Conor McCarthy, Union President 2015

Fellow Past men,

I am both honoured and privileged to serve as President of your Union for 2015.

I will endeavour to continue the fantastic work of my recent predecessors who have prioritised revitalising the Union. It has become an excellent forum for past men of all generations to connect with others who share an enduring common bond. In the present climate, indeed in any climate, building upon and improving such a network makes great sense.

We've already hosted the business lunch where in excess of 350 past men met 13th February for some food, wine and good company. It was an excellent turnout and your support was greatly appreciated. We'll also host the traditional suite of other events - Good Friday Retreat, summer Golf Outing, Annual Dinner, Veterans Tennis tournament and Soccer & Tag Rugby Blitzes. Details will be advised in due course.

The tribesmen. led by Jeff Smith, have also taken it upon themselves to organise a Connacht Dinner in Galway, March 20th in the Ardilaun Hotel. It's an excellent opportunity for all on, or to take trip down to the western seaboard to catch up with friends of old. Guest speaker for the evening is Mickey Quinn so a must for the Lansdowne brigade amongst you. Please join us. More details online or email Jeff.

A key focus for the year ahead is to build up our Union Database, which currently holds email contact details for approx. 46% of past men, but this should be higher, especially so for the 50's and the most recent decades of the 90's & 00's. We use these contact details to occasionally advertise Union news & events and to support past men as they organise year group reunions. A recent trend noted for such reunions has seen a return to the College for mass, a tour and lunch and then off to a local hostelry for evening festivities. The Vincentian community welcome all such returning year groups so worth considering if organising your 10, 20, 25, 30 or 40 year out this year. You are also most welcome to use the Union website to host event notifications and subsequent event reports and picture galleries.

We are also supporting the College fund raising campaign towards building a new Sports Hall. In the last 100 years, past men have always stepped up to help finance College re/development, and we aim to continue that proud tradition. To those of you that have contributed already, thank you, and to the remainder, expect some mail across your desk shortly.

Finally, this is your Union, and managed on your behalf by a dedicated Committee of past men, any of whom would be delighted to receive your feedback, suggestions and/or participation enquiries.

Nos Autem In Nomine Domini,