30's Pastmen at SVC to celebrate 60th Reunion

Front row: Dermot Murphy, Brendan Carbery, Bill Kelly, Dermot McCarthy, Alex Blaney, Maurice Carbery, Ned Cheasty, Jack Hinds, Liam Cosgrave, Desmond McMorrow; Middle row: Kevin O'Shea, Brendan Clarke, Jack Brereton, Noel Judd, Vincent Sheehan, Conor Moloney, Andy Spelman, Billy Behan; Back row: John Des Hill, Sean Flannery, Niall McGovern, Jim Hally, Kevin O'Sullivan, Gerard Greene, Larry Curran, Florence D. O'Connor, Jim Dundon.

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The chief instigator and organiser for this celebration was Jimmy Hally (Waterford), ably assisted by Fr Andy Spelman CM (Phibsborough) and Billy Behan (Castleknock). A preliminary list was prepared and circulated to those whose address was known, with the request that they should amend it. Sadly many of those on the list had died, but slowly the addresses of many of those still with us were found.

What began as a class of 36 reunion quickly became a mid-thirties reunion as others began to show an interest, and it was difficult to decipher who was in what year. In those days class formation was not as rigid as it is to-day. The College policy was that many boys sat for their matriculation in Fifth Year. Those who were successful had two options, one to leave Knock and enter University, or to return to Knock, have a good year knowing that the Leaving Certificate results were irrelevant. Thankfully no great examination hype in those days.

The sun shone beautifully on the College on the evening of Friday June 14th, as some 25 stalwart members of the mid-thirties assembled outside reception. Introductions were the order of the day as some had not met for many years. The party were welcomed to the College by the President Fr Kevin O'Shea, and Fr Maurice Carbery who had left Castleknock in 1926. We then moved to the College chapel for a Mass, celebrated by Fr O'Shea, Fr M. Carbery and three of our year, Canon Brendan Carbery, Frs Desmond McMorrow and Andy Spelman. During the Offertory Jimmy Hally and Billy Behan presented, on behalf of all present, a beautiful set of Crystal cruets to the College.

The inscription read

"From the students of the 30's to the College of the 90's"

After Mass we had our group photograph and adjourned to the Community Room for some light refreshments. The dinner was held in the familiar boys refectory. Memories and stories of bygone days were recalled. Our sincere thanks to Ms. Catherine Healy and her staff for their wonderful meal. It was as good as any feast day dinner of the mid-thirties. It was with a certain nostalgia that we slowly parted company at about 9.30 pm, grateful that we had the reunion and glad that we made the effort to he there.