Portraits of Clongowes

A Behavioural Economist by training, Colm Mulcahy’s work now involves decoding the ‘why’ behind economic decision-making, with some of the world’s biggest companies. He is a published author with The Psychologist, has been featured by Wired UK: Business and Technology, and elected a World Economic Forum Global Shaper. His work, as a Research Specialist, at Accenture’s Global Centre for R&D and inn...

Our guest today is a brand development manager for Bulmers, San Miguel and has worked with many other brand in the drinks sector. He has also been was a producer on BBC Radio 6 music as well as a podcaster and journalist for BBC 5 Live He graduated from UCG with a BCom and a Master of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from University of Salford, Manchester. Gerard Mannion left CWC in 2012

Dara Neligan is a Project manager with 3 Ireland. He studied in Maynooth and then did postgraduate in innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship in UCD and comes from Greystones. He is one of 5 brothers who went to CWC and a son of an impressive man I met during my recovery from stroke in Royal Hospital in Donnybrook, Maurice, who went to Synge Street the same years as my Father and imputation fo...

John Soden is CEO of Death Valley Whiskey. After his time in Clongowes he studied in Trinity, an MBA at UCLA and has spent his career in the drinks industry. Soden’s previous roles include business unit director at Pernod Ricard, managing director at Castle Brands, and vice-president of strategy and development at The Macallan owner Edrington. One of a number of brothers who went CWC , he left in...

Pat Nolan has spent a life time in publications, many related to tourism which evolved from a long standing and wide interest in family history He started his own organisation Irish Origins Research Agency. (IORA) as focus on providing a professional service to legal and corporate clients, often relating to estate and legacy matters. Has also developed sources useful for those undertaking their ow...

Andre Severi has over 35 years experience in investment banking and FinTech. After leaving Clongowes he studied at UCD earning a BA in Pure Economics as well as a Diploma in Business Studies. An international banking career spanning Paris, New York, London and Toronto both in FX trading and FX sales managing teams in various locations. A history of driving profitable growth and leading through tim...

Ed Byrne is a former Leinster and Ireland prop who moves to Cardiff later this summer. The Carlow native had been heavily linked with an interprovincial transfer to Ulster, but instead moves to WalesHe has made over a 109 appearances for his home province and also won six caps for Ireland since 2020. His first taste of Rugby was Carlow R.F.C, encouraged there by his older brother Mark. Ed and his...

Originally from Dublin, Robert now lives in Bannow, Co Wexford, with his wife, Angela, and their six children. Together, Robert and Angela founded the Kiltra School of Music (KSM), in 2009. KSM provides specialist music tuition to over 200 students every week, both in person to local students and virtually to students further afield. Previously, Robert has worked as a violinist with the RTÉ Nation...

Oran O’Kelly is the first Irish competitor in over a decade on the Dakar Rally making his debut in the bikes category. The 30-year-old was born to Irish parents in Dubai and grew up racing motocross in the UAE with his four brothers. But when he was 12, the family moved back to Ireland and he stopped riding for the best part of 15 years. It was only in 2020 that Oran decided to get back into the s...

Martin arrived in Clongowes in 1979 for a few years teaching having just qualified - he thought. In 2013 the Board of Management appointed him Assistant Headmaster of Clongowes succeeding Martin Nugent. He joined the academic staff originally in 1979 and became a stalwart of the English and Latin departments ever since. He has contributed to many other areas of school life including drama, soccer...

Peter Campion grew up in Offaly before moving to to Dublin. After finishing school he moved to London securing a place at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2010. Perhaps best known for tv roles in RTE’s Love/Hate and Channel 4s London Irish and Derry Girls Peter left Clongowes in 2005

Jim Deegan is CEO of Railtours Ireland First Class Ltd, Ireland's only dedicated rail tourism operator and operate a variety of one day tours to eleven day tours - inclusive of rail, coach, accommodation, throughout Ireland. Where you also get to sleep in castles. Now Ireland’s most sustainable incoming tour operator - as they use scheduled trains which ensures a low carbon footprint. Jim left CWC...

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) in Switzerland recently named Martin Moloney the new Deputy Secretary General starting next September He has just served as Secretary General of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), a position he was appointed to in September 2021 Prior to IOSCO, he was Director General of the Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) and also work...

Paddy Dominguez is President of Professional Football Agents Association (PROFAA) has been involved in elite sport worldwide since 1991.  Having worked with and represented athletes/coaches across many sports including, but not limited to, Football, Rugby Union/League, Olympic sports, Tennis and Motor sports. Paddy has also consulted and advised many of the world's most renowned clubs, organisatio...

Des Groome grew up on Ballinderry Stud, Carbury, Co. Kildare, attended primary school in Edenderry and boarded in Clongowes 1981-1987. Des began study in the UCD Veterinary College in 1987 and graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon in 1993. He rode as an amateur NH jockey throughout school and university , had Summer jobs with John Oxx, Jim Bolger, John Hammond and combined his love of racing and equin...

After leaving school Nick qualified as a Solicitor in the Asset Management and Investment Funds Unit of Arthur Cox in Dublin and AL Goodbody. He now runs his own business dog care company, Barkley, and is a startup Politician running in the 2024 local Elections. Nick studied a B Comm in UCD and his experience includes advising the promoters of, and service providers to, Irish domiciled investment...

From 1984-1992 Worked as a plant engineer in IMI Yorkshire Alloys, Birmingham, UK and later Redland Bricks, Horsham,UK In 1992-1995 Kevin was a Technical teacher in Burkina Faso, West Africa, Aid work with International Service, York, UK. In 1996 named Lecturer on the Mechatronics Programme, IT Sligo. Kevin left Clongowes in 1979.

Andrew Carlos is currently a prefect in Clongowes Wood College- poacher turned games keeper! Andrew attended Clongowes from 1997 to 2003 then went to UCD and studied English and History. After attaining his degree Andrew worked in banking with Deutsche Bank for a few years before getting a teaching diploma in San Diego State University, and teaching in Italy, Mexico and Saudi Arabia over the span...

Rory spent 20+ years in the video games industry based in Japan, Germany and subsequently in France, where he is now settled for the past 30 years. He amassed a wealth of knowledge in the videogames industry setting up distribution networks throughout europe. Following his 23 years in video games, he decided to go down the entrepreneurial route and co-founded a tech start-up in the personal data s...

Frank Waldron-Lynch is a globally recognised Physician-Scientist with over two decades of experience in leading research and clinical development in autoimmunity, transplant immunology, and rare diseases across academia, biotech, and pharmaceutical sectors. Frank is a distinguished Consultant Clinician with multi-layer expertise in Immunology, Translational Medicine, Internal Medicine, Endocrinolo...

Noel McNamara once advised students at Clongowes Wood College to “make your obsession your profession”. It’s fair to say that he’s lived that philosophy, leaving a permanent, pensionable position as a teacher to adopt, full-time, a different vocation as a professional rugby coach. The Clare native has taken to a road less travelled, to North Harbour in New Zealand, the Sharks in Durban and, since...

I thoroughly enjoyed my school days in CWC – however, it may come as a surprise to many to learn that, while in the Holiday Camp – I hated rugby [it was compulsory for all] and loved cricket and soccer! I am often asked when did I decide to join the Jesuits …….. I could not name a particular date or an event – it simply seemed the most-natural-thing-to-do when I came to take that last journey down...

David Sharkey is the director of Team Architecture Ltd, a communication consultancy in sport and business. Specialising in the use of themes and stories, Team Architecture Ltd has accrued a range of high profile clients across professional sport in Rugby, Soccer, Olympic Sport, GAA & Aussie Rules over the past few years. David is a former English and History teacher who spent 16 years working acro...

Paul Beddy attended Clongowes from 1970-76. After Clongowes he studied Commerce at night in the College of Commerce Rathmines while working in the family business. With a very young family, the family business closed in 1989 and Paul set up his own PPE manufacturing business with 10 ex-employees and money borrowed from friends. The Clongowes Benevolent Fund was of great assistance during that turb...

Max McFarland is a Scottish rugby union player with a unique background. A 2021 Olympian, he competed in the Tokyo Games for Team GB and represented Scotland at the Gold Coast 2018 commonwealth games. After graduating from Trinity College Dublin with degrees in Business and Russian, he began his professional career in the traditional 15-a-side format representing Leinster, Munster, and Glasgow. Ma...