McAlister Boys

Conor pictured as President 2012 Irish Dental Association

Vivian McAlister (1968-1973) - is the eldest of three brothers who came to Castleknock from St. Mary's College, Rathmines. Contemporaries from Mary's included John Marks, Peter Sandys and the late Cunningham brothers, Peter and John. After Castleknock, Vivian studied medicine in Trinity. Following early training in General Practice, he emigrated to Saskatchewan with his wife Christiane and their three daughters. He practised medicine for four years, including stints as a flying doctor. In 1985 Vivian returned to Ireland to study surgery at various Dublin hospitals, including two years at St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park. In 1990, the family returned to Canada where Vivian trained in liver surgery and transplantation in London, Ontario. Since 1992, he has been a liver specialist at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Science Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Vivian is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Dalhousie University where he teaches and has a research laboratory.

His three daughters attend Dalhousie University taking Arts or Science degrees. Recently his wife, Christiane, returned to university herself to take courses in Architecture. While university life is at present very much part of Vivian's family life, he is anxious to start work on his golf swing again! Vivian recently returned for, and greatly enjoyed his class 25 year reunion.

Conor McAlister (1968-1974) - started Castleknock with Vivian in the newly opened Junior School under the direction of Fr. Kevin O'Shea. Conor studied Dentistry at Trinity and moved to England after Graduation in 1979. After four years of general practice, he took a postgraduate degree in Restorative Dentistry at the University of London. Conor returned to Ireland in 1984 to join his father John in dental practice in Dublin. He teaches part-time at the Dental School in Trinity College. In 1985 he married Gervaise Corbet and they have thee daughters and one son. "Castleknock's greatest legacy for me has been the friendships made at school. I still meet regularly with Pat Buckley, Dan Lynch, Niall Mac Donagh, Robert Molloy and a few others. We're still close friends almost 30 years later!"

John McAlister (1974-80) RIP - After Castleknock, John studied medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons. He had a very happy time in college having been actively involved in the rugby and golf clubs particularly. Along with his great friend, Dan Heffernan, John was tragically killed in a car accident in 30 July 1984, at the age of 21. He is sadly missed by his friends and family.

May he rest in peace.