Portraits of Clongowes

Cyril Power SJ, OC’ 1907

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is a wonderful photo in the Castle of the physicists working at Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory in August 1920.  Taking his posit...

Adam Lewis

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Lewis a native and is currently principal of Boston College High School.After time as principal of Loyola School in Manhattan, NY. And b4 a direc...

Peter O’Meara OC’88

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peter O’Meara left Clongowes in 1988. A native of Mallow where he lives with his wife Hilary and four children, Peter was President of The Clongowes...

Sean McMahon OC’16

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest is one of the early Alberto Hurtado Bursary graduates, who entered the Jesuit noviciate in Innsbruck this September.  Shadowing the life of...

Adam MacNulty OC’88

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adam MacNulty is President and Client Portfolio Manager, Brandes Investment Partners (Europe) based in Dublin Previously he was with with Pioneer inve...

Blair Fanning OC’00

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Blair is CFO of Vanguard Europe, which manages over $400bn in assets across the UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland and France; as well as ha...

David Soden OC’79

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Born in Galway in 1961, David Soden grew up in “Tullamore, Ring and Clongowes” and wenton to obtain a BCL at University College, Dublin. Having tr...

John Daly OC’82

30 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

John Daly was born in Dublin on the day JFK was shot, as good an alibi as you'll get.Attended Clongowes Wood College (OC 1982 [his brother Conor OC 19...

Tanner O’Connell OC’08

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tanner O’Connell grew up in County Meath before attending Clongowes.He studied Commerce in UCD and completed a Masters in Accounting in Smurfit Busi...

Ross Finegan OC’87

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ross Finegan started out his career in 1994 at Deloitte Corporate Finance where he advised management teams on MBO’sIn 1996 he moved to JP Morgan Pa...

George T. Smith OC’79*

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

George T Smith heard the call to become a Basilian as a young man headed into law school. After meeting a group of Basilians at the University of St. ...

Fergal Gaynor OC’89

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Judge Fergal M. Gaynor serves as the Reserve International Co-Prosecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) and represents...

Simon Byrne OC’82

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Byrne is a Sales Manager with 25 years experience in the Irish Beauty industry, specialising in cosmetics and fragrance. He is a previous winner...

Portraits Wrap

23 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On the completion of the podcast series, Portraits of Clongowes, Dec Ryan reviews the episodes with Rossa McDermott, informally bringing closure on th...

Peter Stapleton OC’14

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peter studied Business & Law in UCD, trained with KPMG Corporate Finance in Dublin and worked in Private Equity Investment in London with Downing Deve...

Dave Moloney OC’80*

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Moloney works as an engineering leader in Google in California, making the camera systems that power Google Maps and Google Earth.Trained in law ...

Aonghus Kelly OC’98

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Since graduating from University College Cork, Aonghus Kelly has worked around the world in the field of human rights and war crimesOriginally from Ga...

Dan Sheehan OC’17

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Sheehan signed his first professional contract with Leinster in June 2020, and made his debut for Leinster in October 2020 in the Pro14 against Ze...

Margaret Doyle

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Well known to generations of Clongownians and parents, Margaret Doyle arrived in the school in 1972 from a teaching role in Maryland, in the USA.Marga...

Richard Flood OC’01

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Flood portrayed the role of Samuel Johanson in an episode of the series Titanic: Blood and Steel in 2012. He joined the main cast of the telev...

Joey Kennedy OC’23

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joey Kennedy was the youngest candidate to be selected by Fianna Fáil in the local elections in 2024 in the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal Dis...

Barry O’Callaghan OC’87

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Barry O’Callaghan is the Chairman and CEO of AKLO Capital (a private investment office) His story is growing a small educational software company, R...

Conor Gilsenan OC’11

27 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Conor Gilsenan was into Gaelic football as a youngster, but ultimately chose rugby as a teenager when he had to make a choice He cited his biggest inf...

Adrian Gahan OC’97

20 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Adrian Gahan (School Secretary, 1997) is a conservation campaigner based in London. After working for John Bruton OC'65 #RIP n the EU Delegation to th...

Piaras Power OC’90

13 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Piaras Power (OC '90) is Partner in international law firm Eversheds Sutherland where he holds the role of Head of Banking & Finance and Co-He...

Colm Mulcahy OC’15

06 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A Behavioural Economist by training, Colm Mulcahy’s work now involves decoding the ‘why’ behind economic decision-making, with some of the world...

Gerard Mannion OC’12

30 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our guest today is a brand development manager for Bulmers, San Miguel and has worked with many other brand in the drinks sector. He has also been was...

Dara Neligan OC’89

23 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dara Neligan is a Project manager with 3 Ireland. He studied in Maynooth and then did postgraduate in innovation, enterprise and entrepreneurship in U...

John Soden OC’83

16 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

John Soden is CEO of Death Valley Whiskey. After his time in Clongowes he studied in Trinity, an MBA at UCLA and has spent his career in the drinks in...

Pat Nolan OC’59

02 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pat Nolan has spent a life time in publications, many related to tourism which evolved from a long standing and wide interest in family history He sta...

Andre Severi OC’85

26 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andre Severi has over 35 years experience in investment banking and FinTech. After leaving Clongowes he studied at UCD earning a BA in Pure Economics ...

Ed Byrne OC’12

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Byrne is a former Leinster and Ireland prop who moves to Cardiff later this summer.The Carlow native had been heavily linked with an interprovincia...

Robert Mahon - Parent

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Originally from Dublin, Robert now lives in Bannow, Co Wexford, with his wife, Angela, and their six children. Together, Robert and Angela founded the...

Oran O’Kelly OC’12

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Oran O’Kelly is the first Irish competitor in over a decade on the Dakar Rally making his debut in the bikes category.The 30-year-old was born to Ir...

Martin Wallace

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Martin arrived in Clongowes in 1979 for a few years teaching having just qualified - he thought. In 2013 the Board of Management appointed him Assista...

Peter Campion OC’05

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Campion grew up in Offaly before moving to to Dublin. After finishing school he moved to London securing a place at the London Academy of Music ...

Jim Deegan OC’74

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Deegan is CEO of Railtours Ireland First Class Ltd, Ireland's only dedicated rail tourism operator and operate a variety of one day tours to eleve...

Martin Moloney OC’78

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) in Switzerland recently named Martin Moloney the new Deputy Secretary General starting next September He has just ...

Paddy Dominguez OC’90

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paddy Dominguez is President of Professional Football Agents Association (PROFAA) has been involved in elite sport worldwide since 1991.  Having wo...

Des Groome OC’87

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Des Groome grew up on Ballinderry Stud, Carbury, Co. Kildare, attended primary school in Edenderry and boarded in Clongowes 1981-1987. Des began study...

Nick Delehanty OC’08

25 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

After leaving school Nick qualified as a Solicitor in the Asset Management and Investment Funds Unit of Arthur Cox in Dublin and AL Goodbody.He now ru...

Kevin Collins OC’79

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From 1984-1992 Worked as a plant engineer in IMI Yorkshire Alloys, Birmingham, UK and later Redland Bricks, Horsham,UK In 1992-1995 Kevin was a Techni...

Andrew Carlos OC’03

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Carlos is currently a prefect in Clongowes Wood College- poacher turned games keeper! Andrew attended Clongowes from 1997 to 2003 then went to ...

Rory Donnelly OC’84

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Rory spent 20+ years in the video games industry based in Japan, Germany and subsequently in France, where he is now settled for the past 30 years. He...

Frank Waldron-Lynch OC’89

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Frank Waldron-Lynch is a globally recognised Physician-Scientist with over two decades of experience in leading research and clinical development in a...

Noel McNamara 2005-2016 🏉

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Noel McNamara once advised students at Clongowes Wood College to “make your obsession your profession”. It’s fair to say that he’s lived that ...

Michael Sheil OC’56 - Part 3

14 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I thoroughly enjoyed my school days in CWC – however, it may come as a surprise to many to learn that, while in the Holiday Camp – I hated rugby [...

David Sharkey OC’03

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

David Sharkey is the director of Team Architecture Ltd, a communication consultancy in sport and business. Specialising in the use of themes and stori...

Paul Beddy OC’76

08 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Beddy attended Clongowes from 1970-76. After Clongowes he studied Commerce at night in the College of Commerce Rathmines while working in the fam...

Max McFarland OC’12

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Max McFarland is a Scottish rugby union player with a unique background. A 2021 Olympian, he competed in the Tokyo Games for Team GB and represented S...

Michael Sheil OC’56 Part 2

31 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“The 17th of March 1978 will always be a special memory for everyone in Clongowes at the time. But especially those of us in Panel 1. The truth is w...

Donal O’Tierney OC’51

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When my father retired officially in 1959, I had about 2,000 patients. I had the NHS practice and also the registration of Births, Deaths and Catholic...

Tony Maher OC’79

25 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Previously worked with: Du Pont Sustainable Solutions, Proudfoot, the Highland Group, PIP international, Jamieson Consulting, GMMC, Byrne Fleming, Bro...

Peter Howick OC’78

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A sharp and witty writer Peter found a voice as a columnist for the Evening Herald for many years - and a film reviewer. Although he started out in co...

Michael Mansfield - Jigsaw Youth Mental Health

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ballinasloe-born Mike joined Jigsaw as Director of Communications and Fundraising in October 2016 from overseas children’s NGO Plan International Ir...

Michael Medeiros OC’18

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Medeiros is a Presenter and Content Creator who left Clongowes in 2018. Having attained a BSc in Chemical Sciences with Medicinal Chemistry, M...

Tendai O’Connor OC’12

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tendai O'Connor graduated from UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science with a Degree in Food and AgriBusiness Management in 2012. Since graduation h...

Michael Sheil SJ OC’56 - Part 1

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Michael ‘Mocky’ Sheil left Clongowes in 1956 to enter the Jesuits and returned in future years to fulfil nearly every role in the school throughou...

Patrick Coveney OC’88

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Coveney joined SSP Group plc in March 2022 as Group CEO. His focus on colleagues, customers, culture and performance alongside his proven abil...

Joe Rooney OC’79 - Talks AHP

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Rooney left Clongowes in 1979, and after studying in UCD, he worked in the finance sector in London and New York. He is chair of the School's Fin...

Martin Nugent

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Nugent came to Clongowes in 1975 and spent thirty-eight of his forty years of teaching have been in CWC In more recent times he has been Chair...

Colm Maloney OC’97

03 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Colm Maloney, son of Bridie and Pat, husband to Helen and dad of Colm, Moyá, Bridget and Aoife. Brother to Patrick (OC’88) Stephen (OC’90) and si...

Niall Beddy OC’04

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Níall Beddy is a Rhino Conservationist developing rhino protection programs in South Africa. He assists reserves in the endless war on poaching by tr...

Declan Ryan OC’81

20 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Founder and Managing Partner of Irelandia Aviation,which has built five low cost carriers to date: o Ryanair o Allegiant o Tigerair o Viva Aerobus in ...

Bobby Smith OC’85

15 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bobby Smith is a Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist who is clinical lead at three adolescent addiction services in Dublin. He is also a Clinic...

Bidemi Afolabi OC’13

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bidemi Afolabi is co-founder at ProMotion Rewards, revolutionising consumer-brand relationships through our platform. Through empowering CPG brands wi...

Liz O’Kane

06 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Liz O’Kane was the first Buyer's Agent in Ireland setting up her business in 2002, whereby she exclusively represents the purchaser in the acquisiti...

Ed Collins OC’97

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Drawing upon an academic career spanning over two decades, Edward Collins began his education career focusing on political marketing before gradually ...

Rossa McDermott OC’78

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rossa McDermott was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil and lived in Nigeria, UK snd Spain before doing the entrance exam to Clongowes in 1972. Aside from holid...

John D Cullen OC’77

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Cullen left Clongowes in 1977, and joined the family business serving a five-year apprenticeship encompassing all the elements of the natural sto...

Hugon Simm

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hugon was born in Galway. His mother was Irish and his father Polish. He went to school in the Jesuits' St Ignatius College Galway, finishing up in Bl...

Brendan Cullen

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan Cullen, is now a local Clane historian but formerly a teacher of history and geography in Clongowes (1971-2007). Brendan hails originally from...

John Rock OC’78

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Rock attended Clongowes OC’78 and Trinity College Dublin ’82 where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Studies. He then train...

David Hegarty OC’49

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Hegarty, 93, was Clongowes school captain in 1949. That same year he travelled to the USA for three months, one of 30 selected from European cou...

Liam O’Connell S.J.

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Liam was born in Dublin in 1943, attended Crescent SJ Junior School and Belvedere. He joined the Jesuits in 1961. As a scholastic he worked at Mungret...

Paul Holland OC’84

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Holland has over 25 years’ experience in establishing & managing successful international businesses in the Executive Search, Sports Marketing ...

Richard McElwee OC’05

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A qualified barrister, Richard is Director of Communications and Legal Affairs at Rugby Players Ireland. His role includes responsibility for all the ...

Dave Kearney OC’07

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Kearney, a product of the highly regarded Leinster academy, came through the rigorous selection process and made his debut for Leinster in 2009 h...

Eoin Halpin OC’77

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eoin Halpin is a professional archaeologist with some 30 years of experience, gained in both Ireland and abroad. In 1989 he co-founded Archaeological ...

Tony Egan OC’77

21 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tony Egan started in Clongowes in 1971 and finished in 2021 during which time he was a pupil, returned as a Jesuit Novitiate and remained as a prefect...

Cormac Lucey OC’78

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cormac Lucey was born in Dublin and grew up in County Down and County Mayo. He was educated in Clongowes’s Wood College, UCD and qualified as a char...

Ronan O’Reilly OC’75

20 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ronan O’Reilly is Chairman of Ordinance Survey Ireland and has held that position for the last eleven years. A founding partner of O’Reiily Thomas...

Brian Carney OC’94

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Born in Cork, Brian Carney was educated at Clongowes Wood College before heading to UCD. While in UCD Brian never played for collidge, rather with loc...

Shane Dowling OC’83

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shane is the current President Elect of the Clongowes Union and is due to take the chain of office on Union Day 2024. Shane qualified as a solicitor i...

Kevin O’Higgins OC’75

07 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kevin O’Higgins has been a solicitor in private practice in Dublin. He spent his early years in Arthur Cox and thereafter in a smaller commercial fi...

Patrick Mullins OC’08

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Patrick Mullins was bred for success in the racing industry being a son of former top amateur rider and multiple Champion National Hunt trainer Willie...

Paul McGlinchey OC’76

29 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the past 8 Years Paul has been involved in the Modular Construction sector. Having been approached by a Swedish Student Accommodation Company in ...

Muiris Fitzgerald OC’59

23 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Muiris FitzGerald is Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at UCD and was Professor of Medicine and Consultant Physician at SVUH (St Vincent...

Drew Flood OC’84

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Drew Flood is the Business Development Manager at Aware the Mental Health Charity for the last 9 years, they raise over Two Million each year with onl...

Nick Hewer OC’62

15 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hewer is a retired television presenter, company director (and former public relations consultant. From 2005 to 2014, he appeared as Alan Sugar's a...

James Kelly OC’78

11 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

James retired from sporting life after his historic victory in The Gollymockey Chase in June ‘78. Flies Ryanair in memory of Cathal Ryan who was hau...

Paul MoranOC’77

08 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After graduating from Clongowes in 1977 Paul attended RTC Galway where he studied Computer Information Systems, In late 1979 Paul joined Bank of Irela...

Richard Bruton OC’70

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Bruton grew up in Dunboyne, County Meath, and was educated at Belvedere College, Clongowes Wood College, University College Dublin and Nuffiel...

Will Sargent KBE OC’73

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

William co-founded Framestore in 1986 after studying Business and Law at Trinity College. He has been part of Framestore’s successful rise from an a...

Godfrey Deeny OC’73

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Godfrey Deeny is an international fashion critic who covers the runway shows of London, Milan, Paris and New York, and is regularly a front-row review...

Tony O’Beirne OC’78

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tony O’Beirne, more commonly known as ‘Tigger’, was an accomplished sportsman in Clongowes and Captain of the School. His extended family were c...

Rossa White OC’96

04 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mr. Rossa White is Head of Group Investor Relations at FTSE-100 listed DCC plc, one of Ireland’s largest multinational companies. Before joining DCC...

Willie Burns OC’79

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Former rugby star, Willie Burns, who scored a hat-trick of tries on his debut for the ‘Barbarians’ twenty-five years ago is the first inductee int...

Jack Kavanagh OC’11

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cultivating and maintaining leadership and resilience in life is a constant challenge. It much of what Jack Kavanagh conveys today. In 2012, just over...

John Oxx OC’68

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

John Oxx is a retired Irish trainer of thoroughbred racehorses. By the end of the 2009 season Oxx had trained 35 Group One winners over his career, in...