The annual Mass for deceased past pupils was celebrated by His Excellency Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin on Sunday, November 30th, at St. Andrews Westland Row.
Prayers were offered for the repose of the souls of past pupils Aeneas Leahy, Podge Toomey, Peter O’Connor and Martin O’Malley who passed away during the last twelve months.
A number of past pupils attended and joined in the celebration with the local community as well as representatives of the Chinese and Lithuanian communities who make their homes in the area.
The PPU was represented on the altar by our Chaplain, Fr. Eugene McCarthy.
Fifty four past pupils and guests enjoyed the PPU annual dinner on its new date in November, at the Westbury Hotel, last Saturday evening. The number attending the dinner was similar to the January date. For those of us who live in Dublin it is easy to get to the Westbury but we are particularly indebted to many past pupils who travelled from locations such as Connemara, Cork, Leitrim etc. etc. to be with us.
The President would also like to thank all who supported the raffle by making donations or purchasing tickets. The funds raised are vital for our support of the school.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the PV Doyle trophy for ROW Person of the Year (2026) to Vivian Geiran (Class of 1974). Vivian made a very entertaining and thought provoking response, recalling his days in the ROW and his 33 year career in the Probation Service where he came through the ranks to the position of Director before his retirement. He concluded by expressing the hope that a person representing the wider ethnicity and gender balance which prevailed in the school in recent years would soon be standing in his position as ROW Person of the Year.
School Principal, Kate Byrne, thanked the PPU for its continued support of the school and said that the school was doing well providing education and much needed support to about 200 pupils, many of whom come from very difficult backgrounds. The school currently has a waiting list but she has just received permission to convert the basement into classrooms and also to set up new offices. This will enable the school to accept more students.
The facilities and dinner, provided by the Westbury, were up to its usual high standard. We are really indebted to Bernadette Gallagher, daughter of PV, Sean O’Neill, manager on the night, Mary McMahon, Banqueting Manager and all the staff for looking after us so well.
Thanks are also due to Pat Neill and his committee who successfully tweaked the format of the night to provide more time for socialising and chat. A good time was had by all.
A word of commiseration to John Murray who enjoyed many many PPU dinners and acted as liaison committee member with the Westbury over many years. He was also our photographer in recent years. Unfortunately, John couldn’t make it this year as he recently fell, and suffered a broken femur. Hopefully, John will make a full recovery and be at many more PPU dinners in future.
Below are a few photos which I (Jim Conway) took as “deputy photographer” on the night. I’m sure that my photographic skills are not up to John’s standard but, hopefully, they are not too bad.
The annual PPU Mass will be celebrated in St Andrews Church, Westland Row on Sunday 30 November at 11.30 am. PPU members have been attending this Mass in increasing numbers in recent years. At the Mass, a list of Westland Row CBS pupils who have passed away in the previous 12 months is read out While the PPU tries to keep tabs on those who have passed away, inevitably we will miss some. So, we are asking you to let us know (John Cullen – jjmcullen@gmail.com or 087 2312728) of any past pupil of the school who died in the past 12 months, so that we can pass their names on for inclusion in the ceremony. And, of course, all past pupils are most welcome to attend the Mass, which is usually celebrated by the Archbishop of Dublin, or by another bishop of the diocese.
ROW group at the annual Mass for deceased past pupils in 2024. Mass was celebrated by Bishop Paul Dempsey
PPU President, Pat Neill and committee warmly welcome all past pupils and distinguished guests to this special gathering. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and share cherished memories, fostering a sense of community that binds us together.
President Pat Neill and the PPU committee warmly welcome all past pupils and distinguished guests to this special gathering. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to reconnect with old friends and share cherished memories, fostering a sense of community and nostalgia that binds us together.
PPU President Pat Neil, Pat Wallace and Bernard Murray enjoy their meal after the roundCaptain Dermot with Terry Crawford (Class of 1956) and Col Firzsimons President Dan presenting PV Doyle trophy to John MurrayBen Conlan – “an bhuil cead agam dull amach”John CostelloGroup of past pupils with Bishop Paul DempseyMattie with a group of 1962 classmates at Craddockstown GC. Sad to say that three of this group, Eamonn O’Malley, Stephen Kenny and Mattie have now passed on.Don Cameron and Dermot QuigleyJack with classmates at annual dinner Jan 2024
The above, PPU Golf Outing, outing took place at Foxrock Golf Club on Thursday October 1st 2025 and the hardworking Hon Sec, Tony Kenny, sent the following report –
Given the poor weather forecast, for Thursday, it was great to see so many members turning up for the outing. In hindsight, we were very fortunate to miss the storm which rolled in the following day. Despite a short sprinkle of rain, we played in dry, albeit windy, conditions. 19 members and 2 guests played, including Jack McKeon, who recently returned to golf after recovering from a medical event.
Although windy and a bit soft underfoot, it was good to see a total of eleven golfers record scores in the 30’s.
Back in the clubhouse, we were well looked after by the bar and catering staff and were served a hearty rack of lamb meal. Suzanne and Jean Stirrat joined us for dinner and Brendan Malone introduced the ladies to the members. Brendan spoke fondly of their father, Des, and his influence on the golf society in establishing our long-standing relationship with Foxrock.
The meal was followed by the prize-giving. The winners on the day were:
Winner (37 points) Kevin Ryan
Runner up (35 points) Our Captain – Dermot Soraghan
Third (34 points) Paddy O’Donohue
Front 9 (19 points) Philip Brennan (visitor)
Back 9 (19 points) Dennis Cleary
Par 3’s prize (11 points) Eugene Murray
Paddy O’Donohue scored a fabulous 13 points on the par3s. Paddy was already a prize winner so the Par 3 prize went to the next best score of 11 points, which was posted jointly by Eugene Murray, Colm Fitzsimons and Anthony Gannon, with Eugene winning by virtue of a better overall score.
A big Thank You to Eamonn Cleary who, although not playing on the day, sponsored some prizes.
A big Thank You also to our outgoing captain, Dermot Soraghan, who was a great help in organising the two outings held this year
Dermot introduced Anthony Gannon as the incoming captain of the society for the 2026 season and the members present wished him well. In closing, Dermot thanked all those attending and reminded members of the forthcoming PPU Annual Dinner scheduled for Saturday 1 November at the Westbury Hotel.
The next outing will be held at Woodbrook Golf Club on a Thursday in May. Exact timing will be communicated to members as soon as we confirm the booking.
PPU President, Pat Neill and committee, are delighted to announce that Vivian Guerin (class of 1974) has been selected as ROW Person of the Year for 2026. Vivian will be presented with the PV Doyle Trophy at the PPU annual dinner in the Westbury on Saturday November 1st. 2025.
Vivian’s Biography –
Born (1957) and raised in Windy Arbour, Dublin. Eldest in a family of six children. Having attended Holy Cross National School, Dundrum, went on to secondary school at Westland Row CBS starting in 1969, completing the Leaving Certificate in 1974. Joined the Department of Social Welfare as a Clerical Officer in early 1975, before leaving to complete a Bachelor in Social Science degree (UCD – 1979 to 1982). Subsequently worked as a social worker with Dublin County Council, before joining the Irish Probation Service as a probation officer in 1987.
Worked in the Probation Service, in various roles and levels, for almost thirty-three years. Completed research master’s degree (MLitt) in social policy (TCD) in 1996, a Masters in Social Work (UCD) in 1997, and Diploma in Leadership and Management (ILM – 2010). Appointed national Director of the Probation Service in 2012, a position held for seven years, up to retirement at the end of 2019. While Probation Service Director, built organisational effectiveness, which saw proven reductions in rates of reoffending by people under probation supervision in Ireland and the Probation Service received a number of Public Service awards. (The Probation Service engages with and supervises around 15,000 people who have offended and been sanctioned by the criminal courts each year, managing community-based sanctions [including probation, community service and restorative justice] imposed by the Courts and helping the individuals involved towards reduced reoffending, rehabilitation and reintegration).
Since retiring from the Probation Service in 2019, appointed in 2020 to position of Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work and Social Policy, TCD. Teaches modules on the two TCD social work programmes. Also guest lectures each year in UCC, Maynooth University and the Law Society. Commissioned by then Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD in 2020 to complete a review and report on drugs, crime and community safety and wellbeing in Drogheda, following the brutal murder of seventeen year old Keane Mulready-Woods there earlier that year. The report – Drogheda: Creating a Bridge to a Better Future – and its set of 73 recommendations for action was submitted to the Minister in January 2021, and the Drogheda Implementation Board was established to implement the recommendations of the report.
Was Chair of the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) from 2021 to 2025. Currently Chair of the Ana Liffey Drug Project; member of the Judicial Council’s Sentencing Guidelines and Information Committee; Board member of CUAN, the Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Agency; and Fellow of the (London based) Probation Institute. One of Ireland’s three representatives on the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF). Former member (up to end of 2023) and past-President (2016-2018) of the Council of Europe’s Council for Penological Cooperation (PC-CP), which develops European practice standards for prisons and probation services in Member States.
Undertakes consultancy projects for various criminal justice bodies, and specifically on behalf of the Academy of European Law (ERA), the Council of Europe and the United Nations Office of Crime and Drugs, including work on two international handbooks on implementation and delivery of probation programmes. Has had numerous articles published in academic journals and presented at various national and international social work and criminal justice conferences. In 2022, co-authored with Dr Shane McCarthy a book – Probation and Parole in Ireland: Law and Practice, which won the Irish Law Book of the Year award at the Irish Law Awards, 2022.
Married to Paula (Fitzpatrick) – from Stepaside – since 1983. Two children; son Karl, who lives in Kildare, and daughter Nicole who lives in Frankfurt, Germany, with her partner, Tim. One granddaughter – Lauren, 14 years – Karl’s daughter. Nicole is expecting a baby (Vivian and Paula’s second grandchild) at the end of 2025.
Interests: Community development, Spanish language and culture, travel, walking, reading, football, basketball, cycling, table tennis, theatre. Over the past couple of years, it has been great to reconnect with many former Row classmates in our class WhatsApp group and to meet up a couple of times a year.
We were in touch earlier in the year to advise that we have a new date for our annual dinner and it is now fast approaching. It will take place on Saturday 1st. November 2025 and will be in the Westbury Hotel as usual. We are now taking bookings. We are in discussions with the Westbury about the tariff for the meal and we will be in touch with you shortly with all the details.
You can now book a place at the dinner by contacting the Honorary Secretary, John Cullen (jjmcullen@gmail.com or 087 2312728) or indeed any of the members of the PPU Committee with whom you may be in contact.
As always, the annual dinner is the best opportunity to catch up with your former schoolmates, so we urge you to reserve the date in your diary and sign up as as soon as possible.
Below are a few photos from previous dinners to “whet your appetite”.
The PPU sends hearty congratulations to Monsignor Dan O’Connor, (Row Class 1969) who recently celebrated his Golden Jubilee. He was ordained on June 16th 1975 in St. Patrick’s church Ringsend. Dan’s celebration Mass was said in St. Patrick’s on Sunday July 27th.
A large number of family members including Dan’s brother, sister in law, nieces and extended family were present on the happy occasion.
The Church was also full with hundreds of parishioners from Ringsend and Irishtown as well as parishioners from his earlier parishes in Rush, Swords and Dun Loaghaire.
Photographs below:
Monsignor Dan O’Connor on Ordination June 1975.
Left Canor John McNamara (past O’Connell’s School) Bishop James Kavanagh and Monsignor Dan O’Connor, Ballinteer Church, on 16th June 1975.
The crowded St Patrick’s Church, Ringsend on the 27th July 2025.
Mr Kevin Rice a close friend of Monsignor O’Connor’s together with Pat Neill, Row PPU President.
PPU President Pat Neill recently came across the Garda Retired Members Association tribute (see below) to ROW past pupil Paul Reid who was killed in the line of duty on May 18th 1995. The PPU, on behalf of all past pupils, is proud to publish this tribute to Paul. May he rest in peace.
Anniversary Remembrance
Sergeant Paul Reid, 20655E. On this date, the Members of the Garda Síochána Retired Members’ Association remember Paul Reid on the 30th Anniversary of his death which occurred on the 18 May 1995 – ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Paul Reid was born on 5 January 1956 and came from Dundrum, Dublin. He joined An Garda Síochána on 3 August 1977. He was allocated to Letterkenny in 1978. He was appointed to Detective Branch in 1982 and promoted to Sergeant in 1990.
On the 18 May 1995, Sergeant Paul Reid and his colleague Garda Phillip Carr were returning to base from their peace monitoring duties at Sarajevo Airport.
As they travelled through Snipers Alley in the city, their official vehicle was struck by a snipers bullet which caused it to go out of control and crash, injuring Garda Phillip Carr and fatally injuring Sergeant Paul Reid. Ar eagla go ndéanfaimis dearmad.
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