EVENTS REPORTS
20 Year Reunion Class 1993 - Blackrock College and BCRFC Stradbrook
| Date : | Friday, 3rd May 2013 |
On a balmy May night in 2012, six of us from the Class of 1993 met in O'Brien's of Leeson Street to embark on planning our 20-year reunion. None of us were entirely sure how or why we had been given this mission, however, this night proved to be a mini-reunion in itself, and was enjoyed so much that we were all more than happy to play our part in what proved to be a fantastic occasion.
Myself (Shane McGlynn), Conor McKeon, Paul Murphy, Marcus OConnor, Karl ONeill and Frank Turvey were charged with the simple task of organizing of the event but we soon realized that the job was far from straightforward. Armed with little more than a dated list of our 93 classmates mostly the address and number of family homes from the time of our graduation our main challenge was to contact as many as possible to let them know about the event, and in some cases varying levels of arm twisting was applied. Any of you familiar with the famed rural sport of herding cats will appreciate the work involved.
Thankfully we received a very positive response from those that we did contact, with Facebook and LinkedIn proving very useful tools. We managed to make contact with the vast majority of our peers, with very few proving un-contactable (if you didnt hear from us where are you?? Please contact the union office, update your details and we will see you next time!).
As the months passed, our organizing meetings became more business like occasionally taking place away from the pub. Â The vast majority of those that we did contact were very excited about the event. Naturally it didnt suit everyone, and those who could not make it on the night kindly wished everybody well. As the day of the reunion approached we doubled our efforts and the numbers began to swell we hoped to reach 100 attendees, but we would have to work for it.
And so May 3rd 2013 rolled in, the day of the reunion. A golf competition took place in the morning in Woodbrook GC. The weather held up well, and despite the numbers participating being relatively low, this did not detract from the fun and the banter that was enjoyed throughout. The winner on the day is yet to be announcedan ongoing stewards inquiry, but John O'Beirne played well on the day.
Later in the afternoon we moved on to the school where we enjoyed the finest of tea, coffee and biscuits and it was clear that a buzz was in the air. It was great to be back in the school and to see so many familiar faces. The family of Charlie McCulloch, who sadly died soon after leaving school, joined us. Their presence brought in to focus how privileged we all are to simply be there. This was understandably a very difficult time for the McCulloch family, and we were honoured that they accepted our invitation to attend.
During the Mass John Hogan and Rob Kelly spoke from the heart on how Blackrock College impacted positively on aspects of their lives. Rob gave a particularly honest and open insight to his life, both past and present and many commented afterwards that this made the Mass in the chapel a highlight of the evening. Thanks to Tom Nash, for celebrating and all his input throughout the night.
Following the Mass we enjoyed a quick photoshoot in the quad, with the usual messing involved, then on to Stradbrook for dinner. All ran smoothly until we lost one coach to dirty diesel, but on arrival in the rugby club it was immediately clear the effort that had been put in. With the tables set, photos and booklets placed, music and video montage running and blue & white everywhere the scene was set for a great night.
Dinner was served and stories were told. Friendships were rekindled and fond memories recalled. The air of camaraderie on the night was really special this was noted repeatedly.
The President of the Union, Brian O'Sullivan, kindly joined us and spoke very well to an excitable audience. I said a few words on behalf of the committee and after a prize giving and some general banter Marcus O'Connor rose to deliver a rabble-rousing speech, whipping his audience, and himself into a wild frenzy! Dinner was ended.
Many people were involved in making the occasion a success, between time, services, sponsorship and assistance thanks to you all. And thanks to those who travelled great distances to be there, it all added up to make the night.
All told we had 116 in attendance, and raised over 2,000 for the union charities, helped greatly by generous donations made by a number in the year. Thank you gents.
So, all that is left to say is bring on 2023 when we can do it all over again!
Shane McGlynn
Class of 1993 Reunion Organising Committee
Shane McGlynn, Conor McKeon, Paul Murphy, Marcus OConnor, Karl ONeill and Frank Turvey
Myself (Shane McGlynn), Conor McKeon, Paul Murphy, Marcus OConnor, Karl ONeill and Frank Turvey were charged with the simple task of organizing of the event but we soon realized that the job was far from straightforward. Armed with little more than a dated list of our 93 classmates mostly the address and number of family homes from the time of our graduation our main challenge was to contact as many as possible to let them know about the event, and in some cases varying levels of arm twisting was applied. Any of you familiar with the famed rural sport of herding cats will appreciate the work involved.
Thankfully we received a very positive response from those that we did contact, with Facebook and LinkedIn proving very useful tools. We managed to make contact with the vast majority of our peers, with very few proving un-contactable (if you didnt hear from us where are you?? Please contact the union office, update your details and we will see you next time!).
As the months passed, our organizing meetings became more business like occasionally taking place away from the pub. Â The vast majority of those that we did contact were very excited about the event. Naturally it didnt suit everyone, and those who could not make it on the night kindly wished everybody well. As the day of the reunion approached we doubled our efforts and the numbers began to swell we hoped to reach 100 attendees, but we would have to work for it.
And so May 3rd 2013 rolled in, the day of the reunion. A golf competition took place in the morning in Woodbrook GC. The weather held up well, and despite the numbers participating being relatively low, this did not detract from the fun and the banter that was enjoyed throughout. The winner on the day is yet to be announcedan ongoing stewards inquiry, but John O'Beirne played well on the day.
Later in the afternoon we moved on to the school where we enjoyed the finest of tea, coffee and biscuits and it was clear that a buzz was in the air. It was great to be back in the school and to see so many familiar faces. The family of Charlie McCulloch, who sadly died soon after leaving school, joined us. Their presence brought in to focus how privileged we all are to simply be there. This was understandably a very difficult time for the McCulloch family, and we were honoured that they accepted our invitation to attend.
During the Mass John Hogan and Rob Kelly spoke from the heart on how Blackrock College impacted positively on aspects of their lives. Rob gave a particularly honest and open insight to his life, both past and present and many commented afterwards that this made the Mass in the chapel a highlight of the evening. Thanks to Tom Nash, for celebrating and all his input throughout the night.
Following the Mass we enjoyed a quick photoshoot in the quad, with the usual messing involved, then on to Stradbrook for dinner. All ran smoothly until we lost one coach to dirty diesel, but on arrival in the rugby club it was immediately clear the effort that had been put in. With the tables set, photos and booklets placed, music and video montage running and blue & white everywhere the scene was set for a great night.
Dinner was served and stories were told. Friendships were rekindled and fond memories recalled. The air of camaraderie on the night was really special this was noted repeatedly.
The President of the Union, Brian O'Sullivan, kindly joined us and spoke very well to an excitable audience. I said a few words on behalf of the committee and after a prize giving and some general banter Marcus O'Connor rose to deliver a rabble-rousing speech, whipping his audience, and himself into a wild frenzy! Dinner was ended.
Many people were involved in making the occasion a success, between time, services, sponsorship and assistance thanks to you all. And thanks to those who travelled great distances to be there, it all added up to make the night.
All told we had 116 in attendance, and raised over 2,000 for the union charities, helped greatly by generous donations made by a number in the year. Thank you gents.
So, all that is left to say is bring on 2023 when we can do it all over again!
Shane McGlynn
Class of 1993 Reunion Organising Committee
Shane McGlynn, Conor McKeon, Paul Murphy, Marcus OConnor, Karl ONeill and Frank Turvey
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