Celebrating 30th Reunion Year

The BEd classes of 1993 and 1995 returned to their old campus at DCU’s St Patrick’s in Drumcondra to mark their 30 Year and delayed 25 Year respective reunions on Saturday, June 17.

In the 1993 Class, Orla Savage did great work in bringing together over 40 fellow classmates for the event while Pat Coffey and Michael McNamara helped to round up fellow classmates from their 1995 year group, who should have celebrated their 25 years in 2020, all supported by Mary Larkin the DCU Alumni office.

The weather took a turn for the better, meaning planned indoor celebrations could be moved outside into the fine weather of the Quad, much to the delight of all attending.

Robert Dunne of DCU’s Alumni Council welcomed the alumni back to St Patrick’s before everyone moved to the Chapel for the Prayer service, remembering those who were unable to attend through illness or who had sadly passed.

Executive Dean of the DCU Institute of Education Prof Anne Looney then gave a welcome Address to the alumni. “In September, the DCU Institute of Education will welcome the BEd class of 2027 – almost all children of the new millennium, some not born in Ireland, some who will be the first in their family to go to college and to teaching, and others proud to come from a long line of teachers. All will have a common back story – a teacher who inspired them and made them want to inspire others,” said Prof Looney.

“You have done that for hundreds of children in the three decades of your careers in education – sometimes with little thanks and recognition. The event this evening goes some way towards recognising and celebrating your contribution to Ireland’s education story, and we wish you well for the chapters still to come.”

One very important guest star brought something extra special to the event as the alumni welcomed back St Patrick’s porter John Cummins (known to many as JC Superstar), a much loved figure in the lives of many students from that era. Everyone was delighted to see him there to share in the day.

After the class photographs and reception in the Quad and Student Union (complete with 90s music playlist!), DCU Alumni Ambassadors offered alumni a tour of the campus, taking in the many new buildings and developments that had appeared since they finished their studies. 

They then moved to dinner and toasts, after which celebrations continued at former favourite Drumcondra student spots including Fagan's pub.

A huge thank you to the organisers from both classes for working hard to ensure as many alumni as possible could be there to celebrate with their classmates and for the invaluable support of the Student Ambassadors and DCU Events office on the day.