Tara Maher and Eve Lonergan
Passage West native Cian Ducrot won his first Grammy for songwriting at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles at the weekend.
Ducrot picked up the award for his efforts in co-writing SZA's hit track Saturn, which was named Best R&B Song at the awards.
He marked the milestone by taking to Instagram to say he "can't believe it".
The former St. Peter's Community School student sold out headline shows in Dublin and Cork last year and toured North America with Callum Scott last year.
Ducrot was a popular singer in Cork throughout his teens and gained recognition on Tik Tok. He won RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Irish Song of the Year with his track Heaven.
He returns to Cork this summer to play Live At The Marquee on July 19th.
Singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot took a trip down memory lane before Christmas as he visited his Alma Mater St. Peter’s Community School in his hometown of Passage West.

Cian Ducrot return came shortly after it had been announced he was nominated for the prestigious Grammy award. In what was an inspiring visit and spent an afternoon reconnecting with the place that shaped much of his educational years.
The visit, which was organised as part of the school’s ongoing commitment to fostering connections with alumni, coincided with the making of a documentary for Virgin Media that is being produced about Cian’s life.
It also provided an opportunity for staff to meet the talented musician and hear first-hand about his journey from a student at St. Peter’s to an international music artist.
As Cian Ducrot stepped back onto the familiar grounds of his former school, he was greeted with a warm reception from Principal Tony McSweeney. Walking through the halls where his own academic journey began, Cian could not help but reminisce about the teachers who made a difference in his life and the friends he made during his time there. In advance of the visit, former
peers had sent Cian videos of him performing in the school and also shared memories and stories.
Principal Tony McSweeney said “It was great to have Cian back, we got to catch up and chat about his global success, however he was very keen to reminisce on his time in St. Peter’s and what a positive relationship he had with staff, and he talked about the different memories he recalled from different parts of our school.
“We walked the halls and Cian was shocked to see his picture up from a decade old talent show on our school corridor. Even then, his talent was evident, but it has been his work ethic and resilience which has helped foster such an amazing musical career.
“Cian was drawn to our student leadership wall and I explained that this is our way of recognising and acknowledging student achievement in different aspects of life, both within school and out in the community. Cian came across our school piano in its new location and was happy to sit and perform and he commented positively on the nostalgic effect his visit was having.”
Once just a talented boy from Passage West, Cian has recently received a Grammy nomination for his part in the songwriting in ‘Saturn’ by acclaimed R&B artist SZA. Cian’s visit home wasn’t just about looking back—it was also about inspiring the future.
By sharing his experiences and offering encouragement, Cian hopes to ignite a sense of possibility in the students. Whether they aspire to be musicians, artists, or anything else, he emphasised the importance of following one’s dreams, no matter the obstacles.
Principal Tony McSweeney also commented how grateful the school was for the visit “Cian is a wonderful example of how hard work, determination, and staying true to yourself can lead to success. His success has been incredibly inspiring for both our students and staff, and we are so proud of everything he has accomplished.
“We as a school are so proud of our past and our present and in the past two years we have had visits from past pupils such as Michael and Seamus McGrath, Aisling Roche, Laura Russel and now Cian, all of which are chances for us to celebrate the achievements of our alumni, while also serving to inspire and motivate our current students to set the highest of standards and expectations.”
The visit was a reminder of the powerful role education plays in shaping individuals who go on to make an impact in the world. For the students of St. Peter’s, Cian Ducrot’s visit was a clear demonstration of the limitless potential they all have within them.
As the day came to an end, Cian took a final walk around the school, reflecting on the journey that had brought him from these very classrooms to stages around the world. Cian also promised that the next visit would not be so long, as it was his first time in the school in 10 years.
He was delighted to read about the upcoming musical and wished staff and students all the best for the event.

Comments