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CLASS REUNION IN KILCORAN LODGE HOTEL: The Presentation Convent Secondary School Leaving Certificate class of 1970 who attended a class re-union in Kilcoran Lodge Hotel last Friday evening, seated, l-r: Margaret O’Mahony, Rose Hennessy, Breda Horgan, Maureen O’Connor, Kathleen O’Donovan, Aileen Wallace and Maureen Hyland. Back, l-r: Ann Roche, Mary C. Kearney, Fidelma Dunne, Geraldine Hanrahan, Margaret Keane, Hannah Crotty, Valerie O’Sullivan, Anne Coughlan, Mary O’Brien, Theresa Barrett and Mary Crotty. Photo: John Ahern

Kilcoran Lodge Hotel, caught in the cusp between the luxuriantly cultivated forests at the foothills of the Galtee Mountains, and the panoramic vista of the Knockmealdowns, was the chosen venue for the re-union of the girls from the 1970 class of the Presentation Convent, Mitchelstown, on Friday, 19 April. The concept of the re-union was born out of The Gathering Initiative of 2013, and was precisely the kind of event that The Gathering Ireland are trying to foster and encourage.

It should be noted that this was the first time in almost 43 years since the class came together, but it was evident that the class rekindled close personal ties and friendships from their memorable days back in 1970, and fortunate that death has not claimed any classmates of that year. It was indeed an emotional re-union with great memories of the formative years and it was to this end that a special tribute was paid to Margaret Champ (nee O’Mahoney, Ballindangan) who travelled all the way from Brisbane, Australia, to Geraldine Mackinnon (nee Hanrahan, Coracunna) who travelled from Alberta, Canada and to Hannah Haslam (nee Crotty, Skeheenarinky), who travelled from Leeds.

Out of a class of 22, 18 gathered and a video link was made with Olive Hagen (nee O’Brien, The Corner House) who was unable to make the trip at this time. The remaining three girls were absent due to personal family commitments. Out of the class of 22, there were 7 nurses, 2 teachers, 3 bankers, 1 librarian, 1 catering and the remainder were mostly employed in office administration in both the public and private sector.

Quoting from the speech delivered on the evening: “Understanding that time is a precious and a limited commodity, in coming here this evening we are helping to celebrate Life and the fact that we are still able to celebrate! There is no pressure associated with this evening. Because this Gathering is not a yardstick to measure personal achievement, salary comparisons or claims for overnight promotions. We have all been there, done that, the t-shirt recycled.”

It went on to say: “We are not entirely the same people that took those final steps from the memorable exam hall of the Presentation School almost 43 years ago. Back then we were all fresh faces, with dreams in hand, eager to stamp our own unique signature into this temporal world. We are glad to say that some of those dreams came to fruition, and the faces are still fresh, albeit with a few more laughter lines!

Whatever we have become, for the most part we are far better people than when we left the launching pad back in 1970, and while it is impossible to notice a glaring difference between then and now, except we are more articulate, expressive and more self assured of ourselves. We are more complete people”.

Following a delectable dinner at the Hotel, the Proprietor Connie and all his friendly staff pulled out ‘all the stops’ to make the occasion memorable, hence the celebrations continued well into the evening. The event was a resounding success and special gratitude was extended to Deirdre O’Sullivan, The Wardrobe, Flowers by Una, The Favourite, Doll’s House, The Style Lounge, Mitchelstown, Fiona Turley of Gallery Crafts, Kilworth, Newbridge Cutlery, Meagher's Pharmacy Dublin, and others too numerous to mention who kindly supported this re-union. The entire event was co-ordinated by Aileen Barry, Mitchelstown and Mary Ryan (O’Brien), Dublin.

Going forward, the Class of ’70 agreed to adopt the mantra of “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that matter don’t mind, and those that mind, don’t matter”.

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