lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: June 1970 in the Great Hall in Earlsfort Terrace: My proud and rather elderly parents had come all the way from Cork for the conferring of their first child to get a university education. The President, Dr Jeremiah Hogan, was accompanied by UCD Secretary, JP McHale et al. My beaming parents got increasingly excited as we were called up in fours. My name was called and I mounted the dais, fourth in my group. The three ahead of me got their handshake and scroll. I got my handshake too but, horror of horrors, my parchment could not be found. Silence throughout the hall. Mr McHale found a blank parchment, rolled it up and placed it in my sweating hands. I stepped down all on my own and the audience clapped. My dear parents were beside themselves.
1970s
OLIVER MURPHY
OLIVER MURPHY
lives in Ireland and is a teacher at the Institute of Education. Professional highlight from the last year: One of my st...
lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: An abiding memory is being given lists of books about each topic on the History course. In the 1970s, the Library only had a single copy. Less of a problem these days with internet access!
PERDITA QUINLAN (GUSKEN)
PERDITA QUINLAN (GUSKEN)
lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: In 1967, women students were not allowed to wear trousers in Earlsfort...
lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Topping the poll in the Student Representative Council (SRC)election in second and third year Arts; occupying the offices in protest against fees; favourite lecturer, Dr Françoise Henry.
DR MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN
DR MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN
lives in Ireland and is Director and Treasurer of the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education (SpIRE), a Chari...
FRED TUITE
FRED TUITE
lives in Ireland and is a careers consultant in Kilkenny. Memories of UCD: I took up fencing and really enjoyed travelli...
PATRICK O’CONNOR
BA 1970
lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: June 1970 in the Great Hall in Earlsfort Terrace: My proud and rather elderly parents had come all the way from Cork for the conferring of their first child to get a university education. The President, Dr Jeremiah Hogan, was accompanied by UCD Secretary, JP McHale et al. My beaming parents got increasingly excited as we were called up in fours. My name was called and I mounted the dais, fourth in my group. The three ahead of me got their handshake and scroll. I got my handshake too but, horror of horrors, my parchment could not be found. Silence throughout the hall. Mr McHale found a blank parchment, rolled it up and placed it in my sweating hands. I stepped down all on my own and the audience clapped. My dear parents were beside themselves.
OLIVER MURPHY
(BA 1975, HDip in Ed 1976)
lives in Ireland and is a teacher at the Institute of Education. Professional highlight from the last year: One of my students made the Irish team for the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad in Slovenia. Alumni events attended: 25th anniversary reunion in 2000. Memories of UCD: Being in the UCD bar when a guy called Gerry and his boyfriend Hugo went around with trays of crisps and nuts as if we were all at some sherry party. Marvellous. Love on campus: I started going out with a beautiful girl named Carol who was studying Science. We’re still together after 50 years.
PETER CHARLES LYNCH
BA 1977
lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: An abiding memory is being given lists of books about each topic on the History course. In the 1970s, the Library only had a single copy. Less of a problem these days with internet access!
PERDITA QUINLAN (GUSKEN)
BComm 1971
lives in Ireland and is retired. Memories of UCD: In 1967, women students were not allowed to wear trousers in Earlsfort Terrace – this changed very quickly when all the girls turned up in their jeans! The BComm class were the first to move out to the new Arts Block in Belfield. When applying for accountancy training after graduation, some of the big firms replied: ‘Sorry, we are not looking for secretaries presently.’ We have come a long way and so has UCD! Lovely to see such a progressive, impressive University. Cardinal Newman would be proud.
SHELIA COYLE
BA 1973
lives in Ireland. Memories of UCD: Topping the poll in the Student Representative Council (SRC)election in second and third year Arts; occupying the offices in protest against fees; favourite lecturer, Dr Françoise Henry.
DR MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN
BSocSc 1974
lives in Ireland and is Director and Treasurer of the Spirituality Institute for Research and Education (SpIRE), a Charitable Trust, and also works in the South East Technological University (SETU). Alumni events attended: I co-organised the 40th anniversary celebrations of our graduation and now the Golden Jubilee is almost upon us! Memories of UCD: As a young Jesuit, I was blessed to spend the years of my studies at UCD in the company of many intelligent and socially committed female students who influenced the stands I have taken over the years for the wellbeing of women in Church and society
FRED TUITE
BA 1974, HDip in Ed 1975, DipCG 1982
lives in Ireland and is a careers consultant in Kilkenny. Memories of UCD: I took up fencing and really enjoyed travelling to competitions all over the country; making great friends through the Fencing Club.