Outgoing President's Letter from Mary O’Connell
Dear Rockwellian,
As I wrap up my year as President of the Rockwell College Union, I want to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have served during such a special milestone in our Union’s history. It’s been a brilliant year, full of energy, as well as lots of chats and emails with Rockwellians near and far. I’ve been genuinely humbled by the support and good wishes I’ve received throughout the year.
The standout moment for me, without a doubt, was the Centenary Dinner on May 3rd. We welcomed 370 past pupils back to Rockwell, spanning nearly 70 years of Leaving Cert classes. The sense of connection in the Main Hall and the dining halls was really special. You could feel how much Rockwell still means to people and how those friendships have lasted the test of time.
In addition to the Centenary Dinner, we were lucky to enjoy a full calendar of events throughout the year, including:
A sunny Park Run and coffee morning in Dublin in June
A fantastic hike up the Devil’s Bit in September with a lunch in a local café after
Our ‘Recent Grads Night’ in Dublin in October
A buzzing room for the Business Event in November in Dublin
The annual Careers Evening at Rockwell in January
The New York Dinner in February with a table of very recent past pupils of Rockwell now living in NYC in attendance
Each event was a reminder that whether you left Rockwell five years ago or seventy, there’s something lasting and meaningful about the connection to Rockwell we all share.
On behalf of the whole team at the Union Governing Body I was proud to present the school with a donation of €70,000 for the 4G All-Weather Rugby Facility at the Centenary Dinner above.
Another proud moment this year was the continued support from past pupils for the 4G All-Weather Rugby Facility. The Union was proud to present the school with a donation of €70,000 for the 4G All-Weather Rugby Facility at the Centenary Dinner. All thanks to fundraising efforts and the generosity of past pupils. The pitch is a vital investment in the school’s future, and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped move the project forward.
While the centenary dinner kept us busy, we also kept the day-to-day running of the Union ticking along like keeping the website up- to-date, growing our membership, and staying connected with past pupils through our newsletters and active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
If you're in a position to become a member and haven’t yet, I’d really encourage you to join via the link here:
rockwellcollegeunion.com/shop/p/12-month-membership
Why? Because the school needs our support. Government funding for private schools has dropped significantly in recent years, and Rockwell relies heavily on the Union and our wider community to help fund Capital Projects from classroom upgrades and dorm refurbishments to new sports facilities.
To everyone who came to an event, shared ideas, or got involved in any way, thank you. I’ve loved the year and it’s been an honour to meet so many of you.
As I hand over to incoming President David Browne (Class of 1996) and incoming Vice-President Gerry Rockingham (Class of 1991), I know the Union is in great hands. I wish David and Gerry great success in the coming years.
Thanks again for the support and a quick reminder that the AGM takes place on Wednesday 21st May at 6pm in Rockwell College Library. All past pupils are very welcome to attend and if you are in the vicinity on the day then please join us.
Kind regards,
Mary O’Connell
Class of 2004
President of Rockwell College Union 2024/2025