The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Boys of Baile Mhúirne to reunite and remember golden days
‘THE boys of Baile Mhúirne’ will reunite in Killarney early next week after some of the many Kerry men who attended the famous Coláiste Íosagáin in Múscraí have helped round up the troops that attended the school up to the year 1971.
The reunion marks 80 years since the iconic Baile Mhúirne school opened as a preparatory college, and 30 years since its closure in 1989. For its first 22 years, it acted as a feeder to St Patrick’s, Drumcondra, and it was famous for its commitment to teaching through Irish and putting the language to the fore.
Following the introduction of free education in this country, the De la Salle brothers-run college welcomed day pupils and boarders alike, and in the years that followed, there was no shortage of Kerry pupils who went on to great things, as former Fine Gael Councillor and Coláiste Íosagáin student John O’Connor explained.
“A lot of well-known names went through the school,” he told The Kerryman. “Among those was Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, former Kerry player Mickey Ned O’Sullivan, who is also involved in organising, and Councillor Michael Gleeson, the Murphys from Camp, and Arthur Spring.
“It was all Irish there. I was told a story before about a pupil who was speaking English in the corridor, and an older student called him aside and said ‘Labhartar Gaeilge anseo’ [we speak Irish here].
“We had two reunions before this. The last one was in Killarney two years ago, and now we’ll be having another one on October 14 and 15,” Mr O’Connor added. “If you know anyone who attended that might not be aware of the reunion, let them know. People attended from all over the country.”
Abbeydorney man Gerard Doyle, himself a former pupil, explained that people travelled from all over Ireland and further afield to attend the 2017 reunion, and this time around, all pupils from 1940 to the leaving class of 1971 have been invited. It is hoped that large numers will attend.
“The reunion starts on Monday [October 14] with an outing in Dooks Golf Club, with tee times from 12noon until 1pm,” he said, explaining that the Bon Secours will sponsor the outing.
“There will be an informal gathering that evening in McSweeney Arms Bar to begin renewing acquaintances.
“Tuesday sees an option to either enjoy a boat trip on the lakes or a trip down memory lane with a visit to Baile Mhúirne, Cúil Aodha and Barra Chuma. The reunion dinner is being held in Scotts Hotel and starts at 7.30pm.
“Accommodation is being provided in both Scotts Hotel and the McSweeney Arms, who have been very supportive of the reunion efforts”
Anybody who attended during the years in question and would like to take part can contact John at (086) 813 0800 or johnjoconnor@ eircom.net; or Gerard Doyle at (086) 852 3117 or doyg@eircom.net.