Class of 1961 - 25th Reunion recap

Billy Gallagher, “his cheerfulness is infectious”

During the past year the 1961 class held a College reunion in the Shelboume Hotel and a most well attended enjoyable occasion it was, as can readily be judged from the picture below. The Union also used this as an opportunity to catch up on where this class are now, and those notes as published in the 1987 Chronicle, are reproduced below.

Sincere thanks, and deservedly so, were paid to JOHN SHEEDY (1956-61) who organised the occasion and how good it was to see so many present. When John left College he went to University and after doing his B.A. then qualified as a solicitor and is now a partner in his own practice in Sheedy Hickey & Co. here in Dublin. He is married and he and his wife Anne have three sons. If you ask him what his interests and hobbies are he would tell you. his family and after them golf and reading. Our best wishes to John and his family.

A visitor to the College during the year was CONOR DOOLEY (1956-61) and it was nice to meet him again after many years. Conor lives in Birr and has a thriving business there. He describes it as 'Hire and Hardware: Monument sculptor'. He is married to Phyllis Murphy and they have a family of four, three boys and a girl. He has still retained his interest in Rugby but also enjoys when he can find time fishing. To the family the College sends its best regards and a hope to meet soon again.

Another who was present at the Reunion was WILLIE COONAN (1956-61) and he was enthusiastic: Great to have reunion night out — Best wishes to all the Vins.' When Willie left College he joined the family Auctioneering Business and is still in the same business working harder than ever". He and his wife Mary have a family, two daughters and one son. They live in Kilcock. Co. Kildare and when he finds time after family and business commitments he enjoys not surprisingly for one from Kildare. horse racing and a game of golf. To Willie and his family all happiness and success.

Among those present at the 25th Reunion in the Shelboume Hotel it was very pleasant to meet BILLY GALLAGHER . Billy came to Castleknock in 1954 and when he left College in 1961 he joined the family shirt business. There he remained until 1969 when he decided to branch out and formed his own shirt manufacturing concern, buying a factory in Galway. In this business he concentrated mostly on export sales. There is no doubt how competitive one has to be to make one's mark in Ireland in the face of overseas competition but Billy has the necessary' qualifications . . . a business man. a fighter and with a tremendous loyalty to his staff. His cheerfulness is infectious and his outgoing personality is perhaps reflected in what he said were his pastimes — card-playing and horses. He now lives in Dublin with his wife Eithne (nee Collins) and their five children. May they enjoy all happiness and success.

I met PAUL FEIGHERY (1958-61) at their year's reunion and a very pleasant occasion it was. When Paul left Castleknock he went to University College Dublin where he took his BE degree in 1965. In 1969 he went to America where he commenced the MBA programme at the University of Pennslvannia and graduated in 1971. After returning to Ireland, in 1973 he was appointed managing director of SIAC Construction Ltd. and in his own words I am still battling on there. By way of recreation he says he was "a late comer to tennis but damage to knee ligaments playing "golden oldies" rugby has reduced level of activity." Nevertheless sailing and mountain climbing can still find time amid politics and business associations. Paul is married to Mary (nee Quigley) and they have two children. Like many pastmen Paul is interested in the future of Castleknock now that we shall have day boys as well as boarders. I was glad to assure him and all those at the reunion that the future of Castleknock is secure and that the spirit will remain unchanged.

One who was present at the Silver Jubilee Dinner was DERMOT CRIBBIN (1957-61). He was saying how much he enjoyed his years as a student in the College and also the reunion dinners which gave one an opportunity of meeting old friends. When Dermot left College he went to University College. Cork where he qualified in Medicine and Dentistry. He now has his own private practice in Ballinamore. Co. Leitrim where he lives with his wife June and their three children. Dermot. Eoin and Bryan. A busy practice keeps one occupied but he is able to find time for shooting and golf. Our good wishes go out to Dermot and his family.

STEWART HARRINGTON (1957-61) has his son. John, at present at Castleknock so naturally he is a constant visitor to the College but apart from that, ever since leaving school he has always been interested in the College Past Pupils Union and has been on the committee for the past three years. When Stewart left Castleknock he spent three years at the College of Technology. Bolton Street and then to University College Dublin where he graduated in Law in 1968. He continued to do Post Graduate studies there for a further two years and subsequently qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1972. He was formerly a partner in the Dublin office of the International Real Estate Consultants. Jones Lang Wootton before establishing his own practice in 1977. He has been actively involved in the Society of Chartered Surveyors and last year was Chairman of the Planning and Development Division. Stewart was recently appointed a Director of CIE and is also on the Board of Dublin Bus. He admits that at present he has very little time for outside interests apart from the odd game of Golf and he likes to travel when he gets the time. His loyalty to the College and his work for the PPU is therefore all the more appreciated here in Castleknock. To himself and his wife Alice (nee Redmond). his daughter Emma who is about to commence studies in Trinity College and to John we convey our best wishes.