2004summer

G LENSTAL N EWSLET TER

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The Board of Management Abbot Christopher formally appointed the very first Board of Management to the School on September 26th 2003. This was the final act in what had been a long process. The need for a Board of Management was first aired during the term of Fr Gregory as Headmaster (1998-2002), but it did not come to fruition until during the second year of Br Denis’s term as Headmaster.

The Education Act of 1998 requires that all schools establish a Board of Management “where practical”, according to certain norms and criteria set out by the Act. The increasing complexity and sophistication of the society in which we live today is reflected in our schools, and this required a corresponding need for the management of schools to be brought to a new level of professionalism. The demand made of a Headmaster today are so varied and complex that, with a Board of Management, tasks can be shared in a more practical and professional way, with a supportive structure in place for the management of the school.

The function of the Board of Management is to develop policy and to devise structures for the successful operation of the school.

Furthermore, the appointment of a Board of Management recognises the importance and role of the various stakeholders in the system –

the managerial authorities, teachers and parents. It recognises the right of parents to have a say in determining the shape of their children’s education, as well as the fact that, in the pursuance of its aims, the school is heavily dependent on the equality and calibre of its teachers.

The process of devising the Constitution of the Board of Management was very ably steered by Fr Andrew, and after due consultation and consideration by all parties it was adopted. The Board is comprised of eight members – monastic community’s nominees, parents’ nominees and teaching staff’s nominees. In the academic year just ended, the Board met formally on four occasions. The groundwork for these meetings is done at sub-committee or advisory group level, each forwarding recommendations to the Board for its approval. Currently, a Financial Sub-Committee, an Academic Advisory Group, a School Admissions Policy Advisory Group and a Substance Use Policy Advisory Group meet on a regular basis to work on the formulation of policy. After almost a year in office, the Board, while proud of its achievements to date, is also conscious of the many challenges that lie ahead.

Miriam McElligott Chairperson, Board Management

of

Mark Nicholas (1979) & Ciara Daly

Terence McCarthy (1978) & Jennifer Reese

Brian Lorigan (1993) & Sharon Llew

Alex Lacy (1984) & Theresa de Ben

Des Fullam (1994) & Ruth Burnside

Peter O’Meara (1988) & Kayla Alpert

Harry Whelehan (1962) & Liz Mullen

Jason McMahon (1993) & Karnie Roden

Oisin O’Connell (1992) & Karla Sanchez

Ruairi Lannen (1993) & Jana Sukova

Richard Duggan (1980) & Toni Wall

GOLF DAY There was an enthusiastic group of 27, covering all the decades from the 1950's onwards, who played golf in fantastic conditions in the Castle Golf Club in Dublin on 16th July.

The winner was Jeremy Svejdar on a great score of 42 points off a handicap of 18; 2nd was Corrie McNamara 34 points; 3rd Mark Ryan 33 points. Additional prize winners were Ivor and David McMahon, John Cronin, John O'Shaughnessy and Brian Kieran.

Very generous sponsorship was given by Conor Ryan (EMobile) along with support from Ronnie Cosgrave and Michael Kennedy which was greatly appreciated.

PJ Crerar was again our MC for the day and ensured the day was ran smoothly and everyone enjoyed the event.

This was a really enjoyable and well run event and it was agreed that we should consider the same venue and date for next years event.

Geáróid Bradley

Jubilarians in 2004 CONGRATULATIONS & BEST WISHES TO: Abbot Celestine Cullen Fr. Mark Tierney Fr. Philip Tierney Three Old Boys who celebrate 50 years of priesthood.

Fr. Henry O’Shea who celebrates 25 years of priesthood.

DIARY DATES AGM - Sunday 17th Oct 2004, Glenstal Old Boys Dinner Sat 26th Feb 2005, Alexander Hotel, Dublin

S UMMER 2004

P AGE 2

20 years on

Michael Wynne (1950-4)

After reading the Winter 2003 edition of Ubique which described a very successful 10-year reunion of the class of ‘93, I decided to organise a 20-year reunion for the class of ‘84. I contacted Jim Reddy who had written the Ubique article and asked him for whatever advice he could give. His pearl of wisdom: it takes an awfully long time to get in contact with everyone, notwithstanding e-mail, mobile phones etc., so start early. Good advice indeed!

Michael Wynne and I met only tangentially at school, but our common interest in the eighteenth century brought us together later, and we socialised mainly in the old University Club. There Michael used amuse the Bachelors’ Table with his anecdotes of other members, told with his usual zestful relish for ornamental detail, and after the meal he would liberally sprinkle his nostrils, tie and shirt with the contents of his silver snuff-box, as he chuckled away over the drolleries of life as seen through his old-fashioned spectacles.

His distinctive felt hat on the peg announced his presence on the premises, particularly when attending his regular Wednesdayevening sessions at the billiard table, where his eye for the ball was legendary.

Father Andrew and Greg Ashe, both of whom are contactable in Glenstal, were of huge value as I started tracking down the various people who had left in 1984. Our class was comparatively small at 26 in its final year and it was relatively easy to get contact details for all of them, mainly through Glenstal and people having contact details of other people that they still see etc.

However, there is a huge difference between getting someone’s contact details and actually being able to contact the person. At various stages, my most fervent wish was that the person I was desperately trying to contact via e-mail would simply slump forward onto his keyboard, thereby registering his very existence!

(No names will be mentioned to protect the innocent.) So if anybody does contact you re. a reunion, revert post haste so that they know they are contacting you at the correct address/number etc!

The next objective was organising accommodation. The Waterman’s Lodge in Killaoe/Ballina had been used by the class of ’93 and I made a reservation for May 22nd. There had been some discussion as to what date should be chosen etc., but ultimately you have to choose one date and hope that you get as many people as possible. You just can’t suit all of the people all of the time!

Our format was very simple: ten of us got together at 2:00PM at the pitch-and-putt opposite the front gates of Glenstal and spent an uproarious two-and-a-half hours hacking our way around the 18 holes, terrorising locals and other “serious” golfers. This was followed by a quick dip in one of the ice-cold plunge pools along the Clare Glens walk, followed by a walk around the school and grounds. Some people had not been there in 20 years and were truly amazed at the level of development that has taken place in the interim.

We then made our way to the Waterman’s Lodge where we joined the other six people who had decided to go straight there, as well as by Maree McCarthy and Declan Casey who joined us for a drink (and who, it was generally agreed, had not aged a day since we all left!). Fr. Andrew also joined us and gave us the pleasure of his company for the dinner.

The Waterman’s did us proud and served a really exceptional meal. Overall it was absolutely top notch, including keeping the bar open until, I understand (!), about 6.00am the following morning. What few speeches there were were short, particularly when Fr. Andrew decided to call time on whoever might dare to hog the floor too much.

The conviviality and easy comradeship was exceptional. There is always a certain amount of trepidation in organising an affair such as this but all my concerns proved completely unfounded. Indeed, there was a general groundswell of support to have another reunion in five years’ time rather than waiting another 10. I also hope that some old acquaintances will be rekindled. Roll on 2009!

Gavin McGrath

But his eye was equally renowned in the examination of paintings, both inside and beyond the National Gallery of Ireland, where he worked from 1965 to 1997, at first assisting the new Director, James White, in building up the strength of the Irish School, and later as respected researcher and illuminating author.

Michael’s relationship to art can be summed in one word – connoisseur – for he was truly that, inspecting at close range each masterwork that came under his gaze, and he knew more about paintings of past centuries than practically anyone else in the country. His leanings were towards Italian art, in which he had great expertise, and his ground-breaking book on the later Italian paintings in the National Gallery was a masterpiece that was hailed as a model for subsequent volumes in the same series. He would often quietly slip away to Italy to sample art, wine and song – some hoped in vain that women might have been included in that list after he sent home a postcard to a fellow club-member commenting that ‘the lira had plunged almost as low as the cleavages’ !

His love of Italy had started not long after school when he studied for the priesthood in Rome and, at his funeral Mass, his old friend Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, lamented what a loss it was to the Church that Michael had not finished the course. But back home his contribution to Irish church art was very considerable, not only through his study of the stained glass of Harry Clarke and An Túr Gloine, but also in his work for the Advisory Committee on Sacred Art and Architecture that was inspired by the Liturgical Congresses in Glenstal, and which played such a pivotal role in the revitalising of Church furnishings in Ireland from the 1960’s onwards.

Michael was at times reticent. Private yet open to good company, always assisting the many who came to seek his help and advice, and both generous and courteous to the younger generation eager to benefit from his scholarship and experience. Never looking for compliments, he always deserved them, and he must have been quietly gratified that the first volume of the sumptuous Irish Paintings in the National Gallery of Ireland was dedicated to him. He must have been equally pleased with the publication in the same year (2001) of a book entitled Lord Charlement and his Circle which contained a series of essays written in his honour by colleagues who held him in such high esteem. Even those who thought they knew him well – myself included – must have been astounded to see in it just how long and how wide-ranging his bibliography really was.

Michael’s name has become synonymous with high standards in the study of art in this country and, on a purely personal level, his memory will be cherished for his charming old-world friendship.

Peter Harbison (1951-1956)

S UMMER 2004

P AGE 3

The School Commission & the Arthur Report When he was appointed Headmaster in 2002, Br Denis signalled his intention to set up a School Commission, to investigate and report on the present and future needs of the school.

A Commission was duly appointed, chaired by Alison Cross, and including Fr Abbot, Br Denis, Betty Scott, Johnny O’Sullivan (1955-1960), Corrie Macnamara (1990-1996), Bríd Hurley, Declan Casey, Helen Costello and Fr Joseph.

The Commission met for the first time in March 2003 and agreed that it needed to look at the school’s role in Irish education and in Irish society. The members felt that the teachers and staff, the monastic community, the parents, past pupils and current pupils should all be invited and enabled to contribute from their various perspectives. With such a large group to be consulted, it was agreed that the Commission would need to engage a professional researcher to carry out much of this work on its behalf. Professor James Arthur was recommended by a number of sources. James Arthur is Professor of Education and Director of Research at Canterbury Christ Church University College in England and is Director of the British National Teacher Education Network in Citizenship Education. He is the author of many books on religious and educational issues and has served on several British government advisory bodies on education.

He had also worked on similar projects with a number of the English Benedictine schools and so was already familiar with matters particular to monastic schools. After interviewing him in May 2003, the Commission agreed to entrust the work to him.

Some past pupils may have

been taken aback when they received a letter from Professor Arthur in September 2003.

In fact, in order to ensure that he heard the widest possible range of experiences and opinions, he mailed a questionnaire to all teaching staff, all current parents and all past pupils. He spent a few weeks in the school in October 2003, and administered a questionnaire to all the current pupils, as well as offering the opportunity of a personal interview to all monks, and all staff, both teaching and non-academic.

While in Ireland, he also availed of the chance to meet with many people involved in the broader educational scene in the country.

Professor Arthur presented his report, Glenstal Abbey School – A Report on the Present and Future Direction of the Abbey School, to the Commission in February of this year. The Commission unanimously endorsed the report, and it was later presented to the monastic community jointly by Professor Arthur and by the Chairperson, Alison Cross.

The report affirms the school, its heritage and its place in the Irish educational landscape.

The report also makes a large number of recommendations across a wide range of areas, including the roles of the monastic community, boys, parents and staff. It makes specific recommendations with regard to the Board of Management, Admissions Policy, Academics, Finance, Plant, Administration, Maintenance and Catering.

The very final word is devoted to the past pupils: “The Glenstal Society should be encouraged to play a major role in helping to develop the school

for the twenty-first century.

The expertise and advice of old boys should be sought, where appropriate, on a range of Board of Management issues. The Glenstal Society is a valuable source of support for the work of the school.”

Martin Browne OSB

CLASS OF 1963 On 27 September 2003, 22 of the surviving 36 from those of us who left Glenstal in 1963 got together at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare to mark their 40th anniversary as Alumni. 21 had previously gathered for their 25th anniversary in 1988; how those intervening 15 years have flown.

This 40th dinner was a great success & a large contributor to that success was the presence of Fr. Mark, who had left the school in 1943, Anne O'Reilly, who had joined the school in 1953 & Tom Seaver, the only teacher left from our 1957-63 era, as our guests, each of whom individually played & admirably represented those of their colleagues, past & present, who had also played important roles in our lives at Glenstal.

There were few formalities & while some have frequent contacts with others some had not met since the 25th anniversary but this was no damper on the occasion & a great night was had by all with the retelling of some well worn tales of past deeds & some indulgence in nostalgic trips down memory lane.

The dawn was well awake by the time the last of the party broke up & all were of the view that we should not let another 15 years pass before we gathered again to mark another milestone as Alumni.

John B Dillon

REMOULD 64 On Saturday 3rd April, Abbot Celestine and Matron Anne O’Reilly were guests of honour at the first reunion (40th) of the class of 1964 – titled Remould 64 – held at Waterman’s Lodge Hotel in Killaloe, an excellent venue for such occasions.

A total of 21 sat down to an excellent dinner which was interspersed by speeches from Abbot Celestine (1), Anne O’Reilly (1) Ronnie O’Gorman (1) Peter Cunningham (1) and Nicky Shee (6)! The event was a notable success for those who attended, in many cases it was the first time for some to meet since the day of departure in July 1964, and travellers from the USA, Britain and Kerry to attend the occasion gave it especial flavour. Charles W. Glynn had assembled a photographic memory, presented with the latest of hi-tech computer technology, of those school-days, which formed part of the post-dinner celebration in the residents’ lounge; a celebration which went on to the small hours of Sunday morning. With typical diplomacy, Abbot Celestine retired – as he used do just before the Prefect’s meeting in the 1960’s – before the end to allow time for some uncensored memories! In fact, all the memories were of a savoury, amusing and amazingly daring kind, given the appearance of good citizenship which the assembled remoulds portrayed!

On Sunday 4th, all attended a special Mass continued on page 4

from page 3

celebrated by Abbot Celestine to honour those who had died in the years 1963 – 1965. A typical Sunday lunch was then served to all in the Senior refectory allowing for those monks with either long or short memories – depending on which was more appropriate – to visit and reunite including Fr Dominic who introduced them to the Ten Commandments and Rugby on the Art School. Tom Seaver, a surviving member of the lay staff from that era also visited the group to reminisce. Dispersal by 4.00 pm after visits to the new monastic library and Icon chapel resulted in a great deal of satisfaction being expressed by all with the occasion, and promises not to leave it another 40 years before the next remould.

Edmond (Tim) McGrath

EUGENE O’FLYNN Eugene O’Flynn, who was a monk of Glenstal from 1951 to 1997, died on May 28th 2004 after a courageous fight against cancer. Both in monastic and in civil life, he will be remembered for his characteristic gentleness, his quiet efficiency, and his spirit of dedicated service.

Unassuming in manner, he was a highly qualified and skilled accountant whose knowledge and competence were invaluable in Glenstal, as well as to many other communities, and eventually to his clients. We offer our very deep sympathy to Aileen his loving wife. At her request and at his, Eugene lies buried at Glenstal.

FRANK FLETCHER (1953-1958) My friendship with Frank spans fifty years. At his funeral his brother Peter described him as a “free spirit” and that he had been born 200 years after his time. He hated school but loved Glenstal.

Schooling and discipline were tiresome and seldom did he do enough to avoid the punishment that resulted from a succession of blue cards!

He loathed organised sport. Especially rugby.

The joy of his school life was roaming the woods and the activities that went with owning a hut, in whose seclusion he developed singular talents. He was an expert in explosives, projectiles, and archery. He copied perfectly the instruction manual producing a lethal crossbow with a huge range. He excelled in using a sling; the sound of a whining stone crashing through the trees terrified the other occupants of the woods. He soon graduated into making Molotov Cocktails and mastered the art of packing hollow cut-off ends of the steel tubes used for reenforcing the then new church being built with weed-killer and sugar, detonating these missiles with fuse-wire purchased openly at Nestors of Limerick. He also produced a number of acoustically perfect guitars.

Frank would have wished to be a gentleman-farmer – but he had no farm. His studies in Canada were short-lived and his twoyear “course” at the Dublin College of Art never actually happened. Instead

he used his allowance to live the life of a “city gentleman” in his garret where he arose at noon, took a leisurely bath at Trinity College and enjoyed the crack with fellow artists over a liquid lunch. He relied on painting commissions, which decreased in proportion to his increase in alcohol consumption. He excelled when painting the craggy faces of old men in Connemara or the characterful Shawlee women of the West.

Tragically a head injury sustained from a mugging in London slowed up his life and he spent more than a decade in a mental hospital. In his last months a stroke prevented him swallowing – being fed through a tube clearly was something he would not willingly tolerate! He died reconciled with the Church.

I have lost a good lifelong friend, a great character, a true artist; and all of us will miss one of God’s Gentlemen.

Bernard Segrave-Daly (1953-1958)

JOHN O’BRIEN John died in February 2004.

A brother of Anthony, who has kept our playing fields so beautifully for many years, John joined the Glenstal staff in 1963 and served in many capacities, including a period as second-incommand in the School Kitchen where he was very successful. Noted especially for the neatness and discipline of his work, John, who lived in the Front Gate Lodge since 1973, maintained the whole entrance area of Glenstal in prizewinning condition. He was a loyal friend of the community & a very nice man.

Let Us Remember Michael Wynne (19501954) Fiona O’Callaghan, mother of Michael and Joseph Ivor Holloway, father of Ernest Robert Holmes, father of John-Mark Linda May Beyts, mother of Piers and Bernard Segrave-Daly Ann Kearney, mother of Michael, Richard, Timothy, Philip, Peter, and John Gus Cunningham, father of David, Charles, Paul, Ralph, and Julian Ellen Barber, mother of Edmond and Robert Patrick (Ogie) Mehigan, father of Declan and Brian John Pym, father of John Finola Leggett, mother of Aubrey, Terry, and Brian Cormac Macnamara, father of John (Br. Luke), Niall, and Corrie Mary O’Hara, mother of Martin, John, Peter, Dermot, James, and Michael Jill McAleese, mother of Simon and Thady Kim Hughes, mother of Padraig and Cathal, both still at Glenstal Simon Hillman, brother of Robin Margaret Clarke, mother of Patrick ( + 1996) Frank Daly, father of Fergus, Timmy, and Kevin May they rest in peace Edited by Andrew Nugent osb Production by GPA Systems