By Paddy Walsh

THEY came from Sydney, Australia; from Florida and Martha’s Vineyard, U.S.A.; and even from Kilmacrenan, Ireland.

For many of them, they hadn’t seen each other for half a century but last weekend over 40 of those who ventured through St. Eunan’s College during the years 1970-75 met again for their 50th reunion.

It started for a few of them in Blake’s Bar on Friday night and ended up in the Mount Errigal Hotel on the following night.

But sandwiched in between – and sandwiches were indeed on the menu – was a visit to the old College itself – men that were once boys in this establishment attempting to make out faces they hadn’t seen in many a long year (soon to be put right when name tags were supplied).

And after the re-introductions on the steps of their former school it was into the chapel – familiar surroundings to those who had boarded in the College – for a special memorial Mass.

Celebrant, Fr. Michael Cannon, who had flown in from Florida for the occasion, welcomed his once fellow students. “We entered these hallowed halls to forge friendships, to learn about theories and theorems, equations, fractions, Latin and linguistics, quotations and to ask questions. These were days for ideas to be considered, and, yes, these were the best of times and the worst of times,” he declared.

And the worst of times undoubtedly involved the loss over the years of fellow classmates.

In front of the altar, the eleven names were inscribed on a noticeboard and during the Mass, candles were brought up to a special table in remembrance of those who had passed away including Seamus Carron, Patrick Craig, Gerard Lafferty, Pearse McCloskey, Charlie McGettigan, Raymond McGloin, James Meehan, Michael Mellett, Barry Mulreany, Hugh O’Loan and Michael Slevin.

Fr. Michael also acknowledged and remembered three of the teaching staff who had gone to their rewards within the recent past – former President, Fr. Austin Laverty, Michael Cullen and Ollie Horgan.

The emotions were heartfelt – the music and singing provided by Declan Nee and Eunan McCarron adding considerably and poignantly to the ceremony.

And after the Mass, it was off to the study hall to sit a test on eating sandwiches and cakes and hear a few speeches from tour guide, Eddie Harvey; chief reunion organiser, Mark Tracey; his assistant, Damien Crawford; and Fr. Michael Carney who was given a special presentation to mark all he had done for the College – changing its ethos as Damien pointed out – during his time as President.

Fr Michael had few fond memories of his time there as a student – “I hated this place and never wanted to see it again”, he indicated.

But see it he did in his role as President where he earned the respect of students and staff alike.

For Mark, meanwhile, there was a memory from the study hall. He’s taking his seat at the front of the hall directly underneath the Proclamation and the names signed on it – Pearse, Connolly, and the rest. And added to the list the name of one Herbie Scullion.

No history lesson in St. Eunan’s ever mentioned him as being among the Easter Rising Rebels. As for Mark he remembers keeping his head down for fear of the study supervisor pointing the finger of blame.

In his address, Eddie Harvey referred to the extension built in the college back in 1931. Now, he said the time was right, with around 1,000 students on the books, to add a further extension with planning in the melting pot.

But they require the Government to come up with the funding and to that end the former students were asked to make contact with local T.D. Charlie McConalogue to help set the financial ball rolling.

Later in the evening the venue for the reunion dinner and further speeches was the Glencar Suite in the Mount Errigal Hotel where good fun and food and the odd beer mingled in with the banter. And there was plenty of that.

The telling of stories was helped by the presence of pictorial and newspaper articles and other memorabilia brought along by Brian Murray and Rory McNelis. There was even a shopping list from Ma Butler’s…!

Today, Thursday, Danny Boyle was flying back to Sydney – bringing with him, as the others did, countless tales and anecdotes from their time in the school at the top of Sentry Hill.

“Well worth the visit,” he told the Whatsapp group.

A reflection echoed by all who ambled through the gates of the College and left without getting any homework…