An Address from Incoming President David Browne

Mary O’ Connell receiving her presidential pin from Incoming president David Browne at the 2025 Union AGM on 22nd May.

Dear Rockwellian,

It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to take over the Presidency of the Rockwell College Union in its centenary year.

As President of the Union for the next year, I hope to build on the excellent work of the outgoing President, Mary O’Connell (2004), and her predecessors, and support the school and the leadership team of the Principal, Audrey O’Byrne, and the Board of Management of Rockwell College in the continuing development of Rockwell.

My objectives for the year are to, first, identify priorities for capital projects at the school which the Union can support over the next few years through donations and fundraising and, secondly, work with the Union’s Governing Body to support charitable and benevolent causes consistent with the Spiritan mission and ethos.

The Union will run a number of events throughout the year, including:

·      a social event for recent graduates in October

·      a business event in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, Dublin 4 on 14 November with Guest speaker, Richie          Boucher (1976)   

·      the London dinner in February (eve of the England/Ireland game in Twickenham) and

·      the Annual Union Dinner in May.

These are great opportunities for past pupils and members of the Rockwell community to get together and share that common experience of attending Rockwell. My own experience of attending recent events is that, while the profile of the school may have changed over the years, the values and dedication to the school have not. That commitment can be seen in the outstanding efforts of two past pupils, Gay Mangan (1959) and Patrick Curran (1975), in leading the fundraising for the new 4G All-Weather Rugby Pitch which was supported by the Union and named in the honour of the late Willie Duggan (1967) who won 41 caps for Ireland and was selected for the 1977 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand.

The Union will also continue to promote the accomplishments of its past pupils as well as developments and academic and sporting achievements at the school though its newsletters, regular updates on the Union website and active social media channels.

Finally, I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in becoming involved with the Union’s Governing Body and regardless of what year you finished in Rockwell to get in touch so that the Union can continue to flourish.  I would also welcome any suggestions that would help strengthen the Rockwell College Union and please feel free to contact me at president@rockwellcollegeunion.com or, alternatively, david.browne@lawlibrary.ie. 

I look forward to meeting you all at different events throughout the year and representing the Union in the forthcoming year.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best wishes.

David Browne (Class of 1996).