Eoin steals the show on the big screen

A mother whose son was non-verbal until the age of five says seeing him perform in a movie was one of the proudest moments of her life. Maria Murphy's 11-year-old son, Eoin, was born six weeks premature in 2007. Despite meeting every other milestone, Eoin struggled with his speech and by the time he was due to start primary school had no words whatsoever and could only communicate through sign language.

“Eoin had specific speech and language impairment, his understanding and comprehension were perfect he just couldn't verbalise what he wanted to say. He tried his best, he had his own sign language that we soon began to understand so we knew what he wanted to say,” says mum of three, Maria, adding “but people would look at me to see what he was saying and not speak to him and that was soul destroying. It really knocked his confidence.”

“It was very frustrating for him trying to communicate. Playing with other children was also hard because they didn't understand why he couldn't talk and their patience would only last so long so he was very isolated. It was heartbreaking as a mother to see that. 

Through Enable Ireland and the HSE Eoin qualified to attend the Meath Language classes in St Mary's National School in Trim, a joint initiative between the Department of Education and the Department of Health.

“He went there for junior and senior infants. When he started he could not speak a word. When you are four years old, it's hard to get on a bus at 7 am and go to school until 4 pm and then come home and have all of this extra homework and there was a lot of extra work that had to be done at night with phonics. It was worth it though because slowly but surely people began to be able to communicate properly with him. When he started the classes in Trim first I cried my eyes out and when he was leaving I cried my eyes out.”

 

It was lights, camera, action for Eoin Murphy

After two years in Trim, Eoin was integrated into Carnaross School where he is now thriving according to Maria. 

“It has made him independent and now he's more articulate than anyone I know. He loves school now and is so happy.”

Several Carnaross Community Groups in Carnaross and Mullaghea came together this year to do one large community fundraiser. The event called It's A Wrap consisted of eight groups making their own versions of well-known movies all performed by local actors. As Maria was starring as Rev Mother Inferior in the film, Eoin was also keen to be involved as the proud mum explains, 

“Jean McGovern from Kells was writing the script for 'Bad Habits', a take on 'Sister Act' and she wrote a little part especially for Eoin. He played the part of Pablo a young waiter and altar boy who witnessed a robbery in a casino and saved the day when he spotted the gangsters in the church at the Pope’s visit.

“He stole the show and completely got into it. Everyone in our group was just amazed at his performance. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. His confidence got really shook as a result of his speech. To get up there, after all, he had been through and star in this film with us was just mind-blowing. 

“The support he got from everyone was fantastic, they encouraged him and built up his spirit.”

The movie screening was held recently in the Headfort Hotel. Being their very own Oscar esque event there was a panel of judges critiquing each production and Bad Habits won third place overall.

Eoin with proud mum Maria

“He was so excited on the night to see himself up there on the screen, he was proud of himself which is the most important thing. He worked so hard to get to where he is today. Even at the age of four and five, he was dedicated to doing all of the extra work. He did everything he had to do to improve his speech. I remember back in those days sending him off the bus wondering whether we were doing the right thing. It shows how important these classes are and there are only three schools in Meath that offer them.

Having got a taste of the limelight, the hard-working young man is now eager to keep the acting up. 

“I'm sure if the parish is doing it again next year he'll be first in the queue for a role, there's no stopping him now.”