We have had a very busy October in Belvedere House this year. Every Friday was taken up with a decade reunion. We had the classes of 1949, 1959, 1969 & 1999. Read on to see how Donal felt coming back after 10 years:

Rhetoric Class of 1999 – School Reunion 23rd October 2009
Belvedere House provided the arena for the Rhetoric Class of 1999’s 10 year reunion on the 23rd October of this year. Approximately 60 past pupils arrived to commemorate the time we had all spent together in our Alma Mater. Some turned up a little more grey than remembered, some a little more bald, but all with welcoming eyes and warm smiles to accompany the floods of various memories we encountered when entering through that all too familiar, famous black door.

The initial meet and greet session afforded us all the opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with one another and expel those generic, reunion-style questions which typically break the ice. The slow murmur of conversation quickly transformed into bouts of sporadic laughter as cliques reformed and old school pals rather easily settled into the typical routine. Right on schedule we were ushered into the chapel where Fr. Derek Cassidy celebrated mass to a semi-depleted audience - seemingly the usual suspects got inexplicably “lost” on the way to the bathroom. Some things never change I guess. Those who managed to find their way to the chapel, were treated to an incredibly welcoming and well informed sermon which captured the essence of what our year represented. Fr. Cassidy, who had clearly studied the 1999 Belvederian in some detail, made reference to our contributions as a group to the school. The mass was conducted in a respectful, genuine and humorous manner which was appreciated by all in attendance.

Following the Mass we were extended the opportunity to take a tour of the school. The Tony O’Reilly theatre was coincidentally housing a performance of the stage show “Guys & Doll’s” which many past pupils of our vintage had taken part in all those years ago. We looked in amazement at the facilities available to the incumbent students and with nostalgia at the Junior School Museum where many of us began our lives as Belvederians up to 20 years ago. A wonderful buffet dinner and selection of drinks awaited us back in Belvedere House courtesy of Olive O’Donnell. Before being released onto the streets of Dublin 1, we spent a few hours reminiscing in the old hallowed halls, recalling unforgettable events and questioning how time had passed so quickly.

The reunion itself was a resounding success which is testament to the work of the school’s development officer Yvonne Ussher combined with the constant backing of Frank Young and the Belvedere College Past Pupils Union. On behalf of the past pupils of the class of 1999, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude Fr. Derek Cassidy, Yvonne Ussher, Olive O’Donnell and the Belvedere College Past Pupils Union for making our night such a memorable one.

Donal Crotty

If you are interested in have a gathering of your year group, please do not hesitate to contact the Development Office on 858-6613 or email development@belvederecollege.ie
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