Portraits of Clongowes

“The 17th of March 1978 will always be a special memory for everyone in Clongowes at the time. But especially those of us in Panel 1. The truth is we overcame huge psychological and physical hurdles to win a Leinster Schools Senior Cup that we probably had no right to win. I guess when your school hasn’t won a senior cup in 52 years it is not surprising that you become conditioned to losing gracef...

When my father retired officially in 1959, I had about 2,000 patients. I had the NHS practice and also the registration of Births, Deaths and Catholic Marriages for a few years. I married my wife, Winifred Lloyd from Bray in 1961 and I was able to appoint my wife as deputy to assist with registration as well as answering the phone. Also, I had the contract to look after Reed’s Factory. Gradually t...

Previously worked with: Du Pont Sustainable Solutions, Proudfoot, the Highland Group, PIP international, Jamieson Consulting, GMMC, Byrne Fleming, Brooklowe Clients: Anglo gold, Ashanti gold, Battle Mountain (Copper/ Gold), Emperor Mines (Gold), Barrick (Gold), De Beers (Diamonds), BHP coal, Goldfields (Gold), Acacia mines (Gold), Tharisa Platinum, Glencore (Nickel), Anglo American (coal), Orion (...

A sharp and witty writer Peter found a voice as a columnist for the Evening Herald for many years - and a film reviewer. Although he started out in comedy and was promoted in the early years by Billy McGrath. Billy (Billy Magra) started up Club Comedy in the Sportman’s Inn in Mount Merrion in 1982 featuring the likes of Kevin McAleer, Mannix Flynn, Helen Morrissey, Owen Roe (aka Ronald Raygun), Pe...

Ballinasloe-born Mike joined Jigsaw as Director of Communications and Fundraising in October 2016 from overseas children’s NGO Plan International Ireland. With an extensive background in marketing, communications and fundraising, Mike’s current role involves the strategic positioning of Jigsaw as a central character in the Irish story of young people’s mental health, a character with deep experien...

Michael Medeiros is a Presenter and Content Creator who left Clongowes in 2018. Having attained a BSc in Chemical Sciences with Medicinal Chemistry, Mick decided to go down a different route and pursue his passion for social media. Having worked with many notable brands such as BBC, Virgin Media, Premier League, Adidas, EA Sports and LADBible to name a few, Mick’s contagious energy has enabled him...

Tendai O'Connor graduated from UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science with a Degree in Food and AgriBusiness Management in 2012. Since graduation he has had a successful career with Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard and was a recent recipient of the Grad Ireland 'Graduate of the Year award His association with Clongowes is very unique and he shared his story from Mozambique, where he works as Head...

Michael ‘Mocky’ Sheil left Clongowes in 1956 to enter the Jesuits and returned in future years to fulfil nearly every role in the school throughout the years other than Headmaster. He still remains thee today steadfast and strong. Michael has always seen his role in schools as pastoral, as an expression of his priesthood, and he has been tireless in serving those committed, in one capacity or anot...

Patrick Coveney joined SSP Group plc in March 2022 as Group CEO. His focus on colleagues, customers, culture and performance alongside his proven ability to quickly develop strong relationships make him well placed to lead SSP to future success. Patrick is a strategic, people focused leader with extensive food industry knowledge having previouslyspent 14 years as CEO at Greencore Group plc, a lead...

Joe Rooney left Clongowes in 1979, and after studying in UCD, he worked in the finance sector in London and New York. He is chair of the School's Finance Committee, and after taking early retirement, he volunteered his services to the Clongowes Foundation. Outside of Clongowes, he is the interim chair of an Irish registered company. The Alberto Hurtado Bursary Programme (AHP), is a scheme inspired...

Martin Nugent came to Clongowes in 1975 and spent thirty-eight of his forty years of teaching have been in CWC In more recent times he has been Chair of Fundraising at Clongowes Wood College, 2013-2017. Initially a teacher of Irish when he came first and then added Social Awareness and German Martin was also Assistant Headmaster 2000-2013 and member of Board of Management 2002-2O13. A great sports...

Colm Maloney, son of Bridie and Pat, husband to Helen and dad of Colm, Moyá, Bridget and Aoife. Brother to Patrick (OC’88) Stephen (OC’90) and sister Lavina (Cross and Passion ‘92) College President in Cistercian College Roscrea, Chair of the Association of Boarding Schools Ireland and member of the Leinster Schools Committee. He was also formally Head of Boarding and Director of Rugby at Kilkenny...

Níall Beddy is a Rhino Conservationist developing rhino protection programs in South Africa. He assists reserves in the endless war on poaching by training wildlife monitoring units that track and collect data on the species daily. The aim of these programs is to encourage reserves to grow populations and diversify rhino genetics as populations continue to collapse around the world. He also develo...

Founder and Managing Partner of Irelandia Aviation,which has built five low cost carriers to date: o Ryanair o Allegiant o Tigerair o Viva Aerobus in Mexico o Viva Air in Colombia and Peru • Co-Founder of Ryanair with Ryan family. • Former Executive Chairman of VivaAir. • Ex-CEO of Ryanair. Member of Board 1986-2004. • Past Board of VivaAerobus, Tiger and Allegiant. • Founder of One Foundation, a...

Bobby Smith is a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist who is clinical lead at three adolescent addiction services in Dublin. He is also a Clinical Professor in Trinity College Dublin. He is a member of the National Oversight Committee of the National Drugs Strategy. After leaving Clongowes in 1985, he studied medicine in UCD. His career as a doctor has involved periods of time working in Dub...

Bidemi Afolabi is co-founder at ProMotion Rewards, revolutionising consumer-brand relationships through our platform. Through empowering CPG brands with first-party shopping data, we've earned accolades such as Trinity College Dublin Launchbox. A qualified Pharmacist and Laidlaw Research Scholar, I bring a distinctive view to tech and business. Recognised in The Irish Times' '50 People to Watch in...

Liz O’Kane was the first Buyer's Agent in Ireland setting up her business in 2002, whereby she exclusively represents the purchaser in the acquisition of residential properties, for clients both in Ireland and overseas. ‘I'm lucky to have a fantastic variety of work, both in written and broadcast media which is a great addition to my business and a lot of fun!' Liz first presented House Hunters an...

Drawing upon an academic career spanning over two decades, Edward Collins began his education career focusing on political marketing before gradually transitioning into a facilitator for SME marketing strategy development across various industries, including agriculture technology, food technology, and the arts. Eds career has expanded to include a growing interest in supporting fellow educators i...

Rossa McDermott was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and lived in Nigeria, UK snd Spain before doing the entrance exam to Clongowes in 1972. Aside from holidays in Ireland, Rudiments was the first extended stay of six years in Ireland. Rossa graduated from UCD and despite a fascination for Spanish politics never completed his MA. An aspiring interest in sports journalism ended with a career came in sales...

John Cullen left Clongowes in 1977, and joined the family business serving a five-year apprenticeship encompassing all the elements of the natural stone industry. From 1995 to 2006, explored new markets and opportunities by engaging in the completion of a number of high-end private residences in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, a few years later coordinated the supply...

Hugon was born in Galway. His mother was Irish and his father Polish. He went to school in the Jesuits' St Ignatius College Galway, finishing up in Blackrock College for the final five years. Back then to Galway and UCG where he completed a BA in French and German followed by the H Dip. In UCG he captained the highly successful under 19 team which won the Connaught league and cup that year. The ne...

Brendan Cullen, is now a local Clane historian but formerly a teacher of history and geography in Clongowes (1971-2007). Brendan hails originally from Wicklow Town and arrived to life in Kildare via Belfast, Dublin and Michael O’Dowd - a former deputy headmaster who passed away suddenly in 1988 - with whom he had worked in Dublin. Now retired from teaching Brendan cofounded Clane Local History Gro...

John Rock attended Clongowes OC’78 and Trinity College Dublin ’82 where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies. He then trained for a period as a Trainee Accountant with KPMG - Stokes, Kennedy & Crowley in Dublin, before moving to London where he qualified with CIMA as a Chartered Management Accountant and then embarking on a long career in Investment Banking initially, with JPM...

David Hegarty, 93, was Clongowes school captain in 1949. That same year he travelled to the USA for three months, one of 30 selected from European countries as part of a project related to the Marshall Plan. During his time there he met President Truman in the White House as well as numerous celebrities he later travelled to Los Angeles. David, like Dr Aidan MacCarthy VC GM, hailed from Castletown...

Liam was born in Dublin in 1943, attended Crescent SJ Junior School and Belvedere. He joined the Jesuits in 1961. As a scholastic he worked at Mungret College SJ, in Limerick, and at Clongowes, and was ordained in 1973. Liam returned twice to Clongowes, as a Prefect from 1975 to 1977, and as Headmaster from 1997 to 1982. Liam also served as Headmaster at Crescent, and was Socius (Assistant/Compani...