Poetic Champions Compose

On the 8th August 1981 after 5 years in captivity courtesy of Islamic Jihad Terrorists - the famous journalist John McCarthy is freed and is flown by RAF Jet to Gosforth air base where he meets a world press, who are itching to find out how he has survived such barbarian, inhuman and degrading treatment for such a long time at the hands of his captors. McCarthy explains “I survived an English Public School........I can survive anything”..........does this resilience in the face of any of life’s issues also apply to OC’s.

Its’ the 4th September 1977 - memories of a long hot summer at home in Dublin dissipate as my brothers and I arrive at the Castle for my Fifth Year in Clongowes. The changing of the guard has happened we have a new Head Master Philip Fogarty SJ and a new Higher Line Prefect Mocky Sheil SJ. We knew our headmaster as last year he had been living in the Castle and giving us O-Levels boys classes on communication namely audio/visual. We had fun making interview videos with a camera and sound.

Mocky Sheil SJ was a returning OC himself, having spent 7 years in Belvedere.He was to change, indeed shake up our way of life in a number of sectors, particularly discipline and time-keeping..........

We have a new 5th Year Prefect - Fr Pat Sheary SJ............those of us who took O-Levels History have already experienced him for a year in class. Like all our previous prefects Fr Sheary SJ had to run a fine line between keeping discipline and not impinging too much into the lives of adolescent boys who were dealing with the emotions and strains of teenage life in a boarding school. One memory, I have is that one of the atheists in our History class who was also in the top 5 students got an exemption from “attending Mass or religious duties” on the basis that he made a damn good argument to Pat Sheary that he should be entitled to religious freedom. Ah a liberal Jesuit education.......thats what we all received at CWC.

Manchester United win FA Cu 1977

Liverpool win the First Division again and surprisingly Man Utd beat them in the F A Cup final 2-1, which makes us United fans doubly happy. France win the 5 Nations and complete one of their elusive Grand Slams. David Soul and Silver Lady is number 1 in the UK Charts to be overtaken by “Yes Sir I can boogie” by Baccara in October.

Kieran Kelly is appointed school Captain - no surprise - he had been lower line captain and stepped easily into the role. I am, much to my own disbelief appointed a “Study Prefect” for Rudiments/Grammar. One of the perks is getting a room which I share with my good friend Cornelius Clifford, who unknown to himself is going to cause me some grief.....keep reading.

Poetry/5th Year is tough we are reminded at every class and/or Prefect talk that the Leaving Certificate is a 2 year cycle which determines our lives and that, to get into our favoured course at University, “hard graft” is required. Clongowes really did allow us to develop all our talent whether that be sport, academia, music or acting. In our Poetry Drama Festival Messrs Coyne and Shanahan apparently are born for their parts. According to the 1977 Clongownian “An Punt ar Eileamh”, Sean O’Casey’s “Pound on Demand”, both actors “are very convincing drunks”!

The rugby season in 1977 was disappointing the SCT was defeated in the first round despite the contributions of a number of our year including Barry Walker, Greg Dilger and Freddie Brown. Little did we know that a number of the Team would collect the holy grail of an SCT medal the following year!

The SRPA - the charity organisation run by 5th Years is taken over by M Coyne who is President ably assisted by Messrs. O’Beirne and Shanahan. I have one memory of the SRPA when I was press ganged to help, M Mooney and myself visited a couple of homes and then were offered the opportunity to watch Tony Ward playing for Ireland v. Scotland by the Assistant Bursar in his home...........which we gladly accepted.

A number of our Year join “The Higher Line Debating Society”, and these include DJ Hegarty, Eamon Doohan and Peter Howick. There is also “The Academy” on offer, where students agree to present a Paper on a speciality topic........at the time, it seemed like a lot of hard work to most of us, however there were volunteers. These extra curricular students numbered “Oliver Dyar” who shared his knowledge of “Nuclear Fission & Fusion” with us, D J talked down to us about “Mao Tse Tung”, C Lucey implored us to understand “Isaac Newton” and our genial Editor Rossa waxed lyrical about “The Assassination of J F K & The Warren Commission”. Fair play to one and all - and they did get a special academic tie - to remind us of their elevated status.

The Academy 1977

After the Halloween break, I brought back a gas camping cooker. We made toast and soup and basic hot food in our room. All was going well until Pat Sheary catches Morgan with a slice of toast and hot soup................Morgan spins a yarn that he used a flame with an aerosol can of deodorant to make the offending food item. Pat Sheery sends him off to Mocky Shiel and before long the Fire Brigade from Naas are brought in to blow up cans of aerosol to explain to Morgan and others who had to attend that he could have blown up the 1929 building and a number of fellow students! Meanwhile I disposed of the camping gas cooker, brining it back home at the first available opportunity.

Its’ now April and the Punchestown Racing Festival “Wednesday” clashes with my final rugby game for the 3rds v. Belvedere at home. Ned Carroll our Latin Master offers me a lift to the races, I explain to him I can’t go as I am due to line out as 1st centre on the thirds. He mentions the quality of the racing and surely I could get a replacement to play for me. I agree thats’ a solution, but who, ah my great room-mate Con, surely he would relish a game for the 3rds when he has been on the 1st’s all season..........he agrees and in bliss I head off to Punchestown. I return around 8pm to find out Mocky Sheil is looking for me urgently........something about rugby.

I run into Mocky just as Late Study is about to begin and he suggests we deal with the issue in his room. Not sure what I am guilty of, I tread carefully, he said that he refereed the 3rds game against Belvo and that I better have a damned good excuse for not turning out...............I advise him “I forgot”........he says “this is neither true nor credible.......and by the way how did I get on at Punchestown?”. My mind goes blank and all I hear is “Fitzpatrick you let your team down, disgraceful........you will never be asked to play rugby again”. When I catch up with Con........he tells me, he couldn’t sub for me as his mother had unexpectedly arrived up from Tralee and he had to go out with her! Friends........cannot be relied on when something better comes along........another life learning......Anyway, I wasn’t too perturbed as it was the end of the rugby season and rugby wasn’t my favourite sport. That said, I did love sport above everything so perhaps I had lost a privilege.

One of the major events for us in 1977 was our first social - the argument had been made by Tigger, Rossa, myself and a number of other supporters - through the School Council of which I was a Member that Poetry should have a dance night with a girls‘ s school. The argument being that we had spent 5 years similar to most of the Rhetoric year and should not be discriminated against because we had chosen to do “O-Levels”. Permission was granted and an invitation sent to Mount Anville. In May 1977, we had our first social. I remember we had to collect £1 pound from each of our year to pay for the DJ/Music, other than that the Catering Staff provided the grub and our night was a relative success. The South Dublin girls were more mature and worldly wise than we were, despite the bravado of the Smokers and future Rock stars led by Johnno Donnelly - who gave the impression that women were their “subject of excellence”..........the rest of us were mere mortals.

Following the social - there was much banter amongst the lads and a few choice phrases come to mind, 41 years on. I can remember Grattan and Morgan exchanging their thoughts about the girls each had managed to partner for the night. Morgan mentioned that Grattan’s girl obviously had a good or indeed great personality and Grattan responded that Morgan’s was as bald as a coot..........this is as much as my memory will permit me to recount.

Con and I housed the “Poker Night(s)” in our room during Winter recreation Study break 8-9.15pm a healthy poker school existed with Gucks, Dingle, Morgan, Grattan, Titch Kelly and Bob Kryger being the principal benefactors for Dingle who had an uncanny knack/skill of winning the largest pots.

One day in May a US high school came to tour Clongowes and some of us were press ganged into looking after the students. The purpose of hosting these American students was to provide the whole Clongowes experience to them in 1 day. Speaking to their English Teacher and Head of Tour, early on in the day, he was fired with enthusiasm as to visiting “hallowed ground” - namely James Joyce’s early Alma Mater - I was a bit nonplussed, this was just our home. 40 years on and being in the TV Business.........we didn’t realise then what a star “Joyce was” and “still is”!

Till next month - my 6th and Final Article - continuing the theme ‘born in 1960 and made in CWC.

Courtesy of Francis Fitzpatrick @fitzlaws

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Clongowes or the  CWC 1978 committee or other groups or individuals. 

Transition Vamp 1975-1976 - O'Levels

Photo: Courtesy Jeff Pioquinto SJ

I’m sitting in the Mullingar Park Hotel, it’s the 30th October 2017, we are at our son Daniel’s Clongowes graduation ball. Chris Lumb the Headmaster is speaking “You are a fine group of young men who have spent 6 years with us in Clongowes, whatever happens in your life, please remember that although you have left Clongowes, it will never leave you”. Profound, his words echo and make an impression on an old Clongownian who is at that point 39 years out.

Its’ September 1975, my brothers and I pull up at the Castle, another year starts, I am now in “O Levels”, a new experiment, this is the second year that “O-Levels” is being run in Clongowes. A number of our colleagues who started in Rudiments with us, skip the year, we are saying good-bye to John Carey, Paul Cuddihy, Eoin Halpin, Brendan Rumley, Daniel O’Connell, Tony Egan amongst others. We become a type of hybrid year as next year we will be joined by students who skip O-Levels. Does the experiment work, only time will tell? The merging of the years – it has its’ plusses and minuses. “O-Levels” is deemed to be part of “Higher Line” – lots of additional privileges, particularly late leave for all Senior Cup Matches and Internationals. The dreadful responsibility of more state exams, except these are English State exams “O-Levels”, which the Jesuits in their wisdom believe will enhance our status particularly if we are going overseas for employment in the future.

Rhinestone Cowboy by Glen Campbell is number 1 in the singles chart as we arrive back in September. I didn’t know it at the time but I personally preferred Country music to rock and roll. David Bowie with Fame takes over the number 1 slot in October. Liverpool retain the first division title and win the European Cup – what a season. I can’t recall any Liverpool fans amongst us, which is surprising, in that among current Irish kids Liverpool vie with Manchester United as the most supported club. United once again break my heart, we lose the F A Cup Final to 2nd Division Southampton in the 83rd minute to a goal by Bobby Stokes and only finish 3rd in the League. Most of the above games are watched together in our wreck room on a black and white TV.

Our “O-Level” year was the last year of corporal punishment, next year a changing of the guard from Jake Brennan SJ and Paddy Crowe SJ, to Phil Fogarty SJ and Michael Sheil SJ would herald in a new era in the school. I can’t remember any of my colleagues or myself receiving any “pandy-bat” retribution in “O-Levels”. Perhaps we had matured to the point where a strong word of reprimand from our Teachers/Jesuits was sufficient to quell any teenage rebellious thought. There was one memorable incident when Alan Hoban had a “strong disagreement” with Poetry prefect Chris Murphy SJ, thankfully both stood back from the brink, it was more “handbags at dawn”, but perhaps Jesuit discipline was ebbing.

Our new prefect is a Jesuit scholastic David Coghlan, nicknamed “Joe Bugner” (aka British Heavyweight boxer) due to an unfortunate nasal collision at some point in his life. Mr Coghlan was pleasant to deal with and looking back I’m sure it was difficult trying to placate 60 plus teenagers. As well as keeping discipline in check. I had the surreal experience of Mocky Sheil reading out the internal report that Coghlan had written about me, when I got into a bit of trouble in Poetry, I was quite startled to find out “Fitzpatrick is a bit of a maverick, very personable and easy enough to deal with, however there is a bit of a Mafia streak in him………..”. Now as the Dad of 6, I can understand the difficulties of the job that Mr Coghlan, the Teachers and Jesuits had of policing us.

As a year we all seemed to get on better, we are now 4 years together and I suppose we had learned how to get along. Claims were pretty much non-existent, everyone had their space, there were the “Jocks”, “Smokers”, “Intellectuals”, “Debaters”, “Canoeists” and “Loners”. One minor altercation in the dorms resulted from a banana bed that a few of us made on a number of unsuspecting classmates including one of the Rugby Props – Gucks took the hit, and we all felt guilty. We pretty much knew where we stood in the CWC microcosm of the world. Were we all institutionalized at this point, possibly – the system worked reasonably well.

 

Michael Sheil

Academic Life continues pretty much as normal. Fr Johnny Looby SJ our English Master keeps a strong level of fear going in class, he questions us on our poetry recall, choosing one of the three rows of desks to recite the poems which he has proscribed. I learn to gamble, 3-1 the odds are in my favour, so I don’t spend too much time learning poetry. There is always the “second method”, where when your turn comes you confess that you didn’t learn it off and must learn the poetry for the next class when you repeat it to Fr Looby personally prior to the class. On one occasion I take the second method – and find that the extra pressure of repeating the poem before class is severe and not worth gambling with……..Johnny Looby’s 2nd method has certain similarities with the TV Game Show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” life-lines (“phone a friend”, “take away the 2 wrong answers”)………..perhaps English class did prepare me for life after CWC.

John Looby

Our esteemed editor was tasked with looking after home-work, a role whereby he would collect our English copies, bring them to the Serpentine Gallery for collection, reading and correction by J Looby SJ. Most of the time the mark was either G or VG being good or very good, occasionally one would receive “excellent” which was deemed a prize worth having, and Rossa would congratulate you as he returned your copy.

Recently in May 2017, at Fr John Sullivan’s Beatification ceremony I met Fr John Looby and bought his excellent book, “Fr John – A Man sent by God”. I requested him to sign “excellent” for one last time, on my copy…………nostalgia is a wonderful thing.

French class carried on pretty much except I am moved from Ray Lawlor’s class. I miss Ray Lawlor SJ, teaching us “French through music”, it was one of my favourite classes which didn’t carry the level of fear that Chemistry/English did, nor was it boring such as Maths. I did have great sympathy for our maths’ teacher Benny Coghlan SJ, he could barely get any response from our O-Levels class of the “non-interested” for the most part “pass maths’ students who needed “Trigonometry, Formulas or Fractions like a hole in the head”. I had known early on in the CWC pass maths classes in rudiments that maths was clearly my weak spot! 

While Chemistry under Ben Sherry, continued to be run on Machiavellian lines of “the bond of fear is greater than the bond of love” – Ben did make class interesting and often told stories of “past pupils who wrote to him when the problems of life got the better of them”. I recall in particular one story of a guy who lost his business and was at his wits’ end, but who recovered through a combination of prayer, hard work and hope………..we were prepared for all eventualities in life. 

Chemistry surprisingly provided me with my best Leaving cert/matric results yielding the necessary points for Law in UCD, I owe that to Ben’s class! Now as my son George has just this year completed his Transition Year in CWC with work experience trips to France and the UK, time in a Solicitor’s office, experience with a barrister in the Four Courts and a week with Fr Peter McVerry SJ – our O-Level’s transition year was not comparable with his, however I believe we were prepared for life with best practices at that time in 1975/6.

One of the loves of my life is horse-racing and Ned Carroll one of the Latin Masters started a “racing club”. The President of the Club is one of the Rhetoric Boys “Peter Taaffe”, a son of the jockey of the greatest horse in Steeple Chasing History “Arkle”. We would go when possible to the local race-courses “Naas, Punchestown, The Curragh”.

On a trip to Punchestown, Morgan Mooney and myself had lost all our bets and were hoping to make it home for tea as we were starving. We hitch hiked and a kindly racegoer took pity on us, brought us for a meal in the Gem in Naas and then for a couple of pints. It was my first pint of Guinness, which I quickly developed a fondness for. Morgan and myself had a problem now, we had to get back in to the Big Study prior to 8pm so that it was not noticed that we had bunked off to the races. At about 7.20pm with a couple of pints on board we each had an excuse for the Study Master – one improvised and exclaimed that we had been at an away tennis match!

1976 was a strong year for CWC rugby, the Team captained by the late Tim “Mush” Cronin” lined out in the semi-final of the SCT at Lansdowne Road with Barry Walker, Eoin Halpin and Alan Hoban starring. The Clongowes Team featured Irish International Paul McCormack and Leinster Inter-pro Jimmy Whelan. Castleknock won the day but Clongowes were back as a potential rugby force in Leinster. An emotional and disappointed Captain Cronin in an impassioned speech in the Gallery forecast that the holy grail of an SCT victory would come now that Clongowes had implemented “O-Levels” we were competing on an even pitch with the Dublin schools of Blackrock etc” …………..how right he was – in forecasting 1978’s success! We had a good super-thirds team with Fr Liam O’Connell proclaiming that we had the 2 fastest wingers in Leinster in John Hickie and Gerry Healy.

Dingle had become a force for good, in his own mind at least in attending, as our year representative the “Catering Committee” presided over by Chef Dagger. I couldn’t quite understand the advantage for Dingle until he explained that “knowing the chef and guiding the menus” was useful. I attended on a couple of occasions with him and found that once the catering staff got to know you, your helpings did improve and getting seconds was easier. A life lesson, particularly for the branch of life I qualified in, law…. knowing your Judge was definitely an advantage!

Our college librarians feature Cormac Lucey one of our year’s top academics, ably assisted by future IFSC senior civil servant Martin Moloney, David Nunes and future Scottish GP Morgan Flynn. Members of the Poetry and O-Levels quiz include Martin Coyne who is sporting an Afro in the picture in the Clongownian, Paddy Ryan and Cormac. The Phoenix Revival Debating Society picture features Con Clifford, D J Hegarty, the late Joe Prendiville and the late Brendan Rumley both of whom continue the debate in heaven.

I note also from this year’s Clongownian that we win the annual Triangular contest between the Cadets, Newbridge and CWC. Cathal Ryan and Eoin Halpin make the senior cricket team.

David Coghlan

Our fourth year together deepened the bond between us, we share many memories, many days were dull and routine, some days were magical, as we travelled together, along the teenage years road toward adulthood. No doubt our parents and elders indoctrinated us with the usual cliché “School days are the best days of your life”, we didn’t know it then and probably are just about appreciating it now. Our school of hard knocks provided us with skills and stamina that still serve us today. Yes Mr Lumb – Clongowes never left us.

Till next month – continuing the theme, born in 1960 and made in CWC.

Written by Francis Fitzpatrick CWC 1972-1978 @fitzlaws

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the Clongowes 1978 committee or other groups or individuals. 

                        

The Syntax Years 1975-76

I’m sitting in a consultation in Jurys’ Hotel Ballsbridge, its’ arranged by a Financial Adviser who specialises in representing Clients dealing with Banks. He has brought me in as the Legal Adviser, I’m grateful for any type of work. It's May 2009, Bank of Ireland is selling property as are the other banks to US Vulture funds at 10% of value, carnage on the streets as those leveraged to property as I am, are running out of road. 

Brian Lenihan TD Minister for Finance has put the brakes on family home repossessions - thank God - but there is little to be done. Our Client a middle-aged woman is in deep trouble, she owes €29M and her property portfolio is probably worth €5M on a good day. We are discussing the best options - probably Bankruptcy in the UK and quick. As the day drags on - we stop for lunch she says she is forever grateful that she sent her 2 boys to a boarding school in Kildare, at least they got a great education from the Celtic Tiger. The Accountant is from Belvo and tries to joke.....surely it wasn’t his sister school Clongowes. It was, I say nothing, other than I was there.........but deep down this is a message from above.......somehow and I just didn’t know how then.......my 3 boys would have to go to my Alma Mater.......I was praying for divine intervention or at least divine inspiration. 

The summer of 1974 whizzes by..........we were entertained no end by “Total Football” and the magical Dutch with Johan Cruyff starring........beaten by Gerd Mullers Germany in the World Cup Final in July......can’t wait to try out Cruyff’s new dribbling trick in our soccer leagues in CWC. As we arrive on the 3rd of September 1975 Rod Stewart is top of the Charts with “Sailing” - having taken over from the Bay City Rollers who held the position in July. One of the greatest songs of all time Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody is due to fill the number 1 slot for 9 weeks from November 23rd. Liverpool are due to win their 9th Division 1 title and there is some hope for Manchester United.....we had been relegated last season but come back to finish 6th in the First Division and with our loudmouth Manager Tommy Docherty at the helm, win the F A Cup.....Bliss! 

This is an important year for us.......our first major state exams.......the Inter Certificate......also for our JCT Team.......the chance to impress on the fields of Donnybrook representing the school in the Leinster Junior Cup. We win our first match against Roscrea 22-16 in Kings Hospital’s ground. Ned McQuaid, B Walker, P Mulrine and Greg all-star and the Team are welcomed home as heroes, any win in a Cup match is celebrated to the full. We lose to eventual winners Pres Bray in the quarter final - 7-5..........hindsight being a wonderful companion..........was this the signal that ‘78 would be the defining year for CWC rugby., when we would avenge this defeat and go on to bridge a 52-year gap! 

One abiding memory from the JCT match v. Pres Bray in Donnybrook, was Alan Hoban’s rugby tackle of the Pres Mascot, who dared taunt well behaved CWC supporters at half time. The tackle unleashed a crowd upset which Millwall Fans would have been proud of. Paddy Crowe SJ was not amused but we sensed that even he felt justice had been done and Alan cemented his reputation as a man not to be trifled with. 

The Monaghan - Dublin bombings of the 17th May of the previous year had severe repercussions for CWC late leave, which was the practice of allowing us to savour the delights of Dublin City until 9pm when our buses would leave from Bachelors Walk to take us home to CWC. Parents now had to sign off permission for “Late Leave” - given for JCT Cup Matches and for Internationals. My Mum was wavering - how could they be sure we would be safe, Patrick my older brother pleas with Dad “we’d be the odd ones out”, eventually won the day. Late Leave was an interesting experience - the great joy of being with friends was also coupled with the dangers of young City ruffians who were peddling O’Connell Street looking to pounce on unwary strangers opening with “give us tuppence”........once again safety in numbers was the lesson learned. 

In the days pre-McDonalds, Burger King and KFC, old style Italian chippers such as Cafollas were the taste of choice and either burger and chips or sausage and chips with extra salt and vinegar were the highlight of those late leaves. Later for SCT matches when we were in Higher Line we would be keener on a pint of Harp or Guinness and a packet of Tayto.......the hard men......would of course have insisted on Jameson chasers! 

The routine of life in Syntax was no different to Grammar. The Bell rang at 7.20am and despite Gucks in particular and other future engineers in trying to dismantle its’ shrill tones, it survived to remind us to be up for breakfast for 7.30am. Morning Study followed at 8.15am which was the last exit for chancers (myself included) to get that question or preparation for one’s most difficult class, finished. Prevarication hung heavy for all but the most studious swots - despite great study opportunities - I somehow would only complete tasks as absolutely necessary. Morning class ensues until the 11.15am break, when Dingle Moore took it on himself to dispense the morning snacks with coffee, he also had control of the supper tea/coffee snacks..........a lesson learned for a future Finance King.......control the cash at all times. Morning classes continue 11.30am to Lunch at 1pm..........the lunch stampede continuing as I understand from my 3 boys at CWC.........no generation likes to queue. Afternoon class starts at 2pm to 4pm and then the best part of the day............4-6pm Free Time for sport or other non-study/learning pursuits. Even the smokers loved this time - when they would gather for some legal nicotine prior to getting down first for Tea at 5pm. 

One memory from “the Big Study”...........Ireland were playing Russia in the European Qualifiers in 1976........those of us with radios and earphones smuggle them into Study and set about quietly tuning in to the game. All is going well, Ireland are suddenly 1 up, they go to 2, Don Givens scores a Hattrick and then a Fourth........I’m pretty sure I witnessed at least 5 super fans almost jumping with delight........the Study Prefect either Ned Carroll our kindly Latin Master or Mick O’Dowd.........were probably listening in as well. Another memory is a protest when a number of us wore “Dressing Gowns” to highlight how blooming freezing it was on occasion! 

While to the outside world - we lived in a privileged cocoon - perhaps we didn’t realize it then (as a parent, my 3 boys don’t have a clue - give them 40 years out and they will), we didn’t think so, and were always ready and willing to “best the system” if we could. One example.........overhead electric heaters were installed in our wreck room.......some Physics genius possibly “Sambo Shiel’s/Philip Murphy or 100% Hockey, discovered that those heaters could be used to make toast. The smell of toast is alluring and quickly we all want some of that. Even Con Clifford gets up for breakfast once toast is available. You needed to work in pairs, 1 on the lookout and the other making toast. Titch Kelly and myself are working away until Chris Murphy SJ, breaks our radar system and confiscates our contraband! Despite Titch’s pleas “can I have some more Sir”! 

Dingle, Morgan, Henno Donnelly and myself discovered that we had a love of 2 things that young gentlemen should probably avoid, poker and horses. In later life I put all my misfortune down to “slow horses and fast women!". We mis-spent many a Wednesday and Saturday afternoon, losing our pocket money to the bookies in Clane! In terms of Poker, Dingle was the maestro and no matter what hand I had, on one deal, I had a straight flush and Dingle comes in with a Royal straight flush........I recall it was the first hand dealt in that session.......he always won! A big learning........the house always wins. 

One of my abiding memories of a great time at CWC was during the Inter Cert exams. Most of Syntax left after about 10 days of exams, as I was taking a minority subject “Spanish” - I had an extra week of great weather and time to wallow in the splendour of the college. No rules - it truly was a holiday venue extraordinaire. I didn’t do much if any study and spent the endless hours, playing soccer, tennis, tip rugby, swimming and eating pretty much what I wanted as the skeleton catering staff felt sorry for us teenagers who had been left behind. 

Mocky Sheil kindly allowed me access to the Clongownian for 1975/76 and the following are excerpts that hopefully sum up what fellow 15-year olds were accomplishing in 1975: 

James (TC) Kelly was awarded first place in the senior Feis Ceoil. Drama talent was exhibited by “The Apprentices” our year end play starring Freddie, Jack Ronan and David Kelly, who according to the Clongownian “exhibited India Rubber resilience as “the New Apprentice”. Our Christmas debate theme was “That the era of Democracy is ended”....D J Hegarty led the opposition ably assisted by Ambrose. John Hickey’s Team win the Syntax Quiz and he has Con Clifford, Martin Moloney and Greg to thank for winning by a point! Rossa (our esteemed editor of this blog and organiser in Chief of our forthcoming re-union) and Rory are complimented for their Orienteering aptitude. Joe Prendiville bags the medal for Lower Line Debate. There are also plaudits for C Hickey and F McEnroy for their prowess in canoes. Peter Howick, who goes on to become one of Ireland’s finest journalists scores 1 of his many well-deserved Medals for English - he is peerless amongst us as a writer and wit! Gucks wins one of his All Irelands. 

It’s the May bank holiday and my editor Rossa wants this delivered for Tues. 7th May, so I need to sign off. Till next month - continuing the theme ‘born in 1960 and made in CWC.

If you have any stories that now need airing please contact whistleblowercwc72@gmail.com

in the STRICTEST confidence ;)

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Back to the Place I Was Before

The 40th Reunion since the Leaving Certificate also marks the end of the schooldays and falls this year for the Graduating class of 1978. So, a Class Reunion offers that rare return to Clongowes Wood College for many of that graduating class. As well as a trip back to a place that at one point all of us thought we would never escape perhaps. Yet with the passage of time it has become the place we now feel that we left too quickly. 

The occasion this year offers another chance to meet fellow class mates from the 1972 vintage and recall times inside those imaginary Gates of Hell up to the hazy the summer of 1978 when we departed for the last time as pupils. A place where most served the full six years before taking our leave to chase life’s great adventure. For those who never had further family attending the school it may all seem less familiar now if they never returned. With some sparkling new buildings and modern facilities now on show, as there have been significant changes since even our last return a decade ago. 

The formal gathering will take place on Saturday, October 20th, 2018 with former teachers, members of the Jesuit Community and many past pupils. All of whom will gather in the Westgrove Hotel and Conference Centre, in Abbeylands, Clane, Co. Kildare. 

"Last thing I remember, I was

Running for the door

I had to find the passage back to the place I was before

'Relax' said the night man,

'We are programmed to receive.

You can check out any time you like,

But you can never leave!'

Hotel California - the Eagles

Twitter: @clongowes78

Instagram: clongowes1978 

Facebook: Clongowes SeventyEight

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Grammar..... Monopoly, Battleships, Chess and RISK

The New CWC swimming pool was due to open on the 3rd March 2018. As a former Leinster dual swimming silver medalist - I’m trying to pawn off to my boys George (Syntax) and Patrick (Grammar) that I have a special invite but the truth is all parents of current pupils are invited. The opening is postponed as the Storm “Beast of the East” strikes and CWC sends all boys who can go home - home. On the drive home I casually ask the boys what they think of the new state of the art pool - I am horrified to hear the answer “Dad the new pool is no fun - in the old pool we can wrestle, mess and hang out - the new pool is just for serious swimming”.............youth is wasted on the young....we would have killed for a pool like this in 1973.

It is the 4th September 73 - summer is over and CWC opens its doors for our 2nd year experience. A massive change Mr O’Keefe is no longer our Prefect he has been replaced by a bearded scholastic Mr O’Riordan......he is smaller and doesn’t invoke the fear that Mr O’K did. Rules are relaxed or is it that we are now veterans of the system. Bounds are no longer enforced - it seems we can go anywhere - and we are allowed into Clane, freedom beckons.

On the academic front - I am particularly relieved, I have been re-assigned from Latin into Spanish class. A shot at redemption.......I seize it with both arms.....Spanish becomes my favorite subject.......I just can’t let this opportunity pass me by.....there is a joy and sense of accomplishment in learning......it feels good. On my Halloween exams I get my first 2 placecards (having been light years away from any academic achievement in Rudiments) 2nd in Spanish (the Editor is fluent so no contest) and 2nd in Ray Lawlor’s French.........a life lesson.....love what you do and/or do what you love......the recipe for success.

We are provided with a set of new Board games and a new wreck room. There is Monopoly, Battleships, Chess and an unknown game of RISK.......Gucks becomes an addict and word spreads that the best entertainment during evening break 8-9pm is to watch Gucks at Risk.........his expletives are the bluest of the blue and blasphemy reigns when the dice goes against him! Live theater at its’ finest.

This is the year that the ESB Unions decide to go on strike for better pay for their workers. CWC doesn’t have its’ own generator and “blackouts” reign. We can’t believe our luck - study periods in the evening are wiped out. We are free to roam and use the excuse that we couldn’t finish our homework. Bliss for the average student, a category that I fitted into comfortably. Torches were the currency of the day and everyone somehow scrounged, begged or stole them - they were now essential hardware for CWC power cut imperiled students.

On the Sporting Front - none of our U14’s are called up to join the elite - those who will represent the school in the Leinster Schools Rugby JCT Competition. The school apparently have a good Team for the first time in many years and are fancied to go far under Percy Winder SJ & Vinny Murray - disaster strikes in the form of a 16 points to 6 defeat against Mary's.

Our under 14 Soccer Team trained initially by Barney Cullen our Geography Teacher begins to make some progress, but Barney is waylaid by a broken ankle. Vinny Murray steps in. We win a couple of matches and progress smoothly to the semi-final which is held in Newbridge College a neutral ground. We are up against Bono’s school “Mount Temple”......we are not a soccer school.....but against all the odds and coached brilliantly by Vinny, we squeeze into the Leinster Schools Final section A. The Final is held at Tolka Park - the home of Bohemians......we are living our First Division Hero’s life-style. I learn 2 life-lessons - the pain of getting dropped - which I was for the Final, Wally and myself are demoted to subs. I get on for the 2nd half - Vinny insists that I have to turn the game around.....I play well.....I’m the best dribbler in CWC but to no avail, we lose 2-0. The dressing room hurts, Mike, Eoin, Gerry, Johnny, Doggo, Greg......all of us are hurting....what could have been........a Loser’s medal is a huge achievement for a non-soccer school but it wasn’t enough. Another Life Lesson - Sometimes - “almost isn’t enough”.

Jake Brennan SJ - Rector of the school takes it upon himself to get to know each and every one of us. He decides that he will speak Mano a Mano to all individuals in Grammar/Syntax. He is also likely to be around every corner - 2 incidents - where fellow students were caught unawares. 1. Tigger was heard telling a joke and Jake after the punchline is delivered exclaims to our assembled group “what makes an O’Beirne joke even better is a few FUXXX’s thrown in” 2. An unfortunate year member was caught with the latest edition of “Hustler or Penthouse”, which were being rented out by an enterprising CWC Grammar Student who is now a prominent Financier/Banker. Jake enquired “how would you like to see your mother like this!” Not only did the unfortunate student have the embarrassment of Jake’s talking down - he had to cough up a Fiver (a King’s ransom in 1974)- to replace the confiscated Magazine.........

We all dread Jake Brennan’s five minutes, probably well intentioned questions about how we are getting on, what would we like to get from CWC, what profession do we think we would like to aspire to..........all too heavy for young adolescents trying to survive the CWC experience. The dreaded day arrives Jake joins Michael Dolan and myself for Tea - Dolan somehow escapes and I’m left about to be interrogated......thankfully its’ 5.50pm........saved by the Bell as I protest I really need to get ready for Study. Jake says he will catch up with me again........not if I can help it.......he never did!

Boarding school had its’ upsides and downsides as does life. There were dreaded classes where you learned to hide and/or at least diminish the odds of getting scrutinized. Ben Sherry’s Chemistry class was probably the ultimate Machiavellian theatre of fear for those not blessed with an aptitude for Science. Ben had the amazing ability of bestowing the Grandest Titles on those who had the least ability. So for example Professor - the highest accolade was placed on the shoulders of only a handful of non geniuses - currently one of Ireland’s leading Medical Practitioners, and another Senior Counsel who shall remain nameless, fitted this title. You all know where you stood with Ben. I was in the middle category and bestowed with the title Dr Fitzpatrick. The real brains were the Mr category. Two other things that Ben consistently did was to (I) reward students with his jellybeans/sweets and (2) make us answer as a Group to his beat......to show we were awake. In relation to the latter hard to describe in writing.......you had to be there....he would knock out a beat on his desk and we would answer with our feet!

We all had our favorite classes, mine were languages but of all I lived for PE/Sports with Vinny Murray - generally it was my time to excel - while I languished in the bottom of Physics and Maths - this made up for it as some of the Geeks just hated PE - justice at last. Just behind PE was English - I was gratefully demoted from Gerry Lynch’s English 1 to English 2. It was bliss Bertie Brereton SJ was a true Gentleman and Scholar. He encouraged his students to love the language - he suggested that we did “freelance” - unheard of in any other class. I couldn’t grasp what he was suggesting - that I should do “extra homework for the love of it”.......madness! By term 2 - I had bought in - I could write about my favorite topics “George Best, Manchester United, horse-racing”.......he would read it and mark it. Berties class was so far away from Ben Sherry’s Theatre of Fear, that arguably the Pendulum had swung too far........there was no control.......it was laissez faire.........surprisingly I occasionally wished for a bit of discipline. Ray Lawlor’s French class was probably the right mix enough discipline but no fear.

The CWC shop was legendary - the only retail store in History - which lost more money than Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. The shop was run by Oggy Doggy SJ with a handful of Poetry Helpers. If you had the right connection with the Helper - your 10 shillings could yield far more bounty than it paid for. Ultimately Mr Crabtree took over the shop and dispensed with both Oggy Doggy and his Helpers - returning the premises to Profit within a day. The system had caught up!

Lunch queues were another of Grammar’s abiding memories. In order to facilitate the orderly doling out of lunch to 350 students, Oggy Doggy would summon Grammar classes for lunch 5 mins early, as part of a staggered system between the year groups. Despite much protestation from Oggy Doggy as he roared “walk please” - an absolute stampede would break out with Sambo Shields (who had never run for a rugby ball), Gucks, Country, Freddy all of us sprinting for the line.......another life lesson, if everyone is breaking the law, you best be there first.

Young Adolescents are full of testosterone and unfortunately one of the side effects was the number of fights (Claims) that broke out. Conor McGregor would have been at home in some of those claims - they always gathered an audience and were part of the growing up process. I personally partook in a couple of minor events and my opponents know who they are. The Big Claims are legendary - and consigned to the archive of life’s experience at school. The major participants in these crowd drawing duels were probably Burns, Healy, Waldron C, Hoban, Tempany........apologies to participants who aren’t remembered. In some ways the Jesuits turned their backs, possibly in an enlightened way. Similar to the story Warren Garland tells about the ALL BLACKS famous coach Alex “Grizz” Wylie - who almost encouraged/facilitated the younger players in attempting to take the established players’ seats at the Back of the Team Bus. Perhaps another life lesson you had to know how to take care of yourself!

Corporal punishment still had 2 years to run until the new era of Fogarty/Shiels dispensed with it. Our Poetry Study Prefects could write “Cheques” which we had to exchange with either the HeadMaster Fr. Crowe SJ or one of the Scholastics/Brothers such as O’Riordan or Br Ward. In essence depending on the offense committed, 2, 4 or 6 hits with the Pandy Bat could be ordered. It was only when I became a prefect in Poetry myself that I understood the value of such a deterrent system. That said - King Carrot (Niall King our Prefect) could be unreasonable and write a cheque at will. Barney Cullen kicked me out of Geography class and unfortunately I ran into an eager HeadMaster who gave me 4 of the best and returned me to class. Our Spanish Teacher, my grand-uncle “The Raz” carried his Pandy Bat with him for ease of use. That said his more favored method of discipline was a knuckle to the head. This I experienced on a couple of occasions and definitely agree a Pandy strike to the hand was preferable. My three boys one of whom finished CWC last June - see these implements of torture only in the CWC museum and it is with a misplaced sense of almost pride that I can tell my boys that we were the last pupils in CWC who experienced Corporal Punishment.

That is all for now as we await Sunday’s big game Leinster v Saracens - another installment “Syntax 1974/5” is a mere month away as I continue on the theme of Born in 1960 - made in CWC.

Contributed by Francis Fitzpatrick OC'78


The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of Clongowes 1978 or its Editor. 

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