2007 marks the fiftieth year of graduationfor the Class of 1957. To acknowledgethis milestone, all those who graduated inthat year are invited back to UCG (nowNUI Galway) to join with their formerclassmates, celebrate their achievements,and be welcomed into the Fifty YearClub, or Cumann Caoga Bliain.

The 2007 celebrations take place fromFriday 8 – Sunday 10 June on campusat NUI Galway and will include aWelcome Back Lunch, a reception withUniversity President, Dr Iognáid ÓMuircheartaigh, and a Reunion Dinneron Friday hosted by the Alumni Office.The ‘Through the Years’ Reunion BBQwill take place on Saturday where theClass of 1957 will be joined by alumni

celebrating their 10th, 25th, 30th and40th anniversary Reunions. A memorialmass will be celebrated on Sunday in theUniversity Chapel for deceased graduatesand will be followed by a Farewell Lunchfor the Cumann Caoga Bliain ReunionClass.

Reunion offers graduates the perfectopportunity to catch up with their formerclassmates, some of whom they may nothave seen in fifty years, as well asaffording the University an opportunityto honour the history and achievementsof these distinguished alumni. It also givesour alumni a chance to re-visit Galwayand see the developments that have beenmade both on campus and in the City.

In order to make Reunion Weekend2007 a success, the Alumni Office iscurrently seeking graduates from theClass of 1957 to assist us incontacting those for whom we haveincorrect address details. If youwould like to help us – evenupdating one person’s contact detailswould be greatly appreciated – pleasecontact:

Ms Emma GoodeAlumni OfficeNUI GalwayUniversity RoadGalway.

You can also phone the office on091 492 721 or emailemma.goode@nuigalway.ie

How You Can Help

REUNION 2007

Graduation Day, BComm 1957Graduation Day, BSc 1956

Reunion Weekend affords graduates ofNUI Galway (formally UCG) an

opportunity to return to campus, renew oldacquaintances and see how the Universityand Galway City have developed andprogressed over the years.

The Alumni Office hosts ReunionWeekend on the second weekend in Juneeach year at NUI Galway. Alumnicelebrating their 50th, 40th, 30th, 25th and10th Year Reunions are invited to attend.In 2006 the classes of 1956, 1966, 1976,1981 and 1996 returned to Galway toparticipate in Reunion events from the 9-11 June.

The first to arrive on campus were theClass of 1956 who celebrated their 50thReunion. Graduates travelled fromthroughout Ireland, England and theUnited States to attend this special event.They were welcomed back to campus bythe Alumni Office at a luncheon on Fridayafternoon, at which they were welcomed

into the 50 Year Club/Cumann CaogaBliain, by University President, Dr IognáidÓ Muircheartaigh. All graduates received apersonalised scroll commemorating theiradmission to the Club.

That evening, the Class of 1956 joinedtogether for a reception and celebrationdinner at the award-winning Lobster Potrestaurant in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill,hosted by the Alumni Office

Throughout the weekend, graduates wereinvited to look at a photo gallerycomprising of pictures of the Class of 1956.It was fantastic to see graduates spot photosof themselves, their friends and academicstaff from fifty years ago!

On Saturday evening the 50 Year Clubwere joined by over 400 graduates from theother reunion years for an informal‘Through the Years’ BBQ held on campus inMoffetts Restaurant and the OrbsenBuilding overlooking the Corrib River.

The evening began with a drinks receptionand some words of welcome from theDeputy President and Registrar Prof JimBrowne.

Sunday came all too soon and marked thefinal hours of Reunion Weekend.A memorial service, celebrated by Bishop ofGalway, His Grace, Dr Martin Drennan,was held for all deceased alumni in theUniversity Chapel. This was followed by adeparture luncheon in the Quadrangle.Addresses, phone numbers and emailaddresses were exchanged as graduatespromised that they would keep in touchand warned Alumni Office staff that theywould be back for their 60th Reunion!

Alumni who were unable to attend their 50 YearReunion will have another opportunity to meetup with former classmates and rediscover theNUI Galway campus on Thursday 12th April.Turn to page 4 for further information.

REUNION WEEKEND 2006

Reunion Class of 1956Back Row (L-R): Dr Martin O’Brien, Siobhan Donoghue-Power, Martin Kelly

Fourth Row (L-R): Patrick Commins, Seamus Ó Scannláin, Eileen Lennon, Prof Proinceas Ní Chatháin, VeraHughes, Prof Frank Imbusch, Prof Pauline Snoddy, Dr Margaret Shea

Third Row (L-R): Dr John Shea, James Diskin, Claire McBride, Dr Tim McBride, Patrick Holohan Second Row (L-R): Dr Philip Kelly, Dr Patrick Ruddy, Marie Ryan, Margaret O’Brien, Rose MacNamara,

Stephanie Swords-O’Mahony, Patrick Foran Front Row (L-R): Sr Dorothy Sommers, Sr Patricia Whyte, Donal Mulryan, Ina Mulrooney, Dr Iognáid Ó

Muircheartaigh - NUI Galway President, Des Mulrooney, Margaret Slattery, Paddy McDermott, Veronica Mee-Smyth

REUNION WEEKEND 2006

UCG has always been an integral part of my life, as mybeloved father was employed there from the year of my

birth, seventy-two years ago, for thirty-two years. Professorswere few in those days and definitely unique! We rented abeautiful old house, complete with its own murder and ghoststory, on a hill overlooking the Corrib, then the last of the bighouses on the outskirts of Newcastle, Galway. From theupstairs we could, at night, see the lights of the city reflected inthe river at Waterside. The house has since been demolishedand replaced by an old folks’ home. Galway and UCG haveadvanced miles past up the river. St Anthony’s College, whichwas the student residence for the OFM Franciscan friars, has nowbeen absorbed into UCG. This residence was built in the gardenof our old home; indeed the friars lived in our house brieflybefore the completion of St Anthony’s, which is why I rightfullyclaim that I was badly brought up by the friars. One vividmemory is that of the young friars in a crocodile of about sixty,snaking their way at a spanking pace down to lectures at UCG,always in high spirits.

My very first memory is a homeward journey from the famousScoil Fhursa, passing the high, grey limestone wall of UCGwith its small, green Gothic door. It often opened abruptly toreveal Monsignor Hynes, gaunt and clerical, who wouldperhaps ask us, “And how many slaps did you receive today?”Most of us could assure him, “Many”. He was the firstPresident of UCG I can remember.

Dr Pádraig de Bruin followed as President; a physically andintellectually towering man. He was a mathematician, a poetand a scholar in many areas, including Greek. He wrote“Tháinig long ó Valpariso”, the poem we all studied back then,with my favourite lines:

Chreideas fós go raibh i ndán dom Iontaisí na ndán 's na scéal.

As young students we were all full of these ‘iontaisí’ for manyyears. But another most understanding side of this learned manwas revealed to me. One Christmas, on his traditional visit tothe President, my dear father dragged me along. ProfessorLiam O’Brien of Romance Languages was also present. Theysipped tea, talked college politics and played obscure Frencharias. Monsignor Brown observed me for a short spell, stoodup and beckoned me to follow. We descended a dark stairs tothe kitchen to meet the housekeeper. He placed a large box ofchocolates on the table before me and sat me down, saying“Enjoy yourself. I’ll call you when we finish”. We seldom hadsuch treats in those days; I was amazed.

I can never forget Dr Brod Newell, another greatmathematician and President who followed. Even though Ihad left UCG (after six years, one spent in the NationalUniversity of Madrid, with an MA in Spanish to my name), mywarmest memories were of Brod and his lovely talented wifeNoreen, our neighbours in Newcastle and surrogate parents tome in my teenage years. The most joyful moment was whenhis son Eamonn became a Franciscan, with celebrationsbeginning in the President’s residence in UCG, followed by along procession up Newcastle.

There is one more name that I dare not omit. Our externalexaminers were royally fed and entertained at our house.Among them, not yet famous at the time, was JRR Tolkien.He presented my with a copy of Farmer Giles of Ham while hewas still writing Lord of the Rings, and in his now famous scripthe wrote a message in my autograph book. I remember him asa gentle, observant man, whose long grey hair would cascadeover the children in the back of the car as he fell asleep. Thismade us giggle even more than the sight of his tweed hat,which he scrunched up in his pocket or sat upon, as we dashedout to Connemara to fetch cowrie shells from the beach for hisdaughter. Over the years we became close friends. Hebrought different members of his family to visit and oftencorresponded with us. He wrote me a letter on my father’sdeath while I was in India which I greatly treasure.

My father was a most active President of many societies inCollege, from the Boat Club to Drama Soc, the Literary andDebating Society and others outside UCG. His main interestwas in the welfare of the students. They came to our housefrom many faculties with their personal problems. Years later, aformer student of his said to me, “I cannot imagine him justdying – but I can see him sitting around a table with Godsaying, ‘Now…let’s see how we can get around this one.’” InIndia, I heard that the members of the Boat Club who carriedhis coffin were most upset because they did not succeed inwinning him the Wyley Cup before his death.

As for the Drama Soc…when we returned home from school,it was not unusual to have no chair to sit on, no table to eat at,or no lamp to see by, depending on what was needed as a propfor the next dramatic production. My dear mother, who hadbeen an actress in the company of Sir Symore Hicks, left usbereft as she often provided the stage décor for both the DramaSoc and the Taidhbhearc, where Dad was Chairperson forthirty years.

I enrolled in College in 1952. There was a group of us whohad been at primary school and in the Dominican Collegetogether. As a student, everything was much more challengingand exciting. Many of our group are still fast friends today.Some of those who fell by the wayside have been reunited bythe good offices of Cumann Caoga Bliain - go raibh míle maithagaibh!

Each year we invite graduates who return to their alma mater for Reunion Weekend to share with us memoriesof their days at University College Galway. Rose MacNamara (née Murphy) kindly submitted her

recollections of days as an undergraduate.

A DIFFERENT SLANT ON UCGRose MacNamara (née Murphy) BA 1956, MA 1960, HDip in Ed 1968

ALUMNI MEMORIES

Rose MacNamara (née Murphy) BA 1956, MA 1960, HDip in Ed 1968 celebrating her 50th Reunion....

and on her Graduation Day 1956

Catching Up On Old Times(L-R): Martin Kelly BSc 1959, Michael Hayes BSc1956, MSc 1957 and Patrick Holohan BA 1956,

BComm 1957, HDip in Ed 1957

Welcome to the Club!University President, Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh,

welcoming Sr Dorothy Sommers, BSc 1956, HDip in Ed1957, MEd 1984 to the Cumann Caoga Bliain

Together Again(L-R): Siobhan Donoghue-Power BComm 1956,Prof Pauline Murphy (née Snoddy) BComm 1956,

HDip in Ed 1957, Stephanie Swords-O’Mahony BA1956, HDip in Ed 1957

MEMORIES FROM REUNION WEEKEND 2006

We students were busily occupied, besides our studies, with thesocial side of UCG Drama Soc, the Literary and DebatingSociety, Cumann Éigse, the Film Club, a few dress dances and“Hops” in the Aula Maxima, where we often tried to get in fornothing for the last hour when money was short. Mostimportant though were the one or two daily visits to the coffeeshop where Mrs Craven reigned supreme. One had to gaugefrom the door by her demeanour whether or not it was a safe dayto crash the queue. One could sit for an hour or two lost inintellectual conversation (on the strength of two or three cups ofcoffee) but there were times when I heard, “RM, don’t think Ican’t see you in that corner over one cuppa for the last twohours! You had a lecture at eleven! I’ll tell your father!”

Studying in the library, Christy Townley’s domain, lured somewith ulterior motives. Young gentlemen were wont to sitaround certain young ladies on tables and chair to ‘chat them up’.They did not escape Christy’s eagle eye. “Are they botheringyou girls? Can you not see that they want to study, boys?” allwith a smile and gentle firmness that made the young suitors meltaway.

Another favourite haunt for study among students, was rowing upthe river from the Boat Club, usually in pairs, to further theireducation in the cool shade of the long rushes along the edge ofthe Corrib. Or again, sitting on the tennis courts studying bothbooks and form from our athletic tennis players to our camogieladies and our macho football and rugby players. This wouldculminate on Sports Day in May, when many hidden athletictalents were finally displayed and awarded.

In those days there were only six hundred students. We all kneweach other from every faculty. This was one of the reasons whyour Cumann Caoga Bliain reunion was such a success and why ouralumni officers, Sheila, JB and Emma found it so difficult to getrid of us on the final day after lunch!

Thank you all for such a memorable weekend, with so many happymemories. I’ll be back! Is go mbeirimíd beo ar an am seo arís!

Reunion Celebrations(L-R) Ann Foran, Pat Foran BA 1956, Prof

Frank Imbusch BSc 1956, MSc 1958

Distinguished Alumna!Vera Hughes BA 1946, HDip in Ed 1948 being

presented with her commemorative scroll by UniversityPresident, Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh

Fond Memories(L-R) Prof Proinnsias Ní Chatháin BA 1956, MA

1958, Rose MacNamara (née Murphy) BA 1956, MA1960, HDip in Ed 1968, Veronica Mee-Smyth BSc1955, Margaret Slattery BComm 1955, BA 1967

Save the DateReunion Weekend 2007 is set for 8 - 10 June

Breakthroughs in the treatment and prevention of life-threatening diseases such as Cancer and Heart Disease arepossible through medical research. New ways to treat, cureand ultimately prevent these illnesses are constantlydeveloping. You can help support advances in these areasthrough centers of excellence at NUI Galway. Leaving alegacy can make sure research can carry on and help makea difference for the future.

Cancer Research at NUI Galway

Ireland has one of the highest cancer incidences and mortality rates in the Westernworld. Each year approximately 28,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed and 11,000die from the disease, with one in three people likely develop cancer by the age of 75.

The National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) is aninterdisciplinary research centre which is developing innovative diagnostic andtherapeutic solutions to currently intractable medical challenges.

Among the major research programmes at the Centre, multidisciplinary researchteams, involving scientists, engineers and clinicians, are working to understand theunderlying cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the initiation andprogression of cancer, and to develop new and better cancer therapies. A number ofinternationally recognised cancer researchers and clinicians have been recruited tostrengthen the expertise and leadership available in cancer research programmes.

Together, scientists at the NCBES working in collaboration with clinicians atUniversity College Hospital Galway are making fundamental research discoveriescritical to understanding the biology of cancer and discovering new ways to predict,prevent, diagnose and treat the disease with the ultimate objective of transformingthe quality of life for cancer patients today and in the future.

Heart Disease Research

Premature deaths in Ireland from cardiovascular disease are higher than the EUaverage with Coronary Heart Disease accounting for approximately 20% of alldeaths in Ireland.

NCBES researchers are working to improve the prospects of survival from heartfailure and to develop new methods of clinical practice where there is lessdependency on invasive procedures. In the areas of biomaterials and biomechanics,researchers are working on innovative biological implants to improve heart valvefunctions and to develop the next generation of stent implants. The RegenerativeMedicine Institute (REMEDI) established within the NCBES works to regenerate andrepair tissue in order to avoid having to replace organs and has attractedinternational leaders in stem cell and gene therapy research.

Support for medical research will lead to new discoveries that save lives in the future.Donors may wish to establish a special fund in memory of a family member or friend.

Full details on the University’s Legacy programme can be made by contacting GalwayUniversity Foundation, Gate Lodge, University Road, Galway Ireland. Tel: 353 92 493536Galway University Foundation is a Registered Charity in the Republic of Ireland (CHY 12894) and can avail of the full value of any bequest.

CUMANN CAOGA BLIAIN APRIL 2006

Back Row (L-R): Frank McGrath, Patrick McDermott, Tony Bromell, Dr Diarmuid O’Cearbháill, Prof. Sean Tobin, Noel Hogan, Dr ConnellCunningham, Patrick May, Vincent Curley, Patrick Mullan, Sean Ó Cinnéide, Patrick McMyler, Phelim Molloy.

Third Row (L-R): Neil McElwaine, Noreen Hayes-Brown, Ray Simon, Joe McGrath, Norman King, Veronica Mee-Smyth, Ina Mulrooney (néeMcManus), Seamus O’Hainnín, Sheila Mulloy (née O’Malley), James Lydon, Dr John Gately.

Second Row (L-R): Thomas Griffith, Siobhan Murphy (née Keogh), Catherine Palmer (née Hogan), Patricia Roche, Margaret Slattery, Peggy Burke (néeBoyle), Elizabeth Maher (née O’Sullivan), Kathleen Quinn, Mona Nolan (née De Búrca), Maureen O’Malley (née O’Brien), Mona O’Donnell, Jane

Flaherty, Nora Briscoe (née Golden), Rosemary Keogh (née Holland), Anne O’Reilly (née Powell), Mary Meade (née Fitzgibbon).

First Row (L-R): Nora De h-Óir, James McShane, Laoise Mhic Niocaill (née Cunningham), Mairead McShane (McDonagh), Renee Howarth (néeSimon), Minna Ryan (née Bell), Margaret Stewart, Nora Timmins (née Neilan), Mairead Doyle (née O’Flaherty), Mary O’Sullivan (née Hogan).

As Young Students...(L-R): Mona Burke, Peggy Boyle, Kitty Hogan, Maureen O’Brien,

Noreen Golden, Kathleen Quinn, Fr Joe (Hostel Chaplain),Patricia Johnson.

...And Now More Than Fifty Years On!Back Row (L-R): Kathleen Quinn, Maureen O’Mally (néeO’Brien), Noreen Briscoe (née Golden), Noreen Hayes-Brown

Front Row (L-R): Kitty Palmer (née Hogan), Peggy Burke (néeBoyle), Mona Nolan (née Burke), Patricia Roche (née Johnson)

The fifth annual 50 Year Club/ CumannCaoga Bliain Celebration will take place

on Thursday 12 April 2007. This event isopen to all pre-1957 graduates, especially thosewho have not have not previously had an

opportunity to return to their alma mater andbe formally welcomed into the Cumann CaogaBliain. The lunch will be hosted by Prof GerHurley, Vice President for Strategic Initiativesand External Affairs and the Alumni Office.

Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, UniversityPresident, will welcome all graduates back toNUI Galway and present new entrants to theclub with commemorative scrolls.

CUMANN CAOGA BLIAIN CELEBRATION 12TH APRIL 2007

If you are interested in attending please contact the Alumni Office on (091) 493 750 or email alumni@nuigalway.ie

Then... and Now

We at the AlumniOffice would like to

thank the Class of 1956 forreturning to campus andattending their 50thReunion last June. We arenow looking forward towelcoming the Class of1957 back to campus tocelebrate their GoldenJubilee in June 2007.We have already beenworking with members of the class to update your classmates'contact details to ensure the maximum participation in thismilestone event. If you would like to help, please contact theAlumni Office at the below address.

We would also appreciate any photographs or memorabiliafrom your time at UCG for display in our 'Golden Jubilee'gallery.

We are also looking forward to meeting all you pre-1957graduates who plan on returning to your alma mater in Aprilfor the annual Cumann Caoga Bliain celebrations - both firsttime attendees and familiar faces!

We can be contacted on 091 493 750, emailalumni@nuigalway.ie or write to us at:

Ms Emma Goode, The Alumni OfficeGate Lodge, NUI Galway.

Save the Date!Reunion Weekend 2007 is set for 8 - 10 June

Sigerson Cup Winners 1950~ Can you help us fill in the blanks? ~

Back Row (L-R): Mick Higgins, Donal Heffernan, _____, Ger Stack, J.J.McGowan, John Trant, Bill McQuillan, ____, Kevin Weir, Pat O‚Malley,

Pat McGowan, Mick Mellotte and Professor McKennaFront Row (L-R): _____, Mick O‚Malley, Tony O‚Toole, Peadar Kerns, ____.

Class of 1943~ Can you help us fill in the blanks? ~

Back Row (L-R): Seán Fahy, __________, Seán McClory, ________,M. Caulfield, T. Dooley, __________, Padraig O’Reilly

Front Row (L-R): Wally Lee, Christy Townley, Eithne Gillan, Prof. TDillon, Prof. D Murphy, Nellie Conlon, Seán Mac Réamoinn, Andy Keogh

Ladies Hockey Team 1956 Back Row (L-R): Patricia Martyn, Martha O’Flynn, Patricia Higgins, Sheila

Beirne, Ann Higgins, Patricia KennedyFront Row: (L-R): Diana Caiado, Carmel Byrnes, Nuala Healy (Capt.),

Eithne Naylor, Gloria Counahan

Basketball Team 1952Back Row (L-R): John Hession, Thomas Santacrose and John KennedyFront Row (L-R): Mike McLaughlin, Ben Corballis, Don Roach and

Luke O’Connor.

Medics 1955(L-R) Thomas Santacrose, Alice Noonan, Ursula Ryan

and Jim Fanning

Comórtas Mic Giolla Brigde 1956Back Row (L-R): Eiblin Ní Argain, Eilis Ní Suilleabháin, Maire Nic Uilcín,

Aine Ni Flannagain, Meadbh Ní Arnold, Mini Nic Suibne, Siobhan Nic Donncada,Padraicín Ní Laigin.

Front Row (L-R): Mairead Stiobard, Damnait Ní Gairneir, Maire Nic an Beatan,Roisin Nic Crait (Capt.), Maire Searlog, Maire Ní Biadtaig, Seosaimín Ní Falluin.

Keep up-to-date with Alumni Events by logging on to www.nuigalway.ie/alumni.

A FEW WORDS FROMTHE ALUMNI OFFICE

Alumni Office Staff:Emma Goode, JB Terrins, Sheila Gorham