Click here to see photos and reports of prior year reunions
In recent years, the tradition of individual years arranging specific reunions for their particular group has emerged. While these have normally featured groups celebrating 25 years since their departure, other variations have emerged. We have seen 10, 15, 21, 40 and even 50 year reunions, all of which have been successful. By far the greater number of reunions have tied in their get-togethers with Union Weekend incorporating the Abbot’s Cup Golf Competition, which precedes Union Day in the College. Union Weekend is typically held in September, for more information please contact the College Development Office (0505-31203). The success of these get-togethers depend entirely on the amount of preparation done, work that needs to be done almost a full year before the event itself takes place. The following is a list of advised steps which need to be taken in order to guarantee the success of your particular venture.
- Contact the College Development Office of your intention to organise a Class Reunion
- Approximately one year prior to the event, organise a sub-committee of 4-5 who are willing to take responsibility for the project. At least one of these should have an office and/or e-mail available which can act as the nerve centre for the administrative load. Ensure a good geographical spread on your sub-committee.
- Contact Katherine Donovan (Phone 0505-31203) at the College Development Office and she will forward to you the names and most recent addresses available from the Past Pupils Database of your classmates. A word of caution however, some of your classmates may not be on this list as it is only in recent years that all students leaving the school join the Union automatically. The college can however provide you with the original home address of everyone; although the majority of these would be out-of-date it would still be a helpful starting point.
- Update the address list – this is the single most important detail to be attended to. When this is done, the entire class can be informed of the pending reunion. (Don’t forget those who didn’t complete 5 years in the school – everyone who was part of your class at any stage during your five years in C.C.R. is entitled to attend the reunion). Try to gather as much current information about each person as possible, current home address, occupation and company/employer, telephone numbers and e-mail address. Please forward all the details gathered to the College Development Office so that our Union Database can be updated accordingly.
- Get a list of the local hotels and establish which one you wish to use as your base. The choice is up to you although you are encouraged to hold the event in Roscrea to support the Union Weekend and the Abbot’s Cup Golf event. Roscrea has hotels such as The Racket Hall and Grants or alternatively Birr is not far and has hotel alternatives. Get a Hotel price for Saturday evening dinner (including wines) plus bed and breakfast (normally based on 2 sharing). Book the hotel as early as possible. Depending on the size of your group, it may well be possible to join with the Abbot’s Cup Golf Dinner held in Roscrea Golf Club.
- Contact the College Development Office on 0505-31203 to organise tee-times for the Abbot’s Cup so that classmates can play together. An early tee-time is recommended (before lunch) to faciliatate activities later in the afternoon. For example, arrange for both golfers and non-golfers to meet in Roscrea Golf Club at approximately 3.30 p.m.
Perhaps you might like to request a Mass in the College Chapel at 5.30 p.m. on the Saturday evening to be followed by a Sherry Reception in the College. - Don’t forget photographry for the reunion photographs
- Don’t be afraid to have name tags for everyone – it nice to relate to each other by name particularly when its been a while since you were in school together!!!
- Meet with your invited guests – the Abbot, College President and President of the P.P.U. are always invited as are some members of the teaching staff and housemasters (Names & Addresses available on request)
- Have an appointed M.C. for the evening. Normally the Abbot speaks as does one guest with a reply from a member of your own year – this is only a suggestion but is a good formula.
- On Sunday, try to get up! Mass for all deceased pastmen in the Abbey Church at 10:30 a.m. and have lunch in the College afterwards. Perhaps attend Past vs. Present Hurling and Rugby matches.
- 5.00 p.m. could herald the final get-together in your Hotel or College for goodbyes and promises to do it all again in a few years time.
Click here to see photos and reports of prior year reunions
It is as easy as that! Good luck with your plans and remember we are here to assist in whatever way we can.