Reverend Fathers, Distinguished Guests, Sponsors, Presidents of other Unions and indeed to my fellow Belvederians – a very warm welcome to each and every one of you.
Tonight is a night of reunions and reconnections — a night that reminds us of the true strength of the Belvedere family. In a world that moves so fast, this evening gives us the gift of slowing down, of coming together as one community.
It’s also a chance to rekindle old friendships and reflect on the legacy of service and generosity that defines our community.
They say a good speech should be like a good Jesuit education — enlightening, inspiring but over before you know it – I’ll do my best to meet the latter.
The theme I’ve chosen for tonight is giving back.
I’d like to start by sharing a story that embodies the very essence of what we’re celebrating tonight.
It’s a story that’s deeply personal — one rooted in my own journey from volunteer to Board member at Belvedere Youth Club, a journey that spans over 33 years since I first left Belvedere College.
For context, Belvedere Youth Club is one of the oldest youth services in Ireland, founded over 107 years ago by a group of students from our own college.
With the support of countless alumni – many of whom are here tonight including Paul Butler and Darragh Lynch – it has grown, thrived, and touched thousands of young lives in Dublin’s North East Inner City.
It’s the story of Jonathan, a young man whose life was transformed by the Club.
As a boy, he was caught in a cycle of trouble, lost in a world that seemed to offer few options.
Many of his friends didn’t survive the paths they took — some ended up in prison, others tragically lost their lives.
But Jonathan found a second home at Belvedere Youth Club – a place where he was seen, supported and believed in.
Through the unwavering support of youth workers, mentors, and a community that refused to give up on him, Jonathan discovered his potential. Eventually, he became a youth worker himself, guiding others away from the same paths he once walked.
Today, Jonathan leads the Youth Work team at BYC, serving over 200 children and young adults.
His journey is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of compassion, mentorship, and belief. It’s Belvedere’s values in action — being people for others, lifting others up, and creating ripples of change that extend far beyond ourselves.
And that is why we are here tonight.
Not only to celebrate our shared history, but to reaffirm that our responsibility doesn’t end when we leave the four walls of Belvedere — in many ways, it simply begins there.
James Joyce once said: “I am tomorrow, or some future day, what I establish today.” Those words resonate deeply with me.
Belvedere is not just about the knowledge we gained; it’s about using our gifts to serve others, to play our own small part in building a more compassionate world. Gods know we need that now more than ever.
That spirit is alive tonight in the remarkable individuals we are privileged to honour:
- Cian Healy, one of Ireland’s greatest rugby players, whose resilience, discipline and excellence on the world stage inspire us all.
- Fr Michael Sheil – more foundly known as Mocky, who has devoted a lifetime of service to Belvedere, Clongowes, Mungret and Gonzaga Colleges. To so many he has been a mentor, a guide, a friend – embodying the quiet strength of Jesuit leadership.
- Tom Kindlon, Deputy Chair of ME/CFS Ireland, whose advocacy and personal courage remind us that true leadership is born of conviction, not circumstance.
Cian, Mocky, Tom — you each show us that success is measured not by titles, but by service, resilience, and heart.
For that, we thank you.
All these stories remind me that Belvedere doesn’t seek to create perfection.
It nurtures people who care, who lead, who serve, who show up.
And we show up in many forms:
- Volunteering with the St. Vincent de Paul Society
- Offering their time to the Belvedere Support Network
- Chaperoning at Lourdes
- Sustaining Belvedere Youth Club’s vital work
- Coaching or playing at Old Belvedere Rugby Club
- Contributing to the College and its Access Programme
But I can’t stand up here and not talk about our past.
As a community we must also face this past with honesty.
Alongside our proud achievements, there have been painful chapters.
I want to acknowledge with great sadness all who were impacted by those times.
It is a tragedy that some past pupils were not given the protection and care they deserved.
Please know that your experiences are recognised, your voices matter, and you are held in our thoughts with compassion and respect.
Looking to the future, our collective work continues.
If Belvedere has taught us anything, it’s the importance of showing up – again and again – for others.
Graduates will seek guidance, others will need mentors, and some may simply need a shoulder to lean on.
In a world that is increasingly transactional, this spirit of selfless support is rare – and worth protecting.
I cannot end this speech without expressing my sincere thanks to those who have made this evening possible.
To CJ Barry whose leadership as President of the Union last year was exceptional and continues today as chair of the Belvedere Support Network. When he gently convinced me (some may say coerced) to become his successor as President, we shared a common goal to elevate the Union which has been realised with distinction — tonight’s full house is proof of that.
To Colin Lynch, our President-elect – when the time came to look for someone who could lead with energy, positivity, and a genuine desire to make a difference, Colin was the clear and natural choice. The fact that he was a bandit golfer honestly had nothing to do with it….
In truth, Colin embodies the best of Belvedere values and I know he will leave his own lasting mark on the Union.
To our corporate supporters – Challenge, Clerkin Lynch, Dillon Eustace, EPS Global, Forbes, Gormley Capital, McCartan’s & OBP Consultants and our media partner Fearless Media led by Thomas Arnold – your support means the world.
A special word of thanks to Brian McDonald and the team at Bay Advisory, our generous title sponsor. Bay Advisory provides expert financial guidance, particularly in advising business owners through sale transactions. Having negotiated across the table from Brian in the past, I can say with confidence he’s someone you want on your side when the stakes are high.
I’d also like to extend a special thanks to Ger Brennan, who went above and beyond to secure a signed Dublin jersey for our raffle. As a proud Meath man still nursing the wounds from Louth’s victory over us in the Leinster Final — under Ger’s leadership, no less — I can personally attest to what a superb appointment he is for Dublin. I wish him every success in the role… just not when they’re playing Meath.
To Bernie Miller, our Alumni Relations Officer — your dedication and warmth have been the quiet force behind so much of what makes this community special. You helped bring people together, kept traditions alive, and given generously of yourself at every turn. For many of us, you’re not just a colleague — you’re a true friend. Thank you for everything
To my fellow Presidents representing a number of our close colleges across Ireland – delighted to have you with us all this evening and I’m really looking forward to a number of reunions (and many dinners) over the months ahead.
To many across the Belvedere Union Committee — Ivan, Brian, Ciaran, Greg, Mono, PJ, Rob, Shayne, Thomas and many others — and to friends beyond the committee like John Philpott, Cillian Murphy, Brian Dillon, Ronan Keegan, Kevin O’Brien, Ollie Campbell — thank you for your tireless work behind the scenes.
A special thanks to Gerry Walsh – our oldest Union member here tonight who hasn’t missed any of our annual dinners for well over 70 years other than during COVID …Gerry is someone I have been fortunate to get to know through his lifetime involvement in BYC – I’m deeply honoured to have you here with us this evening.
To my parents – it is because of their hard work, love, and unwavering support that I was able to travel those many miles between Meath and Belvedere as a student
Though we had no connection to Belvedere before I first set foot in the school all those years ago, they gave me that chance, and I know the sacrifices they both made to make it possible.
I’ll carry that gift with me always.
This evening is bittersweet, as my mother’s absence is felt particularly deeply tonight since her passing nearly a year ago. I’m truly honoured to be joined tonight by my father, Vincent, and my sister, Valerie. Both Dad and Val have been pillars of strength — not just for me, but for our entire family — as we’ve learned to navigate life without our mum who was our guiding light, our North Star. Dad has now taken on that mantle and we’re so proud of him…
And last by my no means least – to Allian, and to my three children Megan, Jamie, and Noah – you are my anchor, my joy, and my greatest blessing.
Every step of this journey with the Belvedere community and countless evenings working late – through the Youth Club, College committees, and eight years on the Union – has only been possible because of your love and patience.
Allian, you’ve carried more than your share at home so that I could give to this community, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough
People say I’m punching above my weight having you by my side — and they’re 100% right.
As I bring this address to a close, I leave you with these last few thoughts:
Belvedere is not just a school we once attended.
It is part of who we are — a bond that endures, a compass that guides us to serve, and a light we carry forward. A light that shines brightest when we pass it on.
What we choose to give now — our time, our kindness — will shape not just our legacy, but the lives of those who follow.
So let’s continue to build a Belvedere defined not only by achievement, but by compassion, courage and community.
Let us remember that even the smallest act of generosity has the power to change a life – and in changing one life, to impact so many others.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you – for your generosity, your friendship, and for reminding me every day what it means to be part of this remarkable community.
Enjoy the rest of the evening.