OLD COLUMBAN SOCIETY - NO.75 MAY2020
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Old Columban Society
THE BULLETIN
No. 75 May 20201
Old Columban Society
BULLETIN
No 75 May 2020
Old Columban Society Officers
President W.I. Fraser, Benedin, Windgate Rise, Howth, Co Dublin
D13 YV 00. 086 246 0450; email ianfraser110gmail.com
Vice-Presidents T.E. Macey, D.S. Gibbs, N.H. Lush,
The Warden, L.J. Haslett, J.N. White,
J.M. Girdham, R. Johnson, N.F.D. Falkiner.
Secretary G.L. Brooks, Grouse Lodge, Ballinteer Road,
Dublin,16. 087 256 7019
email geoff.brooks79@gmail.com
Treasurer E. A. Brooks. 086 825 5985
Editor of The Bulletin N.F.D. Falkiner, The Creek, 18 Strand Road, Sutton,
Dublin 13. 087 210 6840 email nfdfalkiner@gmail.com
The Committee
J. Baker, L. Canning, C.D.S. Foster, D.G.P. Gleeson, A. Heidenfeld, K.T. Large, S.M. Lawn, A.H.
Luce, R. Mills, F.H. Morris, O.P. Nolan, B.P. Pickering, K.Smith.
Bursary Fund Chair J.N. White, 142 Silchester Park, Glenageary, Co Dublin.
01-2808364 and 087 259 4729.
Business Chair Róisín Mills 086 044 6444; email roisin.mills@gmail.com
College Representative J.M. Girdham, St Columba’s College.
Golf Secretaries K.T. Large 087 256 1367; email comprint17@gmail.com
G.L. Brooks 087 256 7019;
email geoff.brooks79@gmail.com
Governance Chair B.P. Pickering 086 226 6701
email b.pickering@gmail.com
Nominations Chair C.D. S. Foster 087 967 1141; email charlesfoster100@gmail.com
Social Events Chair Róisín Mills 086 044 6444
email roisin.mills@gmail.com
Website Chair K. Smith 087 756 4411; email hooray@oceanfree.net
and www.oldcolumbansociety.com2
Members Contact Details
To make sure that the Society has your current details, please contact Sonia Young, Membership
Secretary, either by email: membershipocs@stcolumbas.ie or Tel: + 353 1 495 6919..
In particular, to change your postal address, again contact membershipocs@stcolumbas.ie , or
write to Sonia Young at The Development Office, St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, Dublin, 16.
Sonia Young
College Development Office.
FROM THE NEW EDITOR
Back in 1976, when I was a pupil at St Columba’s and my history essays were regularly subjected
to Ninian Falkiner’s scrutiny, I could never have imagined that one day he would ask me to take
over the editorship of The Bulletin.
While I am delighted to be stepping into Ninian’s shoes, I am also honoured and not a little
daunted to be following in the wake of such a distinguished and long-serving editor.
For the past 34 years Ninian’s work on the The Bulletin has been central to maintaining links and
sharing news amongst the Old Columban community. The print run is on the way to 3,000: every
year copies are posted to every corner of the world.
The Bulletin was first published about 70 years ago and as the fifth editor, I intend to uphold the
tradition of producing a stand-alone printed magazine.
These days we are spoilt for choice as consumers of information, and there are many platforms
for the dissemination of Old Columban news. But for the Society’s Committee there is no
substitute for leafing through a real journal. The Bulletin might be on the kitchen table where your
eye will fall on news of a former classmate or some other item about the old school. Or you might
choose to settle into the sofa and spend half an hour reading it from cover to cover.
Either way The Bulletin provides a vivid annual snapshot of Old Columban and of College
news. Colour photos and videos may be found in abundance on the website and Facebook.
Regular updates about our activities will still be emailed out by Julian Girdham in the The
Newsletter, but we intend to keep publishing The Bulletin in its current format.
It will be a privilege and a pleasure to take on the role of Editor and I hope that, with the
assistance of an editorial committee, and in particular the essential support of Julian Girdham and
Ninian Falkiner, we can continue to produce an interesting and informative journal for all Old
Columbans.
Most of all, we rely on you, our readers and contributors. Please send in your news – anything
from 7 to 70 words or more – about yourself and what you are doing.
Alice Luce (1975)
THE BULLETIN 2021
The Society’s Bulletin Sub-Committee is made up of: Alice Luce (Editor), Ninian Falkiner, Julian
Girdham and Kenneth Large.
Gathering in items of news from Old Columbans is the hardest part of the work of producing
The Bulletin, while ‘News of Old Columbans’ is, we are often told, the most popular part of The
Bulletin.
Items of Old Columban news should be sent to one of the following:
Alice Luce: luceah1@gmail.com
Ninian Falkiner: nfdfalkiner@gmail.com
John Fanagan: fanagan@yahoo.co.uk
Julian Girdham: jgirdham@staff.stcolumbas.ie
Peter McCarthy: pmccarthy@staff.stcolumbas.ie3
Fraser Morris: fraser.morris@gmail.com
Donna Sherwood: donnamsherwood@gmail.com
ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE BULLETIN
A copy of this edition of The Bulletin can be downloaded from the Society’s website.
THE OLD COLUMBAN EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Over 1,600 members of the Society receive emails from the Society roughly every month, giving
details of Society events and much more. If you are not on the list and would like to be, send an
email to Sonia Young at membershipocs@stcolumbas.ie .
FACEBOOK
The Society can be found at its new public page www.facebook.com/oldcolumbans . There
members may also apply to join the Closed Group; this is strictly for Old Columbans who are
fully-subscribed members of the Society, and is where most Old Columban Society news is
posted: www.facebook.com/groups/1430490107078051/ .
THE SOCIETY’S WEBSITE
The Society’s website is the repository of all Old Columban Society and other Old Columban-
related happenings. On it you can find reports and photographs of the Society’s parties and
reunions and articles published in the newspapers about Old Columbans. I would encourage
everybody to send in their photos and news. You can send them to
events@oldcolumbansociety.com .
In 2019 and 2020 we have used the website to inform Old Columbans about up and coming
events with a much smarter email presentation and with a capacity to include images and
infographics. I can recommend checking the online Calendar from time to time to see what
events are happening near you throughout the year. The growing London Business Network and
the Dublin Business Network are certainly matters that you will see more of in 2020.
Website security is of paramount importance to the Society and thanks to the vigilance of our
technical website consultant, Clare McSharry, I can report that there have been no breaches or
problems. There have been a number of attempted hacks, primarily from Russia. Thankfully our
systems have kept them out and our data are safe.
If you have not already registered please go to www.oldcolumbansociety.com .
K. Smith (1983)
THE SOCIETY’S EVENTS
Looking back at 2019 the Society has seen a rise in the number of its events, and more importantly
a rise in the number of younger Old Columbans coming to events. We as a society aim to run
events that our members would like to attend, and with that in mind we have a plan to extend
Business Networking to other countries. In late 2018 we set up the London branch of Business
Networking and have had three events in London since then. We are looking to have a Business
& Banter evening every three months in and around the City of London. We hope to extend
Business Networking to Germany and to Asia over the next three years.
The Society worked on its first joint event with the Parents’ Association for the College’s
Career’s Night, which was a great success, with the Vth and VIth Formers having fireside talks
with Old Columbans.
We have 11 events planned for in 2020 which is the busiest calendar in the Society’s history.4
Due to Covid19 we will be reviewing events on a monthly basis, and cancelling or postponing
events a month in advance. Please keep an eye on www.oldcolumbansociety.com for changes to
the Events Calendar. As I write this report most of the world is on lockdown with Covid19 with
events being held online. Who knows where we will be in three months’ time.
I'd like to thank all those on the events committee, John Fanagan, John White, Kenneth Large,
Kieran Smith, and our in-country hosts, Thomas Heidenfeld (Germany), Rupert Foster (UK) and
Miriam Shewry (UK) and Dominick Donnelly and Arthur Jackson (Cork) for all their help and
support in organising the events calandar. Be well and keep safe.
Róisín Mills
Events Chair
THE OLD COLUMBAN SOCIETY BURSARY FUND
Members of the Bursary Fund sub-committee were deeply saddened on learning of the death of
The O’Morchoe in November 2019. David O’Morchoe was one of the original instigators and
architects of the Fund in 2011 and was its Chair from the beginning until his death. Without his
extraordinary commitment, experience and wise counsel, it certainly would not have been as
successful as it has been. We are deeply grateful to him.
The Fund, launched just nine years ago in 2011, continues to grow steadily in strength and
purpose. We are encouraged that we have been able to contribute substantially to the fees for
nine pupils (all children or grandchildren of Old Columbans) over these years. There are
currently five in receipt of the Society’s bursaries. This is one of the greatest achievements of the
Society and would not have been possible without the generosity and loyalty of those who have
contributed.
We are so grateful to those who, even in this time of terrifying world uncertainty, are continuing
with their much valued support.
However it remains frustrating that so many Old Columbans have not so far responded. It may
well be that they are donating to other very worthwhile charities. We ask that they carefully
consider contributing to this Fund which is of real benefit to Old Columbans and in turn the
College itself. One can only imagine the exciting possibilities!
The favourite name, which some of us have for the fund, is "The Acorn". We firmly believe that
it will continue to grow and grow to have a stronger trunk, producing more and more branches
and healthy leaves.
We strongly encourage those of you who are in a position to do so, and have not yet joined us
on this exciting journey, to consider doing so, so that the Fund can continue to flourish and help
more Old Columban families, and with larger bursaries, well into the future.
For convenience a form is enclosed with this copy of The Bulletin, or one can follow this Link
online www.oldcolumbansociety.com . Alternatively you may contact John White at 087 259 4729;
email jnewportwhite@gmail.com .
J.N. White (1963)
Chair
A Lasting Legacy – a Gift of Education
If you choose to remember the College in your will and would like to allocate your legacy to a
specific purpose, or to honour a named individual or family, you may like to discuss in confidence
your intentions with the College by contacting the Development Manager, Sonia Young, or
the Warden, by telephone on +353 1 495 6919, or by email development@stcolumbas.ie,
to ensure that your intentions are understood and that the College can act on your wishes.
The College is hugely grateful to those Old Columbans who have already left or pledged a
legacy to the College.5
A small area, called the Legacy Garden, in the newly landscaped garden outside the Library,
has been established. S.A. Barcroft (1948) has kindly donated white roses planted in memory of
his father, C.L. Barcroft (1917).
Applications for a Bursary
Old Columbans who wish to apply for an Old Columban Society bursary should contact the
Warden at the College (St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, D16 CH82. Telephone 01- 490 6791;
Fax: 01 493 6655; email warden@stcolumbas.ie ).
THE COLLEGE PROSPECTUS
The College prospectus, which includes 12 testimonials by Old Columbans, may be obtained by
all Old Columbans with children of school-going age.
Please contact Amanda Morris, Admissions, St Columba’s College, Whitechurch, D16 CH82; by
email admissions@stcolumbas.ie ; telephone 01-490 6791.
KILMASHOGUE GOLF CLUB
The College Golf Course
New Applicants
The Kilmashogue Golf Club is making a one year introductory offer costing €599.
The Club, which is affiliated to the GUI and to the ILGU, is run by its members and is located
at the College which owns and maintains the course. It is a 9-hole parkland course with
Members may bring immediate family to play (for €10.00; juniors €5.00). A guest may be
opportunities to represent the Club at inter-club GUI and ILGU competitions.
brought to the regular semi-open competitions.
All members have the opportunity to play seven days a week and there is easy access to the first
tee with no delays.
There are many social events held throughout the year in the friendly and relaxed atmosphere
of the Clubhouse.
Please contact the Bursar at the College bursar@stcolumbas.ie for more details.
SOCIETY BUSINESS
The Annual General Meeting 2020
The Annual General meeting of the Society will be held on Tuesday October 6th 2020 at the
Kildare Street and University Club, 17, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, commencing at 6.15 pm.
Report on the Annual General Meeting of 2019
The Annual General Meeting of the Society was held on Tuesday October 8th 2019 in the College
in the newly opened Whispering House.
The Society’s full programme of activities continued to operate throughout the year with
reports from the Society’s various sub-committees presented at Committee meetings and at the
Annual General Meeting.
The Bursary Fund sub-committee, which operates under the auspices of the College’s
Development Board, was responsible for securing an ongoing charitable donation which will
have a considerable impact on the Fund for the duration of its existence.6
The Social and Sports sub-committee has had its title changed to the more manageable “Events”
sub-committee. As usual, it produced a calendar full of events, with functions in London and in
Munich and an upcoming dinner in Cork in October 2019.
Our recently adopted new rules had the effect of the formation of a Nominations sub-
committee, under the Chair of Charles Foster, to give continuity and balance to the membership
of the Society’s Committee and to bring forward suitable candidates.
The Business Networking sub-committee, headed by Roisin Mills (who has been asked by the
Warden to assist with certain projects in the College) is also gathering momentum, holding a
successful function in London.
A member of the Committee, Glascott Symes, represented the Society and the College at the
laying of a wreath in memory of fallen Old Columbans at the Royal British Legion ceremony at
the Garden of Remembrance, Islandbridge.
Finally, and by no means least, we found a Treasurer for the Society, Ted Brooks, who was
welcomed to the Committee.
Retirements from the Committee have been received during the year from Jonathan Moore,
Glascott Symes and Ninian Falkiner (who steps down in May 2020 as Editor of The Bulletin). We
thank them all for their valuable and considerable contributions to the Society.
A special tribute was paid at the meeting to Robin Simpson, a former Treasurer of the Society
and active Committee Member, who had sadly passed away earlier in the year.
G.L. Brooks (1960)
Honorary Secretary
SOCIETY EVENTS 2019-2020
Munich Party June 2019
The Society’s party in Germany was held in the Hofbrauhaus in Munich on Friday 28th June
2019. The event was organised by Roisin Mills and Kieran Smith.
Those attending covered the years 1979 to 2019 and included many younger Old Columbans.
The event reflects the close and now traditional link between the College and Germany. The
following attended this much enjoyed gathering:
Henry Armstrong, John Bielenski, Marie-Alice Eichorn, Mary Gordon, Donata von der Gröben,
Ferdinand Hanika, Anna Heidenfeld, Thomas Heidenfeld, Theresa Kruse, William McKinney,
Nicolo Morabito, Roisin Mills, Valdemar Morabito, Ute Prilipp, Benedik von Raben, Moritz
Reichert, Katharina Schenk, Ulrick Schenk, Kristian Schnittger, Kieran Smith, Phillipa Spieth,
Johannes Stolberg, Antonius Stolberg-Stolberg, Wieland Sommer, Constantin von Wangenheim,
Cecilia Willisch (née von Eyb), Christoph Willisch.
Golf Outing September 2019
Owing to a limited enthusiasm for the 2019 golf outing the outing sadly had to be cancelled.
However in 2020 the event will once again be held.
Cork Dinner October 2019
A dinner was held in the Montenotte Hotel, Cork, on Saturday 12th October 2019. The event was
organised by Dominic Donnelly and Roisin Mills with the assistance of John Fanagan and of
Arthur Jackson. The Mr Barnardo Film of the College in the 1930s was shown and much enjoyed.
The following were present at this happy event:
John Atkins, Andy Bielenberg, the Warden Mark Boobbyer, Michael and Claire Daniels,
Dominic Donnelly, Ninian Falkiner, John Fanagan, Christopher Fettes, Conrad Frankel, Gavin7
Frankel, Patrick Frankel, Arthur Jackson, Timothy Jackson, Natasha Kilcoyne, Tim Lucas, Roisin
Mills, Danni Mura, James Robinson, Maurice Taylor, Dirk Tinné, Neil Walker.
Leavers Party December 16th 2019
The annual Leavers’ Party, hosted by the Society, was held in The Pavilion Bar in Trinity College
Dublin on Monday December 16th 2019. The following from the years 2018 and 2019 attended:
Felix Alyn Morgan, Kate Bewley, Catherine Butt, Henry Carroll, Sean Cooper, Helen Crampton,
Sebastian Fitzgibbon, Joseph Gernon, Benjamin Gleeson, Toby Green, Nyla Jamieson, Sinclair
Jones, Georgia Keegan-Wignall, Harry Kelly, Alex Lawrence, Leonor Lopes, Conall Mathur-Dix,
Ivan Moffitt, Kitty Morris, Tiernan Mullane, Adam Murphy, Harry Oke-Osanyintolu, Alex
Russell, Stefan Tonge, Isabelle Townshend, Sophie Wainwright, David White, Hector Wright,
William Zitzmann. Apologies were received from Orla Conlon Batey, Alexandra Murray-
Donaldson and George Guinness.
Also present were the President of the Society, Ian Fraser, and the Warden, Mark Boobbyer, as
well as Cathy Boobbyer, Geoffrey Brooks, Ninian Falkiner, John Fanagan, Róisín Mills, John
White.
Business and Banter Networking Evening in London
January 15th 2020
A Business and Banter Networking evening was held in London on January 15th 2020. It was
organised by Miriam Shrewy and Rupert Foster, the Society’s London Business Network leads,
with the support of Róisín Mills, Chair of the Society’s Events sub-committee. The momentum
from the previous London event was reflected by the attendance of 29 Old Columbans from
numerous sectors and several generations.
Present were Aisha Burke, Andrew Brady, Aidan Chisholm, Rupert Foster, Lilian Glennon,
Richard Gough, Gary Gough, Ciara Gumsheimer, Ryan Gumsheimer, Richard Hartweck, Maria
Herrero, Gordon Judge, Jean-Paul Laurenceau, Dickon Levinge, Alex Lawrence, Lucy Maxwell-
Brown, Roisin Mills, Joe Moran, Tiernan Mullane, Tim Pettigrew, Martin Priestley, Max Robinson,
Alex Russell, Sheilds Russell, Lucien Sands, Daniel Shaw-Smith, Miriam Shewry, Natalie Verwijs.
The Society’s Business Networking provides contacts for students and graduates entering the
business world to make connections with other Old Columbans at all levels of their career.
There will be a second London Business Networking event on Wednesday 16th September 2020
at the Christopher Hatton Pub, Holborn.
Old Columbans are invited to join our LinkedIn group at www.linkedin.com/groups/8577577/
where they can share business ideas, requests, and thoughts. For specific inquiries contact:
events@oldcolumbansociety.com .
R.L.S Foster (1982)
Ten Year Reunion 2009-2019
A reunion of those who left the College in 2009 was held in Dublin on the weekend of September
20th and 21st 2019.
On the Friday evening some gathered at Bar 37 on Dawson Street. On the Saturday a group was
welcomed to the College by the Warden, Mark Boobbyer, for tea in the Drawing Room. The Sub-
Warden, Julian Girdham, conducted his by now traditional tour of the College. In the evening a
dinner was held at the Market Bar, Fade Street, Dublin, and later there were further celebrations
in the Krystle night club. The reunion was organised by Rebecca Feeney-Barry with the help of
David Beresford and Shane Lavin.8
The following attended at least some part of the weekend’s events: Morgan Appleby, Moritz
Baring, Serge Bauvet, David Beresford, Jacob von Bulow, Sandy Cole, Dave Cooper, Johnny
Cooper, Victoria Cooper, Allen Crampton, James Crampton, Hal Downer, Annie Dunne, Holly
Elliot O’Neill, Killian Elliot O’Neill, John Fanagan (former Senior Master), Rebecca Feeney-Barry,
Ross Gilmour, John Hargan, Isobel Hunter, Poppy Hunter, Emma Klyne, Shane Lavin, Margerete
Luckner, Crispin Maenpaa, Millie Matthews, Piers Milner, Alvaro Novoa, Mia Peters, Rebecca
Roe, Oliver Smith, Sam Stevens, Lavinia Thelen, Helene Tonner, Rosie Wentges, Sarah Wilson.
Twenty Year Reunion 1999-2019
On Saturday 12th October 2019 a party of Old Columbans who left the College in 1999 were
given a tour of the College by the Sub-Warden, Julian Girdham. Also the Warden, Mark Boobbyer,
Richard Brett, Liam Canning, Paul Cron, Peter McCarthy, and Fraser Morris welcomed them.
In the early evening there was a gathering for drinks at the Shelbourne Hotel, St Stephen’s
Green, Dublin. Later a dinner was held at The Grayson, Dublin. Marta Castresana, Jamie Macken,
Richard Mayne and Philip McKinley were the organisers of the reunion.
The following attended: Olumide Awofala, Ryan Black-Macken, Oddie Braddell, Kevin
Campbell, Marta Castresana, Charlie Day, Ben Deacon, Matthew Fearon, Colin Fitzpatrick,
Matthew Fortune, Felicia Furstner, Holger Hoffmeister, Elena Höppner, Andrew Kidd, Jamie
Macken, Richard Mayne, Philip McKinley, Vincent Mulvey, Hugh Passmore, Jack Penruddock,
Nicola Pierpoint, Cornelius Polter, Hazel Ruane, Maja Rollin, Maxe Schroth, Tristan Skinner, Peter
Taggart, Friedrich Wahnschaffe, Max Waldburg, Lee Wong, Maria Zubiaga.
Thirty Year Reunion 1989-2019
A reunion of those who left the College in 1989 was held on Friday June 21st 2019.The event was
held at Marker Hotel, Dublin, and was organised by Des Gleeson, Oisín Nolan, Jeanne Morgan
and Róisín Mills.
The following attended this much enjoyed event:
Emmet Daly, Antoinette Byrne, Paul Fahey, Orla Fitzpatrick, Des Gleeson, Charlotte Howard,
Duncan Johnson, Severin Johnson, Ken Kingston, Marni Laux, James Leslie, Alice Madden, John
Miller, Róisín Mills, Jeanne Morgan, Oisin Nolan, Penny Nesbitt, Bronwyn Owens, Patrick
Passmore, Seamus Raben, Alannah Robins, Dirk Tinné.
Forty Year Reunion 1979-2019
The reunion of those who left the College in 1979 was held over the weekend of Friday 8th and
Saturday 9th November 2019.
The events of the reunion were organised by Karen Farrar and Sean Dempster. On the Friday
evening there was a gathering in The Queen’s Inn Dalkey, where food and drinks were enjoyed.
The main event was on Saturday when a dinner was held in the evening in Leopardstown, Co
Dublin.
There was a tour of the College by their contemporary Julian Girdham, the Sub-Warden. There
were fond memories shared of the Dining Hall, Cloister Cricket and the Chapel. Lesser events
included some golf, swimming in the Forty Foot in Sandycove and a walk in the hills above the
College.
Sean Dempster writes, “Forty years had slipped by, we’d all changed a bit but, as always in
Ireland we just took up where we had left off and it was a truly heartwarming weekend spent
with many old friends”.
The following attended one or more of these events:
Sue Burkitt, Johnny Bonham, Rosanna Booth, Fiona Clements, Sean Dempster, Ninian Falkiner,9
John Fanagan, Karen Farrar, Biddy Flinn, Stuart Fogarty, Denis Goodbody, Charlie Hackett, Anna
Healy-Fenton, Peter Hudson, Patrick Jackson, Gordon Judge, Dawn Johnston, Barry Lalor,
Kenneth Large, William McKinney, Richard (Bud) and Eve McMullen, Oliver Merton, Eddie
Nicholson, Eliza O’Grady, Keith Perdue, Olga Price, Peter Rooke, Thomasina Sawyer, Alastair
Sharman, Jill Wright.
__________________________
SOCIETY EVENTS 2020-2021
Tower of London Event
Friday 26th June 2020
London
events@oldcolumban.society.com
London Business Network
Business and Banter
Wednesday September 16th 2020
at the Sir Christopher Hatton Pub,
Holborn, London
Annual General Meeting
6.15pm on Tuesday October 6th 2020
Kildare Street & University Club
Annual Golf Outing
Friday October 16th 2020
at Kilmashogue Golf Course
Those who wish to play should contact Kenneth Large comprint17@gmail.com ; 087 256 1367;
fax 01 8557409, or Geoffrey Brooks Geoff.brooks79@gmail.com ; 087 256 7019.
Careers Night
Friday October 16th 2020
at the Whispering House
events@oldcolumban.society.com
Dublin Dinner
Saturday November 14th 2020 at Sophie’s at the Dean, Dublin.
events@oldcolumban.society.com
Dublin Business Networking Event
Monday November 30th 2020
events@oldcolumban.society.com
All the above dates are subject to Government Covid19 guidelines10
Leavers Party December Monday 2020
The annual Leavers Party will be held in The Pavilion Bar, Trinity College Dublin, on Monday
December 14th 2020 from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. This event is open to those who left the College in
2019 and 2020.
Reunions 2020-21
Ten Year Reunion: 2010-2020: a reunion of those who left the College in 2010 will be held on
Saturday 19th September 2020. Fred Mann is organising the event and should be contacted at
edmundfrederick.mann@gmail.com.
Twenty Year Reunion: 2000-2020: a reunion of those who left the College in 2000 will be held on
Saturday 3rd October 2020. Julian Riemenschneider is organising the reunion and should be
contacted at julian2907@gmail.com.
FACEBOOK
The Society can be found at its public page www.facebook.com/oldcolumbans . There members
of the Society may also apply to join the Closed Group; this is strictly for Old Columbans who are
fully-subscribed members of the Society. It is where Old Columban Society news is posted:
www.facebook.com/groups/1430490107078051/.
FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY
This has been another busy year for the Society. It has also been a sad one with the death of The
O’Morchoe, a Vice-President of the Society, who always supported the Society and its activities,
in particular the Bursary Fund.
The Society under its new rules limiting the time of service continues to recruit new members
to the Committee. Des Gleeson, who has a child in the College, has joined the Committee, as has
Liam Canning, former Housemaster of Stackallan. We said goodbye to Glascott Symes who so
graciously gave of his time and good judgement over many years, including some years as
Honorary Secretary. Jonathan Moore played a major part in initiating the Business Network and
now must give more time to his work as a barrister. Under the new rules, John Fanagan also
retired from the Committee, having done great work for ten years organising many of the
Society’s parties.
Charles Foster is chair of the Nominations Sub-Committee whose job is to identify Old
Columbans who might wish to serve on the Committee. The Society is eager to lower the age
profile of the Committee and to have more women involved in its work.
The College’s Development Board is now responsible for raising funds for the Society’s Bursary
Fund (as well of course for the College’s Building Fund, so important to its future well-being,
given that the College depends on donations for its development).
The Annual General Meeting in October 2019 was held in the new Whispering House. It is a
singularly impressive building which is proving popular with the pupils in the College. Old
Columbans are encouraged to visit it.
The Old Columban Bulletin will in future be in the safe and skilful hands of its new editor Alice
Luce. A qualified teacher, she has worked for newspapers and other organisations in the field of
editing and communicating. Ninian Falkiner, who edited The Bulletin for 34 years, and before that
had been Honorary Secretary for ten years, was elected a Vice-President of the Society in
recognition of his services to the Society.11
I would like to thank also the very active Events Sub-Committee which is chaired by the tireless
Róisín Mills. There have been parties in Cork, London and Munich, as well as the Leavers Party.
Róisín Mills also chairs the Society’s Business Network. This is a highly important recent initiative
designed to bring Old Columbans together in a business framework to share experiences and
ideas.
In June of this year, subject to Covid19 guidelines, the Warden hopes to lead a party of Old
Columbans and others to Ypres in Flanders. A plaque will be placed, alongside other such school
plaques, in St George’s Memorial Chapel in memory of the 70 Old Columbans and members of
staff who fell during the conflict.
This autumn I will be stepping down as President of the Society. It has been a great privilege to
have served. It is important that Old Columbans who have the time contribute to the work of the
Society. Then they should step back and let others take over.
Floreat Columba et Floreant Columbanenses
W.I. Fraser (1966)
FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FELLOWS
I am pleased to have this opportunity to write what is my final report to the Old Columban
Society as Chairman of the Fellows. It provides me with the opportunity to reflect on the last five
years, since I was asked to take on the role of Chairman in September 2014. I can say with some
confidence that it has been a most progressive period in the history of the College.
At the outset, I inherited, and ensured that we followed through with, the strategic programme
which had been set out at the conclusion of Ian Roberts’ Chairmanship.
An early priority was to complete the review of the College Statutes, which was concluded in
September 2015; a key change was to restrict the tenure of a Fellow to a maximum of two terms
of five years. This change has had a most positive effect, with a complete refresh of the
participating Fellows. When I stand down in June, I will be the longest serving Fellow, having
been elected in 2010. We now have a full quota of Fellows, with an excellent representation from
the two generations younger than me, and an encouraging pipeline of candidates.
More recently, we have completed the review of the framework for the Board of Management,
and enhanced its agenda to ensure it has more oversight of the policies and procedures of the
school. This has ensured strengthened compliance with current legislation. Importantly,
continuity with the Fellows’ agenda is ensured by the Chairman of the Fellows also now chairing
the Board of Management.
One of my first challenges was to recruit a new Warden, to succeed Dr Lindsay Haslett on his
retirement at the end of the 2015-2016 academic year. This now seems a distant task, as Mark
Boobbyer is so well established in the role. Mark has brought a refreshing enthusiasm to life at
the College, illustrated by his innovative approach to the structure of St Columba’s Day speeches
and prize giving.
With his wife Cathy, they have engaged enthusiastically with pupils, parents and Old
Columbans. Those of us who travelled to Iona as part of the College’s 175th anniversary year
enjoyed a special experience, which added much to what was a most successful year of
celebration throughout 2018.
My annual reports to the Old Columban Society have conveyed the increasing interest in the
College amongst first-time parents, as a result of the strategic decision to reduce our Day and Day
Boarder fees to bring us in line with other private schools in South County Dublin. This level of
interest has continued unabated, and Day/Day Boarder numbers this year are currently at 95.
This has ensured that we have retained a good balance of Irish students at the College, at a time
when it is still a challenge to attract Irish Boarders, particularly in the early school years.
Nevertheless, we are also at full boarding capacity of 240; we continue to experience strong
demand from Europe. The Fellows have remained committed to restricting the size of the College12
to a maximum of 350.
I advised you last year about the development of the new Social Centre in the Warden’s
Garden, which has now been completed, and it is generally agreed that the new building is a
significant enhancement to the centre of the College campus. It has retained the name of the
original building, Whispering House, and we enjoyed a most successful opening event last
November, attended by Josepha Madigan, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and
the renowned Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
Notwithstanding the current health crisis, and its short term impact on College life, we will
continue to review the accommodation capacity on the Campus, with two objectives – how best
to improve the facilities for the increased number of day students, and how to create additional
boarding capacity. It is an ongoing objective to encourage Day students to convert to Boarding as
they progress through their College life, and to ensure that we preserve the boarding ethos of the
College.
The funding for these development plans will continue to be overseen by the Development
Board and the Development Office, which are now well established. There is an ongoing
schedule of events being planned and we are most appreciative of the support of those parents
who continue to sit on the Development Board and give their time to our fund-raising
programme.
But real progress is only possible if we receive the full support of Old Columbans and the wider
College community. On behalf of the Fellows, I want to reach out to all of you to consider how
you can help the College to build on its outstanding legacy, and enhance the position of St
Columba’s at the centre of the private education sector in Ireland.
Old Columbans are an integral and essential part of the College community. With your support
I am confident that we can achieve the strategic goals which I have outlined in this report, and
fulfil our mission – to ensure that every pupil and member of staff is supported and assisted, to
enable them to become the very best that they, individually, can be.
In conclusion, I would like to thank everybody who has been so supportive during my time as
Chairman. A particular thanks to the Warden, the Bursar and their respective teams of academic
and non-academic staff, who have continued to ensure that our excellent academic standards and
our strong operational and financial management have been maintained throughout my time as
Chairman. My thanks also to the Fellows for their unstinting support, and it is a pleasure for me
to introduce Sarah Love (OC) as the new Chair. Sarah Love epitomises that new generation of
Old Columbans who are so willing to give their time to the governance of the College. I wish her
well.
All stakeholders whom I have encountered and with whom I have worked over the last ten
years have instilled in me confidence in the future of St Columba’s College.
G.R. Caldwell (1960)
FROM THE WARDEN
It is tremendous when a plan comes together, as it has done in the new building that we opened
this year in the heart of the College. Old Columbans will remember the Warden’s Garden as a
somewhat dead space, but this area has now been regenerated by the building of a substantial
social centre. This was done by knocking down the old Whispering House in the yard and
building it up again and then by building out into the old garden. In a lovely touch, the old wall
of the former garden has been reconstructed stylishly in the centre of the building. Outside there
is a new garden, with sitting space for pupils. The result is fabulous.
When I first came to the College I asked myself, and others, where the boys and girls were
expected to meet and socialise with each other. I was told that they met in the Dining Hall or
outside. This seemed inadequate to me, for it is incumbent on a coeducational school to provide
spaces for sensible friendships to be cultivated in the College. What we now have is a beautiful13
building, which has very quickly become the hub of the school. Every day one year group has
their lunch in there, which they enjoy, because it feels more like a café, and which also takes the
pressure off the Dining Hall. It is permanently open for pupils to meet, but is also a place for staff
to meet and to invite guests. It serves as a café for a lot of the time and particularly at those times
when it is most needed, such as after games or on Saturday afternoons. It has become the place
to hold most of the College’s functions, not to mention the place to watch the Six Nations or the
Champions League. As you look out from Whispering House you look up to the Chapel, the
Argyle Building, the Big School Room and the Library: so it really does feel like the centre of the
College.
Unfortunately, other plans that I have had for the development of the College in the next year
or two have had to be shelved. The Coronavirus crisis, which has gathered momentum while I
was contemplating this article, is an existential threat to all businesses and a private school is no
different. We will survive, but not without cutting our cloth appropriately. Headfort, the last
remaining traditional prep school in Ireland, has gone under and I suspect that a number of UK
private schools will go the same way. Who knows what the economic landscape will look like by
the time we go back to school? Numbers have been very good recently and the number of day
pupils, in particular, wanting to come to the College has been growing rapidly. Boarding numbers
are also solid but less predictable and the prospect of a huge financial strain being put on many
of our families may mean a decline in enrolments.
It is particularly difficult, at the time of writing, for the current VIth Form, who do not yet even
know for sure whether their examinations are going to take place. What is also so sad is that this
iconic time of their lives, with prizes and awards and graduation ceremony, along with the
summer sun and the long farewells, is being taken from them and it cannot be adequately
replayed at a later date. We will celebrate them when we can and as they deserve, but they are
ones for whom I feel most disappointed.
It is hard right now to finish off with a tone that is too upbeat. Nevertheless it is true to say that
we have an outstanding Common Room and an exceptional support staff, ably supported by a
board of Fellows with a multitude of skills and a great commitment to the College. We will come
through the current difficulties and I am still unfailingly optimistic about the future.
M. Boobbyer
Grace Cup Lunch May 2019
The fourth Grace Cup Lunch was held in the College Dining Hall on Wednesday 15th May 2019.
Mr Barnardo’s film of the College in the 1930s was shown, and greatly enjoyed, in the Big
Schoolroom. The following attended: John Allison, Charles Appleby, Malcolm Argyle, Patrick
Baird, Stephen Barcroft, Michael Baron, Robert Barklie, Denis Beare, Alec Bell, John Bielenberg,
Jasper Brett, Geoffrey Brooks, Maurice Brooks, Gavin Caldwell, Alan Campbell, Ian Craigie,
David Crawford, Andrew Davidson, Peter Dewdney, Morgan Dockrell, Terence Dormer, John
Falkiner, Ninian Falkiner, John Fanagan, Nicholas Fitz-Simon, Guy French, Andrew Furlong,
Hugh Gash, Simon Haselden, Christopher Hone, Desmond Irvine, Daniel Kelly, Benjamin
Kennedy, Denman Kessler, Terence Johnson, Roy Johnston, Robert MacCarthy, Timothy Macey,
John Martin, Richard Martin, John McBratney, Philip Middleton, Desmond Miller, Robert
Myerscough, David Neligan, Shaun Nesbitt, Philip Orr, Michael Pettigrew, Ian Roberts, Richard
Sherriff, Dudley Smith, Peter Smith, Adrian Somerfield, Antony Tatlow, Brian Thompson, John
White, Patrick Wilshere,Trevor Wood.
The Warden, Mark Boobbyer, spoke warmly of the College and, raising the Grace Cup, gave the
College’s toast ‘Floreat Columba et Floreant Columbanenses’. The Chairman of the Fellows,
Gavin Caldwell, spoke about recent developments in the College and plans for the future.
This very happy annual event was once again organised by Sonia Young of the College
Development Office.14
OBITUARIES
G.F. Freeman
Geoffrey Freeman was Senior Prefect in St Columba’s in the 1940s. He really loved the College
where he enjoyed some of the happiest days of his long life.
He spent most of his working life in the Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy as a radio and a
navigation officer, greatly enjoying travelling the world. After leaving the Royal Navy he
returned to Ireland and joined the staff of Bandon Grammar School, Co Cork, where he taught
English. Following his retirement he lived in Ballina, Co Mayo, for about ten years. Due to old age
and failing health he moved into a nursing home in Enniscrone, Co Sligo at the beginning of
2019. He was admitted to Sligo Hospital in December 2019 and spent his last days in Sligo
Hospice.
His father was a Dubliner and a Church of Ireland minister. He never married. He is survived
by his sister Patricia.
Mrs Patricia Jolly
R.H.W. McC. Johnston
Roy Johnston read mathematics and physics at Trinity College Dublin, graduating in 1951 and
then working in the École Polytechnique in Paris. He afterwards obtained a PhD in cosmic
physics at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.
While a pupil in the College in the war years he was, like some other contemporaries, greatly
impressed by the role of the Soviet Union and the Red Army in the defeat of Nazi Germany. This
led him into a detailed study of Marxism. In turn, in the later 1950s, he made contacts with IRA
ex-internees in order to move the IRA into a distinct left wing direction. While he never
abandoned the aim of a united Ireland, his aim was ‘to take the gun out of republican politics’
and to end partition by political means. In 1971, as paramilitary violence in the North rapidly
increased, he broke away from republicanism and rejoined the Communist Party. After some
years in the 1970s working with the Communist Party, he resigned because of the USSR’s
treatment of its dissident writers. Finally, from 1981, he became an important figure in the Green
Party in which he remained active and respected until his death.
He was interested in the College in a distant sort of way. He attended some of the Society’s
parties (perhaps wryly observing the middle classes at play), read The Bulletin and liked the idea
that in 1909 the Old Columban Society was set up in the same Trinity College rooms as the Irish
Citizen Army. He thought the most useful things the College ever did were to run its own farm
and to encourage practical hobbies.
N.F.D. Falkiner (1959)
Johanna von der Marwitz
[Adapted from a tribute by Marie von Brauchitsch and Caroline Remmers made at a memorial
service in Chapel attended by Old Columbans and by members of staff on November 16th 2019]
There are so many things to say about Johanna. One of them is that she was larger than life and
full of energy. Every day she had a new idea. A lot of them were a little crazy and she was
unstoppable in pursuing them.
Johanna really liked St Columba’s, but also sometimes had trouble accepting that our freedom
had lots of boundaries. But within these boundaries she used nearly all the opportunities she
had. Right from the beginning she tried to get to know all the different characters around her:
she enjoyed being with people and she was always up for a little adventure. She loved doing15
sports, especially polocrosse. Johanna didn’t really see the point of spending a weekend studying
in the Library when she could be outside doing something more exciting. She loved spending all
the free time we had outside.
She jumped at the opportunity to break the rules of the school a little bit (of course without
being caught). This gave her the feeling of freedom she always longed for. Also, she was not
afraid of danger, and you could definitely feel that when you played polocrosse against her. Being
with Johanna was usually exciting and fun, not only because of her great sense of humour, but
because a good day in Johanna’s mind was a day she really used to the full.
I think every one of you has your own crazy and joyful memories of special moments with her
- having fun at a party, playing polocrosse or another sport, playing some music in the Cadogan
or singing in Sine Nomine, playing pranks on each other in Hollypark, going on a pizza-run,
spending a nice day in town or just going for a little walk around school and having a really good
conversation.
Her powerful character inspired us in a lot of ways, particularly by her empathetic side.
Johanna was definitely a person who cared about people and noticed quickly when something
wasn’t going well. She really understood others’ feelings, troubles and doubts. She was truly
sensitive. It was always Johanna who made the very best of things, it was always she who turned
the negative to positive and it was always her turning tears into big laughs. Some days she was
a little sister for us, on others she was a caring mother.
Johanna always looked out for her friends. For many of us it was the first time living away from
home and the family, so we were family to each other in school. Johanna always tried to bring
everyone together. She helped other people who were more shy to make friends in school.
Besides that she was a very enthusiastic matchmaker! Sometimes she would just give you a hug
in the right moment. It was impossible to be mad at Johanna for longer than a few seconds,
because you always knew she just wanted the best for everybody.
Every time we talk to people about our times at St Columba’s, Johanna’s name is mentioned.
She is a big part of all the beautiful and all the tough times that come to mind when we think of
our time at school. Right now she is watching us with her big Johanna smile: coming together is
what she always looked forward to. The more it hurts right now to let her go, the more thankful
we are for having had her in our lives and for everything we share with her.
D.N.C. O’Morchoe
David O’Morchoe was elected a Fellow in 1982 and served the College with great distinction until
he retired in 2007. In 1988 he was appointed Chairman of the Fellows, an office he held until 1999,
when he became Chairman of the newly constituted Board of Management.
The seventies and into the eighties had been years of austerity, high inflation and high interest
rates in Ireland, making it a very difficult time for private schools. The College under Warden
Gibbs did all that was possible to create new facilities, but by the 1990s a great deal needed to be
done to bring the College up to modern standards.
Under the Chairmanship of David O’Morchoe and the Wardenship of Timothy Macey,
opportunities unfolded to improve substantially the facilities of the College: the astroturf hockey
pitch and pavilion; the golf course; the new staff houses and sanatorium in the Hurley Field, a
new Front Drive and entrance to the College, extended games fields, and above all the new
Library, followed by the old gym becoming the art complex and the building of a new Sports Hall.
Such is the record, but what of the man who guided these projects to conclusion so successfully
and harmoniously?
Jonathan Bewley, who succeeded David O’Morchoe as Chairman of the Fellows in 1999, writes
of his tact, his diplomacy and diligence. He brought together suggestions and ideas from all
members of the Columban community, all requiring the most careful financial planning. In
committee work he was always thoroughly prepared. He would listen very quietly and carefully16
and finally deliver a very clear and precise decision. There was never any drama at his meetings.
The College today is a testament to his energy, dedication, loyalty and enthusiasm.
Jonathan Bewley continues, “David O’Morchoe was an enormous help to me with advice and
with his friendship. I was lucky to inherit the chairmanship of the Fellows when great changes
had already been made which provided the platform and energy to further invest in the
College’s facilities”.
In his reflections Warden Macey writes of “David O’Morchoe’s immense respect and affection
for the College. He had an ability to share in and appreciate the enthusiasm of others; one thinks
of his unerringly sound sense of judgement and of his openness to new ideas; and how his gentle
gravitas, that he wore so lightly, proved invaluable in winning over the doubtful and ultimately
in instilling us all with the confidence necessary at that time, while he had the good judgement
to define the limits of what was possible. He saw the best in all of us and patiently steered us
towards its fulfilment”.
Similarly, Warden Haslett remembers David O’Morchoe’s love of the College, his warmth and
generosity of character, his rare depth of experience, his smile, support and forbearance: that he
was caring and morally grounded. “I feel humbled to have worked alongside him. He was a
stalwart of the College and will remain forever in my thoughts as a cherished mentor”.
Apart from matters to do with St Columba’s, David O’Morchoe was a person of many other
distinctions. He rose to the rank of Major-General in the British Army and at one point
commanded the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces. On retiring from the British Army in 1979, he
was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He was Chief of the O’Morchoe clan and
a member of the Standing Council of the Irish Chiefs and Chieftains and was also a member of
the Church of Ireland General Synod and an adviser to the overseas development charity,
Concern.
As President of the Royal British Legion in Ireland, whose work is the welfare of ex-servicemen
of the British services, he promoted joint remembrance services with the Irish Defence Forces. He
took part in the annual National Day of Commemoration at Kilmainham for all Irish men and
women killed in wars. He played a major part in bringing back into public memory the sacrifices
of Irish men and women who had served in two world wars and in this way contributed to a new
spirit of reconciliation in Ireland. In 2007 he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the
British Empire for his work with the Royal British Legion. In 2011 he was one of those who hosted
Queen Elizabeth on her state visit to Ireland when she visited the National War Memorial at
Islandbridge.
His funeral in Christ Church, Gorey, was attended by hundreds of mourners among whom
were the aides-de-camp of the President, Michael D. Higgins and of the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.
The whole Columban community extends their sympathy and gratitude to Margaret his wife,
who supported David in everything he did, to his two sons, Dermot and Kevin, and to his
daughter, Maureen, who were so dear to him.
It was a blessing to have known this man.
N.F.D. Falkiner (1959)
Tania Ana Prettejohn
Tania Ana Judd was born in 1959 and grew up in Traverslea House, Glenageary. She was the
youngest of seven children. There was always something going on in Traverslea, whether an
animated conversation between sisters about the latest art exhibition, political issue or fashion
purchase, or coffee and a genteel chat with Tania's impeccably stylish Maltese mother.
I first met Tania in the old Hollypark at the beginning of term in September 1975 when she
gleefully opened the door to our new dorm at the top of the imposing flight of stone stairs in the
Warden’s House that swept from Whitehall to the first floor return. We were both new girls at St17
Columba's and we quickly became the best of friends.
Tania had a wicked sense of fun and an exuberant sense of adventure. During a student holiday
at my family's cottage near Westport, Co Mayo, a group of us decided to climb Croagh Patrick.
Hearing that the most devout pilgrims would climb the reek barefoot, nothing would satisfy
Tania but to take off her boots and make the difficult, rocky ascent without socks and shoes. First
aid was provided afterwards in Campbell's pub at the bottom of the mountain.
As a student of furniture design at the London College of Furniture in the early 1980s, Tania
owned an old Honda 50. Legend has it this bike mysteriously ended up in the Thames and was
later replaced by her beloved red Honda CB400. In spite of years of poor health, she was an
intrepid traveller. Some of her bolder adventures included a trip to the south of the Atlas
Mountains in north Africa in the early 2000s, a solo walking trek along the Silk Road across
Uzbekistan, and a visit to Iran in 2017.
A talented artist, Tania pursued a career in interior design in London. Initially working for
Smallbone of Devises, she later set up her own design company and worked on residential
projects in London, Scotland and the USA. She married Philip Prettejohn and they had two sons
Jack and Felix.
Her younger son Felix recalled his astonished sense of wonder one day at their home in London
when, as an eight-year-old boy, he opened the door on to a long corridor at the side of their house
to discover that his mother had painted a mural transforming the humdrum passageway into a
Mediterranean olive grove lit by a warm southern sun.
Everyone who knew Tania will miss her bold humour, her creative energy, her generosity and
her daring, sometimes defiant, approach to life. She had an enviable ability to transform the
everyday into something artistic, creative and colourful. Even during the last months of her
illness, she was impatiently ripping up cashmere sweaters to fashion a cosy bedjacket for the
elderly mother of a close friend.
Surrounded by family, friends and many of her art works, Tania celebrated her 60th birthday in
Chandos House in London last summer. Unfortunately she was too ill to travel to Malta as
planned. Nevertheless she continued to speak excitedly about her plans for the next overland
bike trip down through France to visit her sister.
Tania is survived by her sons Jack and Felix, her ex-husband Philip and her siblings Simone,
Nikki and Peter.
Alice Luce (1975)
R.H. Simpson
It was with sadness and shock that Robin’s family and his large and wide circle of friends learned
in February 2019 of his grave illness which resulted in his death just a few months later on 27th
April 2019.
Robin entered the College in 1963 following five years at St Stephen’s School, Dundrum.
Known as "Reggie", probably due to his patrician bearing, he was popular and very much part of
life in the College.
He went on to Trinity College Dublin to read business studies and from there to London to Price
Waterhouse where he studied and qualified as a chartered accountant. In 1979 he returned to
Dublin to start his career as an accountant with Craig Gardner. After some fifteen years or so
there, he set up his own firm in Dublin, focusing on insolvencies as well as general taxation. In
this he was very successful and astute.
Being very much from a business and entrepreneurial background, he assisted in 1989 his brother,
David, in the setting up of Blenders. From small beginnings in Newmarket in Dublin’s inner city it
became in a short time a large and successful company producing mayonnaises and dressings for
the catering industry and moving finally in 2019 to fine new premises in Tallaght, Co Dublin.
In 1980 Robin married Margaret Clare (known to all as Garry) Humphries and there followed18
four sons, James, Harry, Andrew and St. John. Many hospitable and memorable parties were held
at their home on Merrion Road. After many years he and Garry parted and in May 2018 he
married Nuala with whom he continued his tradition of thoughtful and generous hospitality.
He was quietly involved in much charity work becoming a Governor of The Royal Hospital in
Donnybrook, where he implemented the policy of acquiring residential units for the Royal
Hospital. In early 2018 he was appointed Chairman of the Board. Less well known was his
commitment to the South Inner City Community Development Association. Based in the
Liberties, its aim is to tackle the many problems facing the community. Very few people knew
that, very discretely, he gave private support to some of his friends in time of trouble.
He was elected a Fellow of the College in 2000 and during his eleven or so years as a Fellow
proved, with his business acumen and accountancy experience, to be helpful, incisive and active.
He was encouraging, and generous in the setting up of the Society’s Bursary Fund, which has
proven to be a considerable success.
He was a long-time member of The Kildare Street and University Club and was also a keen
organiser of regular cycling and walking groups in the Dublin mountains, so much so that he was
asked to join the Board of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland.
His second home was his beloved family property near Roundstone, in Connemara. It was here
he was to be found for at least three weeks every summer. He was very much part of the social
life in the village and its surrounds. It was fitting that he was buried in the grounds of St.Mary’s
Church in Roundstone.
It is difficult to accept that we will not again enjoy the company of this generous, thoughtful
and wise person.
To Nuala, Garry, sons, grandchildren, step-son, his sister, Anne, his brothers John and David,
their families and many friends, our heartfelt sympathies. His like does not often come along.
J.N. White (1963) and Mr Barry Smith
C. Vis
Chris Vis’s broad talents in drawing, painting, design, illustration, stagecraft and caricature
greatly influenced very many Columbans. Today a remarkable number of his former pupils are
distinguished professional artists: Adam Clayton, Claire Carpenter, Justine Carpenter, Jean Dring,
Biddy Flinn, Charlie Hackett, Heather Haythornthwaite, John Leslie, Anthony Lyttle, Martin
Lyttle, Paki Smith, Clare Biggar. The list goes on.
His long-time colleague and friend Peter Watts writes, “He was funny, sweet, encouraging, non-
judgemental, thoughtful. Everybody loved him. He was the perfect art master”. He and Chris
had many days of fun working together in the old pig and chicken house – the Art Room – a
curious setting which did not affect the quality, quantity and potential of the excellent work
produced there by the their art pupils. In Charlie Hackett’s words, “The art room was where we
were allowed to be ourselves. Chris had some special power of being able to find and extract the
creativity within us: he treated us as artists. He has been the biggest influence on my life.”
The Warden of the time, Tim Macey, writes, “He had a great sense of humour, much needed
when he worked in a decrepit outbuilding and with a limited budget. When he met real talent
amongst his pupils, he recognised it and encouraged it enthusiastically. Yet he was also a kind
man and when faced by limited talent he could convey criticism so gently that no offence was
caused. While he would chuckle at the bizarre formalities of the College, he often spoke with a
profound reverence for all in the College that he found best. He was a blessing to us all”.
Anthony Lyttle writes, “He saved a lot of talented people who were not necessarily academic
by giving them an alternative environment , a creative and safe place in which to experiment and
flourish”. He continues, “I am sure that without Chris I would not have chosen to become an
artist. He was my inspiration and support all the years I have known him”.You can also read
