Reunion

Reunion to commemorate the 80th year anniversary of the opening of Coláiste Iosagáin, Planed for 23rd – 24th October 2020.

We are planning a really big event for this year, 2020: a grand reunion of Iarscolairí, of past pupils, teachers – in fact anyone who was connected with Iosagáin in any way over the years. It will be both a commemoration and a reunion.

Background

It is 80 years since Coláiste Iosagáin opened in 1940 to provid education through Irish as a preparatory college for national school teachers. 

The original Reunion Committee has successfully organised 3 very enjoyable class reunions (Leaving cert year ’70 2010; rang ’68 to ’71 in 2017; all ranganna pre’71 in 2019).

 Now an enlarged committee are trying to contact every student who ever went to the Coláiste.  A huge effort is being made to trace all past pupils.  A number of pupils from each class have been asked to identify colleagues   from their year and to get their details i.e. phone numbers  or emails..   The enthusiasm with which they are going about this is fantastic. The old jungle telegraph system of classmates contacting each other is set in place.  

Over 500 hundred past pupils and Teachers have so far been contacted and this number is increasing every day.  If you have contact with old class mates please spread the word about the reunion and encourage them to make contact (see last page for contact list). We would like to give all Past pupils the opportunity to attend, meet old class mates, and walk  a place where a large part of their young lives was spent. We understand that  not everybody might have great memories, but we would ask all past students where ever they are in the world at present to try and make an effort to come to this reunion.

Sadly a number of our friend have passed away, May they rest in peace. 

A book is being prepared with memories and photos representing the 80 years of Coláiste Iosagán and will hopefully be available for the reunion.  The committee are committed to doing a documentary and are in discussions with producers concerning this. The proposed documentary will explore the everyday life of students; the cultural, economic and social setting of the Coláiste, in its historical time and geographical area; and the contribution its pupils made both locally and nationally.   This documentary will be shown on National TV once completed. It is expected the document will be shown in National TV.

 The reunion is planned as a two day event as the committee felt that this would give past pupil’s friend a chance to meet old friends they haven’t seen since the day they walked out the gate. Over the 2 days there will be lots of talking and discussion. This is all about meeting friends from long ago, whom you lived with through good times and bad.    Remember and reminisce on our schooldays, the sound of the bell which controlled all of us, the school year, the summer holidays, the shop, the rooms, the weekly film, the sualoids, the bus to games, the joy when we won, the disappointment when we lost.  Everyone has memories, both good and bad, and they will all be told and retold.

The 23rd and 24th October 2020 was agreed as date for the commemoration with Friday 23th being hosted in Ballvourney and the 24th in Killarney

  • Reunion 2019
15-Oct 2019 Scots Hotel FR: James Friel, Ger Doyle, Leo McSweeney, Br.Kevin, John J O Connor, Mick Gleeson, Tony Gubbins. 2nd R. Tony McSweeney, Emmet Hallinan, Paddy Friel, Mick Harrington, Pat O Callaghan, Flan O Friel,
Colm Kavanagh, Mike Moriarity, 3rd R. Micheal De Faoite, Kieran Gregor, Pat Day. Paschal McCann, Paddy O Shea, Billy Friel. Vincent O’Neill, Sean O Domhnaill.
  • Reunion 2019
Reunion 2017 FR. Paschal McCann, JJ O Donoghue , Emmett Halinan, Johnny P O’Connor,R1.Ger Collins, John Maguire, Neill O Sullivan, Mike Harrington, Flann O Friel, James SpillanePat O Callaghan, M De Faoite, John Quinlivan,????,Leo Mcsweeney, M. Kelliher, Denis Murphy, Seanie Cullinane, Colm Kavanagh, ???,Seanie Cullinane, Paud Morchú, R O Lionaird, Cathal Ahearne, Br.Donnacha, Tomas Breathnach, Bobby Holland, Seamus Sullivan, Mairtín O Concubhair, M OBrien, Vincent Kelly, Mickey Ned O Sullivan,Tony Gubbins, Kieran Gregor. Ger Doyle, Ger Scannell, Sean T O Donoghue
  • Reunion 2009
F/R; Johnny McGuire, Pat O Callaghan, Br Denis, Paud Murphy, Tom Walsh, Johnny Porridge J J O’Donaghue, Micheal De Faoite.
M/R; Micky Ned, Seamus Mc Gearalt, Seanai Keilliher, Markus Noonan, Emmitt Hanlon, Vincent Dowling,rip Benny Crowley Leo Mc Sweeney, Michael O Brien, Noel O’Connor, Connor Lucy, Rip
Sean T O’Donaghue. Aharn
B/R; Ciaran Gregor, Tony Mc Sweeney Hugh O’Ceallaghan, John A Mc Gearalt Seamus Spillane, Tadg P O’Suillivan Stena Kelliher Micheal Harrington, Michael Flannagan.

Tentative Program of Events

Just a few things in the pipeline;  

The first day (23rd) will be mainly staged in Ballyvourney.

An unveiling of a Plaque to commemorate the last 80 years by President Michael D Higgins (already invited awaiting reply)    

A concert with Peader O Riada; Sean O Shea; and many more, Micheal O Muircheartaigh might give us a few stories about great players he has seen play. 

A last chance to walk around the Coláiste building and see your class room and other areas in the school, as it was in our days, before the proposed change to a Digital  Hub by Udarás will take place.  We should also be able to see the development plans for which funding of €2.7 million has been allocated. Golf in Macroom golf course early Friday morning. The reunion dinner will be held in Killarney as it has the capacity to host large number and is close to Ballyvourney.  

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THIS EVENT, GIVE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS TO A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE OR YOUR CLASS CONTACT PERSON.