My Hero was written by the Transition Year students of Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel during an RTÉ Big Music Week songwriting workshop as part of the Big Music Train. Led by Luan Parle, with music production by Gavin Ralston, what began as a three-hour songwriting workshop became an extraordinary and deeply moving project.

The students had recently lost a much-loved teacher who had inspired so many within their school community. Through songwriting, they found a way to honour her memory, expressing their grief, gratitude, and love in a song that became a powerful tribute.

What followed exceeded everyone’s expectations. Released in aid of a charity close to their teacher’s heart, My Hero became a nationwide success. The song reached No. 7 on the Official Irish Singles Chart, received extensive national media coverage, and even prompted Paddy Power to open odds on it becoming Ireland’s Christmas No. 1. The students later performed the song aboard the RTÉ Big Music Train in the presence of their teacher’s family, creating an unforgettable and deeply moving tribute.

My Hero remains a testament to the power of songwriting—not only as a creative process, but as a way to heal, connect communities, and create something with a lasting legacy.