Welcome to the Rockwell College Union News section. This section is now organised in decade-by-decade order so you can find news about the people you know faster. Just click on the decades above to go to your decade and read about the movers and shakers from your time at the Rock.

6 Past Pupils from the 2005 Class Year join the Governing Body

6 Past Pupils from the 2005 Class Year joined the Governing Body at the November meeting. The president, John Duffy, welcomed Doireann McMorrow, Peter Shallow, Micheal Buckley, Kyle Kophamel, David Foley and Conor Quinlan to the Governing Body.

Doireann is studying Sports Science in DCU, Peter is studying Government and Public Policy in UCC, Micheal is studying law in UCD, Kyle is studying medicine in UCD and David is studying computer science in UCD.

The addition of the 6 new members follows on from 7 members of the 2004 class year joining the Governing Body in October 2004 and reflects the increasingly young age profile of the Governing Body membership.

We look forward to them all having a long and beneficial association with the Governing Bod

Governing Body Committee Changes

We welcome 4 new members of the GB – Paul Marren, Joe Barrett, Liam Flynn and Gerry Rockingham, while 5 members have left – Peter Quinn, Denis Finn, Michael Quaid, Mick Morrissey and Martin Taylor. Many thanks to retiring members for their contributions.It is also intended to recruit 2 or 3 new members from the class of 2005 later in the autumn

Governing Body Welcome New Members

At the October Governing Body meeting our President Billy Murphy welcomed three new members from the class of 2004 to the meeting, Mary O'Connell, Lorna Pierse and Aidan Byrne. Mary is studying engineering in Trinity, Lorna is studying Business and French in Trinity and Aidan is doing Pharmacy also in Trinity. They are all class of 2004. Aidan and Mary are from Clonmel and Lorna is from Tipperary Town. They were all Scholarahip students to Rockwell (started attending Rockwell in September 1999).
Others who are joining the Governing Body are Emma Jane Morrissey, J.D. Flynn, Owen O'Sullivan and David Roche.
We are also pleased to welcome Mark Moran who is joining the GB.Mark from the class of 1979 is the Chief Executive of the Mater Private Hospital.

Well done and hope that they enjoy their time on the Governing Body

Recent Past Pupils join Governing Body

Both Clodagh Beresford (Class 1992) and Sheila Ryan (Class 2002) have joined the Governing Body of the Union. Clodagh, a graduate of UCG (now NUIG) and a practising Solicitor in Dublin and Sheila, winner of the Denis Jones Cup presented by the Union for the highest points achieved in the Leaving Certificate (6 A1's) in 2002, is a student in UCD where she is studying Physiotherapy.
The President, Patrick Curran, on welcoming Clodagh and Sheila to the Governing Body commented that the influx of recent past pupils brings its own dynamism and changes to the Union whilst at the same time ensuring its continued growth and success. The addition of both individuals, together with Evan Lonergan (Class 1996) and Angela Kelly (Class 1990) who joined during the Summer, brings to 10 the number of members on the Committee of the Governing Body who left Rockwell in the 1990's and reflects the ever increasing popularity that the Union and its various functions are achieving with past pupils who have recently left Rockwell . This is especially evident in the increased attendance at the Annual Dinner, held in Dublin in March each year, and this function is probably the social highlight of the year on the Union Calendar.

New Associate Director for Dublin Estate Agency

Tipperary man Mark Smyth M.I.A.V.I. (Class 1990) has been made an Associate Director of Dublin Estate Agency firm Ganly Walters. Based in Lr Baggot Street, Dublin 2, Mark is involved in all aspects of commercial property but specialises in Development Land Sales and Office Premises.

Recent Past Pupils join Governing Body

Both Clodagh Beresford (Class 1992) and Sheila Ryan (Class 2002) have joined the Governing Body of the Union. Clodagh, a graduate of UCG (now NUIG) and a practising Solicitor in Dublin and Sheila, winner of the Denis Jones Cup presented by the Union for the highest points achieved in the Leaving Certificate (6 A1's) in 2002, is a student in UCD where she is studying Physiotherapy.
The President, Patrick Curran, on welcoming Clodagh and Sheila to the Governing Body commented that the influx of recent past pupils brings its own dynamism and changes to the Union whilst at the same time ensuring its continued growth and success. The addition of both individuals, together with Evan Lonergan (Class 1996) and Angela Kelly (Class 1990) who joined during the Summer, brings to 10 the number of members on the Committee of the Governing Body who left Rockwell in the 1990's and reflects the ever increasing popularity that the Union and its various functions are achieving with past pupils who have recently left Rockwell . This is especially evident in the increased attendance at the Annual Dinner, held in Dublin in March each year, and this function is probably the social highlight of the year on the Union Calendar.

Kelly steps up at Easons

Congratulations to Angela Kelly (Class 1990) who has recently taken up a position with Easons & Son, the Wholesale Newsagents and Retailers in Dublin. Originally from Cashel, she joins the Financial Accountants Department in the Company. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Angela was formerly in Private Practice with both Caplin Meehan and KPMG Chartered Accountants.

Ecom in Indian Alliance

Cork Call Centre Company Ecom Interaction has formed an alliance with Indian Call Centre Zensar . Under the terms of the deal, the companies will together invest EUR 1 million in a co-managed call centre service. Ecom International Chief Executive Karl Llewellyn (Class 1988) said that the deal did not represent a threat to the company's Irish concerns and in fact offered clients the best of both worlds. "We're using Ireland's renowned expertise in the call centre arena to win international tenders that will be managed in Ireland and processed in India " he said. "The deal will enable us to handle increased and larger contracts and will open up more jobs within the company. We can now offer our clients up to 400 agents' seats, working 24 / 7 in five languages at a combined price of half of the European average", Llewellyn commented. Ecom Interaction was established in November 2001 and employs 85 people in Dublin and Clonakilty in West Cork

Garvey steps up at LK Sheilds

Hugh Garvey (Class 1984) appointed Senior Partner at LK Shields, Solicitors , Dublin. Hugh who is a member of the Union and a regular attender at our functions was recently appointed a Senior Partner at LK Shields, Solicitors in Dublin.

Dolmen buys broking arm of BCP

Dolmen Butler Briscoe, Stockbrokers, has acquired the stockbroking arm of BCP for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition will see all of BCP's stockbroking clients, thought to number in the region of 12,000, transfer to an enlarged Dolmen which will have some 20,000 private clients serviced through the Companies offices in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Co - Founded by Ronan Reid (Class 1983) as Dolmen Securities in the 1980's, the Company merged with Butler Briscoe in 1988 and it is understood the Groups majority owner, Munich Re, considered the acquisition the perfect opportunity to grow the stockbroking business at a time of market uplift. Ronan, a former speaker at the Union Business Lunch, is Joint Managing Director of the Company.

Cabinet Approves Judicial Appointments

The Government recently made a number of changes in the judiciary and these include the appointment of Desmond A Zaidan (Class 1981) to the District Court.

The appointments will be made by President McAleese.

Desmond was born in December 1962 and his early education took place in Lebanon and Sierra Leone before attending Rockwell College. On leaving school, he studied at Trinity College Dublin where he graduated with a BSc and an MA. He later studied at the King's Inns and was called to the Bar in 1990. He is a member of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

He now joins another former Rockwell student on the Bench, John L Murray (Class 1961) , who is the Chief Justice.

The Union congratulate Desmond on his recent appointment.

 

Pierse to the fore in British Senior Open Golf Championship

Congratulations to Amateur Arthur Pierse (Class 1970) , of the well known golfing family from Tipperary Town, who recently played in the British Senior Open Championship in Turnberry and which also included world renowned golfers Tom Watson, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Kite. Fifty-two year old Pierse, chasing a third gold medal for finishing leading amateur posted back to back 67's to finish on one under par 139 after day 2.Eleven years an Irish International from 1976 and Walker Cup player in 1983, Arthur states that he learnt the game from a book " My handicap is plus 1 and I learned to play golf by reading Ben Hogan's book The Modern Fundamentals of Golf which I would recommend to anybody, and I've never had a golf lesson ". Together with his twin brother Gerry (Class 1970), they own a major car dealership in Tipperary Town.

Fr. Billy Cleary C.S.Sp. - New President of Rockwell

Fr. Billy Cleary C.S.Sp. was appointed to succeed Fr. Sean Broderick CSSp as President of Rockwell by the Des Places Educational Association, the Patron of the College.

Fr. Billy is of the class of 1972. Since leaving Rockwell he has studied for the missionary priesthood at the Holy Ghost Missionary College, Kimmage Manor and at U.C.D. (psychology). He was ordained in his home parish, just outside Dundalk, Co. Louth in June, 1982. His first appointment was to the Holy Ghost Mission of The Gambia, West Africa where he remained until 1993. After a sabbatical year at the Irish School of Ecumenics, Milltown Park, he was appointed Vocations Director for the Congregation in 1994. He continued in this post until appointed President/Manager of St. Michael's College in 1998. In 2002 Fr. Billy returned to U.C.D. for further studies in psychology before being appointed to his alma mater, Rockwell College.

We wish Fr Billy every success during his time in Rockwell and the Governing body look forward to supporting and working with him during his term as President.

New Directors for Cork Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber has announced the appointment of three new directors to the Cork Chamber of Commerce and one of the new directors is Rockwell man Brendan Keating (Class 1973). A keen sportsman at school, he gained Munster Schools Interprovincial honours, Brendan is the Chief Executive of the Port of Cork Company and former Limerick City Manager. In making the announcement, The President of the Chamber welcomed the new directors to the Board and commented that it is an honour for the Chamber to work with such experienced and professional managers of international repute.

Slattery Heads up IFSC Group State Street

Former Central Banker Willie Slattery (Class 1973) and well known champion of Dublin's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), heads up major IFSC funds operation State Street. He recently presided over the sale of Deutsche International, one of the largest fund administrators operating from the IFSC to US financial house State Street. Having joined Deutsche Bank in 1996, he became Chief Executive of the Company in 2002 and now heads up State Street which employs 800 people in the Republic. Originally from Bandon, Co Cork, Willie is part of the Committee together with Michael McInerney, Morgan Lyons & Billy Irwin organising the Class of 1973 Re-Union in Dundrum House Hotel on weekend of 25th - 27th September next, further details from 01-4966955.

Slattery Communications link up with Global Player

Irish public relations agency Slattery Communications has formed an alliance with international player Ketchum Public Relations who have 1,100 staff worldwide in over 50 locations. Originally from Lahinch, Padraig Slattery (Class 1974), Chief Executive and founder of Slattery Communications commented that he had sought out the partnership with Ketchum as they were looking for an active affiliate with a strong presence in Europe. He confirmed " Our view on the optimum service you can give a client is that you need to have local people to service the clients. But there's something very reassuring for clients if they believe we are involved with an international company." Slattery was centre on the first Munster Schools XV to win the Interprovincial Championship in his final year at school and also led the Golf Team to the All Ireland Schools title. On completing his studies in Rockwell, he attended University College Dublin where he graduated with Bachelor of Commerce Degree before establishing Slattery Communications. He is a keen golfer and a former Captain of Mount Juliet Golf Club.

Rockwell Boys to the fore in Irish Medicine

A number of past pupils of the College have established themselves at the forefront of Irish medicine with their appointment as Consultants to various Hospitals in Dublin. In addition to the appointment of Consultant Urologist Michael R Butler (Class 1959) as President of Royal College of Surgeons - see separate profile below - David Mulvin (Class 1974) is Consultant Urologist, St Michaels Hospital, Kieran Sheahan (Class 1975) is Consultant Histopathologist , St Vincents Hospital, Vincent Maher (Class 1975) is Consultant Cardiologist, Tallaght Hospital and Joe Cummiskey (Class 1964) is Consultant Physician Respiratory, Blackrock Clinic.

New Managing Partner for Harrington Bannon

Following the retirement from the practice of Joe Bannon, past pupil Patrick Curran (Class 1975) has been elected Managing Partner of one of Irelands leading Property Consultancies, Harrington Bannon, Chartered Valuation Surveyors and Commercial Property Consultants. A Fellow of both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Society of Chartered Surveyors in Ireland, he joined the firm as a Trainee Surveyor in 1981 having graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree and qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1985. He specialises in advising clients on Commercial Investment Property in both Ireland and the UK. A former Captain of both the SCT and Munster Schools XV whilst in school, he also played for the Irish Schools XV and at Senior Club level with both UCD RFC and Wanderers FC before injury curtailed his playing career. He is a former President of the Rockwell College Union.

Harrington Bannon act as Property Advisers to many of Irelands leading Financial Institutions and Businesses across a wide spectrum of property matters.

Our Man in Chattanooga...

Former classmates Paul Cahill (Class 1975) and President of the Union Patrick Curran met up recently at the Radisson Hotel in Dublin whilst Paul was home from the States for a short vacation. Paul, after completing his Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) Degree in University College Dublin, emigrated to the States and after completing a Masters in Chemical Engineering at the University of Missouri, Rolla, is now settled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he is Director of Manufacturing for Sofix Corporation, manufacturers of speciality chemical products.

Dr. Gerard McMahon to speak at Union Business Lunch

The Governing Body of the Union are pleased to announce that Dr. Gerard McMahon (Class 1975), a renowned national expert in the area of Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, has accepted an invitation to speak at the Union Business Lunch being held in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin on Friday 28th November next.
A Lecturer in the Facility of Business at the Dublin Institute of Technology and Managing Director of the consultancy company Productive Personnel Ltd, Gerry has over 25 years experience working as a presenter cum lecturer in these disciplines, across a host of reputable public and private sector, third level educational and academic institutions. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development and the Irish Institute of Training and Development, he has a vast range of books and articles published across a host of reputable media in his specialist areas, and is a frequent newspaper columnist and expert commentator in his area on national radio and television.
Gerry attended Rockwell College from 1969 to 1976 and now becomes the ninth guest speaker at the Business Lunch, one of the most popular functions run by the Union.

Lynch appointed to Government Committee

The Minister for Health has nominated Dr. Terry Lynch (Class 1975) to the Government appointed Committee to review the Mental Health Policy in Ireland. Originally from Lahinch, Terry practiced medicine as a general practitioner for 10 years before specializing in the area of Psychotherapy, based in Limerick. He is also the author of the much acclaimed publication "Beyond Prozac", which reached No. 3 in the Irish list of Best Sellers in the Non-Fiction section.

Bank of Ireland Group Announces Senior Management Changes

Richie Boucher (Class 1976), currently Chief Executive, Corporate Banking, will replace Des Crowley as Chief Executive Retail Financial Serrvices Ireland. Richie will also join the Group Executive Committee.

These changes take place with effect from 1st January 2006.

Richie Boucher, who joined in December 2003 from Royal Bank of Scotland, has implemented a significant restructuring of the Corporate Banking business, adding significant revenue earning capability and spearheading of the Bank of Ireland's niche international growth strategy.

Richie Boucher: Joined the Bank of Ireland Group from Royal Bank of Scotland in December 2003, where he had been Regional Managing Director - Corporate Banking, London, and South East England, having previously held roles as Head of Corporate and Business Banking and Head of Retail - Republic of Ireland with Ulster Bank Group.

Well done Richie

Goff Sells Share in Insomnia Coffee

Insomnia Coffee Company founders Derek Hughes, Brian Goff (Class 1976) and past president of the Union) and Mark Duffy have sold their entire shareholdings in a deal that values the coffee chain at approx € 7 million.

The three individuals who will each receive in excess of €910,000 for their combined 39% stake, will sever their ties with the business. The shares are believed to have been acquired by fellow shareholders John Clohisey, Harry O’Kelly, Chris Foxton and Bobby Kerr. Insomnia’s expansion plans are believed to include a new deal with Campbell Catering. Brian Goff continues to run the La Croissanterie chain in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

News From Australia...

Rockwellman Bruce Barron (Class 1976) is now based in Sydney where he successfully runs his own business, Global Resource Consultants Pty Ltd, Life and Pensions Consultants and Financial Planning Consultants, with offices in Sydney and Singapore. Bruce played on the SCT in Rockwell and subsequently played with both Bohemians and Clontarf RFC's after school before emigrating to Australia.

Bank Of Ireland Names New Chief

The Bank of Ireland Group has named Richie Boucher (Class 1976) as the new CEO of Corporate Banking. Born in Zambia, Richie attended Rockwell as a boarder in the 1970's and on leaving school attended Trinity College Dublin where he graduated with Degree in Business Studies before pursuing his career in Banking. He is currently regional managing director corporate banking, London and South - East England at the Royal Bank of Scotland, having previously been head of corporate and business banking with Ulster Bank in Dublin.He will take up his new position with Bank of Ireland in Dublin in April next. A keen sportsman, he is a member of Clontarf RFC.

New Showrooms for Foster Motor Company

Congratulations to Peter Quinn (Class 1976) and his fellow Directors on the opening of their new state of the art car showrooms & offices in Sandyford Industrial Estate in Dublin. Peter is founding Director of the Foster Motor Company, main Audi and VW Dealership, and can be contacted at Tel:- 01 2090000

President moves from Union to College

Out going President of the Rockwell College Union Billy Murphy (Class 1977) stepped down from his position as Supremo of the Union at the recent AGM held in May in the College and having played a major role in guiding the fortunes of the Union over the past 12 months, he has now turned his attention to University College Dublin Rugby Football Club and takes over as President of the All Ireland League Division 1 Club at the end of May.

Following another hugely successful year for the Rockwell College Union with record attendances at all Union functions , everyone on the Governing Body and members of the Union wish Billy another successful year at the helm of UCD RFC.

Drury Co - Founder appointed Chairman

PR and Media Consultancy Drury Communications, one of Irelands leading PR Consultancies, has announced board changes and new appointments. Co - Founder Billy Murphy (Class 1977) has been appointed Chairman of the Company and will retain a full - time executive role and he succeeds David Kennedy, former Aer Lingus Chief Executive who remains on as a non - executive director. A former Munster Schools Interprovincial and recipient of the Student of the Year Gold Medal whilst in Rockwell, Tipperary man Billy is President elect of the Union for 2004 - 2005.

Rockwellman plays key role in Buyout of Superquinn for EUR 450 m

The new year started with a flourish with the news that Senator Feargal Quinn's Superquinn was to be sold for EUR 450 m in a leveraged buyout to a Consortium of 8 private investors. Property man David Courtney (Class 1978) is part of the Consortium along with high profile Developers Bernard McNamara and Jerry O'Reilly who have acquired the Superquinn portfolio which comprises 9 shopping centres, 19 large stores and 1 convenience store around the country but with majority based in Dublin. Originally from Kerry, Courtney and his partner Bernard Doyle left Lisneys in 1989 to set up their own property consultancy Spain Courtney Doyle and have been involved in many major property transactions over the past number of years.

Meagher sets up new Commercial Agency

Tipperaryman James Meagher (Class 1979) has formed a new commercial agency , called HT Meagher O'Reilly, and based in Hatch Street in Dublin 2. The company will provide the full range of commercial property expertise from offices, to investments, valuations and development land and it is led by three former DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald directors who recently left the company and have now announced the start up of their own commercial agency. Meagher,who was in charge of DTZ 's development land division, is joined by Adrain Trueick and Declan O'Reilly in the new company.

Top Man for Mater Private

Former Gold Medal recipient for Student of the Year and also recipient of the James Joy Gold Medal for Senior Debating whilst in Rockwell, Mark Moran (Class 1979) is Chief Executive of the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, one of the leading private medical centres in the Country.

Gallagher takes up senior position in Ulster Bank

Senior Vice President of the Rockwell College Union Robert Gallagher (Class 1979) is leaving AIB to head up the Corporate and Financial Markets Division of Ulster Bank. Presently Head of Corporate Banking International in AIB, it is believed that he was one of a small number of senior AIB executives interviewed for the position of successor to replace Michael Buckley as Chief Executive in AIB.

A graduate of University College Dublin, he qualified as an accountant with KPMG and worked previously with Citigroup in Australia before joining AIB in 1990 where he worked in the Capital Markets Division before heading up the Corporate Banking International Division in the Group.

In his new role in Ulster Bank, he will have responsibility for the corporate and financial markets business throughout the entire island and he will be joining the Group's executive management board together with the Boards of both Ulster Bank and First Active.

An active member of the Union, Robert is due to succeed John Duffy as President of the Union in May 2006.

Gallagher heads up AIB International Corporate Banking

AIB Capital Markets is planning to raise EUR5bn from investors over the next three years to fund special purpose vehicles that invest in Pan - European acquisition finance. Robert Gallagher (Class 1979) , head of AIB's International Corporate Banking Unit, confirmed that the funds will be used to finance the debt element of the acquisitions involving management buyouts, buy-ins and capital reconstructions across Europe. The Bank began its overseas acquisition finance activity 13 years ago and in addition to the growing acquisition debt fund management business, it has EUR1bn of acquisition finance debt on its own books. The rapidly growing debt management business offers a significant alternative income stream, with strong growth potential, for the Bank's Capital Markets division. On leaving Rockwell, Robert attended University College Dublin before joining the Bank. He has recently joined the Governing Body of the Union.

Riordan to bid for NTL?

Rockwellman John Riordan (Class 1961) is fronting a bid for cable company NTL Ireland which has attracted the interest of some of the major financial players in the cable and media industry. Kerryman Riordan (See "News - Profiles" Section) , a former chief executive of Dutch cable firm UPC and former chairman of Chorus, is fronting a bid financed by Doughty Hansen and is apparently being advised by IBI. Other potential parties likely to have an interest in the cable company include sports channel Setanta, Esat founder Denis O'Brien and a number of major US venture capital companies. It is expected that NTL will be sold for between EUR 250 and EUR 350 million.

New Chief Justice Appointed

The Government has announced the appointment of former Rockwell student John L Murray (Class 1961) as the new Chief Justice. Mr Justice Murray's legal experience is extensive and includes two stints as Attorney General together with an eight year period with the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

A twice elected former President of the Union of Students in Ireland, he qualified as a Barrister in 1967 and built a successful career in commercial, civil and constitutional law in the 1970's until his first appointment as Attorney General in 1982. As Attorney General he was responsible for drafting the amendment to the Constitution which guaranteed the right to life of the unborn, equal to that of the mother, and which was passed in the 1983 referendum. Following his appointment to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg , he returned to Ireland and was reappointed to the Court in 1997 and in 1999 was appointed to the Supreme Court. His appointment as Chief Justice was widely anticipated due to his extensive legal experience.

Justice Murray is a member of the Board of the Courts Service, Chairman of the Ethical Committee of the European Commission and Honorary Co - Chair of the International Law Institute, Washington DC and a former Chairman of the Anti-Fraud Committee of the European Central Bank.
A Limerick man, he is a former recipient of the Rockwell College Union Past Pupil of the Year Award in 1988 and recently attended the Union Annual Dinner in Dublin along with his former classmates from the Class 1961.

The Union congratulate Justice John L Murray on his appointment to the highest legal position in the Country.

Family Day for Chief Justice - Breda Heffernan

[" The appointment of Mr Justice John L Murray as Ireland's new Chief Justice at Aras an Uachtarain yesterday was very much a family affair. Four generations of the Murray family, originally from Limerick, travelled to the Phoenix Park. During the brief, five minute ceremony President McAleese signed two warrants of appointment which she then handed to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to be counter-signed before presenting one copy to the new Chief Justice. The former Supreme Court judge then read aloud a declaration before adding his own signature to the warrant and officially becoming Ireland's tenth Chief Justice in 80 years.

The new Chief Justice's daughter, Cartiona O'Brien, said the family were extremely proud of their father not least her two-year-old son Sam, who climbed on his grandfather's shoulders for the official photographs. Mr. Justice Murray's father Cecil, wife Gabrielle, son Brian and brothers Hugh, Eugene and Michael also attended the ceremony. " ]

Breda Heffernan - Irish Independant - July 24th 2004
Reprinted with kind permission of Independent Newspapers Ltd.
w ww.unison.ie/irish_independent

Government Set Up New Strategy Board

Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, trade unionists and academics will sit on a new Government taskforce conducting an overview of economic and employment policy. The Enterprise Strategy Board, unveiled by Tanaiste Mary Harney, is to recommend ways of making the Republic more attractive to investors as the State moves from being a low-cost location to a high-cost one. Rockwell man Frank Kenny (Class 1962), founder of Delta Partners venture capital firm, joins the Board which is chaired by Mr Eoin O'Driscoll and includes inter-alia,Des Gerathy, General President SIPTU, Rory O'Donnell, Director National Economic and Social Council, Dr John Hegarty, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Hugh Friel , Managing Director Kerry Group, John Sutton, London School of Economics & Mary Meaney, Chairwoman of Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology.

 

Rockwell alumni Kevin Cahill (1957-1962) has world first with new book.

Who Owns the World
To be published on
2nd Nov 2006.
By Mainstream Publishing/Random House.

Who Owns the World is the first book ever written which documents the world’s largest landowners and surveys landownership in each of the world’s 197 countries and 66 major territories. Most countries get a page and there are 313 maps in the book which is 640 pages long.

Amongst the startling facts to emerge in the book.

The world’s largest landowner, who is legal owner of one sixth of the planet’s land.

The world wide landholdings of the world’s four major religions, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism with a special section on ‘The Universal Landowner’ which is the Catholic Church.

Details the Pope’s secret state, that of the Knights of Malta and of Opus Dei and it’s landholdings

Identifies many of the rich aristocratic landowners of Europe, who own over 60% of the agricultural land of the Union, and who get an annual handout of over 60% of the agricultural subsidy, a sum of around Euros 28,000 million.

Reveals the inner structure of the 4th British Empire, based on land ownership.

Reveals the obscure clauses of the Irish Constitution that make all Irish freeholders serfs, with the state their landlord.

Traces the history of landownership from the beginning of written records 10,000 years ago, (with the help of the Story of Land by Professor Jack Powelson) and shows how most of the planet’s land is still owned by 29 monarchs and a group of large states who act as landlord and feudal over lord to their citizens.

Show why 85% of the planets population in 2006 live in poverty because they have no land and identifies the major landowners whose individual wealth is in trillions, while 5,500 million people out of 6,500 have no land at all.

Booknews.

The book has been sold to Warner Hachette in the United States. Over 34 foreign language publishers have applied at Frankfurt 2006 to publish the book in their own languages, in their own countries. Elements of the book are already being incorporated into 4 major TV documentaries and Esquire magazine is running a 4/6 page feature on the book in its Dec 2006 issue.

Kevin Cahill is a journalist and former infantry officer. He was educated at Rockwell College, the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and the University of Ulster. He is a one time winner of the Irish Times Debating Trophy (1975) His Irish operetta Dado won the major awards at three of the 4 regional drama festivals in Ireland in 1975 and opened the national drama festival in Dublin that year. He was a Computer newspaper editor and later a freelance war correspondent in the 80’s and 90’s covering wars in the Western Sahara, Israel and Palestine and earlier, the civil war in Turkey. He was born in Rathdowney, Co Laois in 1944.

Kevin Cahill is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and of the Geographical Societies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and America, a full professional Fellow of the British Computer Society, a member of the RDS and a life Vice President of the Devon Agricultural Association.
He is married to Dr Ros Cahill. They live in Devon and they have three grown up daughters.

* Domnesday is the word used to describe the first book of English national assets including land, compiled for William the Conqueror in 1086 AD. It is also the word used to describe the 2nd British land survey, the Return of Owners of Land, which also covers all landowners in Ireland, compiled between 1872 and 1876 and restored to the record by Kevin Cahill in his book Who Owns Britain and Ireland, in 2001.

His previous book on land “Who Owns Britain and Ireland” from Canongate remains in print. The following are some of the 160 reviews received by the book over the years

Reviews
The Times 12th January 2002
In this brave work, Cahill makes a plea for the last great social reform, land reform

The Independent 11th January 2002
This lengthy book is packed with the facts and figures of landownership in Britain, county by county, title by title and family by family

The Irish Times 26th January 2002
A book of prime-even sublime- importance

The Sunday Times 25th November 2001
According to Cahill the failure to redistribute land in Britain is driving up prices for everyone

The Scotsman 8th December 2001
An exceptional piece of information gathering, prefaced with an impassioned essay on the issue of landownership in the UK today

 

Rockwell Boys to the fore in Irish Medicine

A number of past pupils of the College have established themselves at the forefront of Irish medicine with their appointment as Consultants to various Hospitals in Dublin. In addition to the appointment of Consultant Urologist Michael R Butler (Class 1959) as President of Royal College of Surgeons - see separate profile below - David Mulvin (Class 1974) is Consultant Urologist, St Michaels Hospital, Kieran Sheahan (Class 1975) is Consultant Histopathologist , St Vincents Hospital, Vincent Maher (Class 1975) is Consultant Cardiologist, Tallaght Hospital and Joe Cummiskey (Class 1964) is Consultant Physician Respiratory, Blackrock Clinic.

Allianz Business2Arts Awards 2004

The 2004 Allianz Business2Arts Awards took place on 26th May. Leading members of the Irish business and arts communities gathered at the award ceremony in O'Reilly Hall, UCD to recognise and honour Ireland's most important arts sponsorship initiatives from over the past year. The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, Mr. John O'Donoghue TD, presented the Allianz Business2Arts Awards to companies and arts organisations from across the country. In total there were six award categories and 2 special awards. The annual awards, now in their thirteenth year, are presented to business for outstanding collaboration and contribution to the arts in Ireland through sponsorship. One of the winners was Ahern & Co. Chartered Accountants, accepted by Fergus Ahern (1962)

Fergus Ahern (1962), Ahern & Co, Minister John O'Donoghue and Neil Armstrong, Boyle Civic Art Collection

New President of Lansdowne RFC

Corkman Frank Forrest (Class 1965) has been elected President of Lansdowne RFC, one of Irelands premier rugby clubs , for the coming year. A member of the Union and regular attendee at Union events, Frank played on the SCT whilst in Rockwell and obtained a Degree in Civil Engineering from UCC on leaving School. He subsequently gained Munster Senior Interprovincial honours with Dolphin RFC as a Centre before moving to Dublin in 1971 where he joined Lansdowne RFC. A keen golfer (13 h), he was formerly Senior Engineer with both Rohan Construction and Green Property Plc but now runs his own Property Development Company in Dublin.

Marren appointed to Council of State

Rockwellman Enda Marren (Class 1953) has been appointed by the President Mrs McAleese to the body which offers " aid and counsel" to the President and is one of seven personal appointments made by the President of Ireland to the Council of State. Marren, one of Fine Gael's two trustees, is a former President of the Rockwell College Union and a well known Solicitor in Dublin where he is Principal in the practice , Enda E Marren & Co in Ballsbridge. He is also a Director of Rehab Group and was a member of the first Law Reform Commission and helped to found the Irish Committee of UNICEF.

In his appointment, Enda Marren joins two other past pupils of Rockwell College, ex-officio members Mr Justice John L Murray (Class 1961) the Chief Justice and former President of Ireland Dr Patrick J Hillery (Class 1946) who sit on the Council.

IRFU Charitable Trust 100 km Walk

The IRFU are organising a 100 km walk to coincide with the Rugby World Cup in Australia in October and Philip Smith (Class 1956) is taking part in order to raise awareness of the growing needs of seriously injured rugby players and to raise funds for the Charitable Trust. The Union send their best wishes to Philip on his walk and any past pupils wishing to make a donation, either small or large, should contact Philip directly at 086-8323089 or psmith@iolfree.ie

 

Rockwell’s senior past pupil reaches 90

Michael K O’Connor (Class 1933) recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Michael was in Rockwell in the early 1930’s and later qualified in law in UCD. He spent his working life in the Revenue Commissioners, serving as Chief Revenue Commissioner. He was very involved with Rockwell College Union, serving as President during 1948-50, and up until recent years was a regular attendee at Union functions.

We congratulate Michael K on this great achievement and wish him well.

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