enthusiastic, book-loving young readers you could meet. They devour every story that comes their way, constantly swapping recommendations and proudly making their school library one of their favourite places to spend time. The atmosphere was electric as Colm and Lucy arrived, greeted by smiling faces and bubbling excitement.

Paul Sherwood Photographer - Classic Hits, Classic Kindness: Colm & Lucy Surprise St. Raphaels School, Ballyfermot 3rd Class with Signed Books After an On-Air Win

Among the pupils was Mia Ormsby, a budding young writer who dreams of becoming an author herself one day. Meeting a published author — and hearing first-hand about the journey from idea to printed book — was a particularly meaningful moment for her and her classmates.

Speaking during the visit, Lucy Kennedy said: “I was so happy to be able to give my new book, Under the Floorboards of 39A, to such a deserving class.”

Colm Hayes added: “It was brilliant to see the kids so excited with smiles on their faces. Happy reading!”

The visit not only rewarded the class for tuning in, but sparked creativity and confidence throughout the room. Each child left clutching a personally signed copy of the book — a keepsake sure to be treasured for years to come — and a memory that will inspire many more stories to be read and written in Ballyfermot.

Paul Sherwood Photographer - Classic Hits, Classic Kindness: Colm & Lucy Surprise St. Raphaels School, Ballyfermot 3rd Class with Signed Books After an On-Air Win

St Raphael shared the winning text that was sent into the radio station.

Good morning! My name is Sinead (Ms Kavanagh to the kids here!)

I would absolutely love to enter St. Raphael’s NS, Ballyfermot for the chance to win a visit and a copy of Lucy’s new book for one very deserving class.

Ms. Sweeney’s 3rd class are some of the most enthusiastic, book loving children you could ever meet. They devour every story that comes their way and constantly swap recommendations with each other. Our school library is one of their favourite places to be!

One very special girl in the class dreams of becoming an author herself one day. She is always writing stories at home and in school, filling pages with her imagination. Meeting a real author and hearing about the journey from idea to published book would mean the world to her and to the whole class.

A visit from Lucy would not only inspire our budding writer, but would spark creativity and confidence in every child in the room. Having a signed copy of her new book for each child would be something they would treasure for years to come.

Thank you so much for considering St. Raphael’s we would give Lucy the warmest Ballyfermot welcome ever!

Paul Sherwood Photographer - Classic Hits, Classic Kindness: Colm & Lucy Surprise St. Raphaels School, Ballyfermot 3rd Class with Signed Books After an On-Air Win

Written by Louise Ducrocq

Louise is an expert content creator, and online author for Ireland's Classic Hits Radio. She's evolved in a few different fields, including mental health and travel, and is now excited to be part of the wonderful word of Radio.

> View other articles by this author