HCK ALUMNAE LUNCH 

Saturday, 16 September 2023

On a cold and windy September day we gathered in the beautiful surroundings of the National Yacht Club Dún Laoghaire to celebrate our Alumnae Lunch.  Past pupils spanning the decades had traveled from all over the country and abroad to be there. 

We were truly blessed to have Caroline O'Brien, Sr Geraldine McCarthy, Sr Carmen MacCarthy, Helen Buckley, Áine Butler, Vera Collins, Marilyn Dillon, Moira Eliet, Esther Hardy, David Keane, Margaret More O'Ferrall and Jenny Webb in  attendance.  

It was a wonderful opportunity for Alumnae to reconnect and meet up with their beloved Teachers.  We shared many happy memories of  our exploits both on and off the sports field, Art classes in Little Anstice, trips to Roman Britain and idyllic lunches spent on Killiney Beach.  Happy sounds emanated from various tables especially from the class of 1993 who were celebrating their 30 year reunion in uproarious style.

Fiona O'Sullivan from our Alumnae Committee spoke about what our years at Killiney meant to us, not only “extreme laughter and hilarity” but most importantly the feeling that we “completely and totally belonged” there.  Murmurs of agreement rang throughout the room in response to that sentiment.

On such a happy occasion we also took time to remember Alumnae and Teachers who were sadly no longer with us especially Sister Mary Hilary and Sister Madeline who had both enjoyed our last Alumnae Lunch immensely. 

Sister Geraldine kindly said Grace before our delicious lunch.   For a moment silence fell across the room while we gave thanks and felt grateful to be amongst friends to share this very special day.  

Caroline O'Brien warmly welcomed all of us “Old Cornelians” whether we had achieved gold, silver or platinum status.  She also spoke about Cornelia Connolly who wisely encouraged her teachers to praise rather than punish and seek the good in every student always encouraging them to be the best they could possibly be.  We remembered learning about “Peig”,  “Ovid”,“Yeats”, “Theorems”,  “The Renaissance, “The Ruhr”, “Spirogyra”, “Avoir and Être”and who could forget “Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic Rocks”….a far reaching and wonderful education indeed. 

Finally after many photos were taken and phone numbers swopped we said our goodbyes. Vowing to keep in touch, old friendships rekindled and new friendships created and all looking forward to our next Alumnae event.  

As Margaret More O'Ferrall said “Vivat HCK”!

By Sinead Farrell