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AGM 2010

The A.G.M. of the Glenstal Society (Old Boys) was held on Sunday, April 18, 2010, with our new President, Abbot Celestine Cullen in the chair. The second senior in attendance was Lord Peter Hemphill (’47) and the youngest Old Boy was Tom Fitzpatrick (’93). There was even younger blood represented by Billy Shanahan (17) of the current Vth Year, who gave an excellent account of Fr. John’s project to install solar panels in a Benedictine school in Tanzania to power computers and other electrical appliances. The Old Boys Society is helping to bankroll this project.

Br. Martin, the Headmaster, attended the meeting an gave a very interesting report about the school, which does indeed seem to be thriving.

The three most interesting discussions of the meeting were (1) the shape and contents of a new print edition of Ubique (2) the current overhaul of the MyUbique website and (3) the need to inspire the no doubt well-intentioned but nonetheless ineffective potential donors amongst the Old Boys to contribute something however modest to our various activities and undertakings.

Three Honorary Old Boys were ‘created.’ These were Maurice Gaffney, a former teacher, distinguished Senior Counsel, and a life-long friend of Glenstal, Abbot Christopher Dillon, former Junior and Senior Housemaster and Abbot for 16 years, and Br. Denis Hooper, a very popular Headmaster.

In a brief address at the end of the meeting the President appealed for a greater involvement of Old Boys in projects in the developing world, specifically in Africa, on the model of what was already being done in the school. While aware that not a few individuals from our numbers were already so involved, he proposed that energies might be more fruitfully channelled into a conjoint effort ( without formal stucture ) with Self Help Africa, an organization whose goals and focus appeared to him to offer an ideal outlet for Old Boys' particular skills and experience.

AGM 2009

The AGM was held on Sunday April 5th 2009, which was Palm Sunday. The boys had gone home the previous Friday. Whether that had something got to do with it, or whether some were deterred by the prospect of a lengthy liturgy, it was the sparsest attendance at an AGM in living memory – twelve just men – who did, however, make up in quality for what they lacked in quantity. We met in the Music Room in the School (The Athanasium).

The meeting started with a commemoration of Old Boys who had died during the year (eight) and members of their families or of the school staff. The minutes of the last meeting (May 4th 2008) were read and approved.

In his President’s Report, Noel O’Gorman chronicled a busy two years which encompassed the 75th anniversary of the School: Shelbourne Lunch, Banquet in a Marquee, the visit of President Mary McAleese. By chance, we were meeting in the Music Room which houses the superb grand piano and various instruments which a group of Old Boys had presented to the School to mark the anniversary.

The Treasurer’s Report was predictable: In round figures, income of €12,000, expenditure of €10,000, and a balance going forward of €20,000. Expenditure foreseen during the coming year includes upgrading our website, and also, probably, a new print edition of Ubique. The idea of a (modest) regular subscription for the pleasure of membership of the Society was mooted. Although some people are extremely generous, the truth is that most members contribute nothing at all for various services (Ubique, Newsletters, Funds for scholarships/ for members who have fallen on hard times). Let us, at least, acknowledge the generosity of those who DO contribute, and thank them warmly for their support.

Abbot Patrick manifested himself at this point and, for better or for worse, was treated as one of our very own. It seemed inappropriate to proceed to the designation of a new President. Instead, it was decided that the four ex-Presidents of the Society in attendance should form an electoral college to designate a worthy successor to Noel O’Gorman.

In conclusion, Fr. Andrew and Noel O’Gorman said nice things about each other, and we adjourned happily to Croker’s hostelry for an excellent lunch. Thirty diners had been announced, but the management refused to accept any compensatory payment for our feeble turnout.