New York Branch Dinner 2024
Last Friday, Rosie O'Grady’s on 148 W 51st Street, New York, played host to a memorable evening that brought together pastmen and friends of the College from across the globe. We had a fantastic turnout, with attendees travelling from San Diego, Chicago, Toronto, Canada, and Ireland, to name just a few and our guests spanned several decades, from the 1950’s to as recently as 2022.
An event of this scale requires a great deal of support, organisation, and encouragement and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed to its success. What started as an idea earlier this year, with a tight timeframe, turned into something truly special. A huge thank you to
Dr Paddy Boland and Mr Des O’Brien, who played pivotal roles in making this event possible, supported by our Union Secretary, Ms Katherine Donovan.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr Mike Carty and his wife Caroline, the proprietors of Rosie O’Grady’s, who went above and beyond to ensure that the evening was a resounding success. Their hospitality along with the excellent food and service truly made the event memorable.
The evening’s formalities were light, but the warmth and camaraderie was very apparent.
Mr Des O’Brien, despite modestly claiming not to be a public speaker, delivered a heartfelt and humorous welcome address, sharing anecdotes from his time at the College and his deep affection for the College and the Union. Mr Colm Maloney, College President, gave an update on news from the College followed by an address from Mr John McManus, Union President, who spoke passionately about the continued relevance of the Union, its important role for current students, along with pastmen, new and old and its vital relationship with the College.
The highlight of the evening came when the Union President conferred the title of Honorary Life Vice President of the Union on Dr Paddy Boland. This is the highest honour the Past Pupils Union can bestow and it was richly deserved by Dr Boland, who has been a steadfast supporter of the College and the Union community for many years.
This event marks a significant milestone in revitalising the New York dinner and the North American branch of the Past Pupils Union and we are delighted to see it black on the calendar and hope to see it become a permanent fixture going forward. We look forward to the continued growth of this branch and to many more successful gatherings in the future.
Helen Maloney, Colm Maloney (College President), Oisín Kilgallen (CCR 2004/’10) & Séamus Hennessy (Director of Admissions)
Bryan Byrne (CCR 1996/’98), Pat Dalton (CCR 1993/’98) & James Mc Hugh (CCR 1995/2000)
Charlie Scroope pictured with Katherine Donovan, Union Secretary. Charlie was in the College for 4 months in 1948 and flew from Ontario to attend the NY Dinner.
Mary Sheehan, Helen Maloney, Pat Kelly (CCR 1965/’70(, Michelle Kelly, Dr Paddy Boland (CCR1956/’61), Colm Maloney (College President(, Ann Boland & Mike Sheehan
Bryan Byrne (CCR 1996/’98), James Mc Hugh (CCR 1995/2000), Pat Dalton(CCR 1993/’98), Glen Adams (CCR 1987/’92), Brian Adams (CCR 1988/93), Simon Madden (CCR 2019/2021) & Oisin Kilgallen (CCR 2004/’10)
Paddy Mc Govern (CCR 1965/’70), Pat O’Hara (CCR 1953/’58), Tom Coughlan (CCR 1988/’93), Angelo Illuzzi, John Scroope, Charlie Scroope (CCR 1948), Des O’Brien (CCR 1972/’77) & Gerry Mc Govern (CCR 1968//73)
John Mc Manus, Union President confers the title of Honorary Life Vice President to Dr Paddy Boland (CCR 1956/’61). The Union Constitution provides for a maximum of six Honorary Life Vice Presidents at any one time, so this is a very coveted title in recognition of Dr Paddy Boland’s contribution to the College and the Union over many years.
Dr Paddy Boland, Honorary Life Vice President; Katherine Donovan (Union Secretary), John Mc Manus (Union President), Colm Maloney (College President) & Seamus Hennessy (Director of Admissions).
Union Secretary, Katherine Donovan; Union President, John Mc Manus & College President, Colm Maloney
Pat Kelly, Dublin Branch Treasurer pictured with the Union Secretary, Katherine Donovan
Simon Madden (CCR 2019/’21) was the youngest CCR pastman in attendance at the NY Branch Dinner. He flew from Chicago to attend the dinner and we wish him every success in his research studies at the University of Notre Dame.
A huge thank you to all who travelled from near and far to attend this year’s North American Branch Dinner. This event marks the rejuvenation of the North American Branch and we hope this will become an annual function in the Union calendar.