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Belfast Boards => Belfast History and Memories => Topic started by: stickyra on May 11, 2010, 02:35:51 PM

Title: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 11, 2010, 02:35:51 PM
Any ex St. Malachy's guys out there?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maggiemay on May 11, 2010, 09:46:46 PM
My  6  sons went  to St Malachys
Name O'Toole
Maggie
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 11, 2010, 11:03:33 PM
Gerry?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wellyrec on May 11, 2010, 11:44:48 PM
Any ex St. Malachy's guys out there?
[
 
/
 
 
1963   1968   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 12, 2010, 03:26:09 AM
Any ex St. Malachy's guys out there?
My late father was there in the 1940s. My brother and I went there in the late 1960s. Dad loved the place, and could never understand why my brother and I hated it.
 
The educational standards were high, but my abiding memory of the place is the bleakness. Education was something to be thumped into the students, and there was no joy of learning. After 5 years at St Malachy's, I went to a comprehensive in Australia and the contrast was stunning. In Australia, we had teachers who were passionate about their subjects, as opposed to teachers who had been dictating the same notes for years (in some cases, since my dad had been a pupil there) and whose pedagogical imagination didn't extend beyond the cane or the strap.
 
Sorry if that sounds negative. I'm sure that there were people who enjoyed the place!
 
 
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maggiemay on May 12, 2010, 07:20:23 AM
Yes Stickyra
Gerry is one of my sons
Maggie
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: muckermcd on May 12, 2010, 07:27:48 AM
My Brother is the Vice Principal there and has been for many a year.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 12, 2010, 11:01:16 AM
Yes Stickyra
Gerry is one of my sons
Maggie

Maggiemay I hope I am getting the right generation. I went to Holy family Primary with Gerry O Toole, one of my best friends, and then on to St Malachy's with him in the early seventies. Is it the right Gerry? He used to live on Alexander Park Avenue?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 12, 2010, 11:02:11 AM
My Brother is the Vice Principal there and has been for many a year.

Muckermcd I am trying to think who your brother might be.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 12, 2010, 11:05:02 AM
My late father was there in the 1940s. My brother and I went there in the late 1960s. Dad loved the place, and could never understand why my brother and I hated it.
 
The educational standards were high, but my abiding memory of the place is the bleakness. Education was something to be thumped into the students, and there was no joy of learning. After 5 years at St Malachy's, I went to a comprehensive in Australia and the contrast was stunning. In Australia, we had teachers who were passionate about their subjects, as opposed to teachers who had been dictating the same notes for years (in some cases, since my dad had been a pupil there) and whose pedagogical imagination didn't extend beyond the cane or the strap.
 
Sorry if that sounds negative. I'm sure that there were people who enjoyed the place!

 
 
Stiofan: I know what you mean. It had not changed a great deal by the early seventies and I have mixed feelings about the place. There were one or two teachers who should not have been allowed anywhere near young people. Unfortuntely they are dead now so I will not live out my fanasies about the retribution I always had in my heart to deal out to them when I got old enough.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Geraldine on May 12, 2010, 12:04:03 PM

 
 
Stiofan: I know what you mean. It had not changed a great deal by the early seventies and I have mixed feelings about the place. There were one or two teachers who should not have been allowed anywhere near young people. Unfortuntely they are dead now so I will not live out my fanasies about the retribution I always had in my heart to deal out to them when I got old enough.

Fortunately or unfortunately they are dead now!!! :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Geraldine on May 12, 2010, 12:07:58 PM


Some of the classrooms at our school, Crumlin Road Convent faced some of the classrooms of St. Malachy's.
You would have thought we had never seen boys in our lives the way we would be hanging out the windows and shouting after the boys.  :D
Of course we had the severest punishment when we got caught  :angry2:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maggiemay on May 12, 2010, 02:09:20 PM
HI Stickyra
Yes that's our Gerry.He lives in Singapore,been there about 16 years.Three kids ,two girls and one son.
Maggiemay
,
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rayk on May 12, 2010, 11:41:19 PM
Any ex St. Malachy's guys out there?

Hi, Went to St Malachys 56 to 63. Patch Kerr was President followed by Walter Larkin. Beef McCorry was Dean. - Ray
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 13, 2010, 06:53:49 AM
HI Stickyra
Yes that's our Gerry.He lives in Singapore,been there about 16 years.Three kids ,two girls and one son.
Maggiemay
,

Maggiemay, I have been trying to get in touch with Gerry for many years. I was trying through friends re-united but no success. I knew from there he was in Singapore. Thanks for the info, I will PM you my email address - maybe you could pass it on.  Do you remember giving out for me for taking him in to a damp forest  around 1972 which led to him getting an asthma attack?
 :blush2:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 13, 2010, 06:56:56 AM

Hi, Went to St Malachys 56 to 63. Patch Kerr was President followed by Walter Larkin. Beef McCorry was Dean. - Ray

They were all gone by '73, Ray. By then Paddy Sniff (Rev Patrick Walsh) was President (unfit for the job).
 
The Dean was Fr. Michael 'Rubber Neck' Murray. Another toe-rag.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 13, 2010, 06:59:06 AM

Some of the classrooms at our school, Crumlin Road Convent faced some of the classrooms of St. Malachy's.
You would have thought we had never seen boys in our lives the way we would be hanging out the windows and shouting after the boys.  :D
Of course we had the severest punishment when we got caught  :angry2:

Geraldine - Wish my classrooms had looked out over the convent but all I could see was Crumiln Road jail  :angry2:   :angry2:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 13, 2010, 10:04:27 AM
There's a conicidence. One of the contestants on last night's Australian version of Who Wants To be a Millionaire was Eugene McConville, who started St Malachy's in 1967 and emigrated in 1972 or thereabouts.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maggiemay on May 13, 2010, 10:42:53 AM
Hi Stickyra
Don't remember that.My new email address is [email protected]
Can't wait to hear who you are
Maggie
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Geraldine on May 13, 2010, 01:30:15 PM

Geraldine - Wish my classrooms had looked out over the convent but all I could see was Crumiln Road jail  :angry2:   :angry2:

 :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Geraldine on May 13, 2010, 01:32:56 PM
stickyra, the nurses home was beside us as well and I am wondering if there were any of those windows in sight of St. Malachy's. ;) ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 14, 2010, 04:52:53 PM
stickyra, the nurses home was beside us as well and I am wondering if there were any of those windows in sight of St. Malachy's. ;) ;)

 
 
I wish :angry2:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Burnsy on May 14, 2010, 05:43:47 PM
There's a conicidence. One of the contestants on last night's Australian version of Who Wants To be a Millionaire was Eugene McConville, who started St Malachy's in 1967 and emigrated in 1972 or thereabouts.

Eugene McConville is my wife's cousin. How did he do on the show?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Giannineo on May 14, 2010, 08:23:17 PM
Stiofan did you know a Paul Donnelly at St. Mals in the late 60's?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 15, 2010, 02:28:28 AM

Hi, Went to St Malachys 56 to 63. Patch Kerr was President followed by Walter Larkin. Beef McCorry was Dean. - Ray

I left in 1961 :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 15, 2010, 02:30:05 AM
Walter Larkin could have kept fish fresh. .. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: spacetinker on May 15, 2010, 05:05:12 PM

Hi, Went to St Malachys 56 to 63. Patch Kerr was President followed by Walter Larkin. Beef McCorry was Dean. - Ray

One for you Ray.   ...
 
(http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/spacetinker/63Staffsm.jpg)
 
They just wanted us boys to grow up and be more wee priests. .might have worked if we had better examples to live up to!
I was hopeless at Latin...so my opinion is a bit biased. :smile:
 
Cheers m'dears.  ...Tink.

(http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/spacetinker/druid.gif)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 15, 2010, 11:34:52 PM
Tink...that looks like the photo from the alumni site or do you have a private collection.   I met Joe Houston in the middle of China last year and lived with him for a year.   He was a couple of years ahead of us ...I am in contact with a small group via skype,  Michael Clarke( Dessi), Patrick Mc Dade,( seamus) Ciaran Mc Namara,Barney Mc Laverty,( not yet) and several others.  Joe and I CELEBRATED the 175th anniversary of the college IN THE MIDDLE OF CHINA by him saying Mass but we received no acknowledgement from the college.
I enjoyed my stay as I came from St Patrick's in 1959.  I remember Walter Larkin meeting Peter Doherty and myself .  We had to get permission from him to be absent from college so that we could play basketball for Ireland .  Peter was o.k. but Walter made me sweat whilst he decided. .but before we left he said that I could go.....whoo.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 16, 2010, 08:43:44 AM
What has happened to the Alumni site? It seemed to die off a few years back.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 16, 2010, 09:15:56 AM
What has happened to the Alumni site? It seemed to die off a few years back.

Jim Holland was manager of the website and after his 3 yrs was completed he was let go but noone else was employed to keep the site up to date with news.   Jim had a brother called Tim who was in my class.  I sent an e-mail when I came back from China and a number of the Alumni objected to a dead site and there is a promise to catch up with comments from the address book and keep it up to date but I have not seen any movement yet.   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 16, 2010, 12:05:24 PM
Eugene McConville is my wife's cousin. How did he do on the show?
Dunno - I haven't seen the show yet. I should confess that I'm assuming that it's the one and only Eugene McConville. I only know about it because my mother told me that a 54 yo guy from Belfast had been on and his name was Eugene McConville. I've got a tape, so I'll let you knw when I've watched it.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: old wallion on May 16, 2010, 01:51:02 PM
There's a conicidence. One of the contestants on last night's Australian version of Who Wants To be a Millionaire was Eugene McConville, who started St Malachy's in 1967 and emigrated in 1972 or thereabouts.
Eugene was in my class in Park Lodge. I hope he won a few thousand Dollars :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: muckermcd on May 16, 2010, 02:35:09 PM
Stickyra his name is Jim McDonnell
 
 

Muckermcd I am trying to think who your brother might be.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Burnsy on May 16, 2010, 02:37:04 PM
I got a hold of Eugene through email and he says he didn't win any money (probably to stop the begging letters), but he is now reviewing TV and movie opportunities.. :D
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: kevben on May 17, 2010, 01:13:50 AM
anybody remember a guy called micky mc auley left st mals to go to barney i think he knocked about with a fella called chris hughes (chico).would love to know his whereabouts he lived in whitewell parade
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 17, 2010, 01:27:23 AM
I got a hold of Eugene through email and he says he didn't win any money (probably to stop the begging letters), but he is now reviewing TV and movie opportunities.. :D

If you're talking to Eugene again, tell him that Stephen Magee says Hi. We were in the same class at St Malachy's for many years. I left for Australia not long before he did.
 
And, if it's any consolation, my mother (who was watching Who Wants To Be a Millionaire) said that he was a very handsome man  (http://belfastforum.co.uk/Smileys/excellent/air_kiss.gif)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 01:50:20 AM
Walter Larkin could have kept fish fresh. .. ;)

Poor old Walter had a Hiatus Hernia to beat all others. When he later became parish priest in Crossgar the ladies of the parish were very careful not to make him laugh in case he created unbearable hell in the confines of the confession box.
I had an older handicapped brother with the same problem. Before I went to school each day he would ask me to put on his tie. I could never hold my breath long enough no matter how I tried.
So what? Nothing wrong with poor taste.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 04:05:16 AM

Poor old Walter had a Hiatus Hernia to beat all others. When he later became parish priest in Crossgar the ladies of the parish were very careful not to make him laugh in case he created unbearable hell in the confines of the confession box.
I had an older handicapped brother with the same problem. Before I went to school each day he would ask me to put on his tie. I could never hold my breath long enough no matter how I tried.
So what? Nothing wrong with poor taste.

Hello Brian,

I have come across your comments on the alumni site but I don't know when you went to the college.  I was able to read your comments when I was in China.  It's strange what keeps you going.  I meant that Walter was very cold....I found Patch a different kettle of fish( excuse the pun)  I came from Barnageeha and during a melee in the room between classes, I was 15 yrs old, Eamon Mc Allister grabbed me by the arm and suggested that we shouldn't be in the room because he had been in a spot of bother and couldn't afford to be in another.  There was the suggestion that I should leave as well seeing as I was a new inmate.  So about 6 of us jumped out of the window. .it had become a bit rough inside.   Patch was not pleased and the whole class was punished. .for the altercation and also because a boy had jumped out of a window the previous year and had died.  Everyone without exception except me was punished ,,,,as I was only new ????I thought Patch was great and everytime we passed one another we smiled.

Barney Mc Laverty in his book of short stories " Secrets" obviously didn't appreciate Hugo Lynch as he depicted a character who taught him ( he was a priest ) as a social, snob and only interested in students whose parents had money or influence.  However when you read Hugo's obituary it tells you of a very lonely man with  real feelings.   Sometimes in the teacher / pupil relationship we are not aware of these points. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 17, 2010, 04:58:07 AM
Barney Mc Laverty in his book of short stories " Secrets" obviously didn't appreciate Hugo Lynch as he depicted a character who taught him ( he was a priest ) as a social, snob and only interested in students whose parents had money or influence.  However when you read Hugo's obituary it tells you of a very lonely man with  real feelings.   Sometimes in the teacher / pupil relationship we are not aware of these points. ;)

I think that you're doing MacLaverty a disservice! A crucial part of that story (The Exercise) involves Waldo's apologising to the boy for behaving like a snob.
 
Your point about schoolboys not being aware of teachers' feelings is true, but it doesn't really address the problem that dogged St Malachy's for so many years. When Dirty Dick or Fr Purdy or someone else was laying into me, as an 11 or 14 year old, I didn't really give a [censored] about their inner angst and nor should I have, because they had the upper hand in the power relationship. It might have been bearable if the teaching had been good, but some of it was absolutely woeful and very little of it could be described as the type of inspirational teaching that a bunch of intelligent kids actually need.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 05:20:56 AM
I never knew Dirty Dick Dynan to lay into anyone 1958-1964, certainly Purdy did. He waited for me every morning at the head of the avenue, hiding in the door of the English school, to dole out two for being late. Walter did the same for a couple of years prior before he grew tired and delegated to Purdy. Purdy died of a brain tumour not too long after. (RIP).  Afternoons of my last year 1964 was spent mainly at the Plaza midday hop or roaming North Down in John Conway's old Standard Vanguard. He tried to drive the thing up to Napoleon's Nose.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 17, 2010, 07:27:54 AM
I never knew Dirty Dick Dynan to lay into anyone 1958-1964, certainly Purdy did. He waited for me every morning at the head of the avenue, hiding in the door of the English school, to dole out two for being late. Walter did the same for a couple of years prior before he grew tired and delegated to Purdy. Purdy died of a brain tumour not too long after. (RIP). 
OMG - perhaps Dirty Dick was telling the truth when he said that I was the first person to whom he had ever given six! However, I presume that he didn't carry that strap around as a fashion accessory.
 
Poor old Purdy (he didn't die until the mid-seventies, by the way). My children don't believe me when I tell them that that I was repeatedly punched and slapped around the head by teachers at St Malachy's. Doubt turns to outright incredulity when I tell them that we had a priest whose job was to go around the school caning people.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 07:39:19 AM

I think that you're doing MacLaverty a disservice! A crucial part of that story (The Exercise) involves Waldo's apologising to the boy for behaving like a snob.
 
/quote]

I didn't intend to do Barney Mc Laverty a disservice.  Some people are not suited to being teachers with younger people especially when they have spent sometime studying Theology.   However that happens in all schools. ;) Don't forget the smileys.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 07:42:41 AM
Do either of yo remember " Frog"  :scratch_ones_head:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 08:02:30 AM
Never did French, SJ. I presume that was Frog's subject.
Didn't Dirty Dick also teach the girls at St Dominic's, Rathmore and Fortwilliam "how to speak proper". As far as I remember he was at St Malachy's on only one day per week.
I had a bad stutter and he invited me to private elocution lessons but he lost interest when he was told my 5 pounds annual levy had never been paid. Do I now owe the college 30 quid for my six years?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 17, 2010, 08:15:18 AM
Never did French, SJ. I presume that was Frog's subject.
Didn't Dirty Dick also teach the girls at St Dominic's, Rathmore and Fortwilliam "how to speak proper". As far as I remember he was at St Malachy's on only one day per week.
I had a bad stutter and he invited me to private elocution lessons but he lost interest when he was told my 5 pounds annual levy had never been paid. Do I now owe the college 30 quid for my six years?
When I was there, his subject was officially titled "Elocution". However, that seemed to cover a lot of ground, ranging from proper forms of address to (I clearly remember) instructions on how to wipe your bottom properly. He also did a bit of RE, in the form of Bible studies. His biblical interpretations tended to be rather basic - to this day, I have word-perfect recall of his quotations from Paul which condemned homosexuality. BTW is it true that he operated a pirate IRA radio station during WW2 and had been interned?
 
Frog doesn't ring any bells. Our French teacher was "Sambo".
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 08:30:57 AM
When I was there, his subject was officially titled "Elocution". However, that seemed to cover a lot of ground, ranging from proper forms of address to (I clearly remember) instructions on how to wipe your bottom properly. He also did a bit of RE, in the form of Bible studies. His biblical interpretations tended to be rather basic - to this day, I have word-perfect recall of his quotations from Paul which condemned homosexuality. BTW is it true that he operated a pirate IRA radio station during WW2 and had been interned?
 
Frog doesn't ring any bells. Our French teacher was "Sambo".

Frog had been at the college for a long time.  I think that he left in the early 60's.  He would have fitted in well at Horgwortz.  He had a gown that had been attacked by many students knives and scissors.  Dynan travelled far and wide but the story about him running a pirate I.R.A. radio station could be fanciful but then if Cassiday  ( Latin)was a well know G.A.A. athlete then anything is possible.

I knew many boarders and one amusing story was about John Carey being the boarders barber.  Walter was saying his office in the college chapel and smelt burning.  Upon investigation he discovered that the smell of burning flesh was coming from behind the Altar.  When he looked around the corner he observed John singeing a students hair with a light taper ( he was finishing a grew cut) and another boarder was sitting in a chair waiting on his turn.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 08:41:02 AM
Now I remember Frog. Dan something. So it was the frogmarch he adapted to move us firstyears out of the way. I thought it was the goosestep.
I'm just checking my pockets for the thirty quid now. I might have to ask for terms.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on May 17, 2010, 10:04:56 AM
I never knew Dirty Dick Dynan to lay into anyone 1958-1964, certainly Purdy did. He waited for me every morning at the head of the avenue, hiding in the door of the English school, to dole out two for being late. Walter did the same for a couple of years prior before he grew tired and delegated to Purdy. Purdy died of a brain tumour not too long after. (RIP).  Afternoons of my last year 1964 was spent mainly at the Plaza midday hop or roaming North Down in John Conway's old Standard Vanguard. He tried to drive the thing up to Napoleon's Nose.

 
 
 
Dynan laid into a few guys in my class circa ,73
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 10:36:33 AM
Now I remember Frog. Dan something. So it was the frogmarch he adapted to move us firstyears out of the way. I thought it was the goosestep.
I'm just checking my pockets for the thirty quid now. I might have to ask for terms.

Brian....stickya is correct.  He was called Frog because he taught FRENCH.   Mick Mc Cormick ( p.e.) once said that if he had had blades on his feet that he would have made a good lawnmower. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 11:16:08 AM
Stickyra, ask muckermcd if he had a brother Raymond who for a strange reason we called Petesy.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 11:41:01 AM
Brian,

I only know two people with the name mc Keever....one was Jim who played basketball and G.A.A. and taught at the Ranch  ( that name just came to me)  and a Mrs Mc Keever who teaches at Our Lady of Lourdes( Antrim Rd,) Park Lodge. where I have two grandsons.  Any relation?? ;)

You and everyone else on this thread seems to be years younger than I am.  Wellyrec is near my age and we almost bumped into one another years ago. :smile:

I spent one of the coldest Winters that I have ever experienced in the nissen hut on the edge of the big field in 1960 when I was in senior 1b.  It even snowed .
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 11:49:23 AM
No relation SJ. Jim and his brother Dennis played for Derry.
I had three brothers at the college. Frank and Cormac both received Kings Scholarships. They were too hard an act for me to follow. Peter preferred to play hurling and took to drink at an early age.
Och sure didn't youse have a coal-burning stove in the nissen hut.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 12:14:27 PM
No relation SJ. Jim and his brother Dennis played for Derry.
I had three brothers at the college. Frank and Cormac both received Kings Scholarships. They were too hard an act for me to follow. Peter preferred to play hurling and took to drink at an early age.
Och sure didn't youse have a coal-burning stove in the nissen hut.

I have a good memory , as is yours,but I can't recall any coal. .or maybe it was because I was near the door.  The door must have been hung by a Chinese carpenter and there was enough space at the bottom for a good Limbo dancer to crawl under. :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 01:11:54 PM
SJ in China. Have you heard of Rewi Allen, a New Zealander? People here in NZ are told that he was considered a God in China. Nothing to do with St Malachys, I'm aware.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2010, 02:07:33 PM
SJ in China. Have you heard of Rewi Allen, a New Zealander? People here in NZ are told that he was considered a God in China. Nothing to do with St Malachys, I'm aware.

Brian. .I wasn't aware that you were in N.Z. but I did wonder how you were able to be on the B.F. at the same time as myself.   I am in contact with Dessi Clarke ( W.A.) and Seamus Mc Dade ( Canada) and I will tell them about this thread.

Rewi Alley ??? was a N.Zlander who was a great supporter of the party in China.  I have heard of him but not from foreigners  .only from Chinese people.  What struck me about the Chinese was that Buddism is alive and well but it is not classed as a religion but a way of life.

My wife was born in China as her parents were Anglican missionaries in Chongqing.
Back to St Malachy's college. .Are your brothers older or younger than you....Sam
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 17, 2010, 02:33:16 PM

Back to St Malachy's college. .Are your brothers older or younger than you....Sam
So NZ has got a claim to some good work done by Rewi!
I was the youngest of the family. Cormac went to the college around 1946, Peter around 1948 and Frank around 1950. I didn't get there until 1958. Both Peter and Frank were good alley players. When Frank went to Queens he took up squash and went on to play for Ulster and Ireland. Like I said before Peter took up the drink early and regrettably(?) I followed suit. Only Cormac and I are left and also our only sister.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wellyrec on May 18, 2010, 08:43:24 AM


You and everyone else on this thread seems to be years younger than I am.  Wellyrec is near my age and we almost bumped into one another years ago. :smile:
[
 
/quote]
 
 
 
yep sam 61 this year. ....i think purdy enjoyed giving the strap   ..cassidy the cane   and lefty lenaghan i think it was the stap  .be interesting to highlight each "teachers" preference  ie strap/cane. who used strap only. :angry2:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 19, 2010, 07:06:26 AM

You and everyone else on this thread seems to be years younger than I am.  Wellyrec is near my age and we almost bumped into one another years ago. :smile:
[
 
/quote]
 
 
 
yep sam 61 this year. ....i think purdy enjoyed giving the strap   ..cassidy the cane   and lefty lenaghan i think it was the stap  .be interesting to highlight each "teachers" preference  ie strap/cane. who used strap only. :angry2:

It's a small world Wellyrec. .St Malachy's college was a place of some character and spirit when it had boarders staying.  Howwever I never met a fat boarder ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Sailortown Man on May 19, 2010, 04:05:30 PM
Went there 1973-1980 (went to Park Lodge too, wallion).  Stickyra you and I must be of the same vintage as Gerry O'Toole was in my year.  He and I exchanged messages on Facebook recently.  Knew his brother Jim well too.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: poogle on May 20, 2010, 10:51:21 PM
Sailortown,
 I know stickyra and Gerry-so I  must know you.   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on May 21, 2010, 09:34:02 PM
So NZ has got a claim to some good work done by Rewi!
I was the youngest of the family. Cormac went to the college around 1946, Peter around 1948 and Frank around 1950. I didn't get there until 1958. Both Peter and Frank were good alley players. When Frank went to Queens he took up squash and went on to play for Ulster and Ireland. Like I said before Peter took up the drink early and regrettably(?) I followed suit. Only Cormac and I are left and also our only sister.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on May 21, 2010, 09:39:54 PM
Frog's last name was Flaherty. Occasionally, he'd sneak into the Criterion for a drink after school.
Your brother Pete was proud of the fact that he went into the Criterion one day , stood alongside the Frog and ordered a drink. Frog didn't speak to hm and couldn't turn him in because he'd be turning himself in at the same time.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 22, 2010, 04:10:47 AM
Frog's last name was Flaherty. Occasionally, he'd sneak into the Criterion for a drink after school.
Your brother Pete was proud of the fact that he went into the Criterion one day , stood alongside the Frog and ordered a drink. Frog didn't speak to hm and couldn't turn him in because he'd be turning himself in at the same time.
Lovely story Expat. It gave me a real buzz.
I had a trip home planned to see Pete in 2006 but had to change travel plans to attend his funeral.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on May 22, 2010, 11:58:23 AM
Thanks. The story was definitely about Flaherty and Pete. In thinking it over, I'm not 100% sure that Flaherty was the Frog.Flaherty might have been an English teacher.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 22, 2010, 12:47:44 PM
You will enjoy this forum ,Expat, no matter where you're settled. I recently joined. The guys and girls give much to savour. The craic is great and best enjoyed with a bottle of beer at hand.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: bealfeirste on May 22, 2010, 03:26:13 PM
Fr0gs name was Coughlan. In the early 50s he nad a son attending the school. Yes you guessed it his nickman was Tadpole.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 22, 2010, 11:24:18 PM
Fr0gs name was Coughlan. In the early 50s he nad a son attending the school. Yes you guessed it his nickman was Tadpole.

I am sure that the Frog whom I refere to was not Coughlan..  I came to the college in the late 50's.  I have found one old collegian but I can't recognise the name.  By the late 50's he was quite elderly and doesn't appear in the 63 collegian. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: cannon on May 23, 2010, 03:29:01 PM
I am sure that the Frog whom I refere to was not Coughlan..  I came to the college in the late 50's.  I have found one old collegian but I can't recognise the name.  By the late 50's he was quite elderly and doesn't appear in the 63 collegian. ;)
   sj,I remember the Frog ,Mr. Coghlan, teaching me French in the early 50's and he had a son attending the College then.   There are  1958 and 1963 "Staff photos" on the website, he's in both. :smile: :smile: :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rayk on May 24, 2010, 12:04:44 AM
I never knew Dirty Dick Dynan to lay into anyone 1958-1964, certainly Purdy did. He waited for me every morning at the head of the avenue, hiding in the door of the English school, to dole out two for being late. Walter did the same for a couple of years prior before he grew tired and delegated to Purdy. Purdy died of a brain tumour not too long after. (RIP).  Afternoons of my last year 1964 was spent mainly at the Plaza midday hop or roaming North Down in John Conway's old Standard Vanguard. He tried to drive the thing up to Napoleon's Nose.

Purdy didn't join the staff until 1963. Before that Beef McCorry used to wait at the top of the avenue for latecomers. In spite of all the canings we seemed to accept it and I'm not sure that it did us any harm (nor any good) Ray
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 24, 2010, 01:38:01 AM

In spite of all the canings we seemed to accept it and I'm not sure that it did us any harm (nor any good) Ray
If it didn't do us any harm, what was the point of it?!?! The problem with the canings was twofold.
 
The first was that it was a totally innappropriate way to deal with fairly intelligent kids. We'd all been through the 11 plus and could therefore be assumed to be reasonably intelligent and interested in learning. Instead of building on that, St Malachy's took education down to the level of brute force: encouragement was replaced by fear.
 
The second problem with the over-use of the cane was that it bred a culture of violence in the school. Many teachers appear to have assumed that there was no difference between caning and punching or slapping students. I was punched in the eye by one teacher and slapped across the head by two others (in one case, so hard that I was knocked off the bench in the changerooms near the gym). None of this was regarded as particularly noteworthy.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 24, 2010, 04:54:09 AM
If it didn't do us any harm, what was the point of it?!?! The problem with the canings was twofold.
 
The first was that it was a totally innappropriate way to deal with fairly intelligent kids. We'd all been through the 11 plus and could therefore be assumed to be reasonably intelligent and interested in learning. Instead of building on that, St Malachy's took education down to the level of brute force: encouragement was replaced by fear.
 
The second problem with the over-use of the cane was that it bred a culture of violence in the school. Many teachers appear to have assumed that there was no difference between caning and punching or slapping students. I was punched in the eye by one teacher and slapped across the head by two others (in one case, so hard that I was knocked off the bench in the changerooms near the gym). None of this was regarded as particularly noteworthy.

The only teacher that I recall in the changing rooms was Mick.  I don't think that he carried a strap ...so did he use the inside of his hand to slap you or was it someone else.   I didn't have a problem with discipline if there was a reason for it.  In Latin I saw a teacher strap a boy because he got a verb wrong which is I think inappropiate behaviour for a teacher.  For not trying maybe but for making a mistake then that is inappropiate.  However we lived in different times.  Such times as when the b...specials raided the school looking for a 16yr old student.  The boy was a boarder and went over the back wall. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on May 24, 2010, 08:10:16 AM
The only teacher that I recall in the changing rooms was Mick.  I don't think that he carried a strap ...so did he use the inside of his hand to slap you or was it someone else.   I didn't have a problem with discipline if there was a reason for it.  In Latin I saw a teacher strap a boy because he got a verb wrong which is I think inappropiate behaviour for a teacher.  For not trying maybe but for making a mistake then that is inappropiate.  However we lived in different times.  Such times as when the b...specials raided the school looking for a 16yr old student.  The boy was a boarder and went over the back wall. ;)
I had left my gym gear at home. I was given a set of sheets that had to be filled in for the annual athletics carnival. The teacher left the changing rooms for about 15 minutes. When he returned, he found that I had filled in the sheets incorrectly. He lifted his hand and walloped me.
 
On another occasion, a teacher was dictating to us. My bag was sitting on the desk in front of me. The teacher apparently (and wrongly) assumed that I was hiding behind the bag and wasn't taking down the dictation. Suddenly the bag was whipped away. I looked up to see his fist coming through the air. He caught me directly on the eye. That rendered me useless for the rest of the lesson, because I couldn't open the eye.
 
The last incident I recall was in a Latin class. The teacher had gone to the end of the row to do something. Naturally, we all looked around at what was happening. As he walked back up the row, he hit me on the head with his opened hand because I wasn't facing the front.
 
None of these had anything to do with discipline, and none warranted the treatment that was dished out. However, as I said earlier, my experience of St Malachy's was that physical punishment was just a way of life, and positive reinforcement was almost non-existent.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 24, 2010, 09:49:48 AM

Purdy didn't join the staff until 1963. Before that Beef McCorry used to wait at the top of the avenue for latecomers. In spite of all the canings we seemed to accept it and I'm not sure that it did us any harm (nor any good) Ray
Walter Larkin definitely took his turn for a year or two waiting for latecomers between Beef McCorry and Purdy. It was just after he took over as President. Does anyone remember the time he gave us all a days holiday when the college won the McLarnon Cup and the day we were sent home as soon as we arrived when there was a snowstorm building up?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rayk on May 24, 2010, 08:57:34 PM
It seems we all had different experiences. I was sometimes caned or "flippered" but was never hit or punched and there were certainly some good teachers. I'm not sure that to-day's politically correct system is any better. Ray
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Helens Bay on July 01, 2010, 12:08:37 PM
was at St Mals 1954 to57.
The French teacher was named Mr.Sudway also known as Soapy.
Also taught by the great Dessie Wilson.
Don`t remember the school with great affection
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Desmond Harris on July 26, 2010, 11:05:41 AM
My eldest brother Eamonn went in the mid sixties, and it has always been a great source of pride in the family.I had a uncle who went on to become a priest who attended the collage. Father Matthews. He was a missionary in Zambia and during WW2 he was on a ship, the SS California that was torpedo of the West African coast. It was a Hospital ship and he bore the scars of the burning oil that cover the surface around the sight of the wreck. He swam through the wreckage giving the last rites to the dead and dying. He and six nuns survived. But he had terrable scars.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on July 28, 2010, 11:11:46 AM
Recently it was the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the college.  I had the privlidge of being in the middle of China with another x-St Malachy's student who is a missionary priest.  He said Mass for all the past and present staff and students.  There were three people present.  Joe and I ( x-St Malachy's college and another priest from Ireland).  It was a great experience and we had breakfast together sfterwards.I sent an e-mail to the college alumni message board .  Unfortunately the alumni website is not managed and my comments were never put online .  What an absolute disgrace that this site is not looked after and that there is no means of contact for x-students who reside overseas.  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: cville on July 29, 2010, 04:24:58 PM
Jim Mc Donnell(vice president)is an absolute gentleman.When he was my careers teacher in the early 80's he got me a job interview.I told him that I couldn't go as my wardrobe was barren of suits.He offered to loan me a suit for the day.
The school was tough.In one of my first days I, as a server at dinners, starved a boy of ravioli.The next day Bishop Walsh gave me a smack in the face.However this and a few other incidents did not deter me from enjoying my time at St Malachys.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: muckermcd on August 01, 2010, 08:16:26 AM
Cville nice to see you speak nice of my big bro .
Jim has retired this year and spent his last week at the college after a long stint.
Dont know what he will do with him self now as i know he was kept extremely busy ,
I shall mention your comment to him.
Mucker
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: lostinsapce on August 02, 2010, 01:49:16 AM
yup started in 1977 finished in 1984
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: lostinsapce on August 02, 2010, 01:53:18 AM
Wee Duff (Fergus)  Was an amazing teacher when you got to Lower sixth...beforw that he treated all the kids like.  
 

One for you Ray.   ...
 
(http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/spacetinker/63Staffsm.jpg)
 
They just wanted us boys to grow up and be more wee priests. .might have worked if we had better examples to live up to!
I was hopeless at Latin...so my opinion is a bit biased. :smile:
 
Cheers m'dears.  ...Tink.

(http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/spacetinker/druid.gif)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: flipper on August 03, 2010, 05:52:59 PM
Hi to all those ex-St.Mals students with fond and not so fond memories of the school. I was sent this link by a friend who lives in New York and who didn't even go to the school!! Found the comments very enlightening as I thought I was the only one who was battered about the head on a regular basis.On one occasion I was punched about the head until I was black and blue by Fr. Brendan Mc Mullan but this didn't surprise me greatly as I had the dubious pleasure of being taught by him in P.3 before he joined the priesthood. In those days one of his many forms of punishment was to lift us off the ground by our hair.On another occasion in the mid 60s I was punched full in the face by Mr.Johnny Porter (Esq) but this was by mistake.His intended target,Martin Walsh, had ducked and I was the unfortunate victim.Did Mr. Porter apologise? Not a bit of it.He just shouted louder at the unfortunate Walsh who was now squirming in the corner. On another occasion I was thumped on the side of the head by Lefty Lenaghan.He hit me so hard that I slid across the seat of the old desk in A block and landed on my ass on the floor.This was the only occasion when I had actually deserved the punishment.Purdy got me at the old arch on many occasions.He didn't listen to excuses despite the fact that I had come down the Falls on on an old trolleybus renowned for coming off the rails and then had walked across the Shankill.Incidentally I think you'll find that Frog's name was actually Jimmy Frazer.Rubberneck Murray wasn't too bad when he started at the school but too many people, including myself, took advantage of his soft nature so he soon had to change.In answer to an earlier query on the site I knew Paul Donnelly who went to the school in the 60s. We were quite good friends and were in the same class. I had 4 brothers who also went to the school from the 40s through to the 70s.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jimmi on August 03, 2010, 11:23:59 PM
Flipper, I went there from 70 - 75, and to be perfectly honest with you, the only "violence" I encountered was from Purdy and Rubber, who always got me trying to sneak in a few minutes late! I found Fr. McMullan a pretty docile guy, as was the case with Lefty. Jimmy Frazer taught me German, and a never got a bad look from him. The only one who scared me [censored] was Big Jack, and he used to lift you by your locks for not doing homework, but other than that, I had a pretty okay time there. I've read other posts describing hammerings and beatings, but I'm sorry, I never did. :swoon:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: cville on August 04, 2010, 11:44:11 AM
Hi to all those ex-St.Mals students with fond and not so fond memories of the school. I was sent this link by a friend who lives in New York and who didn't even go to the school!! Found the comments very enlightening as I thought I was the only one who was battered about the head on a regular basis.On one occasion I was punched about the head until I was black and blue by Fr. Brendan Mc Mullan but this didn't surprise me greatly as I had the dubious pleasure of being taught by him in P.3 before he joined the priesthood. In those days one of his many forms of punishment was to lift us off the ground by our hair.On another occasion in the mid 60s I was punched full in the face by Mr.Johnny Porter (Esq) but this was by mistake.His intended target,Martin Walsh, had ducked and I was the unfortunate victim.Did Mr. Porter apologise? Not a bit of it.He just shouted louder at the unfortunate Walsh who was now squirming in the corner. On another occasion I was thumped on the side of the head by Lefty Lenaghan.He hit me so hard that I slid across the seat of the old desk in A block and landed on my ass on the floor.This was the only occasion when I had actually deserved the punishment.Purdy got me at the old arch on many occasions.He didn't listen to excuses despite the fact that I had come down the Falls on on an old trolleybus renowned for coming off the rails and then had walked across the Shankill.Incidentally I think you'll find that Frog's name was actually Jimmy Frazer.Rubberneck Murray wasn't too bad when he started at the school but too many people, including myself, took advantage of his soft nature so he soon had to change.In answer to an earlier query on the site I knew Paul Donnelly who went to the school in the 60s. We were quite good friends and were in the same class. I had 4 brothers who also went to the school from the 40s through to the 70s.

Witnessed many a beating.Remember wee Tick giving a guy in our third tear Maths class a dig on the nose for wearing his gloves in class.Wee Rub using the thumb screws we used in Science to interogate us.However in saying that this sort of discipline has gone now but has it improved the standard of pupil being churned out every year.
Didn't do me a bit of harm as I still enjoyed my time there but I am still looking my fair dig with Walsh :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 04, 2010, 11:54:30 AM
Brendan McMullan was/is a family friend. I was surprised to hear that he had hit pupils, because in my (non-school) dealings with him, I've always found him a very gentle guy. Is it possible that there's some confusion with his brother Kevin, who taught music at St Malachy's? Although Kevin also seemed a fairly gentle fella to me.

BTW, this shouldn't be taken as any denial of the fact that physical violence was a way of life at the school (as my earlier posts indicate). And, contrary to some posts here, I don't think that we were unaffected by it. My own children have just finished school here in Australia and the lack of corporate punishment doesn't appear to have made delinquents out of them or their friends.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: flipper on August 04, 2010, 03:00:35 PM
 ::)  Hello again.I would just like to say that I also met Fr. Brendan Mc Mullan socially outside of the school system and his personality was completely different. He seemed very gentle and soft spoken. I didn't remind him of any of the encounters we had during my time at school as I do not hold grudges against any of my former teachers but I can ensure you the punches were real. His brother Kevin, known as Elvis, was a very nice man and I always got on with him. As for Jimmy Frazer I also found him very pleasant and don't recall him ever losing his temper.Incidentally ,I sometimes socialise with Lefty Lenaghan as he occasionally frequents the local G.A.A. club to have a few pints of Guinness. Flipper.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jimmi on August 04, 2010, 07:28:33 PM
::)  Hello again.I would just like to say that I also met Fr. Brendan Mc Mullan socially outside of the school system and his personality was completely different. He seemed very gentle and soft spoken. I didn't remind him of any of the encounters we had during my time at school as I do not hold grudges against any of my former teachers but I can ensure you the punches were real. His brother Kevin, known as Elvis, was a very nice man and I always got on with him. As for Jimmy Frazer I also found him very pleasant and don't recall him ever losing his temper.Incidentally ,I sometimes socialise with Lefty Lenaghan as he occasionally frequents the local G.A.A. club to have a few pints of Guinness. Flipper.
I know Jimmy Frazer is dead, and to the best of my knowledge, Lefty passed away a few years ago? :scratch_ones_head:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: flipper on August 05, 2010, 02:08:59 AM
Was drinking with Lefty Leneghan tonight so reports of his demise are greatly exaggeratted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :girl_blum: :girl_blum:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jimmi on August 05, 2010, 06:26:21 PM
Was drinking with Lefty Leneghan tonight so reports of his demise are greatly exaggeratted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :girl_blum: :girl_blum:
I'm very glad to hear that, I like Lefty, but I was told that he and his bike got crushed by a bus, so if it's not true, that's great. :sorry:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: flipper on August 06, 2010, 01:27:04 AM
 :smile:  Glad to hear that you're pleased to hear about Lefty.He's in his 70s but still very active. He does a lot of walking. He did spend a lot of time ,until recently, walking in The Pyrenees but it has become too much for him now. His wife died recently and since then he has become more withdrawn. Personally I think he is very lonely. Quite a few years back,when he retired, he told me that he even had to organise his own retirement do.He said the college did nothing for him and even made him come back to the college for the last two days of August since his retirement didn't technically begin until September 1st. So as I'm sure you can imagine !his parting memories are not pleasant. Incidentally, tonight I was having a drink with a nephew of Leonard Sudway and he would be interested to know what memories former pupils have of him, pleasant or unpleasant. I wasn't able to help him as he never taught me and I never had any encounters with him. He has heard that he was a targe!!! "Suds" is also still alive and I believe he's in his 80s. I think he may live in the Channel Islands. Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 06, 2010, 08:32:52 AM
:smile:  Glad to hear that you're pleased to hear about Lefty.He's in his 70s but still very active. He does a lot of walking. He did spend a lot of time ,until recently, walking in The Pyrenees but it has become too much for him now. His wife died recently and since then he has become more withdrawn. Personally I think he is very lonely. Quite a few years back,when he retired, he told me that he even had to organise his own retirement do.He said the college did nothing for him and even made him come back to the college for the last two days of August since his retirement didn't technically begin until September 1st. So as I'm sure you can imagine !his parting memories are not pleasant. Incidentally, tonight I was having a drink with a nephew of Leonard Sudway and he would be interested to know what memories former pupils have of him, pleasant or unpleasant. I wasn't able to help him as he never taught me and I never had any encounters with him. He has heard that he was a targe!!! "Suds" is also still alive and I believe he's in his 80s. I think he may live in the Channel Islands. Thanks for your help!
The Sudways were friends of my parents, so perhaps it was lucky that I never had him for a teacher. However, I did go with him on the school French trip to Belgium in 1969 or 1970 (my memory fails me). This type of excursion seems to be standard fare for schoolkids these days, but I thought it was a big deal back then. Apart from making sure that we all got on and off the proper trains and ferries, he let us do what we wanted most of the time - I'll bet that today's school trips are a LOT more tightly supervised, even though we didn't come to any harm just wandering around Belgium and Northern France.
 
I'll let my mum know that he's living in the Channel Islands. The last she knew was that he was living in Belgium.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jimmi on August 06, 2010, 12:20:03 PM
Flipper, I'm more than glad to Lefty is still with us, besides being a nice bloke, he was also a bloody good teacher. With regards to Suds, he never taught me, so can't help you there. Give my regards to Lefty next time you see him.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: flipper on August 08, 2010, 01:12:45 PM
 :unsure: Am afraid I may have posted some misinformation on the site.My friend says that it is his own daughter who lives on the Channel Islands and Leonard Sudway actually lives in Germany. Sorry about that! Flipper.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jimmi on August 09, 2010, 03:47:58 PM
I would venture most of my old teachers are dead; Big Jack, Hoppy, Wee Duff, Jim Casey, Biffo, Po, Jimmy Frazer, Mic, those I know alive are; Lefty, Sheila Fisher (She was my first teacher, on her first day!), Spock, Hodgy, D'Agostino, (He is with some Irish/Italian group), Eugene McElhatton, Colm Gallagher. I don't know whatever happened to Margaret Bond, she was a cracker! Those short skirts and boots done for me!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 09, 2010, 10:46:59 PM
Jimmi....have a look at the honours board on the Alumni site. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on August 10, 2010, 12:12:57 AM
Big Pad and Colm Beckett are dead too. Wee Bill McEvoy is alive and living in Australia. Hugh McEvoy is dead.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on August 10, 2010, 06:31:29 AM
Big Pad and Colm Beckett are dead too. Wee Bill McEvoy is alive and living in Australia. Hugh McEvoy is dead.
I'd love to hear more about Bill McEvoy. I was in the same class 1958-1964 and smoked many a fag with him over the toilet bowls. I met him at the old-boys when he got a teaching post but he wasn't willing to small-talk.
I see you are in Letterkenny. You might know my old mate Eddie O'Kane from Beechmount who has just retired from teaching at letterkenny fine arts school. He lives in Lifford.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on August 10, 2010, 01:32:59 PM
Bill emigrated to Australia (Western) in the mid seventies. I think he only taught at the college for two years. He is alive and well and lives with his wife - his family are all grown and living there too. He teaches special needs kids or socially deprived; something along those lines and seems to be a very happy and contented guy. I got a three page letter from him last year. Don't have it to hand but I will dig it out and PM you with much more details when I do.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on August 10, 2010, 01:42:09 PM
That will be real good. All I could get out of him at the old-boys club when I met him was that he was teaching Latin and it was "boring". Everyone was finding life tough then around 1970(if I'm remembering right). The club then was at the beginning of the Crumlin Road and it was pretty dangerous to drink there especially if you didn't have a car to see yourselves home.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on August 10, 2010, 02:07:10 PM
Its in a better location now up the Antrim Road at Fortwilliam. I served on the Executive Council for a couple of years but had to resign when I left Belfast in 2001. By the way I cant say I know your old mate Eddie despite the fact that I am no stranger to the local arts scene. Maybe I have met him but am unaware of his identity.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 11, 2010, 08:28:48 AM
Its in a better location now up the Antrim Road at Fortwilliam. I served on the Executive Council for a couple of years but had to resign when I left Belfast in 2001. By the way I cant say I know your old mate Eddie despite the fact that I am no stranger to the local arts scene. Maybe I have met him but am unaware of his identity.

Stickyra,
Whereabouts at Fortwilliam. ./ ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on August 12, 2010, 11:02:42 AM
Opposite the junction between Antrim Road and Skegoniell Avenue. Right beside Dr Ivan Goldblatt's medical/dental surgery.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 12, 2010, 02:17:54 PM
Opposite the junction between Antrim Road and Skegoniell Avenue. Right beside Dr Ivan Goldblatt's medical/dental surgery.

Thank you...I will be there next year,...Sam ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jimmi on August 13, 2010, 12:13:57 PM
Can anyone remember or know what happened to Margaret Bond? She was a geography teacher at the college @72/73, and she would have been mid - late 20s then. That I'm aware of, she lived on the Antrim Road somewhere. (Big road I know, but maybe someone remembers her?)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dunky on August 20, 2010, 10:39:16 PM
Stiofan
Apologies - I've only just found this thread. Did you used to live in Glengormley in the 1960s?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 22, 2010, 12:56:23 PM
Stiofan
Apologies - I've only just found this thread. Did you used to live in Glengormley in the 1960s?
Dunky, indeed I did.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 22, 2010, 01:13:35 PM
Dunky, indeed I did.

WE might have passed in the dark. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on August 31, 2010, 12:18:29 PM
I remember being taught Religious knowledge by Father Des Wilson (Yea the one of some fame).
He often threw me out of his class for being "outspoken".
I would roam around trying to avoid Patch Kerr, the President,  peering round corners, spotting him and keeping out of his way.
Des often had a rant about the injustices done to American Indians--I took the side of the cowboys.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 31, 2010, 12:34:20 PM
I remember being taught Religious knowledge by Father Des Wilson (Yea the one of some fame).
He often threw me out of his class for being "outspoken".
I would roam around trying to avoid Patch Kerr, the President,  peering round corners, spotting him and keeping out of his way.
Des often had a rant about the injustices done to American Indians--I took the side of the cowboys.

I think  that he changed his attitude years later. .maybe when Philbin  became Bishop? ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on August 31, 2010, 12:37:39 PM
I think  that he changed his attitude years later. .maybe when Philbin  became Bishop? ;)
Greetings from the land of the long white cloud, Sam.
I reckon. Wasn't he told "Bi i do thost"
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 31, 2010, 12:52:22 PM
Greetings from the land of the long white cloud, Sam.
I reckon. Wasn't he told "Bi i do thost"

Hello Brian.....I had forgotten thatyou lived in a foreign country....I may have asked this before but are you related to Jim Mc Keever??What is the weather like with you. .Dessi Wilson then became a quite rebellious priest....against authority and I believe that today he is one of two priests who says Mass on the steps of St Joseph's church in Pilot Street that Walsh wanted to close.....I still can't believe that a college that is 176 yrs old still does not have a managed Alumni website. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on August 31, 2010, 12:59:47 PM
Hello Brian.....I had forgotten thatyou lived in a foreign country....I may have asked this before but are you related to Jim Mc Keever??What is the weather like with you. .Dessi Wilson then became a quite rebellious priest....against authority and I believe that today he is one of two priests who says Mass on the steps of St Joseph's church in Pilot Street that Walsh wanted to close.....I still can't believe that a college that is 176 yrs old still does not have a managed Alumni website. ;)

I've read your previous criticisms of the Alumni site which has remained not updated for yonks. I agree it is shameful.
Back to Dessi--he is a great favourite with the West Belfast ladies so we perhaps should not criticise him too much.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 31, 2010, 10:45:10 PM
I've read your previous criticisms of the Alumni site which has remained not updated for yonks. I agree it is shameful.
Back to Dessi--he is a great favourite with the West Belfast ladies so we perhaps should not criticise him too much.

In my eyes being a rebellious priest is not an intended criticism.  In Carrickfergus we had an elderly x-principal of Garron Tower who refused his curate ...well  he was the P.P. of Greenisland ,( there were 3 churches in the parish), permission to buy a new microphone and carpet for the church.  The Curate waited  until the P.P. went on holiday and then bought both.  The P.P. found out about it when my friend the curate went on holiday and he, the P.P.  was in Greenisland.  The P.P. summoned him ,on his return, and asked for an explaination. .the explaination given was .."  It is easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission". :D ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: poogle on August 31, 2010, 10:53:03 PM
Gloria Ab Intus-I think thats it.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Thomas828 on September 01, 2010, 03:26:08 PM
Yes indeed. Gloria ab Intus - Glory from Within. That's the motto I wore from 1983 to 1990.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: bobdenn on December 13, 2010, 07:54:07 PM
 
1958.
 
(http://www.stmalachysalumni.com/uploads/0755ef66-51cd-480d-868d-7e35bd99d5c3/Gallery/5aa92790-f760-4aef-bf92-f8b55c0fdf3c/staff58.gif)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: bobdenn on December 13, 2010, 07:57:57 PM
 
1966.
 
(http://www.stmalachysalumni.com/uploads/0755ef66-51cd-480d-868d-7e35bd99d5c3/Gallery/5aa92790-f760-4aef-bf92-f8b55c0fdf3c/66staff.gif)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 13, 2010, 09:59:22 PM
THey seemed tobe a more free spirited bunch in 1958 but after a few years of Walter he had them all sitting properly. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maggiemay on December 13, 2010, 10:44:30 PM
My sons went to St Malachys Jim,Gerry.Kev,Brendan,Michael and Conor O'Toole
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 13, 2010, 10:51:38 PM
My sons went to St Malachys Jim,Gerry.Kev,Brendan,Michael and Conor O'Toole

When did they go to the college  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on December 14, 2010, 02:41:20 AM
On one of my rare trips back to Belfast I wandered into the Beehive on the Falls and was pleased to be recognised by a guy Fitzsimons who was a year behind me at St Mals.  Over a few Guinness he told of how Walter Larkin had summoned him to his study and told him his paper in the annual Bishop's exam had been singled out. Walter accused him of writing a tirade of blasphemy denying the virgin birth and the divinity of Christ. Fitzy had no idea what he was on about until he twigged and said his goodbyes to the college. Those old gets had less than subtle ways of telling a guy he was no longer welcome.
Similarly in my last year Willie Bready and I were summoned. Out of nowhere Walter told us we were both suspended for two weeks. I, an amputee could only fume at the injustice of it. Willie, a bit more savvy than me and who went on to become a doctor,took it in his stride.  We later met at the corner of Derryvolgie Ave., hitchhiked to Dublin, stayed in the youth hostel in Morehampton Road and drank copious quantities of South African wine from the off-licence accross the street.
One day I'll visit Willie where he is practising in Castlewellan and ask him to share some prescription methadone. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 14, 2010, 04:13:57 AM
Brian...a great story.   When the college website was up and running I saw a comment from you that I think was answered by another Mc Keever....Am I correct ?
A friend of mine who was a boarder ran a little business shopping for fish and chips for the boarders.  As usual on his way back over the wall he threw the bag over ( full of food) completely unaware , until he landed on the ground, that he had almost hit Walter who was out walking.  Have I told you the story about the barbers business for boarders. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on December 16, 2010, 01:03:33 AM
My sons went to St Malachys Jim,Gerry.Kev,Brendan,Michael and Conor O'Toole

Hey Maggiemay havent been on for a while. How is Gerry?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maggiemay on December 16, 2010, 05:12:02 PM
Hiya,Gerry is fine
He's moving to Australia in January
Maggiemay
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 16, 2010, 10:05:06 PM
Hiya,Gerry is fine
He's moving to Australia in January
Maggiemay

Maggiemay,

I am in North Queensland , my brother-in-law went to the college also and he is in Brisbane.  Where is your son going to live? :swoon:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maggiemay on December 18, 2010, 07:23:26 PM
Hi
Gerry is going to Sydney early January
Maggiemay
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: cambtone on January 17, 2011, 12:35:03 AM
I was at malachy's from '63 to '70, and I remember being given six by Larkin on my first day!!!  He liked both cane and strap, but gave me the cane (for being out of my seat).  The college was a brutalising experience in those days, and the priests were usually the most violent.  Somewhat like the inaptly named Christian Brothers I had experienced before.  I remember some teachers well, only one Cusack for chemistry, was any good.  the biology teachers were terrible.  drinan was a giant and faherty had one tooth and taught english.  his gown was so ancient it had lichen growing on it.  The bottom chemistry lab always stunk of hydrogen sulphide as the chemicals were kept at the back and pupils used to keep a constant bubbling supply of iron sulphide and hydrochloric acid!  I also remember fights with squirty bottles full of mercury - absolutely lethal.  The college was a health and safety nightmare.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on January 17, 2011, 12:07:47 PM
Cusick was indeed the best.
I had passes in 4 subjects. Cusick knew I needed 5 for the civil service. He just about did my practical exam for me and lo and behold I got a pass.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on January 18, 2011, 01:56:47 PM
Brian,
Sorry to hear that  your brother Pete died. Did he live in Belfast? I thought he had moved to London after leaving school.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: townieman on January 18, 2011, 07:55:16 PM
Went there from 75 to 82. All in all very good memories. Although I got clipped a few times by Cassidy (Latin) and more than a few times by Rubber, the worst ever was being chased around the hall by Cavanagh (Drama) because I couldn't do a good enough impression of the "When shall we three meet again" speech in Macbeth. It turns out he is a distant relation of my wife, and believe me if I ever meet him again  :angry2:  
 
The better teachers were Wee Dev (Maths), Hugh McEvoy (Form Teacher), Jimmy Frazer (French) and Joe McFadden (Art).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on January 19, 2011, 10:08:22 AM
Brian,
Sorry to hear that  your brother Pete died. Did he live in Belfast? I thought he had moved to London after leaving school.

Hi again Expat.  You have made very few posts in the last while.
Pete did go to London from school and later settled in Manchester, and had a family of two girls. I often visited him, going accross on the Heysham boat for weekends. Would I recognise your name?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on January 19, 2011, 12:52:56 PM
Probably not-I was in the same year but not the same class. I do remember the scrap he had in his final year at the top of the stairs by the old office.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on January 19, 2011, 03:03:38 PM
Probably not-I was in the same year but not the same class. I do remember the scrap he had in his final year at the top of the stairs by the old office.

Do tell me more. That would have been just by the entrance to the seminarians wing, In later years I walked blindly intp Patch Kerr in the same spot and he just looked the other way with an embarassed expression. He knew more than I did.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on January 19, 2011, 05:18:27 PM
Brian,
The office used to be at the left of the quadrangle. If you went through the door and turned left you'd go up two flights and there was a small classroom on the left and then if you went through the double doors there was another larger classroom on the left. Both rooms overlooked the canteen and the Crumlin Road.
It's a long time ago now but as I recall Pete had straddled the top step of the stairs and waited for the other guy to come up the stairs. When he'd almost reached the landing Pete said something and they exchanged James Cagney lines and then they got into really heavy.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on January 20, 2011, 12:49:14 PM
I was at malachy's from '63 to '70, and I remember being given six by Larkin on my first day!!!  He liked both cane and strap, but gave me the cane (for being out of my seat).  The college was a brutalising experience in those days, and the priests were usually the most violent.  Somewhat like the inaptly named Christian Brothers I had experienced before.  I remember some teachers well, only one Cusack for chemistry, was any good.  the biology teachers were terrible.  drinan was a giant and faherty had one tooth and taught english.  his gown was so ancient it had lichen growing on it.  The bottom chemistry lab always stunk of hydrogen sulphide as the chemicals were kept at the back and pupils used to keep a constant bubbling supply of iron sulphide and hydrochloric acid!  I also remember fights with squirty bottles full of mercury - absolutely lethal.  The college was a health and safety nightmare.

First post
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on January 20, 2011, 12:56:00 PM
I was at malachy's from '63 to '70, and I remember being given six by Larkin on my first day!!!  He liked both cane and strap, but gave me the cane (for being out of my seat).  The college was a brutalising experience in those days, and the priests were usually the most violent.  Somewhat like the inaptly named Christian Brothers I had experienced before.  I remember some teachers well, only one Cusack for chemistry, was any good.  the biology teachers were terrible.  drinan was a giant and faherty had one tooth and taught english.  his gown was so ancient it had lichen growing on it.  The bottom chemistry lab always stunk of hydrogen sulphide as the chemicals were kept at the back and pupils used to keep a constant bubbling supply of iron sulphide and hydrochloric acid!  I also remember fights with squirty bottles full of mercury - absolutely lethal.  The college was a health and safety nightmare.
Bad start, only showing "First post"  At St.Malachy's 1953-59. Hated every minute of those 6 years, Big Walter taught me Trigonometry and unbelievably made me love it!! I always found him very courteous and fair and he maybe favoured me as he had taught my brother Gerard a few years before at Maths and he was a real whizz kid. It has all changed so much since then but I have fond memories of the fellows I met there and some who are still friends. Anyone out there of this vintage??
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rayk on January 21, 2011, 12:22:25 AM
Bad start, only showing "First post"  At St.Malachy's 1953-59. Hated every minute of those 6 years, Big Walter taught me Trigonometry and unbelievably made me love it!! I always found him very courteous and fair and he maybe favoured me as he had taught my brother Gerard a few years before at Maths and he was a real whizz kid. It has all changed so much since then but I have fond memories of the fellows I met there and some who are still friends. Anyone out there of this vintage??
Was there a little later 1956-62. Don't have the same bad memories - most of the same staff but I enjoyed most of it - Rayk
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on January 21, 2011, 11:52:42 AM
The office used to be at the left of the quadrangle. If you went through the door and turned left you'd go up two flights and there was a small classroom on the left and then if you went through the double doors there was another larger classroom on the left. Both rooms overlooked the canteen and the Crumlin Road.

Your directions triggered some memories from my time there (65-72). Did you ever go beyond that double classroom and into the seminarians’ wing? I always had some vague superstitious unease walking through the dark corridor beyond that empty classroom on a weekend afternoon. It wasn’t ghosts that bothered me, but the thought of who might pop out of one of the rooms. They had their names on the door, and some of them I saw more than enough of in the normal school day.
 
The wing (long since demolished and replaced) was actually the inside of a row of terraced houses in neighbouring Eia St that the college had bought over the years. Some upstairs inside walls were demolished to produce a corridor of habitable rooms  but the downstairs rooms were left untouched and unused. Sometime around 68 or 69 Noel Conway (Santa) used his influence to get one of the old bathrooms converted into a photographic darkroom. Nothing elaborate - blacked out window, sturdy wooden platform resting on the bath, check the electricity and water supply, nab a hundred or so from some budget for basic darkroom equipment. I spent a fair few weekend afternoons there trying to get something close to the print quality that Willie McCrum (remember the car dealer on Clifton St?) used to contribute to our occasional exhibitions but I never even achieved good contrast.
 
Still, it kept me off the streets!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 23, 2011, 09:39:07 AM
Wee legs ..were you a boarder ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on January 23, 2011, 12:06:39 PM

Your directions triggered some memories from my time there (65-72). Did you ever go beyond that double classroom and into the seminarians’ wing? I always had some vague superstitious unease walking through the dark corridor beyond that empty classroom on a weekend afternoon. It wasn’t ghosts that bothered me, but the thought of who might pop out of one of the rooms. They had their names on the door, and some of them I saw more than enough of in the normal school day.
 
The wing (long since demolished and replaced) was actually the inside of a row of terraced houses in neighbouring Eia St that the college had bought over the years. Some upstairs inside walls were demolished to produce a corridor of habitable rooms  but the downstairs rooms were left untouched and unused. Sometime around 68 or 69 Noel Conway (Santa) used his influence to get one of the old bathrooms converted into a photographic darkroom. Nothing elaborate - blacked out window, sturdy wooden platform resting on the bath, check the electricity and water supply, nab a hundred or so from some budget for basic darkroom equipment. I spent a fair few weekend afternoons there trying to get something close to the print quality that Willie McCrum (remember the car dealer on Clifton St?) used to contribute to our occasional exhibitions but I never even achieved good contrast.
 
Still, it kept me off the streets!
My memory must be completely shot! When I went there in 67, the office was off to the right when you came in the main entrance. The seminarians' wing was to the left. And Eia Street was a long way from st Malachy's.    :scratch_ones_head:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 23, 2011, 12:22:09 PM
My memory must be completely shot! When I went there in 67, the office was off to the right when you came in the main entrance. The seminarians' wing was to the left. And Eia Street was a long way from st Malachy's.    :scratch_ones_head:

When you're traumatised directions can seem to be confused....Eia St was at the top of the Duncairn Gdns but we get the drift. :D ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on January 23, 2011, 04:13:10 PM

When you're traumatised directions can seem to be confused....Eia St was at the top of the Duncairn Gdns but we get the drift. :D ;)

No, it's not you - it's me! I was thinking of Adela St, running alongside the school avenue, on the opposite side from Lincoln Avenue.

Re the office directions, as you come up the avenue from the Antrim Rd, past the chemistry block where Sean Purdy used to lie in wait for latecomers, the windows of the general office block overlooked the big tree, and the double entrance door was in the top left corner of the area. Immediately inside the outside door was Gerald Gorman's science lab, and immediately left there took you past a door to the old canteen and the Crumlin Rd gate. Passing the canteen exit and onwards into the old wing where the seminarians and priests had their rooms. Stopping short of the seminarians place and instead continuing up to the next floor brought you to the boarders' dorm. I wasn't a boarder and I was never in that part of the school. For some reason that I didn't bother to question at the time, the boarders had to live with some odd restrictions. As someone else has mentioned, they weren't allowed off the school grounds.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on January 23, 2011, 09:34:32 PM

When you're traumatised directions can seem to be confused....Eia St was at the top of the Duncairn Gdns but we get the drift. :D ;)

 
Your starter for 10     How did it get it's name??  EIA Street
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on January 24, 2011, 12:31:14 AM
The layout must have changed in the 60s.
In the 50s, if you came up the main avenue in the morning you'd first pass the Patch patrolling the avenue for latecomers. When you got to the quadrangle the office was in the building on the left(west) of the quad. There was a main door in the middle of this building and if you went through you'd pass the office on the right and go straight through the back door to the canteen and the Crumlin Road,Most of the yearbook pictures of the period were taken just outside that back door with the students facing the Crumlin Road.
If , instead of going through to the canteen you turned left after going through the main outer door you could go up two flights and there were two classrooms, a small one and a bigger one, overlooking the canteen and the Crumlin Road.
Adela Street ran along the side of the avenue and one of the school soccer teams was called "Adela"
Butcher Lynch's physics lab was just inside the door on the northwest corner of the quad (looking from the Antrim Road).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on January 24, 2011, 01:15:25 PM
Your starter for 10     How did it get it's name??  EIA Street

Go on then, I'm interested. I've just wasted some time on the net to discover that Eia was a Cornish saint. What's the belfast connection?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on January 24, 2011, 01:37:58 PM
One explanation from another contributor:
 Bamzooki,
            Re, EIA st, I,m led,  to believe the name derives from the first three initials of the three daughters of the 3rd Earl of Donegal who were burnt to death in the old Belfast castle in 1708. Obviously EIA house which is on the Antrim Rd at the bottom of EIA St was built a lot later but a lot earlier than all the buildings beside it
plus also the 3rd Earl had been killed in action two years previous to their deaths.
                                                                                                   Slan for now, Apalachie.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on January 24, 2011, 02:44:55 PM
EIA  derives from the first three initials of the three daughters of the 3rd Earl of Donegal who were burnt to death in the old Belfast castle in 1708.

Another visit to the net gave me this:
 
from http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/E750002-001/note033.html (http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/E750002-001/note033.html)
 
See about this fire Benn's History of Belfast, p. 571. The fire happened in 1708. The persons who perished on this occasion were the Ladies Jane, Frances, and Henrietta, daughters of Arthur Chichester, third Earl of Donegal. See Lodge's Peerage, I., 231, Ed. 1754.
From Pococke's Tour in Ireland in 1752 (Author: Richard Pococke), p.21 (entry 6.)

 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on January 24, 2011, 07:03:12 PM
That was Apalachie's explanation on this site. I only reposted it. It would be hard to get EIA from Jane, Frances and Henrietta.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on January 24, 2011, 08:29:04 PM

 
Your starter for 10     How did it get it's name??  EIA Street

I have to hold my hands up, it was a long time ago that I read about how the name EIA came about and I thought I posted the right info,"obviously not" but I,m defo that the name comes from the initials of  three daughters names of someone ???
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maura on January 24, 2011, 08:35:43 PM
I don't know whether this is true are not, but I was told Eia street  got it's name from the intials of the daughter of a  Captain Allworthy who built Allworthy Avenue & Eia street
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on January 24, 2011, 09:22:17 PM
I think you could be right there Maura, captain Samuel, W, Allworthy, an American Dermatologist built the Manor House, 183 Duncairn St and lived in it, he also had a daughter Evelyn. In case people don,t know "Duncairn St " ran from CARLISLE.  CIRCUS TO LIMESTONE RD ie, the lower Antrim Rd
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: chunder on January 24, 2011, 10:08:38 PM
I always heard it was a [censored] of "Yeehah" and to do with the cowboys that used to ride up and down the Antrim Road.

I might be wrong.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: bobdenn on January 24, 2011, 10:32:24 PM
I think you could be right there Maura, captain Samuel, W, Allworthy, an American Dermatologist built the Manor House, 183 Duncairn St and lived in it, he also had a daughter Evelyn. In case people don,t know "Duncairn St " ran from CARLISLE.  CIRCUS TO LIMESTONE RD ie, the lower Antrim Rd

Have a look here:-
 
http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx (http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on January 25, 2011, 11:41:19 AM

Have a look here:-
 
http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx (http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx)

I'm sorry but how do I work this?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 25, 2011, 11:51:00 AM

Have a look here:-
 
http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx (http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx)

Bob ...it no workey. . ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on January 25, 2011, 06:53:25 PM

 
Your starter for 10     How did it get it's name??  EIA Street

When are we going to get your explanation smith19.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: bobdenn on January 25, 2011, 08:31:11 PM

Have a look here:-
 
http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx (http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx)

I'll try again with this link.  If you click on Edward ALLWORTY "details" and "image", you will see that he is the father of Samuel William ALLWORTHY, a doctor.
 
The bottom one, Marion is possibly Samuel's mother.
 
 
New link:- http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchResults.aspx (http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchResults.aspx)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on January 25, 2011, 10:21:40 PM
So BD you are telling us not only did he own half of the Antrim Rd but he owned Ballymurphy(Hannas Hill land) as well, I,m not surprised his son Samuel named a street after the family ( Allworthy Ave) and EIA after his three daughters.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on January 26, 2011, 01:48:23 PM

When are we going to get your explanation smith19.

I'm afraid I am becoming so confused, I had your original explanation and thought also it referred to the three daughters of 3rd Earl who perished in the fire in 1708. This is refuted by "wee legs" revelation about the daughters names being Jane Frances and Henrietta!!. It would seem that "maura" is closer with the builder Captain Allworthy and his daughter Evelyn, or do we know the names of his daughters? or could Evelyn's second name begin with an "I" The mystery deepens but somewhere there lies the answer. Just keep delving!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on January 26, 2011, 01:51:07 PM

I'll try again with this link.  If you click on Edward ALLWORTY "details" and "image", you will see that he is the father of Samuel William ALLWORTHY, a doctor.
 
The bottom one, Marion is possibly Samuel's mother.
 
 
New link:- http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchResults.aspx (http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchResults.aspx)

 
Sorry to be ignorant, but how do I work this PRONI site?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on January 26, 2011, 06:19:32 PM
Smith19, I remember reading about it roughly 10/15 years ago and there are defo three daughters whose initials make up the name, I,ll have to see if Allworthy had any more daughters. I,ve no idea either how to work the Proni sight, sorry.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: maura on January 26, 2011, 06:23:21 PM
Don't thinks its Samuel as he didn't marry until 1904 and Eia street was already built.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 28, 2011, 09:52:13 AM

I'll try again with this link.  If you click on Edward ALLWORTY "details" and "image", you will see that he is the father of Samuel William ALLWORTHY, a doctor.
 
The bottom one, Marion is possibly Samuel's mother.
 
 
New link:- http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchResults.aspx (http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchResults.aspx)

Bobdenn. .how did you find Allworthy's details in the first place. :scratch_ones_head:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 15, 2011, 05:04:56 AM
The conversation here got a bit off the topic but we can start again.   ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on February 15, 2011, 10:11:12 AM

(http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/4051/7a5882006dc2ed06e9ac661.jpg) (http://)
Suffer the little children :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 15, 2011, 10:41:43 AM
(http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/4051/7a5882006dc2ed06e9ac661.jpg) (http://)
Suffer the little children :D

Is this going to be about physical abuse ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 18, 2011, 01:48:55 PM
ANYONE ANY NEARER WHERE EIA STREET CAME FROM?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Me Ould Segoia on February 18, 2011, 01:55:41 PM
ANYONE ANY NEARER WHERE EIA STREET CAME FROM?

As far a I know it did not come from anywhere.  I think it is where it always was.    :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile: :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 19, 2011, 12:54:01 AM
Smith 19..was that not resolved sometime ago. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on February 19, 2011, 04:41:58 AM
Smith 19..was that not resolved sometime ago. ;)
No it wasn,t, Maura put a spanner in the works that it couldn,t be who i said it was so we have to go back to the drawing board. It defo was called after someone,s three daughters though.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 19, 2011, 05:52:10 PM
No it wasn,t, Maura put a spanner in the works that it couldn,t be who i said it was so we have to go back to the drawing board. It defo was called after someone,s three daughters though.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 19, 2011, 06:00:55 PM
No it wasn,t, Maura put a spanner in the works that it couldn,t be who i said it was so we have to go back to the drawing board. It defo was called after someone,s three daughters though.

Quite right Apalachie, it remains unsolved but I'll keep on digging! Does anyone remember the Venice Cafe just off Carlisle Circus on Crumlin Road or even the Bonbon where we hung out at lunchtime and boggled at the girls from Belfast High School? "Those were the days my friend!"
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: cannon on February 20, 2011, 12:29:20 AM

Quite right Apalachie, it remains unsolved but I'll keep on digging! Does anyone remember the Venice Cafe just off Carlisle Circus on Crumlin Road or even the Bonbon where we hung out at lunchtime and boggled at the girls from Belfast High School? "Those were the days my friend!"
I remember a small cafe where we used to go to and  buy tea at lunch time, your directions sound very much like the place. This was early 50's.  There was a photo of it on BF all boarded up.  I have been trying to find this photo and will continue to do so, though it may have gone the way of so many others by being deleted.       cannon.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 20, 2011, 02:52:08 AM
I remember a small cafe where we used to go to and  buy tea at lunch time, your directions sound very much like the place. This was early 50's.  There was a photo of it on BF all boarded up.  I have been trying to find this photo and will continue to do so, though it may have gone the way of so many others by being deleted.       cannon.

I remember the Venice cafe at lunchtime.  I also remember it at night some times.  It was a haunt for some of the young bands that were around in late 50's early 60's.  Last time that I was in  it Gillespie who was in my year was there with a band that he managed.  He was also a priest  (Redemptorist rings a bell) ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on February 20, 2011, 09:59:57 AM

Quite right Apalachie, it remains unsolved but I'll keep on digging! Does anyone remember the Venice Cafe just off Carlisle Circus on Crumlin Road or even the Bonbon where we hung out at lunchtime and boggled at the girls from Belfast High School? "Those were the days my friend!"

Luchtime took us to the Venice or the Reo or the Olympic.
The owner of the sweetie shop always threatened to move us on for scaring off other customers as we hung around smoking our blues or greens.
There was also the ex-army place in Clifton St--I forget it's real name--you could get a cheap lunch there.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 20, 2011, 12:06:48 PM

Luchtime took us to the Venice or the Reo or the Olympic.
The owner of the sweetie shop always threatened to move us on for scaring off other customers as we hung around smoking our blues or greens.
There was also the ex-army place in Clifton St--I forget it's real name--you could get a cheap lunch there.

Brian....it might have been called the British Legion. .head quarters even. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Giannineo on February 20, 2011, 01:15:26 PM
anyone know John Torney, Morris Rice  and Seamus Mc Court ---would have started late 50's early 60's?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 20, 2011, 02:12:02 PM

Luchtime took us to the Venice or the Reo or the Olympic.
The owner of the sweetie shop always threatened to move us on for scaring off other customers as we hung around smoking our blues or greens.
There was also the ex-army place in Clifton St--I forget it's real name--you could get a cheap lunch there.

Was it known as "Sandes soldiers' home" sat opposite the old Benn Hospital?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 20, 2011, 02:21:13 PM

I remember the Venice cafe at lunchtime.  I also remember it at night some times.  It was a haunt for some of the young bands that were around in late 50's early 60's.  Last time that I was in  it Gillespie who was in my year was there with a band that he managed.  He was also a priest  (Redemptorist rings a bell) ;)

Quite right sj, I only learnt that about the bands a few nights ago when I fell in with an old friend who used to play in a "showband" he said the name was "Judge Joey and the Jury" and I can't find any sign of them through the vast number of websites available. Was the "Gillespie" you mention one of brothers two of whom were albinos?  The lady who ran the Venice apparently would stay open very late to accomodate the bands after their late gigs.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on February 22, 2011, 01:13:41 PM
I see from the Barnageeha thread that Sean Devenney died a few months ago. There goes part of our past. Sean was there on my first day in 1965, giving out textbooks from a store room in the corridor leading to the old canteen. He and Gerry O'Hare usually got some rowdy stick when they had to come into the study hall to take the roll. And now he's gone. As Mick McCormick is reported to have said at a colleague's funeral: "the queue is getting shorter".
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Thomas828 on February 22, 2011, 02:03:15 PM
Nearly all the posts here talk about the '50s to the '70s, which makes me feel superficial and callow. I was there from 1983 to 1990 and there was quite a different set of teachers there from the ones twenty years before, (and many of them were women - something St Malachy's had never had before!).

Among the teachers I knew were Fr Donal McKeown (alias Da Whizz), Mr Burns (Groucho), Ms Pettigrew (English, one of the most competent teachers I had the good fortune to have), Mr Gunning and Mr Cusick (Physics and chemistry respectively, two more very good teachers) and Mr Soetens (a Fleming who taught French and German).

By 1983, D block and E block were already standing and C block was still a wooden shack and the quad was all tarmac except for the shrine to Our Lady.

And the view from E block was of the Crumlin Road jail and next to the Big Field was an army Barracks.

This was St Malachy's College in the 1980's.

Oh, and my father Brian and his two brothers Gerry and Danny were there in the 50s and 60s...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Giannineo on February 22, 2011, 06:46:52 PM

Quite right sj, I only learnt that about the bands a few nights ago when I fell in with an old friend who used to play in a "showband" he said the name was "Judge Joey and the Jury" and I can't find any sign of them through the vast number of websites available. Was the "Gillespie" you mention one of brothers two of whom were albinos?  The lady who ran the Venice apparently would stay open very late to accomodate the bands after their late gigs.

Judge Joe and the Jury were in the main, Methody boys....they had a Rolls Royce hearse as their transport to lug about their gear....they were allowed to play in the boys gym at Methody to raise funds for Methody's effort to raise £1,000 for African charity...circa 1963--first live pop band I heard and they were good...the captain of the 1st XV did the vocals.... in fact, here we go.
 http://irishshowbands.net/bgjury.htm
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 23, 2011, 07:26:18 AM
A great story Smith 19. .so you have friends who went to Methody :D ;)   It's amazing G how many bands want a hearse as a road vehicle.  Around here there are a few guys who have a band and use a hearse.  They dress up in Tails and use white make up and eye liner when driving around.  It's a bit scarey to glance at the vehicle beside you at the traffic lights and find a white face with sunken eyes staring at you.
The Gillespie to whom I refer was one of the brothers.  I read a website a few years ago and there was information that he had gone blind . Can't remember where he lived ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on February 23, 2011, 11:58:40 AM
Nearly all the posts here talk about the '50s to the '70s, which makes me feel superficial and callow. I was there from 1983 to 1990 and there was quite a different set of teachers there from the ones twenty years before, (and many of them were women - something St Malachy's had never had before!).

Among the teachers I knew were Fr Donal McKeown (alias Da Whizz), Mr Burns (Groucho), Ms Pettigrew (English, one of the most competent teachers I had the good fortune to have), Mr Gunning and Mr Cusick (Physics and chemistry respectively, two more very good teachers) and Mr Soetens (a Fleming who taught French and German).

By 1983, D block and E block were already standing and C block was still a wooden shack and the quad was all tarmac except for the shrine to Our Lady.

And the view from E block was of the Crumlin Road jail and next to the Big Field was an army Barracks.

This was St Malachy's College in the 1980's.

Oh, and my father Brian and his two brothers Gerry and Danny were there in the 50s and 60s...
We had a female music teacher in 1970, so stop big-noting yerself!  ;)

And when did Sooty become "Mr Soetens"? 

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 23, 2011, 04:37:42 PM

Judge Joe and the Jury were in the main, Methody boys....they had a Rolls Royce hearse as their transport to lug about their gear....they were allowed to play in the boys gym at Methody to raise funds for Methody's effort to raise £1,000 for African charity...circa 1963--first live pop band I heard and they were good...the captain of the 1st XV did the vocals.... in fact, here we go.
 http://irishshowbands.net/bgjury.htm (http://irishshowbands.net/bgjury.htm)

Well done Giannineo. I had given up hope in trying to find anything on Judge Joe and then I found a photo in the personal photo collection of Liam O'reilly in the Irish Showbands Website. I only know of them because I got to know one of the band in recent years. Peter Sinnamon (of butcher's business) played drums with them and he was one of the odd ones out as he went to INST or so he claims. Were they really very good, he would be pleased to hear that. I see him for a very odd pint, it used to be the odd 10 or 12, those were the days!! I'm puzzled by your parting remark  "in fact here we go" were you with them? Keep in touch and thanks for the info.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 23, 2011, 04:44:24 PM
A great story Smith 19. .so you have friends who went to Methody :D ;)   It's amazing G how many bands want a hearse as a road vehicle.  Around here there are a few guys who have a band and use a hearse.  They dress up in Tails and use white make up and eye liner when driving around.  It's a bit scarey to glance at the vehicle beside you at the traffic lights and find a white face with sunken eyes staring at you.
The Gillespie to whom I refer was one of the brothers.  I read a website a few years ago and there was information that he had gone blind . Can't remember where he lived ;)

I have friends who even went to borstal. I have found out a lot more about Judge Joe see my reply to Giannineo and the Gillespies to whom you refer lived around the Antrim Road. In fact if you can find an old Collegian there is a photo of them as they were three brothers at the college at one time - I think He was an albino and I remember him in his twenties and he had rapidly deteriorating eyesight at that time. But then he was an albinio and quite a brilliant pupil. Keep in touch.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on February 24, 2011, 01:23:45 PM
Anybody remember the artifacts in Big Paddy Bradley's geography room?
If he was late for class, they would all come out of their display cabinets, boomerangs would be thrown, spears waved and African masks worn.
When word was given of his approach everything would miraculously be returned without his noticing.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on February 24, 2011, 01:27:53 PM

I have friends who even went to borstal. I have found out a lot more about Judge Joe see my reply to Giannineo and the Gillespies to whom you refer lived around the Antrim Road. In fact if you can find an old Collegian there is a photo of them as they were three brothers at the college at one time - I think He was an albino and I remember him in his twenties and he had rapidly deteriorating eyesight at that time. But then he was an albinio and quite a brilliant pupil. Keep in touch.

 
That guy Gillespie married a girl from Alexander St West, unfortunately he died a year back. He was a brother of Father Tony.  Do you remember him.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Giannineo on February 24, 2011, 01:36:23 PM

Well done Giannineo. I had given up hope in trying to find anything on Judge Joe and then I found a photo in the personal photo collection of Liam O'reilly in the Irish Showbands Website. I only know of them because I got to know one of the band in recent years. Peter Sinnamon (of butcher's business) played drums with them and he was one of the odd ones out as he went to INST or so he claims. Were they really very good, he would be pleased to hear that. I see him for a very odd pint, it used to be the odd 10 or 12, those were the days!! I'm puzzled by your parting remark  "in fact here we go" were you with them? Keep in touch and thanks for the info.

smith,"here we go"...referring to"here we go with the website on them"... I can remember them playing Brian Poole and the Tremeloes numbers---it was quite unusual for Methody to allow anything as decadent as pop music within its walls.....mind you, some of the boarders had a band, and the Few were mainly Methody boys-Brian Russell and the Wheeler twins..I managed  a pop group of Methody boys and we were allowed to play at the second form party-3 numbers in all....the lead guitar was an old mate,Peter Cochrane who is well known still in the rock genre in Belfast---I recognise 3 of Judge Joe-the second from right is a guy called Jackson who was full back for the Methody 1st XV.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Astor on February 24, 2011, 01:44:19 PM

smith,"here we go"...referring to"here we go with the website on them"... I can remember them playing Brian Poole and the Tremeloes numbers---it was quite unusual for Methody to allow anything as decadent as pop music within its walls.....mind you, some of the boarders had a band, and the Few were mainly Methody boys-Brian Russell and the Wheeler twins..I managed  a pop group of Methody boys and we were allowed to play at the second form party-3 numbers in all....the lead guitar was an old mate,Peter Cochrane who is well known still in the rock genre in Belfast---I recognise 3 of Judge Joe-the second from right is a guy called Jackson who was full back for the Methody 1st XV.

My niece is Head of Science at Methody now, how times have changed for the better :good:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 24, 2011, 02:52:34 PM

smith,"here we go"...referring to"here we go with the website on them"... I can remember them playing Brian Poole and the Tremeloes numbers---it was quite unusual for Methody to allow anything as decadent as pop music within its walls.....mind you, some of the boarders had a band, and the Few were mainly Methody boys-Brian Russell and the Wheeler twins..I managed  a pop group of Methody boys and we were allowed to play at the second form party-3 numbers in all....the lead guitar was an old mate,Peter Cochrane who is well known still in the rock genre in Belfast---I recognise 3 of Judge Joe-the second from right is a guy called Jackson who was full back for the Methody 1st XV.

Isn't that just magic and am I so glad that I sent my two children for education at Methody, and they have done OK. Do you recognise the Jury member standing rather sheepishly behind the hearse with his hand on the bonnet? Could that be Peter Sinnamon I think he played drums. I mailed the photo to him by surface mail, unfortunately he is not up with computers. Peter's idea of a computer is probably a wheelie bin. My well educated son James is in the music scene lead guitar and vocals for Cashier Number Nine - watch out for them!! Do you remember the skiffle group from the college, the way way back days? Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 24, 2011, 02:57:23 PM

 
That guy Gillespie married a girl from Alexander St West, unfortunately he died a year back. He was a brother of Father Tony.  Do you remember him.

I'm sorry McNamee I cannot remember them too well, was this brother to whom you refer also an albino. It was a long time ago but I'll try and find out further for you.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on February 24, 2011, 03:01:18 PM
No don't think so, but you need not bother finding out as I know their cousin very well.  The all mostly live down the country.  Both their parents are dead now.  They lived on the Antrim Road, near (is it) Girwood Barracks.
 
Thanks anyway
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on February 24, 2011, 05:03:01 PM
Nearly all the posts here talk about the '50s to the '70s, which makes me feel superficial and callow. I was there from 1983 to 1990 and there was quite a different set of teachers there from the ones twenty years before, (and many of them were women - something St Malachy's had never had before!).

Among the teachers I knew were Fr Donal McKeown (alias Da Whizz), Mr Burns (Groucho), Ms Pettigrew (English, one of the most competent teachers I had the good fortune to have), Mr Gunning and Mr Cusick (Physics and chemistry respectively, two more very good teachers) and Mr Soetens (a Fleming who taught French and German).

By 1983, D block and E block were already standing and C block was still a wooden shack and the quad was all tarmac except for the shrine to Our Lady.

And the view from E block was of the Crumlin Road jail and next to the Big Field was an army Barracks.

This was St Malachy's College in the 1980's.

Oh, and my father Brian and his two brothers Gerry and Danny were there in the 50s and 60s...

Thomas I was there in the early seventies. The only teachers that you mention that were there then were Sooty and Gunning. I never got Sooty but I agree that Gunning was an excellent teacher. There were loads of women, though, including McFerran who you must know because she was still there in the 90s when my son went to the College. E Block wasn't even thought of then.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on February 24, 2011, 05:07:42 PM
Do you remember the skiffle group from the college, the way way back days?
Can anyone refresh my memory on an energetic character called Derek someone who left the college around 1968 or so? He was known as Big Derek for two obvious reasons: he was over 6 feet, and he was fat. But very energetic with it. He had a clear passion for public appearance. At the college he was the guiding light in a project to make a film documentary of everyday life in the college (much the same as the rather sanitized one that you can see on the college website today) and he spent much time obstructing people and pushing a wind-up cine camera in their face. I don’t think the documentary was completed because around that time I started to take an interest in the camera club and I think I would have heard about it. I later saw Derek at a dance in Donegal where he was fronting his own showband “Big Derek and the …”, some name very similar to “Big Tom and the Mainliners”. Derek also did some TV news reporting for RTE. I recall him sitting bizarrely in a rowboat in a lake, occupying most of the boat and looking a bit precarious but still talking energetically. That was one larger than life character whose picture doesn’t appear among the college website’s front page heroes!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: chunder on February 24, 2011, 06:27:25 PM
Derek Davis was indeed a larger than life character, and remains so to this day. After QUB Derek went on to work briefly fr the American network ABC. He moved to RTE and has for the past thirty years or so been working in a variety of roles for RTE - radio and TV.

I didn't know about the showband thing but that would certainly not be a surprise. He was a man who loved the limelight.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 25, 2011, 01:14:14 AM
I see from the Barnageeha thread that Sean Devenney died a few months ago. There goes part of our past. Sean was there on my first day in 1965, giving out textbooks from a store room in the corridor leading to the old canteen. He and Gerry O'Hare usually got some rowdy stick when they had to come into the study hall to take the roll. And now he's gone. As Mick McCormick is reported to have said at a colleague's funeral: "the queue is getting shorter".

Wee Legs,
I have received an e-mail from another x-college guy who doesn't post on the forum and who tells me that Sean Devanney who is now 71 is alive and well and living in Belfast.  He would have liked to have moved to Donegal at retirement but the sale of his house didn't come to fruition.    So as Mick would have said, " Your foot is still on the line"    Can we do anything about the non event of the internet Alumni Assoc.and the management of the website.   I wrote to the president a few years ago  .maybe I should call to the college when I am in Belfast next. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 25, 2011, 01:17:44 AM

 
That guy Gillespie married a girl from Alexander St West, unfortunately he died a year back. He was a brother of Father Tony.  Do you remember him.

Bernie perhaps you could help me with some information.  As I recollect the Gillespie who became the priest was the Albino and who managed pop groups.  I seem to remember him in my class for French and something else. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on February 25, 2011, 08:58:25 AM
Can we do anything about the non event of the internet Alumni Assoc.and the management of the website.   I wrote to the president a few years ago  .maybe I should call to the college when I am in Belfast next. ;)
Very glad to hear that the reports of Sean's death are much exaggerated.  :smile:
 
Regarding the old boys' website, it has had little maintenance since Jim Mulholland's departure maybe 5 years ago. As you probably know, Jim had a full time job at the college and part of his role was to support the website. We could replace Jim's resource with volunteer labour. If it's too much work for one person, then we could look for a few volunteers here to split the work.
 
It's probably worthwhile contacting the college, but it's apparent that there's not much official interest in maintaining the alumni website. Surprising really, considering how other institutions benefit from this sort of publicity. As well as contacting the college, you could consider contacting the Past Pupils organization (442 Antrim Road). I assume that own the site, or at the very least would want control over a revitalized site that uses their organization's name. By the way, in the last few weeks I've found it impossible to contact the site. Maybe it has finally been taken offline.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on February 25, 2011, 11:21:44 AM

Bernie perhaps you could help me with some information.  As I recollect the Gillespie who became the priest was the Albino and who managed pop groups.  I seem to remember him in my class for French and something else. ;)

No Tony the priest was not the Albino, it was John. and he passed away last year
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 25, 2011, 12:27:01 PM

No Tony the priest was not the Albino, it was John. and he passed away last year

Bernie,

SORRY to hear that....was he living in N.I. Was he married? :(
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on February 25, 2011, 02:00:04 PM
Yes he lived around Lurgan I think, he was married to a girl from Alexander St West and had a few children.
 
Father Tony also married and lives in England
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on February 25, 2011, 02:13:16 PM
Can we do anything about the non event of the internet Alumni Assoc.and the management of the website.
Yes, I think we can. I've just phoned the college to find out who to talk to about it. The helpful secretary told me that they were aware of the problem; that the alumni site is the responsibility of the Old Boys' Association; that the college's dealings with the alunmi website are handled by the burser Shane O'Brien or the principal Dr. Morrin. She even offered to put me in contact with the principal when he was a bit less busy but I refused on the grounds that he had more important things to do than hack a website.
 
More interestingly, I gave up on my stored URL for the alumni website and googled to discover www.smcoba.org (http://www.smcoba.org/), which is the Old Boys' Association website. It's clearly up to date (formal dinner arranged for 2011) and even more interesting is that one Jim Holland is the Hon. Dinner Secretary. The college secretary confirms that he's still very active on OBA affairs.
 
I'll send her an email to give her my contact details and also to contact Jim. She hasn't been able to contact him for the last few days and she guesses that he's away with his family on half-term holiday.
 
If it turns out that the OBA problem in maintaining the website is lack of resource, are you interested in volunteering to be an editor? I may be getting ahead of myself here because I'd still be surprised to learn that the OBA doesn't want close control of the site. Maybe they'll expect any remote volunteers to sign up as OBA members (that membership application looks a bit forbidding. "may be required to attend for interview...").
 
Anyway, we'll see what Jim/OBA say when they respond.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 26, 2011, 03:34:44 AM
Helo Wee Legs,

Great news...I contacted the college when I came back from China in 2009.  An x-student and myself went to Mass on the colleges 175th anniversary in Nanchang .  He actually said the Mass and I thought that the event should be acknowledged on the website.  That was not to be and I and other x-collegians gave up.  I will now pass on the web address that you have posted and see where we go from here.  I would gladly offer my services if it meant an active website. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 26, 2011, 03:47:44 AM
Hi Wee Legs. .I've seen the smcoba website before.    The Alumni site was much better with photos , an honour board, and a guest book which made the internet alumni site a area of activity.   

I will give the old boys a try and see what will happen.

Are you in Belfast .  The least that can happen is that we have a drink together in the Antrim Rd premises. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on February 26, 2011, 09:02:01 PM
Are you in Belfast .  The least that can happen is that we have a drink together in the Antrim Rd premises. ;)
First, I haven't yet heard from Jim or OBA but it's early yet.

No, I'm not in Belfast but not far away. I live not far from Liverpool and within ferry trip. I was there a few weeks ago visiting my mother on the Limestone Road. I didn't call into the OBA because they wouldn't have known me from Adam, and most of my teenage friends are long settled somewhere else.

OK, let's see what Jim Holland says about reviving the alumni site. I'm hopeful that the OBA will accept the offer of free labour. The site management can be done from anywhere in the internet.

Apart from that, I'm due to take my daughter to Belfast soon  to remind her where some of her ancestors came from. If you've plans to be there, let me know. Even if we don't pass the OBA interview, that part of the world isn't short of drinking holes.

Eamon
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 26, 2011, 10:47:19 PM
Hello Eamon,

I live in Oztralia but that wouldn't prevent me from helping.  I am in contact with two other x Malachians who would help.  I will be on holiday and arrive in Belfast on 14th June leaving on 27th June for England.  I am staying in Birmingham for a few days .
Sam.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 01, 2011, 12:19:28 PM
First, I haven't yet heard from Jim or OBA but it's early yet.

No, I'm not in Belfast but not far away. I live not far from Liverpool and within ferry trip. I was there a few weeks ago visiting my mother on the Limestone Road. I didn't call into the OBA because they wouldn't have known me from Adam, and most of my teenage friends are long settled somewhere else.

OK, let's see what Jim Holland says about reviving the alumni site. I'm hopeful that the OBA will accept the offer of free labour. The site management can be done from anywhere in the internet.

Apart from that, I'm due to take my daughter to Belfast soon  to remind her where some of her ancestors came from. If you've plans to be there, let me know. Even if we don't pass the OBA interview, that part of the world isn't short of drinking holes.

Eamon

Good luck with your endeavours. I knew the alumni site and when it was alive it worked well, sorry to see it die. I am a life member of SMCOBA and know the chairman, Vincent Hunt and treasurer Jack Smith very well. In fact I will be seeing Jack this evening and if you wish I can sound him out. It's a shame that such an institute as the college is not better represented on the internet. I will report my findings to you.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 01, 2011, 12:48:48 PM

Good luck with your endeavours. I knew the alumni site and when it was alive it worked well, sorry to see it die. I am a life member of SMCOBA and know the chairman, Vincent Hunt and treasurer Jack Smith very well. In fact I will be seeing Jack this evening and if you wish I can sound him out. It's a shame that such an institute as the college is not better represented on the internet. I will report my findings to you.

Will it be  one Smith talking to another?? ;)   We should if possible meet up at the Old Boys place on the Antrim Rd....all three of us and encourage the O.B. to act on the Alumni site. :(
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 01, 2011, 03:54:24 PM

Will it be  one Smith talking to another?? ;)   We should if possible meet up at the Old Boys place on the Antrim Rd....all three of us and encourage the O.B. to act on the Alumni site. :(

There's a few of us about, even in the antipodes!! I might even go to the annual dinner on Friday, but whatever I'll try and get you as much information as possible. My tenure of study at the college was 1953-1959 and by means of a quick calculation you can determine that I am well into my 3 score. Unfortunately my energy level is rather low due to a few pathologies which act upon me, so I may not be of much use in contribution but I'll help wherever I can.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 01, 2011, 05:11:36 PM
I am a life member of SMCOBA and know the chairman, Vincent Hunt and treasurer Jack Smith very well. In fact I will be seeing Jack this evening and if you wish I can sound him out.
Sounds like a good opportunity to try to get things moving. :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 01, 2011, 09:16:11 PM

There's a few of us about, even in the antipodes!! I might even go to the annual dinner on Friday, but whatever I'll try and get you as much information as possible. My tenure of study at the college was 1953-1959 and by means of a quick calculation you can determine that I am well into my 3 score. Unfortunately my energy level is rather low due to a few pathologies which act upon me, so I may not be of much use in contribution but I'll help wherever I can.

Smith 19...the priest who said Mass in the middle of China on the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the college was a Joe Houston who was at the college around your time.  I commenced in 1959 when some great people left.  I can remember Barney Mc Laverty and Joe Mc Williams leaving about 1959. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 01, 2011, 10:25:55 PM

Smith 19...the priest who said Mass in the middle of China on the 175th Anniversary of the founding of the college was a Joe Houston who was at the college around your time.  I commenced in 1959 when some great people left.  I can remember Barney Mc Laverty and Joe Mc Williams leaving about 1959. ;)

Did not know Joe but Barney and I were in same year, Joe a little older. I have Barney to thank for introducing me to classical music in my 17th year when we were in the throes of Rock and Roll. Have you read any of his books? Joe has his own Art Gallery and still succeeds with the brush and palette! At a recent exhibition in Ulster Museum one of his works was on display at a starting price of £10,000!!! Needless to say I did not bid!! I missed Jack Smith this evening - yes he is my cousin and retired Professor of Computer Science at QUB. I will see him and Vincent Hunt and hopefully Jim Holland on Friday and will report back to you.  Are you really in Australia, and if so where?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 01, 2011, 11:10:54 PM

Did not know Joe but Barney and I were in same year, Joe a little older. I have Barney to thank for introducing me to classical music in my 17th year when we were in the throes of Rock and Roll. Have you read any of his books? Joe has his own Art Gallery and still succeeds with the brush and palette! At a recent exhibition in Ulster Museum one of his works was on display at a starting price of £10,000!!! Needless to say I did not bid!! I missed Jack Smith this evening - yes he is my cousin and retired Professor of Computer Science at QUB. I will see him and Vincent Hunt and hopefully Jim Holland on Friday and will report back to you.  Are you really in Australia, and if so where?

Oh...ye of little faith.....of course I am in Oztralia.  I live 24klms North of Cairns in the rainforest area.  It;s the wet season and we have just experienced one metre of rain during February.   
I don't really know Barney although we lived not too far away from one another. I have read some of his books and St Malachy's did have an influence on him. Tim Holland was in my class.  Vincent Hunt would know my name as I was an insurance broker in Carrickfergus when he worked for the local council.
Joe Mc Williams is my 2nd cousin , I have just in the past two weeks discovered the connection between us and how it was formed.  The skiffle group photo that appeared on the Alumni site was a classic that included both Barney and Joe.....good to talk to you...Sam. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 02, 2011, 02:26:27 PM
I will see him and Vincent Hunt and hopefully Jim Holland on Friday and will report back to you.
Some confusion to be sorted out. I've just had a phone call from St.Mal's office. The lady tells me that they've now decided - contrary to what I was told last week - that the College is responsible for the alumni website that Jim used to run in his alumni officer days at the College. They intend to revamp and relaunch it by end/June/2011.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: cannon on March 03, 2011, 09:39:33 AM
Sounds good. :smile:  cannon.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 03, 2011, 02:14:30 PM
Some confusion to be sorted out. I've just had a phone call from St.Mal's office. The lady tells me that they've now decided - contrary to what I was told last week - that the College is responsible for the alumni website that Jim used to run in his alumni officer days at the College. They intend to revamp and relaunch it by end/June/2011.

MAGIC
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 03, 2011, 08:24:50 PM

Oh...ye of little faith.....of course I am in Oztralia.  I live 24klms North of Cairns in the rainforest area.  It;s the wet season and we have just experienced one metre of rain during February.   
I don't really know Barney although we lived not too far away from one another. I have read some of his books and St Malachy's did have an influence on him. Tim Holland was in my class.  Vincent Hunt would know my name as I was an insurance broker in Carrickfergus when he worked for the local council.
Joe Mc Williams is my 2nd cousin , I have just in the past two weeks discovered the connection between us and how it was formed.  The skiffle group photo that appeared on the Alumni site was a classic that included both Barney and Joe.....good to talk to you...Sam. ;)

Just spoke to Vincent. Would you have also known the late James Noel Smith??
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 03, 2011, 09:56:38 PM

Just spoke to Vincent. Would you have also known the late James Noel Smith??

I am sure that I know him.   Bad at names.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 04, 2011, 01:18:23 AM

Just spoke to Vincent. Would you have also known the late James Noel Smith??

Smith...my connection with Vincent besides St Malachy's college where I didn't move in the same circles.is that Iam a friend of his boss ( whilst he was in Carrick)....who was John Mc Cormick. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 06, 2011, 10:46:36 AM
It's been a long weekend at their dinner I think :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 06, 2011, 02:16:53 PM
It's been a long weekend at their dinner I think :smile:

Long enough. The Alumni site died due to lack of funding, however the OB site is being built up with enthusiasm shown by Paul Sullivan who is the man in charge and the one to contact. The dinner was a great success with a fair represantation of OLD Old Boys and new members are very welcome. I'm not sure about the need for an interview on the membership form!! The  AGM is held on Wednesday and I'll enquire.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: poogle on March 06, 2011, 10:36:41 PM
Memories of St.MALS
Ham bap and a pint of milk for lunch
The Avenue in spring time
Joe 'wee joe pick a nose' Keenan flicking snotters at us in french
Waterpolo
Walking up to Duncairn Gardens to get the bus.
Playing football in the morning with a tennis ball
Hand ball
The Mr Chip capes
Detention
Father 'rubber neck'Murray the Dean showing me a human side on my last day.
And all the great laughs we had
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 10, 2011, 05:24:07 PM
Some confusion to be sorted out. I've just had a phone call from St.Mal's office. The lady tells me that they've now decided - contrary to what I was told last week - that the College is responsible for the alumni website that Jim used to run in his alumni officer days at the College. They intend to revamp and relaunch it by end/June/2011.

I went to AGM last evening and it seems they are hoping to relaunch website although the enthusiasm was not over flowing. The college do feature on Facebook so I think they rely on it to reach past pupils. Paul Sullivan is the man in harness. I raised the point about possible interviews being required for membership as it states on the application form, but they seemed to be unaware of such existence and if so it is never really used. Good luck with your pursuits.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 11, 2011, 09:45:51 AM

I went to AGM last evening and it seems they are hoping to relaunch website although the enthusiasm was not over flowing. The college do feature on Facebook so I think they rely on it to reach past pupils. Paul Sullivan is the man in harness. I raised the point about possible interviews being required for membership as it states on the application form, but they seemed to be unaware of such existence and if so it is never really used. Good luck with your pursuits.
I wasn't really bothered by the interview possibility. I should have used a smiley to indicate some humour. It just struck me as something that you might expect from a traditional golf club trying to decide who's good enough to join their club. :smile:
 
Regarding the disappeared alumni website, now I'm a bit confused again. My call from St.Mal's office left me with the impression that the College had taken responsibility for the alumni website and would supply the effort to manage it, so why should the OBA be enthusiastic or otherwise about something that isn't its responsibility? Maybe the OBA prefers to rely on the facebook facility and is happy to let the older website lapse? I suppose the easiest option is to see what happens at the end/June. I've avoided Facebook to date because it's something my daughters do to swap trivia with their friends, but now I'll have a look at it.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 11, 2011, 12:48:39 PM
I wasn't really bothered by the interview possibility. I should have used a smiley to indicate some humour. It just struck me as something that you might expect from a traditional golf club trying to decide who's good enough to join their club. :smile:
 
Regarding the disappeared alumni website, now I'm a bit confused again. My call from St.Mal's office left me with the impression that the College had taken responsibility for the alumni website and would supply the effort to manage it, so why should the OBA be enthusiastic or otherwise about something that isn't its responsibility? Maybe the OBA prefers to rely on the facebook facility and is happy to let the older website lapse? I suppose the easiest option is to see what happens at the end/June. I've avoided Facebook to date because it's something my daughters do to swap trivia with their friends, but now I'll have a look at it.

Yes let's just wait for end/June!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 11, 2011, 09:24:23 PM
I was hoping that I would have an interview  .after all the interviewer normally pays the costs. .etc....I would have paid for the accommodation.....well done  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 22, 2011, 10:35:41 AM
Many congratulations to Professor Jack Smith on being elected as President of the Old Boys Association. Well done Jack the family now has the distinction of having a Cardinal AND a president in it's ranks!!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 22, 2011, 11:57:59 AM
Many congratulations to Professor Jack Smith on being elected as President of the Old Boys Association. Well done Jack the family now has the distinction of having a Cardinal AND a president in it's ranks!!

Well done ....tell me ....is it a silly question but who is the Cardinal. ;) and which is more important. .I am in Belfast in June. .hope to meet you ::)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on March 22, 2011, 03:18:07 PM
Are there any older members out there who may have remembered Cyril or Noel Moorehead?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 22, 2011, 05:31:49 PM

Well done ....tell me ....is it a silly question but who is the Cardinal. ;) and which is more important. .I am in Belfast in June. .hope to meet you ::)

Owen McCann, full cousin of my father James, and also of his brother John, father of Professor Jack. Look him up in Wikipedia. I would gladly meet for a chat and a beer during your visit in June. I have never been to Australia and it is a country which has always fascinated me. I will probably wear you down with my questioning. However keep in touch and keep well.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 22, 2011, 09:56:29 PM
Are there any older members out there who may have remembered Cyril or Noel Moorehead?

Thanks Smith 19....you'll have to P.M. me and let me have your real name.

Dorothy when did the Mooreheads go to St Malachy's  .I might be older than them. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 22, 2011, 11:00:59 PM
Thanks Smith 19....you'll have to P.M. me and let me have your real name.

Dorothy when did the Mooreheads go to St Malachy's  .I might be older than them. ;)

Will do.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on March 23, 2011, 10:52:46 PM
Cyril was in the class of 54, Wavy haired guy, fairly tall. I think he lived on the Antrim Rd. but I'm not sure.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on March 23, 2011, 11:06:43 PM
Cyril was in the class of 54, Wavy haired guy, fairly tall. I think he lived on the Antrim Rd. but I'm not sure.

Yes, you quite correct. Thank you.  :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on March 23, 2011, 11:36:08 PM
Dorothy , Are you related to him?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on March 23, 2011, 11:55:30 PM
Dorothy , Are you related to him?

No. Did you go to Queens?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on March 24, 2011, 12:02:46 AM
Thanks Smith 19....you'll have to P.M. me and let me have your real name.

Dorothy when did the Mooreheads go to St Malachy's  .I might be older than them. ;)

I feel guilty being on here. I should be sorting through that box of print outs that I retrieved from the loft.
 
No, I'm certain that he would have  been older than you. How old do you think Cyril would be?  Some one on this thread must remember him.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 24, 2011, 01:44:40 AM

I feel guilty being on here. I should be sorting through that box of print outs that I retrieved from the loft.
 
No, I'm certain that he would have  been older than you. How old do you think Cyril would be?  Some one on this thread must remember him.

It depends what year he was in , in 1054.sorry 1954.   A friend of mine left in about 1957 but I didn't escape until 1961 ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 24, 2011, 11:54:23 AM

I feel guilty being on here. I should be sorting through that box of print outs that I retrieved from the loft.
 
No, I'm certain that he would have  been older than you. How old do you think Cyril would be?  Some one on this thread must remember him.

When we say the "class of 1954" do we mean that was the year the individual left the college? Sorry if I'm appearing a bit stupid! One tended to only really get to know other students in their year, even in their class. The main means of getting to know those outside was if one was involved in outside class activities - mainly sports. My brother left in 1953 - the year I started - so I'll enquire from him. In the meantime keep well.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on March 24, 2011, 12:14:29 PM
I'm not 100% negative about my time at St Malachy's (1957/63) nor do I get misty-eyed whenever I hear those stirring words "Gloria Ab Intus".
When, by dint of passing the 11 plus, I secured a place there, I was the subject of congratulation and even a little envy. However, the reality was somewhat different than the reputation (whether or not that had been merited in times past). When I was there, the academic standard at St Malachy's was little better than average.   
There were some good teachers, a few of whom were excellent, but they were in the minority.
Others have referred to the regime of casual brutality. This was the case as was the toleration of thugs among the students who bullied those of their peers whom they deemed to be weaker than themselves. The powers-that-be seemed to have no interest nor policy in dealing with this not-isolated problem. As many of them were bullies themselves, this is hardly surprising.
Indeed, there was one of their number who was bullied and disrespected by some pupils and it seemed to me that they just got away with it. I think he (the teacher) left after a short period at the College.
If they would not support one of their own, why would anyone expect them to look out for distressed students?
Some of the teachers were rather strange.
Big Tosh (I think he was supposed to teach Greek) had a fixation with the difference between bulls and bullocks. He would hold up a picture of a bull in all its manhood (perhaps that should be bullhood?) and would then demonstrate how a bull became a bullock by the expedient of holding his finger over the dangly bit.
Locky, who only lasted a year I think, used to perambulate from one side of the classroom to the other by vaulting across the desks of startled pupils.
Then there was the individual (I'll not give his name but think of the Irish word for black) who used to "punish" some of the boys (normally the small younger-looing ones) by putting them on his knee and nipping their bums.   
I never did all that well at St Malachy's by my own standards, getting a "not bad" Senior. This contrasted with regularly being first in class in Primary School and eventually being awarded two academic prizes when graduating with a first class honours degree.
As I said, it wasn't all bad and I may, in future posts, be a little more positive!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on March 24, 2011, 12:21:31 PM
He was in the class that would have done Senior in 1954. In other words he would have graduated in 1954. In Cyril's case he might have done Senior also in 1953 and hung around to get better results for university admission. I don't live there but I seem to think that he did dentistry. Fr. Danny White in Glengormley was in the same year and would have known him as would Silver Brennan,Brasso Brennan, John McHugh, Fr.Tom Toner, Fr. Charlie Murphy, Paddy Mulgrew, Pete McKeever, Mick and Frank Murray.
The Smiths that I remeber had red hair. Is that your family?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 24, 2011, 05:21:06 PM
He was in the class that would have done Senior in 1954. In other words he would have graduated in 1954. In Cyril's case he might have done Senior also in 1953 and hung around to get better results for university admission. I don't live there but I seem to think that he did dentistry. Fr. Danny White in Glengormley was in the same year and would have known him as would Silver Brennan,Brasso Brennan, John McHugh, Fr.Tom Toner, Fr. Charlie Murphy, Paddy Mulgrew, Pete McKeever, Mick and Frank Murray.
The Smiths that I remeber had red hair. Is that your family?

No red hair in immediate family, my older brother Gerard who left in 1953 - jet black. However we had a cousin who attended a bit earlier, may have been known then as Francis as he was F.J. but subsequently known as Jack. A quite brilliant student who progressed through his university pursuits and finished up as Professor of Computer Science at QUB. He may have had reddish hair at that time. He has since retired and fresh and well he looks. Keep it up.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 24, 2011, 05:29:13 PM
There were some good teachers, a few of whom were excellent, but they were in the minority. Others have referred to the regime of casual brutality.
In earlier postings I’ve read about pupils’ experience of violence from teachers. I have to say that that really wasn’t my experience of St.Mals. Maybe things had changed before my arrival (1965-72). There was certainly a use of corporal punishment that wouldn’t generally be tolerated today, but not casual violence. I’ve gone over a mental list of my teachers. Maybe my memory has simply failed me, but most of them never used corporal punishment to my recollection. McNally (French), Noel Conway (physics), Alec Cusick (chemistry), Noel Savage (maths), Doc Cunningham (Latin), Jimmy Fraser (Irish). Some would indeed punish, and in some bizarre ways, but not frequently and never without reasonable provocation in my recollection. Maurice Drinan (Tosh, Irish) would tug hair painfully. Big John Porter (art) used some sort of metre stick or rod to batter hands. Hugh McEvoy (English) delegated the act with his phrase “See the Dean, boy.” Gerald Gorman used a cane but I suspected even at my tender age that at that very early stage of his career he was unconfident of his authority over the class. Most of the punishment was given by the specialized agent, the Dean of Discipline, and very occasionally by the Boss Walter Larkin if your offence was one that took you to the general office. I was told years later that at least several of the Deans detested the job, but when you’ve taken a vow of obedience then you’re stuck with all aspects of the duty. There were certainly some rough yobs among the pupils and it’s not surprising that they attracted attention in a corporal punishment regime. There were also some disruptive boys who, despite passing the 11+, discovered at St.Mals that they really had no interest in academic work.
 
There’s one injustice that should be mentioned. Recall that lessons started at 9.10 am each morning and that the Dean stood in the archway at the top of the avenue and punished every boy who wasn’t past him by 9.05. The logic was that if you’re still in the avenue at 9.05 then you’ve no chance of being at your desk by 9.10. (Over the years I’ve met many people who maddeningly wait for a deadline to expire before they accept that they’re in delay.) I say “every boy” but that wasn’t completely true.  If a boy’s parents were rich enough to own a car, he could be driven past the Dean and dropped off at the main entrance door, escaping punishment. A neighbour of mine here was a few years ahead of me at the College. He lived very close by in one of the streets up the Antrim Road. He really had no reason to be late but in fact was repeatedly unpunctual. It came to the point where he refused to accept the late punishment while other boys got away with it. His principled stand took him to the Boss’s office where he was eventually invited to take his education needs elsewhere. He went to Barney, later to teacher training, and to a very successful career as a trouble shooting head teacher who would be sent to rescue problem schools.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on March 27, 2011, 01:18:17 PM
In earlier postings I’ve read about pupils’ experience of violence from teachers. I have to say that that really wasn’t my experience of St.Mals. Maybe things had changed before my arrival (1965-72). There was certainly a use of corporal punishment that wouldn’t generally be tolerated today, but not casual violence. I’ve gone over a mental list of my teachers. Maybe my memory has simply failed me, but most of them never used corporal punishment to my recollection. McNally (French), Noel Conway (physics), Alec Cusick (chemistry), Noel Savage (maths), Doc Cunningham (Latin), Jimmy Fraser (Irish). Some would indeed punish, and in some bizarre ways, but not frequently and never without reasonable provocation in my recollection. Maurice Drinan (Tosh, Irish) would tug hair painfully. Big John Porter (art) used some sort of metre stick or rod to batter hands. Hugh McEvoy (English) delegated the act with his phrase “See the Dean, boy.” Gerald Gorman used a cane but I suspected even at my tender age that at that very early stage of his career he was unconfident of his authority over the class. Most of the punishment was given by the specialized agent, the Dean of Discipline, and very occasionally by the Boss Walter Larkin if your offence was one that took you to the general office. I was told years later that at least several of the Deans detested the job, but when you’ve taken a vow of obedience then you’re stuck with all aspects of the duty. There were certainly some rough yobs among the pupils and it’s not surprising that they attracted attention in a corporal punishment regime. There were also some disruptive boys who, despite passing the 11+, discovered at St.Mals that they really had no interest in academic work.
Wee Legs, I had resolved not to revisit the violence issue until I read your post.

I don't know which part of it is the more offensive: the suggestion that other people are making up stories of violence or the suggestion that, if their stories are true, they were either yobs or "had no interest in academic work".

St Malachy's almost completely destroyed my interest in academic work. Coming from a primary school in which learning was encouraged  (we studied Latin in the 11 plus year, just for the fun of it), it was a shock to hit St Malachy's and discover that education was apparently about rote learning backed up by physical punishment. I only rediscovered the joy of academic work when I emigrated and went to a different school.

At that school, corporal punishment was very rare, and I was amazed that there was almost no violence between pupils (cf St Malachy's, were bullying was common - and, believe me, getting a lit cigarette pressed into your skin is not the kind of thing you easily forget).

Your time at the college overlapped with mine, and "casual violence" by teachers definitely occurred. As I've said in previous posts, I was slapped or punched at least three times that I can remember. As a lawyer, I can assure you that two of those assaults would have been regarded as criminal even in those days.

The ready recourse to physical and unwarranted violence is summed up for me in an incident towards the end of my time at the College. My class was informed that, because the baize on a noticeboard in our home room had been damaged, we were all being levied a small amount to pay for the damage. I believed that the damage had been inflicted while another class were in our room, and I certainly hadn't damaged the noticeboard myself, so I refused to pay the levy.

Along with another pupil who didn't pay the levy, I was sentenced to a week's detention. Halfway though the detention, we were summonsed to Walter Larkin's office. The other guy told Larkin that his father had refused to pay the levy. He was dimissed. I hadn't told my parents what was happening, so my only defence was that I didn't believe the levy was fair. Walter's response to this was inflict six of the best.

Two days later, I was called out of class to find out why I hadn't been doing my detention. When I said that I thought that Larkin's punishment had ended the matter, I was disabused.

In view of other events in Belfast around that time, I still find some grim amusement in the fact that my very private opposition to collective punishment ended up in my being singled out for punishment in what was supposedly one of the top Catholic schools in Northern Ireland.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on March 27, 2011, 07:12:19 PM
The ready recourse to physical and unwarranted violence is summed up for me in an incident towards the end of my time at the College. My class was informed that, because the baize on a noticeboard in our home room had been damaged, we were all being levied a small amount to pay for the damage. I believed that the damage had been inflicted while another class were in our room, and I certainly hadn't damaged the noticeboard myself, so I refused to pay the levy.

Along with another pupil who didn't pay the levy, I was sentenced to a week's detention. Halfway though the detention, we were summonsed to Walter Larkin's office. The other guy told Larkin that his father had refused to pay the levy. He was dimissed. I hadn't told my parents what was happening, so my only defence was that I didn't believe the levy was fair. Walter's response to this was inflict six of the best.

Two days later, I was called out of class to find out why I hadn't been doing my detention. When I said that I thought that Larkin's punishment had ended the matter, I was disabused.

In view of other events in Belfast around that time, I still find some grim amusement in the fact that my very private opposition to collective punishment ended up in my being singled out for punishment in what was supposedly one of the top Catholic schools in Northern Ireland.

You had more guts than me, stiofan.
We had a similar incident in my final year when some person or persons unknown trashed our classroom. We were all then kept in for detention five days running (unless of course the villains would own up or someone shop them) writing out 200 times each day something along the lines of "I must respect the property of
the College at all times blah blah".
I did tie four pens together to speed up doing the pointless exercise and so did a few others and in fairness to the teacher charged with supervising us, he chose to ignore that.
But I go back to the overall mediocre level of teaching. It was not until my daughter showed me that I realised algebra was easy-peasy. I was good at geometry (well done, wee Hughie) but my introduction to algebra was through an unfrocked PE Instructor who might have been a master in the gym but knew as little about maths as my big toe knows about snipe shooting.
Talking about PE Instructors reminds me of Mick McC who was unpleasant and sarcastic and given, from time to time, to try to drag students' hair out by the roots.     
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on March 27, 2011, 11:41:52 PM

You had more guts than me, stiofan.
We had a similar incident in my final year when some person or persons unknown trashed our classroom. We were all then kept in for detention five days running (unless of course the villains would own up or someone shop them) writing out 200 times each day something along the lines of "I must respect the property of
the College at all times blah blah".
I did tie four pens together to speed up doing the pointless exercise and so did a few others and in fairness to the teacher charged with supervising us, he chose to ignore that.
But I go back to the overall mediocre level of teaching. It was not until my daughter showed me that I realised algebra was easy-peasy. I was good at geometry (well done, wee Hughie) but my introduction to algebra was through an unfrocked PE Instructor who might have been a master in the gym but knew as little about maths as my big toe knows about snipe shooting.
Talking about PE Instructors reminds me of Mick McC who was unpleasant and sarcastic and given, from time to time, to try to drag students' hair out by the roots.   
Mick McC - what a piece of work he was. One day I forgot my gym gear and was so scared of him that I used a compass to cut open my hand, giving me an excuse for not doing PE.   :swoon:
 
Yes, I know that they were all victims of their time, etc, etc.
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Giannineo on March 27, 2011, 11:59:15 PM
Wee Legs, I had resolved not to revisit the violence issue until I read your post.

I don't know which part of it is the more offensive: the suggestion that other people are making up stories of violence or the suggestion that, if their stories are true, they were either yobs or "had no interest in academic work".

St Malachy's almost completely destroyed my interest in academic work. Coming from a primary school in which learning was encouraged  (we studied Latin in the 11 plus year, just for the fun of it), it was a shock to hit St Malachy's and discover that education was apparently about rote learning backed up by physical punishment. I only rediscovered the joy of academic work when I emigrated and went to a different school.

At that school, corporal punishment was very rare, and I was amazed that there was almost no violence between pupils (cf St Malachy's, were bullying was common - and, believe me, getting a lit cigarette pressed into your skin is not the kind of thing you easily forget).

Your time at the college overlapped with mine, and "casual violence" by teachers definitely occurred. As I've said in previous posts, I was slapped or punched at least three times that I can remember. As a lawyer, I can assure you that two of those assaults would have been regarded as criminal even in those days.

The ready recourse to physical and unwarranted violence is summed up for me in an incident towards the end of my time at the College. My class was informed that, because the baize on a noticeboard in our home room had been damaged, we were all being levied a small amount to pay for the damage. I believed that the damage had been inflicted while another class were in our room, and I certainly hadn't damaged the noticeboard myself, so I refused to pay the levy.

Along with another pupil who didn't pay the levy, I was sentenced to a week's detention. Halfway though the detention, we were summonsed to Walter Larkin's office. The other guy told Larkin that his father had refused to pay the levy. He was dimissed. I hadn't told my parents what was happening, so my only defence was that I didn't believe the levy was fair. Walter's response to this was inflict six of the best.

Two days later, I was called out of class to find out why I hadn't been doing my detention. When I said that I thought that Larkin's punishment had ended the matter, I was disabused.

In view of other events in Belfast around that time, I still find some grim amusement in the fact that my very private opposition to collective punishment ended up in my being singled out for punishment in what was supposedly one of the top Catholic schools in Northern Ireland.

stiofan, are you sure you didn't go to Methody and not St.Malachys? :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 28, 2011, 10:11:34 AM
I don't know which part of it is the more offensive: the suggestion that other people are making up stories of violence or the suggestion that, if their stories are true, they were either yobs or "had no interest in academic work".
Stiofan,
 
It certainly wasn't my intention to imply that others were making up their own history. I simply said that it wasn't MY experience. The remark about uninterested yobs was badly judged and could have been better explained, and again I didn't intend to imply that you had to be some sort of misfit to suffer at St.Mals. But I assure you that such pupils existed and I could even name some of them. They were kids who clearly had a brain and equally clearly wanted to be somewhere else. The guys I'm thinking of were disruptive from year 1 so it can't ALL be explained as the result of brutalization.
 
After I posted, some more teachers came to mind, and I acknowledge that they were licensed by the standards of the time to use a degree of violence that would be unacceptable today. I was perhaps lucky enough not to have any contact with them, and my academic interest was well nurtured. I've been luckier than you and others in my teachers.
 
I've already given an example of injustice so it's clear that the discipline regime could produce these events. This regime had a lot to do with the attitude of the clerical staff towards discipline. Recall that they had all taken a vow of obedience and therefore whatever happened by lawful authority was to be accepted. You may object that that shouldn't have transferred to the lay staff, but it was an organization led by priests and no lay teacher would have questioned the Boss's moral judgement.
 
I caused a couple of very minor stirrs in my 6th form by questioning this general attitude. On one occasion I wrote something to the effect that a general difference of opinion was to be expected between the pupils and the clerical staff because the latter had volunteered after much consideration for a particular way of life. This was written anonymously in a class's collection of essays. It obviously caused some discussion over the priests' dinner table because Dennis Newbury (who had been a pupil and was then a student priest) later raised the matter in a class discussion and was surprised that I readily admitted to being the author. I can't remember how the class discussion went from there, but I suspect that these occasions were deliberately set to acclimatize the newer priests to adolescent scepticism. On another occasion towards the end of my 6th form Wee Doc Cunningham was chewing the cud with a class when he idly asked who would be sad to leave the College. I tactlessly expressed the view that we'd been there for 7 years and were eager to see somewhere else. It was even more tactless than I knew at the time because a fair number of the pupils who stayed on to become priests with the intention of travelling to foreign parts to do great things in God's name in fact ended up doing routine jobs around the College and fairly locally. Vow of obedience again!
 
Again Stiofan, I didn't mean to imply that anyone who had an unhappy experience at the College was a misfit or a liar, although there ware certainly some people who clearly didn't want to be there. I acknowledge that some of the teachers behaved in a way that wouldn't be tolerated today, and that I was perhaps lucky to come into contact with only the better ones.  ;)
 
A final remark about Mick. He definitely had a view on what constituted a good character, and if you weren't athletically inclined then he had little time for you. I was always one of the kids last to be picked off the wallbars to join the basketball team, so you can guess how he judged me. For 5 years I exercised resistance as passive as possible to his PE activities and then discovered in 6th form when it all became optional that I actually enjoyed jogging around the track. A late blossoming or just a perverse nature?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 28, 2011, 02:19:22 PM
Stiofan,
 
It certainly wasn't my intention to imply that others were making up their own history. I simply said that it wasn't MY experience. The remark about uninterested yobs was badly judged and could have been better explained, and again I didn't intend to imply that you had to be some sort of misfit to suffer at St.Mals. But I assure you that such pupils existed and I could even name some of them. They were kids who clearly had a brain and equally clearly wanted to be somewhere else. The guys I'm thinking of were disruptive from year 1 so it can't ALL be explained as the result of brutalization.
 
After I posted, some more teachers came to mind, and I acknowledge that they were licensed by the standards of the time to use a degree of violence that would be unacceptable today. I was perhaps lucky enough not to have any contact with them, and my academic interest was well nurtured. I've been luckier than you and others in my teachers.
 
I've already given an example of injustice so it's clear that the discipline regime could produce these events. This regime had a lot to do with the attitude of the clerical staff towards discipline. Recall that they had all taken a vow of obedience and therefore whatever happened by lawful authority was to be accepted. You may object that that shouldn't have transferred to the lay staff, but it was an organization led by priests and no lay teacher would have questioned the Boss's moral judgement.
 
I caused a couple of very minor stirrs in my 6th form by questioning this general attitude. On one occasion I wrote something to the effect that a general difference of opinion was to be expected between the pupils and the clerical staff because the latter had volunteered after much consideration for a particular way of life. This was written anonymously in a class's collection of essays. It obviously caused some discussion over the priests' dinner table because Dennis Newbury (who had been a pupil and was then a student priest) later raised the matter in a class discussion and was surprised that I readily admitted to being the author. I can't remember how the class discussion went from there, but I suspect that these occasions were deliberately set to acclimatize the newer priests to adolescent scepticism. On another occasion towards the end of my 6th form Wee Doc Cunningham was chewing the cud with a class when he idly asked who would be sad to leave the College. I tactlessly expressed the view that we'd been there for 7 years and were eager to see somewhere else. It was even more tactless than I knew at the time because a fair number of the pupils who stayed on to become priests with the intention of travelling to foreign parts to do great things in God's name in fact ended up doing routine jobs around the College and fairly locally. Vow of obedience again!
 
Again Stiofan, I didn't mean to imply that anyone who had an unhappy experience at the College was a misfit or a liar, although there ware certainly some people who clearly didn't want to be there. I acknowledge that some of the teachers behaved in a way that wouldn't be tolerated today, and that I was perhaps lucky to come into contact with only the better ones.  ;)
 
A final remark about Mick. He definitely had a view on what constituted a good character, and if you weren't athletically inclined then he had little time for you. I was always one of the kids last to be picked off the wallbars to join the basketball team, so you can guess how he judged me. For 5 years I exercised resistance as passive as possible to his PE activities and then discovered in 6th form when it all became optional that I actually enjoyed jogging around the track. A late blossoming or just a perverse nature?

I do not really want to enter this discussion and no doubt there are many of us who could comment, but it would be interesting to know your respective years of attendance. I enrolled in 1953 and departed in 1959!!
 
However on a more mundane subject and the answer to which still evades us!! Why was EIA Street so named??? Look back a few postings.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 28, 2011, 04:01:42 PM
I do not really want to enter this discussion and no doubt there are many of us who could comment,
Excellent suggestion!
 
I've unintentionally walked on ground that is clearly very sensitive for some people and should probably only be discussed face to face where body language can convey the sentiments that are missing from email. It wasn't my intention to suggest that everything was rosy, and I certainly remember some bad moments when I thought that the discipline was overdone. I myself never suffered unduly informal punishment but maybe I just had an instinct for keeping my head down.
 
Anyway, my apology for offending anyone even unintentionally, and like Smith19, I'm now out of this historical discussion. :smile:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rayk on March 29, 2011, 01:03:43 AM

I do not really want to enter this discussion and no doubt there are many of us who could comment, but it would be interesting to know your respective years of attendance. I enrolled in 1953 and departed in 1959!!
 
However on a more mundane subject and the answer to which still evades us!! Why was EIA Street so named??? Look back a few postings.

We all had our own experiences - I enrolled in 1956 and left in 1963. No idea why EIA St was so named - RayK
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 29, 2011, 02:55:31 PM

No idea why EIA St was so named - RayK
A quick google took me to
 
http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/PDF%20Files/North_&_South_Belfast_(P._Tempan).pdf (http://www.ulsterplacenames.org/PDF%20Files/North_&_South_Belfast_(P._Tempan).pdf).
 
Much misty speculation but maybe the mythical nautical connection has something in common with the nearby streets with a nautical connection (Oceanic, Baltic…). However I wouldn't put money on it.
 

Eia Street
 
Eia: the patron saint of St. Ives in Cornwall. Locally this street-name is pronounced with three syllables: ee-eye-ah. Eia is remembered as a virgin who crossed the sea from Ireland to Cornwall on a leaf (Oxford Dictionary of Saints ). She is said to have been the sister of SS. Euny, Erc and Anta. Her feast day is 3rd February or alternatively 27th October. Porthia is an earlier name for the St. Ives (Oliver J. Padel, A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names ). See St. Ives Gardens.
 
 
St Ives Gardens

There are two saints of this name venerated in Britain, one male and one female. The male saint gave his name to St. Ives in Huntingdonshire and is also a popular saint in Brittany (Yves). The female saint gave her name to St. Ives in Cornwall. She is remembered as a virgin who crossed the sea from Ireland to Cornwall on a leaf (Oxford Dictionary of Saints), or a coracle in the less romantic version of the tale. She is said to have been the sister of SS. Euny, Erc and Anta. Her feast day is 3rd February or alternatively 27th October. Porthia is an earlier name for the Cornish St. Ives (Oliver J. Padel, A Popular Dictionary of Cornish Place-Names ). In local history sources the name is also spelt Eia . See Eia Street. The Irish form provided here assumes that the street name is connected with the Cornish St. Ives, rather than the Huntingdonshire one, who has no Irish associations.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Bboru on April 12, 2011, 12:38:37 PM
I have been surprised and and quite comforted by the harshly critical views of our educational establishment. And there was me thinking it was only me!
 
I was caned with fury by Jakie Mc Mullan watched by Dean McAnearney. The former was foaming at the mouth with anger, broke one cane, grabbed another and proceeded with the thrashing. The occasion was in his room (he was then president) and I was being punished for mitching. However his fury was not for the offence but because of ill judged remarks I had made about the clergy at the college.
 
He and the Dean were not unkind men and I hold no grudge. However other lousers wearing clerical collars took it out over the next four years and they, I claim, were well qualified to serve in Dachau and not as prisoners. The majority of the priests were OK- simply on reflection many were in soutanes for lack of other opportunities.
 
Of the masters I rememember Brian Kennedy who taught history - an enthusiastic good natured man. His cousin David Kennedy taught Physics - a gentle decent man who in the fifties campaigned for the release of a student imprisoned under the Special Powers Act? Does any body know about this or remember what happened in the end?
 
Mr. Faugherty taught English  and as they go was not bad considering most of us professed no interest in what he had to say.
 
Mr Coghlan taught French - he wore old fashioned wing collars and was inoffensive and I am not sure of his qualities as a teacher.
 
There were other decent men and priests - as for the bad ones they are shielded by De mortuis... .
 
Overall I got as decent an education at the place as I deserved, particularly in my last two years when I did as little as possible and just wanted out.
 
I do know that I benefited in later life from my five years there and
heres to the guys and priests who suffered me.
 
OK it was'nt Eton or Harrow and thank God for that.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 12, 2011, 01:52:11 PM
Bboru,

The student to whom you refer may have been Frank Gogarty....I could be wrong.  Frank was my dentist and had been a boarder at the college although his family lived on the Cliftonville Rd near the Antrim Rd.  The college had a communication one night that the B specials were coming to take Frank and hold him in custody under the Special Powers Act.  He had been brought to their attention on previous occasions and kept in custody however Frank was not a fighter and information supplied tells that he was helped to escape the college ...over the back wall. .and as a consequence he was the only qualified dentist in Northern Ireland at that time to gain his qualification from the Royal College in Dublin as Queens had opened it's school of dentistry.

It's possible that there was another student but Frank was interned in the 1960's or 70's as an adult and had a hard time .  Last time I visited him in his surgery he advised me to take a thimble of neat whiskey each night .  It would kill bacteria in the mouth and help gums, gargle with it would prevent throat cancer, and slowly swallow it would take care of cholesterol.  He died about 1983 or so and was buried from St Patrick's in Donegal St.and his grave is in Donegal .  He was a genuine Irish student who never raised a hand in anger.  He has sons who were entering law just before I left North of Ireland in 1987. :(
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Bboru on April 12, 2011, 05:21:15 PM
SJ
 
Many thanks for the information about Frank Gogarty. It may well have been him that I read about in the Observer around 1958. I was working in England and was no regular reader of that paper. I came across the article by chance. It included a large photo of the master David Kennedy.
 
I was at the school 1946 -51. I believe when I was about 11 I had a tooth pulled by a dentist called Gogarty whose practice was in the Duncairn Gardens. I lived a couple of streets away in Spamount Street. If I am remembering the name correctly it may have been Frank's father's practice. Your information about what happened to Frank is very enlightening. I never knew him but he sounds an admirable Irishman.
 
I do not raise many glasses these days but the next time I do have a pint I will raise it to Frank Gogarty. I wish his family every good luck.
 
Thanks again.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 12, 2011, 11:05:42 PM
SJ
 
Many thanks for the information about Frank Gogarty. It may well have been him that I read about in the Observer around 1958. I was working in England and was no regular reader of that paper. I came across the article by chance. It included a large photo of the master David Kennedy.
 
I was at the school 1946 -51. I believe when I was about 11 I had a tooth pulled by a dentist called Gogarty whose practice was in the Duncairn Gardens. I lived a couple of streets away in Spamount Street. If I am remembering the name correctly it may have been Frank's father's practice. Your information about what happened to Frank is very enlightening. I never knew him but he sounds an admirable Irishman.
 
I do not raise many glasses these days but the next time I do have a pint I will raise it to Frank Gogarty. I wish his family every good luck.
 
Thanks again.

Bboru,

I also lived in Spamount St in the top house on the r.h.s. near to the junction with Hallidays Rd.  I am really amazed by the number of coincidences that happen on this forum. There is another x-student who lived in the first block near Jim Hanna's shop and opposite Trainfield St and we both live now in Oztralia.  He in Perth and myself North of Cairns in Queensland.

Frank's father was my parents dentist and in the 1970's my wife worked with his sister in the Mater hospital.  Good luck...in which part of England are you living ? ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Bboru on April 13, 2011, 05:21:48 PM
Hello SJ
 
I have lived in Hampshire in England for about four years after 45 years in a place called Solihull in the Midlands. I passed your house many times on my way to the Star of the Sea school.
 
Did you know James Frazer? He was a year older than me but we went to St. M's from the Star at the same time. He lived in the New Lodge Road just a few doors down from Trainfield Street. He was a studious guy. We  would sometimes bump into each other after we left St. M. I think he was at Queen's then.

I cannot believe that the adverse comments about the teaching staff could ever have applied to him. I imagine he was an excellent teacher. Sad that he died recently I understand.

All the best
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 13, 2011, 11:11:53 PM
Hello SJ
 
I have lived in Hampshire in England for about four years after 45 years in a place called Solihull in the Midlands. I passed your house many times on my way to the Star of the Sea school.
 
Did you know James Frazer? He was a year older than me but we went to St. M's from the Star at the same time. He lived in the New Lodge Road just a few doors down from Trainfield Street. He was a studious guy. We  would sometimes bump into each other after we left St. M. I think he was at Queen's then.

I cannot believe that the adverse comments about the teaching staff could ever have applied to him. I imagine he was an excellent teacher. Sad that he died recently I understand.

All the best

Bboru

I will have to contact another member of this forum who lived near Jimmy Frazer and who also went to the Star of the sea and St Malachy's college.  You might remember him as he might be about the same age as you.   It's a small world.   I am a bit younger.   I remember the Mc Cann twins who left the star about 1953 and went to the college.
Sam.
Title: ST MALACHY'S TEACHERS 1971-78
Post by: maggiemay on April 14, 2011, 09:34:25 AM
Our Jim was as St Malachy's from 1971-78, and overall he loved it,  his comments on the teachers discussed in this thread  and others:

- Paddy Sniff..snobby careerist cleric who was a bully, ended up where he wanted to get to...like all priests spoke in that fake Free State accent they beat into them at seminary, even if they're from the Falls Road. 
- Rubber ( BADOYNG) Murray, a good man who had been plucked from his farm by a mother keen to have a priest son, a hard man who did occasionally take it out on boys, but a decent guy underneath
- wee duff...a decent man
- wee Jackie Micmacs...ditto
- Big Pad... a legend with a passion for his subject, one of the good guys
- wee Billy lick the chalk ( McEvoy) ..decent wee guy probably in the wrong school
- Big Mick, inspirational PE teacher , but got carried away with the old towel flick sometimes
- Brian Molloy, decent fella
- Hoppy, an unhappy man
- Mr Sudway...excellent French teacher, good guy
- Peter Forte. .total legend, the best teacher in the 7 years
- Lefty, good sense of humour, (he used to race bikes with my brother Brian out of ardoyne),
- Mckeown the history teacher , the peace person's younger brother....slimey wee [censored]
-Joe Levy...good man....loved his TVR7
-Wee Dev.....best maths teacher ever..second only to Pete Forte as an inspirational teacher...Jim says he was crap at maths and ended up with 2 o levels in it!
-Big Jack....drink and fags
-Maggie Bond....glamour puss for 11 year old boys
-Miss Donnelly, ditto for 15yos
-Miss Keeling who got married and became Mrs Bartlett...she and her husband made a lovely pear)
- Big Basil Mc lean, maths teacher, ex captain of MCRory winning and hogan cup team with martin O'Neill in 1971....decent guy, not a bad teacher
-BIG JIM CASEY.....tough old [censored], not afraid to whack you if you weren't listening....caught a guy looking at the centre pages of BOOK 3 of the nuffield series..the naked woman and beat 7 shades out of him>>>
-Mr Stewart, geog,,,,sadly called [censored],,,English guy in the wrong job....must have struggled with a schoolfull of wee Belfast guys in the eventful 1970's
-charlie monaghan, PE, rossa man, good guy
- Mr Ferguson the Spanish and RE teacher who was studying part time at the Mater to be a doctor and used to bring in lungs of dead smokers as a disincentive
- Father Kelly from Cavan, who played for pearse , spiritual director 
- Father Crossan, decent intellectual
- Biffo...remember him running a campaign for Britain to enter the common market....
- Mr Gunning....excellent science teacher
- Dirty Dick.....was he really a RA man,,,,good teacher
- Mrs Mallon, good teacher, but says he sadly will never forgive her for the parents event where they had to dance to the " we are the jumbiliees, cousins to the mumbile
es....
- Mrs Cush....music....nice old dear from a different generation, her husband was headmaster at Holy Family 
-Sean Devenny/Mr O'Hare....can't remember their nicknames. Rover and Con?..decent guys
- Father Santa ..Did you know my brother was the Bishop..? nosey old git
.
that's his list.....do you agree?

 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on April 23, 2011, 12:38:30 AM

I do not really want to enter this discussion and no doubt there are many of us who could comment, but it would be interesting to know your respective years of attendance. I enrolled in 1953 and departed in 1959!!
 
However on a more mundane subject and the answer to which still evades us!! Why was EIA Street so named??? Look back a few postings.
Finally cracked it Smith 19, the name "EIA". I said all along that it was derived from the initials of someones three daughters, well the someone happens to be a Capt Alworthy who named Alworthy after his family name and EIA comes from his daughters Eliza,Ivy and Anne. He was the builder of these Streets and possibly that area. I got the info from Joe Baker.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 23, 2011, 02:37:24 AM
Finally cracked it Smith 19, the name "EIA". I said all along that it was derived from the initials of someones three daughters, well the someone happens to be a Capt Alworthy who named Alworthy after his family name and EIA comes from his daughters Eliza,Ivy and Anne. He was the builder of these Streets and possibly that area. I got the info from Joe Baker.

Thank God...I haven't slept for about a month??? :D   Have a good Easter everyone.   I am going on holidays to China and Europe , leaving Cairns on 21st May and will arrive in Belfast 0n 13th June.It's about four weekends away, 27 sleeps, or one more haircut ... ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on April 23, 2011, 07:12:15 AM

Thank God...I haven't slept for about a month??? :D   Have a good Easter everyone.   I am going on holidays to China and Europe , leaving Cairns on 21st May and will arrive in Belfast 0n 13th June.It's about four weekends away, 27 sleeps, or one more haircut ... ;)
What? You mean you still have hair at your age, I bet it's a syrup.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 23, 2011, 09:56:38 AM
What? You mean you still have hair at your age, I bet it's a syrup.

Ask Desmond...I have a great head of hair. .I have a booklet produced by the North Belfast Historical Soc with the history of Eia St but my wife has seen fit to hide it. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on April 23, 2011, 10:09:17 AM

Ask Desmond...I have a great head of hair. .I have a booklet produced by the North Belfast Historical Soc with the history of Eia St but my wife has seen fit to hide it. ;)
Desi does'nt have any hair and Kevins is a comb over so who did you steal yours from. :D
Now you tell us about the book after all these months, did you never read it.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 23, 2011, 10:20:46 AM
Desi does'nt have any hair and Kevins is a comb over so who did you steal yours from. :D
Now you tell us about the book after all these months, did you never read it.

I told you that my wife decided to put it away.. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on April 23, 2011, 11:18:10 AM
Finally cracked it Smith 19, the name "EIA". I said all along that it was derived from the initials of someones three daughters, well the someone happens to be a Capt Alworthy who named Alworthy after his family name and EIA comes from his daughters Eliza,Ivy and Anne. He was the builder of these Streets and possibly that area. I got the info from Joe Baker.
Absolutely, totally and thankfully well done!! I felt it had to be something like that and could not go with the Saint EIA bogus. Just as sj remarks in his post I have also suffered severe sleep deprivation ever since the question was asked!! I was planning a visit to the new offices of PRONI to find the answer. Many thanks and who is "Joe Baker?"
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on April 23, 2011, 12:22:08 PM

Thank God...I haven't slept for about a month??? :D   Have a good Easter everyone.   I am going on holidays to China and Europe , leaving Cairns on 21st May and will arrive in Belfast 0n 13th June.It's about four weekends away, 27 sleeps, or one more haircut ... ;)

Isn't that just magic about Apalachie solving the EIA mystery. As you are departing 21st May I will be departing La Dordogne in France following a short sojourn. You did mentrion in an earlier post about meeting up for a chat so if still agreeable I can send a pm. Whatever you think. In the meantime enjoy China - very envious!!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on April 23, 2011, 02:59:39 PM

Absolutely, totally and thankfully well done!! I felt it had to be something like that and could not go with the Saint EIA bogus. Just as sj remarks in his post I have also suffered severe sleep deprivation ever since the question was asked!! I was planning a visit to the new offices of PRONI to find the answer. Many thanks and who is "Joe Baker?"
Smith 19, Joe Baker is a local historian here in north Belfast. He has had loads of stuff published about our local history and loads of ghost stories. He writes for the Glenravel historical Society and does videos as well for them, I posted one on the New Lodge site last week (link) that he had done about the blitz.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: PatMcL on May 03, 2011, 05:33:23 PM

 
 
Stiofan: I know what you mean. It had not changed a great deal by the early seventies and I have mixed feelings about the place. There were one or two teachers who should not have been allowed anywhere near young people. Unfortuntely they are dead now so I will not live out my fanasies about the retribution I always had in my heart to deal out to them when I got old enough.

Stickyra, I have a feeling you and I know each other very well.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: apalachie on May 03, 2011, 07:16:04 PM
http://www.northbelfast.ie (http://www.northbelfast.ie)
http://www.thenewlodge.com/ (http://www.thenewlodge.com/)
http://www.facebook.com/thenewlodge
Smith19, in answer to your earlier question "Who is Joe Baker" I think these links should answer your question.
If you know anyone who originated from around the New Lodge or lower Antrim Rd please pass on these links.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: PatMcL on May 03, 2011, 07:56:26 PM
Can anyone remember or know what happened to Margaret Bond? She was a geography teacher at the college @72/73, and she would have been mid - late 20s then. That I'm aware of, she lived on the Antrim Road somewhere. (Big road I know, but maybe someone remembers her?)

I started in 1972 and was in Junior 1b, Margaret Bond was my form teacher for the next two years.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 03, 2011, 11:11:35 PM

Stickyra, I have a feeling you and I know each other very well.

You're a teacher :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: PatMcL on May 04, 2011, 05:06:16 PM

You're a teacher :D

If it is who I think it is money couldn't pay ya.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 04, 2011, 11:23:48 PM
If it is who I think it is money couldn't pay ya.

I am and never was a teacher at any school in N of I.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: frankthepope on May 17, 2011, 05:42:50 PM
I have just stumbled upon this thread. Is it still active? No entries since 3 May?
Just in case, I was at the Ranch from 53 to 59.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 17, 2011, 10:59:02 PM
I have just stumbled upon this thread. Is it still active? No entries since 3 May?
Just in case, I was at the Ranch from 53 to 59.

Was that Trench house Frank or St Malachy's college. :D   That's a very pretentious name that you have chosen ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Me Ould Segoia on May 18, 2011, 08:25:28 AM
 That's a very pretentious name that you have chosen (http://belfastforum.co.uk/Smileys/excellent/wink.gif)
 
Thats rich coming from a Jesuit      :girl_blum:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: frankthepope on May 18, 2011, 12:31:47 PM
I was at the College, sorry for the slip.  The nickname was applied by Danny Mc Ilroy (who was a contempory at St Malachys) on my return to Belfast in 1998. It is a bit of a dig at me for serving 5 years in the Embassy to the Holy See.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 18, 2011, 12:53:47 PM
That's a very pretentious name that you have chosen (http://belfastforum.co.uk/Smileys/excellent/wink.gif)
 
Thats rich coming from a Jesuit      :girl_blum:

You shouldn't say things like that ....people might believe you??? :D   Frank I understand the name now. .I was once a volunteer guide at  World Expo for the" Pavilion of the Holy Sea"... ::)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: grendel_killer on May 20, 2011, 07:52:18 PM
hi i also went to holy family and then to st malachys in 1978
 
Quote from: stickyra link=topic=29967.msthe 70s....g640215#msg640215 date=1273658476

Maggiemay I hope I am getting the right generation. I went to Holy family Primary with Gerry O Toole, one of my best friends, and then on to St Malachy's with him in the early seventies. Is it the right Gerry? He used to live on Alexander Park Avenue?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: grendel_killer on May 20, 2011, 08:08:04 PM
First year 1977.
Hugh McAvoy.  .wee hugh
Colm Beckett
Fr Kelly
Mr Kavanagh...Drama who was a complete madman lol
Biffo for science
Mrs Loughran for geography
Brian Malloy sport
 
 
so long ago i will remember more later lol
 
 
Went there from 75 to 82. All in all very good memories. Although I got clipped a few times by Cassidy (Latin) and more than a few times by Rubber, the worst ever was being chased around the hall by Cavanagh (Drama) because I couldn't do a good enough impression of the "When shall we three meet again" speech in Macbeth. It turns out he is a distant relation of my wife, and believe me if I ever meet him again  :angry2:  
 
The better teachers were Wee Dev (Maths), Hugh McEvoy (Form Teacher), Jimmy Frazer (French) and Joe McFadden (Art).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: 19smith on May 25, 2011, 01:18:34 PM
I have just stumbled upon this thread. Is it still active? No entries since 3 May?
Just in case, I was at the Ranch from 53 to 59.
Die bona tua sanctitas. I never heard "The College" referred to as "The Ranch". This title was given to Trench House and never used otherwise as far as I would know. So you were a pupil 53 to 59, and I was also and I remember you well for we knocked about together for a while. In fact during our "A" level year I suppose we saw more films than possibly during our remaining years. And did you not have the distinction of appearing in the Collegian of 1958 in both groups of pupils, Arts and Sciences?? No trick photography here!! Hope this finds you well Doc!!  I have had to change my name from Smith19 to 19Smith so you can see my earlier postings.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rocko55 on May 25, 2011, 03:28:05 PM
I was there, started 1966 in Junior 1D, lasted two years, was politely told to go elsewhere.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: robinstp on May 26, 2011, 04:02:13 AM
Rayk - I too attended St. Malachy's 1956 - 1962. I believe we knew each other. Tom R.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: frankthepope on May 26, 2011, 12:59:10 PM
Dominus vobiscum Smicker.  Good to hear from you. 
Sorry about the slip of the pen, we had been having a wee argument about the Ranch at Balmoral, it must still have been at the back of my head.  The only Ranch I went to was, I think, the Regent cinema, called that because of the number of cowboy films it used to show. Or have I got that all wrong, memory not what it should be!
You are right, of course, about me appearing in both Senior III photographs in 59 Collegian (seems reasonable as I didnt actually atten d any of the classes) - pity the Alumni site is no longer available - some good old photographs of pupils and staff
Havn't seen you about Balmoral for some time.  Let me know if you are going to be in this neck of the woods. 
 Keep well, love to Maggie. All the  best Frank.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on May 26, 2011, 01:39:24 PM
Dominus vobiscum Smicker.  Good to hear from you. 
Sorry about the slip of the pen, we had been having a wee argument about the Ranch at Balmoral, it must still have been at the back of my head.  The only Ranch I went to was, I think, the Regent cinema, called that because of the number of cowboy films it used to show. Or have I got that all wrong, memory not what it should be!
You are right, of course, about me appearing in both Senior III photographs in 59 Collegian (seems reasonable as I didnt actually atten d any of the classes) - pity the Alumni site is no longer available - some good old photographs of pupils and staff
Havn't seen you about Balmoral for some time.  Let me know if you are going to be in this neck of the woods. 
 Keep well, love to Maggie. All the  best Frank.

Your memory is sound on this one, Regent = Ranch. Those were the days my friend. I don't make it to Balmoral much since I would have visited as a guest of Dr.McKeown, but he does not visit very often himself. I pay an occasional visit to SMCOBA on Antrim Road, where I meet with Vincent Hunt, who is chairman, you may not remember him he was a few years behind us. I had been invited to Balmoral this Sat but Maggie being a more ardent fan of MUFC than I am, she would not stray from her TV and miss the final. Keep in touch and keep well.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on June 11, 2011, 01:05:15 PM
FAO SJ
 
I did not pm you as I am not sure how to do so. Are you  still heading to Belfast on 14th as previously stated. Would you still be interested in meeting up?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on June 11, 2011, 05:58:15 PM
SJ will be in Carrickfergus from 20th
Title: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on June 23, 2011, 10:52:25 PM
Got some more (or less) intact Collegian magazines from 1953-1962 and may try scanning them. Small beginnings-just 2 pages! I've put up the 1958 staff photo and names at
db.tt/BY4n7Y8
You need to stick http:  in front of that as external links are frowned on...
The link seems a bit temperamental, I had to try downloading a few times while testing it.
I've added identification numbers as far as I could, similar to the way that by 1962 the magazine was using that system to identify students. Additions and corrections welcome.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: 19smith on June 24, 2011, 09:55:00 AM
Got some more (or less) intact Collegian magazines from 1953-1962 and may try scanning them. Small beginnings-just 2 pages! I've put up the 1958 staff photo and names at
db.tt/BY4n7Y8
You need to stick http:  in front of that as external links are frowned on...
The link seems a bit temperamental, I had to try downloading a few times while testing it.
I've added identification numbers as far as I could, similar to the way that by 1962 the magazine was using that system to identify students. Additions and corrections welcome.

Can't get it to work, can you offer more assistance and can you not post the photos here??
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on June 24, 2011, 10:48:16 AM
The full link is

httpREMOVE://dl.dropbox.com/u/14547229/1958%20The%20Collegian%20pp4%265.pdf

which may or may not work better than the shortened link

httpREMOVE://db.tt/BY4n7Y8
Both work for me, obviously after removing REMOVE...

I've tried to "insert image" with this post but since it's actually a pdf   
I doubt if that will help, I think it just inserts an icon. I'd prefer to stick with pdf as it's the handiest way of keeping together text and related photos, especially as the photos are halftone which I'm scanning as high resolutioin two-colour images, seems better than fuzzy jpgs.

So, is there any way of attaching pdf or other general files in this forum?

(http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/c:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5CBreand%C3%83%C2%A1n%5CMy%20Documents%5CMy%20PDFs%20&%20Scanned%20articles%5CThe%20Collegian%201958%5CB%20&W%20scans)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: 19smith on June 24, 2011, 11:32:51 AM
The full link is

httpREMOVE://dl.dropbox.com/u/14547229/1958%20The%20Collegian%20pp4%265.pdf

which may or may not work better than the shortened link

httpREMOVE://db.tt/BY4n7Y8
Both work for me, obviously after removing REMOVE...

I've tried to "insert image" with this post but since it's actually a pdf   
I doubt if that will help, I think it just inserts an icon. I'd prefer to stick with pdf as it's the handiest way of keeping together text and related photos, especially as the photos are halftone which I'm scanning as high resolutioin two-colour images, seems better than fuzzy jpgs.

So, is there any way of attaching pdf or other general files in this forum?

(http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/c:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5CBreand%C3%83%C2%A1n%5CMy%20Documents%5CMy%20PDFs%20&%20Scanned%20articles%5CThe%20Collegian%201958%5CB%20&W%20scans)

Still not working and wearing out my fingers with the long link. Sorry I have to give up and sadly as my College years were 1953-1959 and I have lost all my Collegians!!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on June 24, 2011, 12:53:47 PM

This is getting to be a pain! People of our age need to take care of our joints...
                                 
I tried another link site imagebam recommended elsewhere on Belfast Forum but again I got the message "Sorry, you are not allowed to post external links". Anyway, if dropbox doesn't work for you, imagebam mightn't either. Try inserting h ttp://w ww.  before imagebam and remove the 2 extra spaces after h & w

imagebam.com/image/bf662e137845072
 

which is just for the picture and is a lot bigger than the pdf -- imagebam won't let me upload tiff which would be small. If that works I can do the names page as well.

Or if you send me a message I can just email you the pdf (I plan for it to grow...)

Anybody know of a way of attaching files of a few MB? Anybody else interested anyway?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: 19smith on June 24, 2011, 01:05:03 PM
This is getting to be a pain! People of our age need to take care of our joints...
                                 
I tried another link site imagebam recommended elsewhere on Belfast Forum but again I got the message "Sorry, you are not allowed to post external links". Anyway, if dropbox doesn't work for you, imagebam mightn't either. Try inserting h ttp://w ww.  before imagebam and remove the 2 extra spaces after h & w

imagebam.com/image/bf662e137845072
 

which is just for the picture and is a lot bigger than the pdf -- imagebam won't let me upload tiff which would be small. If that works I can do the names page as well.

Or if you send me a message I can just email you the pdf (I plan for it to grow...)

Anybody know of a way of attaching files of a few MB? Anybody else interested anyway?

I am very sorry to be a pain but I would dearly like to view the magazines and sorry to be a pain again but -- how do I send you a message??? to send me an e-mail???
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: spacetinker on July 01, 2011, 09:14:36 AM
This is getting to be a pain! People of our age need to take care of our joints...
                                 
I tried another link site imagebam recommended elsewhere on Belfast Forum but again I got the message "Sorry, you are not allowed to post external links". Anyway, if dropbox doesn't work for you, imagebam mightn't either. Try inserting h ttp://w ww.  before imagebam and remove the 2 extra spaces after h & w

imagebam.com/image/bf662e137845072
 

which is just for the picture and is a lot bigger than the pdf -- imagebam won't let me upload tiff which would be small. If that works I can do the names page as well.

Or if you send me a message I can just email you the pdf (I plan for it to grow...)

Anybody know of a way of attaching files of a few MB? Anybody else interested anyway?

 
 
Hi BSOH.  
Your "imagebam" site worked fine for me.  .good size too...and just as I remember all their wee faces. '57 to '63 was my "period" .keep 'em coming.
Re: your large PDFs....a quick way to turn them into jpeg (smaller size) is to use your snipping tool if in win7 or the prtscn (print screen) key ...(on your keyboard somewhere)... to copy the size you want into "Paint" then crop and save as jpeg.
Photobucket can then post them on here for you.

(http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/spacetinker/druid.gif)
Happy Trails.  .Tink
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 01, 2011, 03:19:46 PM
Thanks for the good report about imagebam, I'm glad something worked at last!

I'm pushing my luck now by uploading the complete 1958 Collegian to

box.net/shared/dtz6ve4nqv9xpizbvj5l

You need to put h_ttp://w_ww.  in front of the previous line and remove the 2 underscores, one after h and the other after w

It's just short of 20MB, because I scanned at high resolution for the halftone dots, to preserve the full detail of the photos as far as possible. The downside is that the photos will show moiré fringes from time to time when you view on a computer. There are defects in some pages (notably the staff photo unfortunately) because this mag has had a traumatic history. I even went as far as contacting a museum conservator; apparently there is so much clay in the paper that once wet it became pretty close to Belleek pottery...I believe him, but it's amazing what you can do with several days' soaking and then a sharp blade.

Being an obsessive git, I've scanned the ads as well--social historians might find those just as interesting as our faces.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on July 01, 2011, 03:46:51 PM
Thanks for all that BSOH.
Saw many familiar faces from long ago.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: spacetinker on July 01, 2011, 06:53:41 PM
Hey BSOH. .that link worked a treat. .have downloaded the pdf file and really pleased with the detail!
I had a copy of this issue. .once. .now long lost... and it is great to be able to give it another read.
Thanks....your effort much appreciated. ;)

(http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/spacetinker/druid.gif)
 
Happy Trails to you.  ....Tink
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 18, 2011, 08:05:01 PM
I've updated the 1958 Collegian pdf at the link

box.net/shared/dtz6ve4nqv9xpizbvj5l

You might need to stick www in front of that, depending on your browser.

box.net seems more reliable than the dropbox.com that I'd tried first.

The pdf pages are numbered as in the original, and the document probably looks best if you select View/Page display/Two-up in the Reader menu.

After experimentation, I've concluded that it's better to scan Collegian's halftone photos as greyscale (smears out the dots) with descreening in the scanner, rather than as black&white, because otherwise Adobe imposes its own idea of compression, which is really not very good. And for any techies, it doesn't matter an iota whether the scan format is bitmap, jpg, or tiff - the resulting pdfs are exactly the same size, another surprise. So much for intuition.

So I've rescanned all pages with photos, and I've also taken the opportunity to tart up the torn staff photo and a few others - basically, retouched the glaring defects with neighbouring bits and pieces. Doesn't actually repair anything, just makes it less jarring.

As I mentioned before, I've attempted to identify people in the manner of the 1962 Collegian - by first numbering the alphabetic group list, and then typing out a little diagram with numbers where I'm fairly sure whose face it is, and questionmarks otherwise.

I'm indebted to smith19 for help with identification of people that I'd forgotten - or never knew in the first place! There's plenty of scope for others to put names to faces too.

I hope to scan and put up some other issues too, but it's slow work and She Who Must Be Obeyed is not enthusiastic about it, so don't hold your breath (not a good idea at our age anyway).

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 20, 2011, 11:45:51 PM
I've uploaded the 1953 Collegian to this link

box.net/shared/c5xcyjzzagvnc9rgrknz

Again, stick www. in front of that if necessary. It's about 17 or 18MB, and it's probably best to download it in its entirety rather than try to preview it page by page. It downloads OK for me, let's hope it works for others too. Cheers.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 21, 2011, 12:34:01 AM
This Collegian was for the 1953/4 school year
Senior 2
Front Row L-R
2 Andy Duffin
22 Raymond O'Connor
    Danny White
15 John McHugh
10 Brendan McCooey
19 Frank Massey
?
Second Row L-R
27 Tom Toner
 ?
?
?
?
   Cyril Moorehead  not listed or numbered
?
Third Row L-R
5 Sean Hughes
8 Danny McAllister
?
?
?
?
?
Back Row L-R
?
?
9 Tommy McAloon
   Danny O'Connor
7 Brian McAllister
21 Patrick Mulgrew
?
 
There are 28 in the picture. There are only 27 names listed. Cyril Moorehead is the missing one.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 21, 2011, 11:41:26 AM
Thanks Expat, that fills in quite a few questionmarks!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 21, 2011, 11:51:34 AM
BSOH,
Do you intend to update your download ?
Thanks for your efforts. I have the original Collegian but the names aren't referenced to the photograph.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 21, 2011, 12:35:24 PM
Expat, I've updated it already, the link remains the same at

box.net/shared/c5xcyjzzagvnc9rgrknz

It's good to get some names. In my youth I was greatly influenced on the subject of old photos by a museum keeper who ranted that they were next to useless if they didn't have the date and details written on them!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 21, 2011, 02:20:36 PM
BSOH,
I agree with your museum friend, I'm into old pictures myself and it's frustrating when you're trying to figure out the years and the individuals.
I'll start on Senior 2A and I've a couple of classmates in Chicago,California and Pa that I think I can get info from to complete Senior 2.
Good luck with your endeavors.
Expat
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 21, 2011, 02:47:10 PM
1953/54 Seior 2A
Front Row L-R
18 Tony Mooney
?
?
20 Frank Nurray
9 Joe Kavanagh
16 Paul McWilliams
23 Jim Quinn
7 John Curran
 
Second Row L-R
6 Johnny Comerton
?
11 Tony McCaughey
8  Fergus Jordan
?
2 Jim Brady
?
5 Seamus Campbell
19 Charlie Murphy
 
Third Row L-R
?
4 Pat Brennan
24 George Salters
14 Seamus(John??) McKenna
?
21 Sean O'Flynn
?
13 Danny McHenry
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on July 21, 2011, 06:20:47 PM
1953/54 Seior 2A
Front Row L-R
18 Tony Mooney
?
?
20 Frank Nurray
9 Joe Kavanagh
16 Paul McWilliams
23 Jim Quinn
7 John Curran
 
Second Row L-R
6 Johnny Comerton
?
11 Tony McCaughey
8  Fergus Jordan
?
2 Jim Brady
?
5 Seamus Campbell
19 Charlie Murphy
 
Third Row L-R
?
4 Pat Brennan
24 George Salters
14 Seamus(John??) McKenna
?
21 Sean O'Flynn
?
13 Danny McHenry
Well done Expat. However these lads could give a few years to BSOH and myself as we featrue in the Junior 1 category on which I am working. By the way would you have known of my brother Gerard Smith or my cousin Jack Smith?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 21, 2011, 07:32:09 PM
Well done Expat. However these lads could give a few years to BSOH and myself as we featrue in the Junior 1 category on which I am working. By the way would you have known of my brother Gerard Smith or my cousin Jack Smith?
I'm sorry. I have a vague recollection of a guy with red hair called Smith but I can't recognize him in the Collegian pictures.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 21, 2011, 07:37:46 PM
Collegian 1953/54
Senior 2B
Front Row L-R
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Second Row L-R
17 Harry Keenan
28 Pete McKeever
5 Silver Brennan
36 Terry Savage
?
?
?
?
Third Row L-R
?
2 Donal Barton
?
7 Noel Carlton
22 Brendan Loughran
?
?
?
?
?
Fourth Row L-R
?
?
9 Eddie Comerton
?
?
?
?
?
?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 21, 2011, 07:41:59 PM
Collegian 1953/54
Senior 2C
Front Row
?
?
?
?
?
1 George Abbot
?
?
24 Mick Murray
Second Row L-R
?
4 John Barton
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Third Row L-R
?
?
18 Liam McKendry
22 Harry McQuillan
?
?
32 Peter Woods
?
20 Hugh McMullan
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on July 22, 2011, 05:53:44 PM
Collegian 1953/54
Senior 2C
Front Row
?
?
?
?
?
1 George Abbot
?
?
24 Mick Murray
Second Row L-R
?
4 John Barton
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
Third Row L-R
?
?
18 Liam McKendry
22 Harry McQuillan
?
?
32 Peter Woods
?
20 Hugh McMullan
I can only contribute one certainty - Senior 2C  2nd Row extreme right - Gerard Smith the big brother, complete with flashy silk American tie! and possibly on his right - ??Brendan Murphy who went on to the priesthood and married Maggie and me some 38 years ago!!  Keep them coming.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 22, 2011, 07:11:22 PM
Yes on Brendan Murphy, I wasn't sure about him previously, but with both of us half-certain, we'll take that as 100%! I didn't make his acquaintance until a couple of years later.
Title: And now something to entertain Our Younger Viewers...
Post by: BSOH on July 23, 2011, 03:27:59 PM
I've now uploaded the 1962 Collegian to

box.net/shared/ca79jhesgerdhqffoqgl

A pdf, about 15MB. That edition came complete with identifier keys for the class photos, but not for the university students, so I've added keys for them where I know them.

I've no Collegians before 1953 or after 1962, so if you're younger or older, tough...

I hope to get round to uploading the other Collegians that I have - I'm missing a couple in the interval 1953-1962, but I've got plenty to keep me busy for a while.

Anybody know when the Collegian cover changed from a nice creamy white to that vivid green?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: SANDRAM on July 24, 2011, 01:14:00 PM
Hi,
just reading some of your emails - regarding old St. Malachy's College photos.  Can anyone remember a student around the years 60-65 by the name of Tony Kay.  would love to hear from anyone who remembers him. Thanks,
Sandram
 
Title: Re: And now something to entertain Our Younger Viewers...
Post by: chunder on July 24, 2011, 11:08:57 PM
I've now uploaded the 1962 Collegian to

Anybody know when the Collegian cover changed from a nice creamy white to that vivid green?

Many thanks for posting the pdf. I just creep in under the wire - Junior 1A - but I see many people I recognise. Micky Bull, Billy Caffrey, all of my classmates.

Happy days.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on July 24, 2011, 11:32:54 PM
This Collegian was for the 1953/4 school year
Senior 2
Front Row L-R
2 Andy Duffin
22 Raymond O'Connor
    Danny White
15 John McHugh
10 Brendan McCooey
19 Frank Massey
?
Second Row L-R
27 Tom Toner
 ?
?
?
?
   Cyril Moorehead  not listed or numbered
?
Third Row L-R
5 Sean Hughes
8 Danny McAllister
?
?
?
?
?
Back Row L-R
?
?
9 Tommy McAloon
   Danny O'Connor
7 Brian McAllister
21 Patrick Mulgrew
?
 
There are 28 in the picture. There are only 27 names listed. Cyril Moorehead is the missing one.

Why is Cyril Moorehead not listed?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on July 25, 2011, 12:26:56 PM

Why is Cyril Moorehead not listed?
For the answer to that you should transport yourself back 57 years and go up to the College and ask an individual called Patch Kerr.
He will draw on his renowned vast storehouse of conviviality, congeniality,and goodwill towards everyone and ,hopefully,give you an acceptable response.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on July 25, 2011, 01:41:22 PM
FAO SJ
 
I did not pm you as I am not sure how to do so. Are you  still heading to Belfast on 14th as previously stated. Would you still be interested in meeting up?

Hello Smith. .I left Oz on 21st May so I didn't get your post nor did I get to S.M.C.O.B. Assoc.   I went to meet Joe Houston ( ex student) in China and we met up on 28th May.  I must look at the photos that are posted as I was at the college during those years.   ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 28, 2011, 07:58:59 PM
Link to 1956 Collegian

box.net/shared/meb8bg1iblt8b029iknc
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 28, 2011, 10:46:50 PM
Apologies if previous post seemed brusque, I was in a hurry out!

There was discussion here some time ago about the Gillespie brothers Anthony and John. As it happens, the 1956 Collegian has a photo of them (and their cousin Michael Shiels) in an article by the maths teacher Wee Dan McKeown who had been taught Chemistry and Physics in the College by their grandfather (going back about a century ago now).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmc on July 29, 2011, 01:59:29 PM
 :hi: Expat  I could go back 61 years and your description would fit like a glove!
                   Regards johnmc
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on July 29, 2011, 02:24:22 PM
:hi: Expat  I could go back 61 years and your description would fit like a glove!
                   Regards johnmc

I found Patch to be very fair, pretty socialist, even handed, ...and I was 6yrs old  Johnmc 61 yrs ago. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmc on July 29, 2011, 03:30:23 PM
 :hi: G,d evening Sam  What can I say?   Maybe he had a sea change.!I can say he was pretty vicious with the cane when he got it out.As for being social. ,can,t say I ever noticed !    Sean
Title: Re: And now something to entertain Our Younger Viewers...
Post by: wee legs on July 29, 2011, 04:39:03 PM
I've now uploaded the 1962 Collegian to
Very interesting to see a Collegian from 1962. 3 years before my time (65-72) but I can make some contact with it.
 
Sean Devenny was a lab assistant (which lab?) before moving into the office.  
 
So we had a Cordon Bleu canteen supervisor? Maybe she left before my time. Can’t say I ever noticed the benefit.
 
In later years I often wondered what Doc Cunningham’s title related to. Doctor of Canon Law, if Wikipedia is to be believed (and often it isn’t). I wonder if his learning was ever put to use in the College?  Did he tutor the university students? Or discuss Roman intrigues with the bishop?  
 
Interesting range of academic qualifications. Majority in humanities, minority in science, today’s balance is about even. No PhD.s although some years later Gerald Stockman qualified (humanities again), one D.Lit. Big John Porter: didn’t art teachers need a formal qualification in those days?
 
Was Elocution a real subject or was it invented to give Dickie Dynan a platform? Didn’t he also have a job at the Christian Brothers? He was always trying to change the street accent that us urchins brought into his class. One lad – Terry O’Brien – had a received pronunciation accent and was usually singled out as an example to copy.  
 
Is the McSorley family connection with the College as long as the Conway connection? Michael – father of Fred, my contemporary, and of Peter, the current medical advisor.  
 
I recognise some of the boys in J3 year who were 6th formers when I arrived. Dennis Newberry, Jim Crawford, Tim Young. All founder members of the photographic society. Walking through the priests’ wing to the darkroom was a creepy experience for me!
 
By the way, all this Collegian stuff is what Jim Holland used to manage on the formerly official Old Boys site. A few months ago a lady from the College office told me that they were planning to revamp and relaunch in June/2011. Any progress yet?  
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on July 29, 2011, 08:56:40 PM
Very interesting to see a Collegian from 1962. 3 years before my time (65-72) but I can make some contact with it.
 
Sean Devenny was a lab assistant (which lab?) before moving into the office.
 
So we had a Cordon Bleu canteen supervisor? Maybe she left before my time. Can’t say I ever noticed the benefit.
 
In later years I often wondered what Doc Cunningham’s title related to. Doctor of Canon Law, if Wikipedia is to be believed (and often it isn’t). I wonder if his learning was ever put to use in the College?  Did he tutor the university students? Or discuss Roman intrigues with the bishop?
 
Interesting range of academic qualifications. Majority in humanities, minority in science, today’s balance is about even. No PhD.s although some years later Gerald Stockman qualified (humanities again), one D.Lit. Big John Porter: didn’t art teachers need a formal qualification in those days?
 
Was Elocution a real subject or was it invented to give Dickie Dynan a platform? Didn’t he also have a job at the Christian Brothers? He was always trying to change the street accent that us urchins brought into his class. One lad – Terry O’Brien – had a received pronunciation accent and was usually singled out as an example to copy.
 
Is the McSorley family connection with the College as long as the Conway connection? Michael – father of Fred, my contemporary, and of Peter, the current medical advisor.
 
I recognise some of the boys in J3 year who were 6th formers when I arrived. Dennis Newberry, Jim Crawford, Tim Young. All founder members of the photographic society. Walking through the priests’ wing to the darkroom was a creepy experience for me!
 
By the way, all this Collegian stuff is what Jim Holland used to manage on the formerly official Old Boys site. A few months ago a lady from the College office told me that they were planning to revamp and relaunch in June/2011. Any progress yet?
 
 

None!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 30, 2011, 10:41:05 PM
Think I must be missing a trick here...just spotted the 1978 Collegian for sale at $25 on

buybymail.com/catalogitem/ciB004TX7HUU.html

while the 1974 Collegian is for sale at $50 on

amazon.com/Collegian-1974-St-Malachys-College/dp/B004TX663E

Do you think the price doubles for every 4 years back, or just adds $25???

No wonder I never got rich...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on August 01, 2011, 07:18:52 PM
:hi: Expat  I could go back 61 years and your description would fit like a glove!
                   Regards johnmc

In my opinion, my feelings about Patch were widely held among the College student body.
I'm sure he hadn't changed in the 4 intervening years.
Rgds,
Expat
 
 
 
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on August 01, 2011, 07:34:10 PM

I found Patch to be very fair, pretty socialist, even handed, ...and I was 6yrs old  Johnmc 61 yrs ago. ;)
I enjoyed my 5 years at St. Malachy's and found most of the teachers honest, forthright and dedicated. They have provided me with a lot of funny stories that I have shared with a lot of folks over the years from the droll funniness of Walter Larkin to the nuttiness of SYD Dan McKeown to the absolute craziness of Johnny Porter. I didn't like every last one of them but I respected them.
Patch was in a class of his own with respect to mean-spiritedness,viciousness and bad will toward students.
There is a real question as to whether he should ever have been allowed to run a Grammar school or, indeed, any school at all.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on August 02, 2011, 09:03:17 AM
the droll funniness of Walter Larkin
Tell us more. In my time Larkin was a very forbidding disciplinarian figure. I don't recall any of my contemporaries reporting having an informal conversation with him. Even the boarders, who would be expected to see a different side of the staff, showed no warm feelings. Droll humour? Maybe the weight of duty changed him? When my parents applied for me to join the College, it was they who were interviewed by Larkin while I was sent out to the yard to amuse myself while they were instructed in how much homework I was expected to do.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on August 02, 2011, 06:11:54 PM
Tell us more. In my time Larkin was a very forbidding disciplinarian figure. I don't recall any of my contemporaries reporting having an informal conversation with him. Even the boarders, who would be expected to see a different side of the staff, showed no warm feelings. Droll humour? Maybe the weight of duty changed him? When my parents applied for me to join the College, it was they who were interviewed by Larkin while I was sent out to the yard to amuse myself while they were instructed in how much homework I was expected to do.
Just a couple of things.In the iceboxes Walter would push all the desks forward and would lecture while walking back and forth in the empty space behind us.
One guy had received an "uncanny with numbers' review from another teacher on the Christmas report card. He was a very bright individual but every time he made a mistake Walter would launch into a "I never met a person who was uncanny at numbers" routine and would go on for fifteen minutes.
In another case he caught the class doing something untoward and told us to write out 100 times, the following sentence. He proceeded to dictate a paragraph with numerous "whereases" "wheretofores" which was about 6 lines long. On the way out he said over his shoulder "do it once" and we could hear him giggling.
Walter was by no means a warm and fuzzy person but if you worked hard you'd get no grief from him and you'd be treated fairly. He was not yet the president so it's possible he did not feel burdened down by the responsibility.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on August 03, 2011, 09:34:00 PM
On the way out he said over his shoulder "do it once" and we could hear him giggling.
Walter Larkin giggling! Now there's an image I never imagined! What did he teach before he became president?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sapper on August 04, 2011, 12:14:47 AM
sadism
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 04, 2011, 01:33:27 AM
Expat,

By the icebox I take it that you are referring to the Igloo's or nissen huts.   Walter reminded me of De Valera. Not only by his appearance but in the way that he behaved.   I can remember being selected to play basketball for Ireland whilst at the college.  Myself and another student went to see Walter and ask for his permission to play and he kept me waiting for a few days before he would give me permission .  I have seen him sneer but never smile.     He could be kind , in a certain way, if you were wonderful at mathematics. ::)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on August 04, 2011, 12:13:47 PM
When my parents applied for me to join the College, it was they who were interviewed by Larkin while I was sent out to the yard to amuse myself while they were instructed in how much homework I was expected to do.
Geez, I'm really sorry you suffered this humiliation at the hands of Walter. At 12 years old every single one of us had a personal interview with the president of the College where he outlined the courses of study and the amount of homework that we'd have to do. I'm sure, in your case, it was an oversight.
Isn't this the protocol for every incoming high school student in every part of the world ?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on August 04, 2011, 12:21:22 PM
Expat,

By the icebox I take it that you are referring to the Igloo's or nissen huts.
In my time the iceboxes were a group of about 4 or 5 one-level classrooms that had been built behind the English school on the right (through the gap on the right as you go up the avenue). I never witnessed or experienced any wickedness in Walter. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on August 04, 2011, 12:27:04 PM
Walter Larkin giggling! Now there's an image I never imagined! What did he teach before he became president?
He taught mostly math. In my case it was third year Junior geometry and first year senior math. He prepared his students very well for the certificate examinations. I never had a problem with him.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 04, 2011, 01:41:10 PM
Geez, I'm really sorry you suffered this humiliation at the hands of Walter. At 12 years old every single one of us had a personal interview with the president of the College where he outlined the courses of study and the amount of homework that we'd have to do. I'm sure, in your case, it was an oversight.
Isn't this the protocol for every incoming high school student in every part of the world ?
I don't remember any interview (started in 1967).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 04, 2011, 01:58:47 PM
Is there any school which produces such strongly contrasting emotions? The topic of St Malachy's invariably seems to produce posters who either loved or loathed the place (and the teachers). Equally interesting is the fact that neither camp can see the other's point of view. My own view is that the place was too big and Darwinian. People either sank or swam. If you sank, no-one cared.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on August 04, 2011, 02:27:21 PM
Geez, I'm really sorry you suffered this humiliation at the hands of Walter. At 12 years old every single one of us had a personal interview with the president of the College where he outlined the courses of study and the amount of homework that we'd have to do. I'm sure, in your case, it was an oversight.
Isn't this the protocol for every incoming high school student in every part of the world ?
 
Hmm… not sure where the irony is in that reply but I’ll take it at face value. :)  
 
Maybe by my time Larkin had changed the regime a bit. My memory of the “amusement” was wandering around a dark deserted yard and being overawed by that grotto. At the time I didn’t much question is because it was all part of a new experience. As a teacher and a priest Larkin was understandably keen to lay down the rules and he clearly found it better to talk to the experienced organ grinders than to the wholly inexperienced monkey. Looking back, in his position maybe I would have done much the same thing to secure parental commitment and expectation, but I like to think that I’d involve the kid a bit more. Anyway, whatever the induction process, I took to the place successfully enough.
 
On personalities and regimes, it would be interesting to know what sort of presidency Noel Conway ran. His physics class was orderly but informal enough to encourage discussion around a topic and he never needed to use physical discipline. I can’t imagine him turning into a strict disciplinarian. Is there anyone here from post-1983 who can tell us?
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 04, 2011, 02:31:51 PM
The college isn't any different from any other school on this forum.  If you read the posts there are for and against teachers and the schools involved.  Interviews were the order of the day at practically all schools and if it wasn't the principal/ president then it was his deputy.  I never experienced any physical abuse at any school that I went to or mental abuse but some students did .  Read Barney Mc Laverty's book " Secrets ".  There is a story about a priest at St Malachy's college who specialised in mental superiority especially if you came from a family that was reasonably well off....or should that be if your family was not affluent . :(
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on August 04, 2011, 03:32:33 PM
Barney Mc Laverty in his book of short stories " Secrets"
Who publishes Mclaverty these days? Google tells me it's Blackstaff Press / Vintage but neither of those sites lists him in its author list.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 05, 2011, 12:19:40 AM
Who publishes Mclaverty these days? Google tells me it's Blackstaff Press / Vintage but neither of those sites lists him in its author list.
Cape, but why not ask him yourself: http://www.bernardmaclaverty.com/ (http://www.bernardmaclaverty.com/)
 
The story to which sj refers was read on Australian radio a couple of years ago. For some reason, they got a Free Stater to read it (and edited out a crucial part of the story). The producer couldn't understand when I complained.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 15, 2011, 11:58:11 AM
Cape, but why not ask him yourself: http://www.bernardmaclaverty.com/ (http://www.bernardmaclaverty.com/)
 
The story to which sj refers was read on Australian radio a couple of years ago. For some reason, they got a Free Stater to read it (and edited out a crucial part of the story). The producer couldn't understand when I complained.

Stiofan I had a similar experience when I went to ask for permission to have a day off college in order to get to Cork to play b/b for Ireland.  I was a nobody? ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmc on August 15, 2011, 03:23:01 PM
 :hi: Sam  I,ve just gaught up with this thread today.You could be right about the affluent bit. The day after I had a substancial win at St Mals sport day in Celtic Park Larkin proceeded to cut me down in front of his maths class.The tall poppy syndrome maybe?Don,t know if it was also because I was a scholarship boy .Conway was ,I thought , a pretty nice bloke.  On the whole I enjoyed my time at St Mals
                  Sean
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rayk on August 16, 2011, 11:57:44 PM
In my time the iceboxes were a group of about 4 or 5 one-level classrooms that had been built behind the English school on the right (through the gap on the right as you go up the avenue). I never witnessed or experienced any wickedness in Walter.
I was there 56-62 and these buildings were known as the "stables". The long classroom was divided into study compartments. As I recall we were allowed to smoke in the outside area. Rayk
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 17, 2011, 02:41:58 AM
:hi: Sam  I,ve just gaught up with this thread today.You could be right about the affluent bit. The day after I had a substancial win at St Mals sport day in Celtic Park Larkin proceeded to cut me down in front of his maths class.The tall poppy syndrome maybe?Don,t know if it was also because I was a scholarship boy .Conway was ,I thought , a pretty nice bloke.  On the whole I enjoyed my time at St Mals
                  Sean

There is a point to be made that Cameron is talking as tough today as Larkin was talking 55 years ago.  It's a pity that the Alumni site isn't available.  Under the role of honour section on that site is an obituary to Hugo Lynch who had a terrible reputation.  The obituary is written by a collegue of his who was in the language dept and who was also a student under Hugo.  He viewed him in a different light during the time that they worked together and as a consequence Hugo opened up to him and that is conveyed by the obituary.  It is worth reading and made me look a little more compassionately on some of my former teachers. ;)   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 17, 2011, 02:45:14 AM
:hi: Sam  I,ve just gaught up with this thread today.You could be right about the affluent bit. The day after I had a substancial win at St Mals sport day in Celtic Park Larkin proceeded to cut me down in front of his maths class.The tall poppy syndrome maybe?Don,t know if it was also because I was a scholarship boy .Conway was ,I thought , a pretty nice bloke.  On the whole I enjoyed my time at St Mals
                  Sean

Sorry Sean,

I forgot to make the point Sean that what happened to you and to myself shows that Larkin lacked a certain amount of maturity or is it understanding.   :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 29, 2011, 10:38:24 PM
St Malachy's people are all over the world ....met  a former pupil in China in 2009 who had been there for almost 20 years and who quite liked living there  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on August 30, 2011, 12:13:01 PM
To Weelegs and your posting of July 29 and your query about "Dickie Dynan" and his credibility as a teacher of Elocution. I attended St.Anthony's Primary School at Willowfield before entering the portals of St.Malachy's. Our headmaster was a Mr. Fintan Mulhall - two of his nephews were pupils at St. Mals. John and Terence. I can recall "Wee Finty" telling us that a Mr.Dynan and he were the only two qualified elocutionists in ?the North, ?Ireland?? And then I met Dick! Just how truthful and authentic this claim was I never knew. Finty was a very fair and dedicated teacher and he purchased one of the first Grundig reel to reel tape recorders, no doubt to assist him in teaching elocution. However he put it to another use as he would summon me to the top of the class and make me sing for my mocking and laughing classmates, very humiliating for I reckoned I couldn't sing a note, some thought otherwise.
sj-----Thank you for the reference to Barney MacLaverty's "Secrets", I have read almost all of his works but this was his first publication and I had forgotten it The story about "Waldo" rings some truth.   Ciao
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on September 03, 2011, 08:11:22 PM
I've just uploaded The Collegian 1955 as a pdf to box.net. You can download it by pasting this

http://www.box.net/shared/k1ri5hy31s8gzpk44u38

into the address bar of your browser. As usual I've added my attempts at identification, subject to poor memory and a narrow circle of acquaintances back then. Help with identification is always welcome...

To summarize previous uploads of The Collegian:
The 1953 Collegian is at
http://www.box.net/shared/c5xcyjzzagvnc9rgrknz

The 1956 Collegian is at
http://www.box.net/shared/meb8bg1iblt8b029iknc

The 1958 Collegian is at
http://www.box.net/shared/dtz6ve4nqv9xpizbvj5l

The 1962 Collegian is at
http://www.box.net/shared/ca79jhesgerdhqffoqgl

The 1958 edition is the most down-loaded (older people are getting scarcer, and younger people aren't interested yet?).

I scanned these because I reckon I'm much more likely to browse them as pdfs than as a dank and damp heap in the attic, and there seems enough interest to justify make them widely available. Please don't mention copyright! Probably a good idea to download them while they're available, sometimes these free file hosting sites just disappear (e.g. like drop.io last year).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on September 03, 2011, 09:38:23 PM
Not too many surviving with personal interest in this, but I've uploaded the 1925 Collegian to

http://www.box.net/shared/o7vz97eu256nz4cpe6zx

That was the very first Collegian. No photos, just 40 pages of text plus ads, including on all surfaces (except front) of the limp coloured cover.

The "John Creighton" signature on the cover was my uncle, in Senior 1 in 1924/25. He had strong nationalist views, but given that it appeared just 3 years after the tumult of partition the magazine is curiously devoid of any reference to politics -  and there's a very odd west-Brit article "In the Days of Good Queen Anne". The nearest hint at nationalist emotion is the several references to a debate between soccer and Gaelic that raged in the College, resolved in favour of Gaelic in 1924. Lots of Latin quotes too, and a number of pretentious articles...

Other surprises: teachers "Wee Dan" McKeown BA and "Butcher" Laurence Lynch BSc played for the College, maybe also Hugh Faherty and "Frog" John Coghlan. In my time at SMC 30 years later it never occurred to me that those guys had once been sportsmen!

"Ducking" of first-years was a tradition in 1925; does it still take place?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: commiel on September 03, 2011, 10:57:16 PM
  hi bosh,as an inner city boy it was fascinating looking at the adverts over the years but you must be teasing me. i would just LOVE to see the collegian for 1960 and 1961. futher to another question you made. i can say that the collegian [according to the glory from within] the complete history - the collegian changed its cover to green in 1960 - which just happens to be be one of the collegians i would love to see.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on September 03, 2011, 11:42:48 PM
Hi commiel, in the range 1953 to 1962 I haven't got 1957 nor 1961, but I hope to start on the 1960 one shortly, but it's a longish process. What's that about  "[according to the glory from within] the complete history", is there an official complete history somewhere? Hopefully on the web...

You're right about the ads, there's one somewhere that's very aggressive, "Are you eating Kennedys/Hughes bread? If not, why not?" And M'Gorry's (1925) offering to remake your bedding "equal to new. Hair teased and purified. Feathers purified and dressed. Collect by motor and returned same day if necessary" The mind boggles!

BTW, did you notice that the motto of SMC in 1925 wasn't "Gloria ab Intus", but "Fortis in Fide"? Strong in the faith, presumably, Wee Doc Cunningham would be impressed by my remaining Latin. Or as Wee Dan McKeown kept saying, nihil est ab omne parte beatum...! Not very relevant - "nothing is perfect" - but like "Forte dux in aro" it's good for impressing those with no Latin at all...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: commiel on September 04, 2011, 12:07:19 AM
hi bosh i'm just referring to to the rather large volume which came out recently. its entitled 'essays and perspectives on st, malachy's 1833-2088. are you familair with it? [ apparently £35 a copy] its a fairly detailed account of the college's history. its  suprise surprise actually mentions brian moore and has an aticle about him and bernard mclaverty. if readers would like[once i know how to] i wll post any parts the readers want to. p.s. as a social historian the adverts absolutely fascinate me. carry on the great work.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on September 04, 2011, 12:22:18 PM
Well then BSOH you have excelled yourself again, many thanks for your hard work and the 1925 edition is exceptional. Isn't it interesting that the majority of the Ads - which would have met the printing costs, feature prominently in the front pages, whereas later years were relegated to the back!! It was of course the first edition and on a trial run. commiel mentions the recent publication "Essays and Perspectives on St. Malachy's College 1833-2008, published on the 175th anniversary of the College, I'm sure you can give the latin translation. It is an excellent collection of articles some taken from old Collegians and whilst he quotes a purchase price of £35.00, I obtained one from the Old Boys at the knock down price of £30.00!!! I'm not sure if it can be got from Amazon!! Also commiel the Old Boys have a small number of Collegians in their library and I think I saw 1960 there. They can be borrowed by members. Keep up the good work.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on September 04, 2011, 09:53:55 PM
"Dickie Dynan" ... And then I met Dick!
My fairly brief College contacts with Dickie were his elocution classes when he persisted in trying to convert the Belfast inverted dipthong into received pronunciation. He probably wasn't entirely unsuccessful because at least one internationally known actor (Ciaron Hinds) must have some contact with him. My abiding memory of Dickie was to meet him and my dad sitting on the wall opposite the Harbour Bar in Ballycastle. I immediately went into polite schoolboy manners. I've often regretted not asking my dad about his Barrack Street CB pals (I'm guessing that was Dickie's history) but it's now much to late to ask the primary witnesses.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: commiel on September 08, 2011, 10:14:55 PM
hello there . like many  others i am indebted to BOSH for his collegians.  but i have to say i remember the place with some mixed feeling. yes some of the teachers were fine e.g paddy bradley but what about lefty lenigan? [ and others]  he slapped every single day [and seemed to enjoy it] i was there. did he ever stop to think it was his his teaching was at fault? of course some lads have posted he was great to have a drink with - but it didn't seem like at the time. i left st. mac's affer 2 years  and one of the reasons was lefty. i didn't feel relaxed in the classroom because of him. many years later i had just had a meeting with the the st. mac's heirachy, [for my son who was entering the college]  and was walking down carisle circus and who came walking past but the boul lefy[brushing my left elbow - what is that about little men?] after 30  years i still wanted to spit in his his eye. nuff said.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College - The Collegian
Post by: BSOH on September 09, 2011, 11:58:06 PM
I've scanned and uploaded the 1960 Collegian now. Dunno why I didn't realise this before, but you can find all the ones I've uploaded at the single address

http://www.box.net/shared/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

At least, I think you can! - I'm still learning a thing or two about scanning and making pdfs. Looks like belfastforum is learning too, the first time I tried to post a URL it got slapped down automatically - had to remove the http://www bit to get it accepted

Enjoy

BSOH.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: commiel on September 10, 2011, 08:01:02 PM
  hi bsoh,  i longed to see the relevant collegians ...now i'm not so sure it was wise.... seeing all of us so young and fresh faced   i'm away now for a face lift and a hair transplant.  and a lie down !! seriously many thanks on behalf of myself and many of my contemporaries - these are photos i never thought i would ever see again.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on September 10, 2011, 11:19:43 PM
Hello B.O.S.H.....thank you for the details of the past.  I see so many faces here and it gives a lot of pleasure at our age to be able to view the book.  I can see many people who had a look of optimism about them selves and I know quite a few S.M.C.O.B. who don't have any Collegians and who will appreciate your work and as a consequence I can see this thread being very popular in the future. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on September 13, 2011, 10:55:52 PM
Hi smith19/commiel/sj

Thanks for the kind words and I hope you enjoy perusing the Collegians. At our advanced years, the phrase that comes to mind is "I haven't an enemy in the world - I've outlived every last one of them!"
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: db on September 14, 2011, 03:34:07 AM
l did,nt go there but my Mom played a big part in it she used to clean it and sometimes l would go and help her  l,d have free run off all the classrooms it was great db
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on September 15, 2011, 12:57:21 AM
"Essays and Perspectives on St. Malachy's College 1833-2008, published on the 175th anniversary of the College,   I obtained one from the Old Boys at the knock down price of £30.00!!!
Do they hold a supply on the OB premises? I see that it's available fron several publishers, but I'll be in Belfast soon and it would be handier to call into the OB and pick one up.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on September 20, 2011, 12:23:42 PM
"Essays and Perspectives on St. Malachy's College 1833-2008, published on the 175th anniversary of the College,
I bought a copy from the College reception desk, £30. Very interesting reading! I was surprised at how many teachers spent their whole careers at the college. And apparently Walter Larkin played a mean fiddle in his spare time. There are many mentions of corporal punishment, which was abolished formally in Paddy Walsh's time.
 
By chance I was sitting in a pub reading the book when I met another former pupil a couple of years younger. It's very odd how people can form dramatically different opinions of the teachers and priests. I had always thought of Larkin as an ultra disciplinarian. but this acquaintance's view was that Larkin was fairly liberal. He quoted a couple of persuasive exapmles of how Larkin had exercised judgement in difficult circumstances. I'll be discreet about his opinion of the Walsh era.
 
Any, a very interesting read and a wealth of historic photos.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Helens Bay on September 28, 2011, 10:32:27 AM
Many thanks for downloading the 1954 collegian where I returned to my first year at the college in Jun 2a.
57 years ago and great to recognise so many from the photos.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on October 02, 2011, 03:40:36 PM
OK, I fixed the 1954 Collegian's size so that it fits back in box.net at

http://www.box.net/shared/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac (http://www.box.net/shared/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)

along with the other years that I've scanned. If you're interested in the technicalities, the size was bloated because I had scanned pages as greyscale photos for better legibility, but I had neglected to reduce the number of image colours back down to 2 before making the pdfs.

The 1954 edition has a long article by an Irish missionary imprisoned in Red China, plus articles on [censored]-fighting and collecting birds' eggs - not very Politically Correct these days. Vincent Hanna had an article on his first flight, and Francis Ferrie was the first SMC student to appear on TV. Ah, the innocence...

Can anybody tell me how to attach or upload photos to this forum?
...
The [censored] above was substituted automatically by BelfastForum, if I had written "rooster-fighting" it would have been OK. Did somebody mention political correctness??!

(http://www.box.net/shared/r2mns9zymuz66uo2yen1)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: cannon on October 05, 2011, 11:47:37 AM
Hi BSOH, thank you for all your work putting up the "Collegians", I've really enjoyed them. With regard to loading photos onto the BF,go to the main page,then Belfast photos and videos.  You'll see a topic about five down, "Uploading Photos" by Chris.      cannon. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on October 05, 2011, 11:12:53 PM
Thanks for that, Cannon, I'm trying it now with a couple of photos of first-years getting ducked in Sep 1959 - hope they don't lead to compensation claims!

(http://i56.tinypic.com/2502ec8.jpg)

(http://i53.tinypic.com/2igio9w.jpg)

(http://i52.tinypic.com/281t1zm.jpg)

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on October 06, 2011, 09:00:03 AM
Apologies to anyone who thought they were ageing premturely - those photos are from 1957, not 1959. Got confused between 09/57 and 09/59, all those numbers are hurting my head...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: commiel on November 20, 2011, 11:34:41 PM
   hi bosh we all have seem to have deserted you. again many thanks for your collegians. my enduring thought is - looking at the staff qualifications - did you not have to have an educational qualification to teach at that time. as an earlier contribributer spoted johnny porter semms to have none, while lots of the staff seem to have degrees, did that deem enough in those days to enleash them upon us poor beings.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on November 21, 2011, 09:46:41 AM
   hi bosh we all have seem to have deserted you. again many thanks for your collegians. my enduring thought is - looking at the staff qualifications - did you not have to have an educational qualification to teach at that time. as an earlier contribributer spoted johnny porter semms to have none, while lots of the staff seem to have degrees, did that deem enough in those days to enleash them upon us poor beings.

Having a degree does not make one a good teacher. .and with todays google to teach is even easier. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: commiel on November 22, 2011, 10:28:52 PM

  yes sj, couldn't agree more. a degree would perhaps signify that you know your subject but knowing HOW to teach your subject is an entirely different matter. lots of enthusiam and empathy with your students goes a long, long way. invariably if you liked a teacher and his/her methods, you were more receptive to their teaching. beating the pupils into learning at a place like st. malachy's should never have been an option.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on November 22, 2011, 11:01:58 PM
  yes sj, couldn't agree more. a degree would perhaps signify that you know your subject but knowing HOW to teach your subject is an entirely different matter. lots of enthusiam and empathy with your students goes a long, long way. invariably if you liked a teacher and his/her methods, you were more receptive to their teaching. beating the pupils into learning at a place like st. malachy's should never have been an option.

Commiel...it's easy for me to say that as I was never a teacher...although I did teach in the business college of a Chinese University but that is another matter.  There was a great difference in the standard of teaching at St Malachy's college ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on November 29, 2011, 11:25:06 PM
I've just uploaded the 1959 Collegian, that's the last one that I possess. Reading quality is better because I took more time and effort over the scanning and processing, I won't bother and bore you with the technical details unless somebody asks. 1959 has an obituary written by Monsignor Arthur Ryan for Canon Duff - boy, is it full of flowery language! Ryan I think had a reputation as a great speaker, but it all seems very Victorian now.

About educational qualifications: the 1953 Collegian lists 11 HDipEds among 27 lay teachers (29 if you count the gym teachers McDermott and McCormack) and 10 priests with no educational qualifications; by 1962 the ratio seems worse, only 8 HDipEds among 30 lay teachers, zero among the 13 clerics. Of course, at the third level it's traditional for professors and lecturers to have absolutely no teaching training at all - the screwy professor stereotype is not all that far wrong in many cases.

From my days at Queen's, the impression I had was that first-year scholarship holders coming from St Malachy's were greatly out-numbered by those from St Mary's CBS, but that the attrition rate going into second year was much worse for St Mary's. Which we (unscientifically) attributed to the Brothers "bating" the St Mary's lads into academia in spite of themselves, while we got into Queen's under our own steam in spite of St Malachy's...insufferable gits! Indeed, at least one of my class switched schools after Senior I, using St Mary's as a kind of grind school, to maximise the chances of getting to university.

Of course the whole point about the CBs was that they were a teaching order, whereas a lot of the priests in the College would have greatly preferred being in a parish. Certainly the CBs were always ambitious for their pupils - somewhere around the house I have a Hardinge Street prospectus from 1911 where the principal bangs on and on about how a Catholic lad with a proper skilled trade can make as much as £2 pounds 14 shillings a week. They did have a great vision and did a lot of great work, it's a pity that some of them went rotten and tainted the whole Order.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on November 29, 2011, 11:28:54 PM
Sorry, forgot to say, the 1959 Collegian mag is at

http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

same as all the others.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on December 01, 2011, 12:26:46 PM
I must tell a story--getting old like Malone in Becket's novel.

In my second year at the college, 1959, the annual concert was held in St Mary's Hall, Bank Street.
I was drooling with excitement---literally--and from my seat in the gallery I accidentally let a spit fall on a lady below.
Apologetically I glanced down and behind the lady I could see Brendan Harvey looking up with a look of opportunistic expectancy of what he was going to do to me when he next saw me--one of those awful moments. It was commonly discussed among the boys that he came from the shipyard with a science degree and had no place at the college.
Next day he singled me out as I had expected and announced that he would report me to the Dean.  Later that day a messenger came to the class to say that mckeever had to report to the study hall. On arrival there, a full study hall, BeefMcCorry was pacing up and down waiting for me.  With a formal announcement he told all of my misbehaviour and doled out six as hard as he could muster. I held the tears until I got out, found a quiet corner and let it all go.
Later, as a teenager after a night on the beer in the Elbow Rooms, I was in the Cottars Kitchen with my mates. Sitting opposite was Harvey and O'Duffy, heads together, planning some move or other. O'Duffy later became President. My instincts told me to shout aloud what a couple of plonkers they were, O'Duffy with his perfumed hands and Harvey with his misguided ambitions. I decided it wasn't worth the effort.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on December 01, 2011, 05:16:15 PM
I've just uploaded the 1959 Collegian, that's the last one that I possess. Reading quality is better because I took more time and effort over the scanning and processing, I won't bother and bore you with the technical details unless somebody asks. 1959 has an obituary written by Monsignor Arthur Ryan for Canon Duff - boy, is it full of flowery language! Ryan I think had a reputation as a great speaker, but it all seems very Victorian now.

About educational qualifications: the 1953 Collegian lists 11 HDipEds among 27 lay teachers (29 if you count the gym teachers McDermott and McCormack) and 10 priests with no educational qualifications; by 1962 the ratio seems worse, only 8 HDipEds among 30 lay teachers, zero among the 13 clerics. Of course, at the third level it's traditional for professors and lecturers to have absolutely no teaching training at all - the screwy professor stereotype is not all that far wrong in many cases.

From my days at Queen's, the impression I had was that first-year scholarship holders coming from St Malachy's were greatly out-numbered by those from St Mary's CBS, but that the attrition rate going into second year was much worse for St Mary's. Which we (unscientifically) attributed to the Brothers "bating" the St Mary's lads into academia in spite of themselves, while we got into Queen's under our own steam in spite of St Malachy's...insufferable gits! Indeed, at least one of my class switched schools after Senior I, using St Mary's as a kind of grind school, to maximise the chances of getting to university.

Of course the whole point about the CBs was that they were a teaching order, whereas a lot of the priests in the College would have greatly preferred being in a parish. Certainly the CBs were always ambitious for their pupils - somewhere around the house I have a Hardinge Street prospectus from 1911 where the principal bangs on and on about how a Catholic lad with a proper skilled trade can make as much as £2 pounds 14 shillings a week. They did have a great vision and did a lot of great work, it's a pity that some of them went rotten and tainted the whole Order.

Good evening BSOH
 
With your usual supply of visual and wordy memories. I am still working on sending you the 1957 Collegian, and fear not I will do so for it has completed my "set" from 1953 to 1958 and it will do so for you for we shared those years. It is interesting you point out the limited number of "teachers" at the college in those days. It is also somewhat alarming to note that in 1957 according to names listed there were 44 students in Senior 3, in 1958 to study "A" levels, our year there were 71!! and no extra teaching staff from what I recall. Myself and a few others - the more indolent - had so much free time that we probably saw more "pictures" during our academic year than we have done since. Needless to say I could only manage an F and 2Fs and it may not have been as a result of poor teaching skills!! You have inspired a speedy nostalgic reply from Brian McKeever and his treatment with Brendan Harvey, Brian you should have buried the little git!! Inspired me also, when you mention Monsignor Ryan, or as his neice Suzie called him Uncle Arthur, her Dad Jimmy was his brother. Suzie was the first love of my life, but it never blossomed - for me yes, for Sue no. She was an artist and her portrait of me which was part of her portfolio for her Arts degree, still hangs in my study. Sadly she passed away a few years ago. Those were truly halycon days. Is there anyone out there who knew this fair lady? Keep up the good work BSOH and keep things moving.  19SMITH
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 01, 2011, 10:25:24 PM
Hello Brian...from N.Z. .That was a good decision not to draw the attention of Harvey and his friend O'Duffy.     I learnt later in life that it isn't only students who harbour revenge. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on December 18, 2011, 08:56:40 AM
"My eldest brother Eamonn went in the mid sixties, and it has always been a great source of pride in the family."
 
 
Desmond, I think your brother Eamon was in the same class as I was in the sixties.  We were good mates but I lost touch when he went to Australia.  I now live in Australia and would love to catch up.  (
 
As for the beatings.  I copped quite a few canings but cannot recall beatings.  Most of the canings I deserved (in one case Father McLaverty caught me cheating and sent me to Purdy for a well deserved four). But others?  Purdy had no flexibliity and anyone late was caned even when they had a legitimate excuse.  Stupid.  And Dicky Dynan had a pet name for his strap "Gerty".   Big Johnny Porter ocassionally had a few bottles of stout at lunchtime and lost it in the afternoon.  On one occasion he tried to cane a student and missed his hand altogether, breaking his watch.  There was another occasion as a first year I wandered innocently into our classroom at lunchtime unaware that Wee Jackie Mc Manus was still teaching a class.  I tried to apologise but received some verbal abuse, then a hard kick, and was physically turfed out.  Totally unnecessary.  But he was very typical of the "small man" syndrome.  Some years later I was drinking in the three Cs and guess who I was standing there.  The wee man himself.  And still wearing the same dowdy tweed jacket and twill trousers he'd worn for years at St Mals.  I mentioned the incident to him.  He replied smugly " Well it obviously did you no harm".  My reply was " No, but I haven't forgotten it, and I am bigger than you now."  He walked away.  So I don't have particularly fond memories of the place, but some of the priests and teachers were good.  Lefty was a good teacher, although you knew not to mess with him. Father Joseph Conway was my favourite, and I could listen to him  for hours.  Father McLaverty was also OK.  The McMullen brothers I got for music and didn't find them great teachers, but I have no recollection of them being vicious.     Father Pat Foy was OK too.  Big Jim Casey was fine.  Poor Gerry McMullen (Hadrian) had a nervous breakdown.  I also remember Leonard Sudway and "Sambo" I had for French.  Both OK.  Sudway went to work for the EU.  I was never taught by Jimmy Fraser but got to know him very well later and drank with him frequently at the Three Cs. He was actually originally from the New Lodge Road and knew my mother's family.                         
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on December 18, 2011, 09:20:52 AM
Someone mentioned that he thought that Sean "Dirty Dick" Dynan had been interned for running a radio station for the IRA.  I am not sure about the radio station but he certainly did some time inside for republican activities.  On our very first day he asked one of my classmates, Brian McGauran, if he was related to Canon McGauran.  Brian confirmed this.  I asked Brian later about this.  It seems that Brian's Uncle was Canon McGauran, but his father, a schoolteacher, had helped Dynan escape from  prison.
 
I had mixed feelings about him as a teacher.  At his best he could be excellent, but at times he was a pain.    And quite vain.  He made all kinds of claims about his achievements. "I was a (you name it) ; a very noted one."  And he was forever pushing his own poetry on us.  I recall we had  :-* been entered into some sort of competition run by the RIAM and we had to recite two poems.  Dicky picked them for us, and needless to say one of them was his.  ( Another was by Partrick Pearse).  On the day I recited the first poem.  The lady from RIAM was very nice and gave me some tips on how to improve my delivery. "And what is your next poem, Joseph."  I told her that it was ??? by Sean Dynan.  I could see her face drop.   " I think on the strength of  your first recital Joseph I can award you a pass.  Thank you very much."    Most of my classmates reported a similar experience. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on December 18, 2011, 09:28:36 AM
Someone mentioned Fergal O'Duffy and although I was never taught by him I remember him as the careers master. Not once did anyone get any careers advice.  What I do recall is that he had these glasses which were broken.  One lens was cracked right across and one leg was held on with sellotape.  And this was for the entire five years I was there. As if teachers were that badly paid.   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on December 18, 2011, 10:02:18 AM
I also recall reading the Collegian when I was there and noticing that Johnny Porter had no academic qualificaions whatsoever.  And my own progress went steadily downhill.  I came first in the clss and the school at primary school but achieved little aat St Malachy's.  And the bullying was rife.  these days teachers are expected to recognise it and do something about it.
   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on December 18, 2011, 10:34:50 AM
Welcome to the forum suitcaseau.
Just read your four posts.
Are there any more?
Fr McLaverty was indeed an ok priest
He always put his hand in his pocket for the guy who used to stand waiting at the main door for a handout. Do you remember HIM?
I phoned mclaverty at St Johns, Falls road about four years ago. He was parish priest there and I was hoping for a phone number of an old friend. He was a delight to chat to and he seemed flattered to get a call from as far away as NZ.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on December 18, 2011, 12:03:15 PM
A few more on the Belfast site Brian but not on the St Malachy's thread.  Don't remember the beggar but it doesn't surprise me that Fr Mclaverty would help.  Certainly not all the priests were severe.  It always puzzled me why Father Joe Conway was called the Wee Dean.  A less likely disciplarian it would be hard to imagine.  His English classes were among my happier memories of the place.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: shandarragh on January 03, 2012, 11:47:06 PM
I beg to differ, I remember going with my Mother  in 1961 to see Wee Duff after I had flunked Senior and had no career plans. He arranged a meeting with a small company, E. D. O'Mahoney and Sons on Cullingtree Road. I got the job and joined the work force delivering confectionery and  packaging throughout N. Ireland.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmc on January 04, 2012, 02:21:58 AM
 :hi: G,d day Caseau   myself and Jimmy Fraser,s brother john were the first two lads from the Star of the Sea to pass the 11+ and went on to St Mals. The family lived opp Pinkerton St
                                  Johnmc
                                           
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on January 05, 2012, 07:05:10 AM
Wee duff may have done you a good favour shandarragh but he didn't do many so.
He liked to play with fire.
While telling the rest of us to be quiet he would sit in Barry Campbell's desk and nip his balls--his weird idea
of leadership formation.
In this case I have no qualms about speaking ill of the dead, fearless of retribution here 12000  miles away in the land of the free.
After he had laid into us one day he left his cane behind---we took it in turns to sniff the handle of the cane--it reeked of eau-de-cologne.
Wasn't he a "spoiled priest" anyway---rumour had it that he was still obliged to say the daily office of the priesthood.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on January 05, 2012, 12:35:01 PM
If memory serves me well Wee Duff lived in the apartments beside the college where the priests lived. My cousin's husband, Eugene Maceldowney came to the college to teach English and left about two years later totally disillusioned.  He wenton to be a distinguished author and journalist.  When I spoke to him years later he mentioned the Duff and the way the school looked after him as one of the reasons for his disillusionment.
       
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on January 05, 2012, 01:00:45 PM
Suitcaseau, Just been prompted to google your cousin's husband's name and I see he has four or five books published.
I must check the local library for a gander at one of them.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on January 05, 2012, 04:05:36 PM
Brian I am a friend of Eugenes and have a few books in my collection, signed by the man himself.  .He also writes under another few names.   .Not so serious, you understand.  lol
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 06, 2012, 02:58:07 AM
  We have a situation here where a younger friend has left a college for exactly the same reason when an older teacher was protected by the college for the good work that he had previously done.  It was much like an old boys club but then I suppose many places are the same.  It works in reverse and has worked in reverse for many years when the old school tie connection got some people a job irrespective of whither they were properly qualified to hold down that position or not. :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on January 06, 2012, 10:40:36 AM
Hi Brian,
 
One you should look out for is The Faloorie Man which is the tale of a young boy growing up in Belfast and the main character other than the narrator is his Father, Isaac McBride.  He was actually based on my Uncle Isaac Magill, my Father's elder brother, who lived in McLeery St, near McGurk's pub.    A good read, but a bit too personal for me to judge as literature.
 
Regards
 
Joe Magill 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on January 13, 2012, 12:21:35 AM
Talking about literature and St Malachy's. Call My Brother Back by Michael McLaverty is an excellent read (especially for sentimental types). The main character leaves Rathlin Island and attends the College as a boarder in the early 1900s.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: eddieo on February 13, 2012, 09:59:16 PM
 just to iterate, what a great job BOSH did with all the old collegians. surely some old fellow collegians can supply the rest [i.e. missing years ]. if they can't upload them then you can be sure there are  lots of folk out there on the forum who  can help him/her. i'm sure i'm not the only one who would like to see lots more.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 14, 2012, 07:28:54 AM
just to iterate, what a great job BOSH did with all the old collegians. surely some old fellow collegians can supply the rest [i.e. missing years ]. if they can't upload them then you can be sure there are  lots of folk out there on the forum who  can help him/her. i'm sure i'm not the only one who would like to see lots more.

I agree.  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on February 20, 2012, 05:10:34 PM
Contact Old Boys Asscn. They have a selection in their library

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on February 21, 2012, 01:28:15 PM
Thanks eddio and sj.

I was concerned, while scanning the mags, that nobody else would be interested (my own brother wasn't!) but there have been a lot more previews and downloads than I expected or hoped for.

I can see how often files have been accessed at address
http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac
because I'm the "owner" of the box.com account, although I can't tell who's doing it.

So far there have been nearly 600 accesses, about a quarter of them downloads. Most popular is 1958, then 1962, then 1953. For some reason there's a lot less interest in 1959, which is also the only year where downloads exceed previews.

Anyway, a very satisfying level of interest, despite my fears during the wee small hours of scanning that I was becoming a nostalgic old nutter living in the past! (might still be true, but at least I'm not alone...)

If you enjoy the Collegians, spare a prayer in memory of Wee Joe Conway, who was the mag editor while I was there (and whose copyright I have been abusing...)

 BSOH

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on February 22, 2012, 05:54:16 AM
Thanks eddio and sj.

I was concerned, while scanning the mags, that nobody else would be interested (my own brother wasn't!) but there have been a lot more previews and downloads than I expected or hoped for.

I can see how often files have been accessed at address
http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac (http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)
because I'm the "owner" of the box.com account, although I can't tell who's doing it.

So far there have been nearly 600 accesses, about a quarter of them downloads. Most popular is 1958, then 1962, then 1953. For some reason there's a lot less interest in 1959, which is also the only year where downloads exceed previews.

Anyway, a very satisfying level of interest, despite my fears during the wee small hours of scanning that I was becoming a nostalgic old nutter living in the past! (might still be true, but at least I'm not alone...)

If you enjoy the Collegians, spare a prayer in memory of Wee Joe Conway, who was the mag editor while I was there (and whose copyright I have been abusing...)

 BSOH

BSOH,   I am sure that it will be easier to get forgiveness than it would have been to have got permission.     For the benefit of other x-students on this thread would you like to tell the story about Joe and the recontact that you have made with him after about 50 yrs and where he is situated at the moment.  I know that he replied to you and replied in a particularly pleasing manner.  I think that it is a wonderful story and will give a fair bit of confidence to anyone who is hopeful of making contact with a school friend. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: SANDRAM on February 22, 2012, 07:05:23 AM
I am trying to contact a student who attended  St. Malachy's College back in the early 1960's.  His name is - Anthony Kay (Tony).  He had one sister and from memory may have lived around the Cavehill area.  Hoping someone may remember Tony !
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on February 23, 2012, 10:27:21 PM
Sandram, if you get no replies, you could check out at
http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac (http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)
the Collegian class lists where Tony Kay was listed in Sen. 2B (1962),  Jun.3A (1960 & 1959), Jun.1 (1958) and see if you know any of the other 30 or 40 guys in the classes, some of whom might be in touch with him. At least it gives you a bigger target to aim at.

When I saw he was in Junior 3A in two successive years, it surprised me so much that I went and checked the class lists in detail, and discovered that in those years while there were always basically just 3 Junior cohorts and 3 Senior cohorts, the labelling varied. There were no Junior 4s of any stripe (A,B,C etc) in 1962 and 1960, probably not in 1961 either, while there were no Junior 2s in 1958 and 1959. I think (but am not absolutely certain) that when I started in 1953, Junior 2s were first-years along with Junior 1s. So in Tony Kay's case, in 1959 he was in Junior 3A in the second year of the junior school, and in 1960 he was in Junior 3A which was then the third year of the junior school.

I'm beginning to grasp why I have often got confused when trying to track peoples' trajectories through the college, even when the trajectories were perfectly normal with no failed years!

 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: kate.o on February 24, 2012, 03:02:56 AM
Hi Brian,
 
One you should look out for is The Faloorie Man which is the tale of a young boy growing up in Belfast and the main character other than the narrator is his Father, Isaac McBride.  He was actually based on my Uncle Isaac Magill, my Father's elder brother, who lived in McLeery St, near McGurk's pub.    A good read, but a bit too personal for me to judge as literature.
 
Regards
 
Joe Magill
w ho wrote the book,? would like to read it. :-* :-*
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: SANDRAM on February 24, 2012, 01:32:17 PM
Dear BSOH
 
Many thanks for your interest and detailed post regarding my request - much appreciated.
 
Sandram
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on March 16, 2012, 11:49:21 AM
 
Sadly, Andy Duffin died in San Francisco on March 1, 2012.
 
Andy was in the class of 1954 ( Collegian 1953, Senior 2, Number 2)
 
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Andrew-Duffin&lc=7064&pid=156333971&mid=5021707&locale=en-US
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on March 17, 2012, 10:39:23 PM
If I remember rightly, Andy Duffin was the first Catholic to become president of the Students Representative Council in Queens, or at least the first in a very very long time (QUB may not have been such a tightly Unionist place around the start of the early 20th century as it later became). May he rest in peace.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on March 17, 2012, 10:44:12 PM
Thanks to the good offices of HMcK, smith19 and his son, there is now a pdf of the 1957 Collegian at
http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac (http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)

It's from a photocopy, so the class photos aren't as clear as one would wish, and the commercial ads after page 101 are not included. Still, it's a great addition to the resources.

Thank you, HMcK, smith19, and smith19-Junior!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on March 17, 2012, 11:30:07 PM
At the close of St Patrick's Day, the feast of the missionary who is credited with Christianizing this island, it might be a fitting time to take up sj's invitation to tell the tale of my renewed contact with Joe.

I didn't actually know Joe at SMC, but I made fairly slight acquaintance with him in QUB, and as it happens he appears with me and others in just one well preserved photo from 1961 outside the old (old) Students Union in Queens, showing a group about to depart a murky foggy Belfast (it always was, then...) for a Gaelic Society trip to Dublin. Fifty years on, I learned from sj that Joe became a Columban missionary and currently works in China. Sj marked my cards on what words not to write in emails to China (i.e. words relating to religion etc that would cause the message to be destroyed by the automatic censors), and I duly fired off an email to the address that sj gave me. To my surprise and delight I got a reply from Joe, in excellent Irish to boot.

Joe is in fact the only active missionary that I know. He's in and around my age, but there he is still toiling in the vineyard, while I am long retired. If you check out the 1954 Collegian, you'll see that the main article in it is by Owen O'Kane, an old boy of SMC, and a priest in the Maynooth Mission to China - I'm not completely sure, but I think that's the same as the Columban Fathers. Owen O'Kane's article was about his detention and expulsion in 1951 under the newly-triumphant Communist regime. Closing that particular circle, sixty years later, Joe and his colleagues are still continuing that work, work that most of us wouldn't have the guts or dedication to undertake. They really are heroes, the stuff of legend.

I feel I'm honoured and privileged to have encountered Joe all those years ago, however slightly, and to have renewed the acquaintance in the last recent months.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Me Ould Segoia on March 18, 2012, 12:04:40 AM
At the close of St Patrick's Day, the feast of the missionary who is credited with Christianizing this island, it might be a fitting time to take up sj's invitation to tell the tale of my renewed contact with Joe.

I didn't actually know Joe at SMC, but I made fairly slight acquaintance with him in QUB, and as it happens he appears with me and others in just one well preserved photo from 1961 outside the old (old) Students Union in Queens, showing a group about to depart a murky foggy Belfast (it always was, then...) for a Gaelic Society trip to Dublin. Fifty years on, I learned from sj that Joe became a Columban missionary and currently works in China. Sj marked my cards on what words not to write in emails to China (i.e. words relating to religion etc that would cause the message to be destroyed by the automatic censors), and I duly fired off an email to the address that sj gave me. To my surprise and delight I got a reply from Joe, in excellent Irish to boot.

Joe is in fact the only active missionary that I know. He's in and around my age, but there he is still toiling in the vineyard, while I am long retired. If you check out the 1954 Collegian, you'll see that the main article in it is by Owen O'Kane, an old boy of SMC, and a priest in the Maynooth Mission to China - I'm not completely sure, but I think that's the same as the Columban Fathers. Owen O'Kane's article was about his detention and expulsion in 1951 under the newly-triumphant Communist regime. Closing that particular circle, sixty years later, Joe and his colleagues are still continuing that work, work that most of us wouldn't have the guts or dedication to undertake. They really are heroes, the stuff of legend.

I feel I'm honoured and privileged to have encountered Joe all those years ago, however slightly, and to have renewed the acquaintance in the last recent months.

Joe Houston.   Joe is now quite ill
 
Owen O'Kane has passed on
 
Do you remember Bob Hicks
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 18, 2012, 04:13:56 AM

Joe Houston.   Joe is now quite ill
 
Owen O'Kane has passed on
 
Do you remember Bob Hicks

M.O.S.     My wife and I met Joe last June and he had 6 weeks of daily chemo but seemed to be recovering .  I recently had an e-mail from him but Joe wouldn't tell us if he was seriously ill.   In 2008 ( I think )it was the 175th anniversary of the college and Joe said Mass for all present and past pupils and staff of the college. There were just two of us present.  He is an amazing person .  I hope that he isn't seriously ill.  We were going to meet him in Wuhan this year at a language college that the Columbans own.  I would imagine that a local owns it for them.  The Maynooth mission to China is now indeed the Columban Missionary Society.  He spent about 17 yrs in Chile and now about 20 yrs in China.   Isn't B.S.O.H.'s story an amazing one. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 18, 2012, 11:58:03 AM
Thanks to the good offices of HMcK, smith19 and his son, there is now a pdf of the 1957 Collegian at
http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac (http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)

It's from a photocopy, so the class photos aren't as clear as one would wish, and the commercial ads after page 101 are not included. Still, it's a great addition to the resources.

Thank you, HMcK, smith19, and smith19-Junior!
Yes indeed I did not include the ads at the back. These efforts - mainly yours, could be regarded as labours of love, unfortunately mine did not go so deep as to endure and include the ads at the back. If you wish to complete I can send them on, just ask. Wonderful recollections about Joe Houston, I did not know him at college either, can you pinpoint him in any of the photos? Keep well.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: liamo1 on March 19, 2012, 03:20:50 PM
Sadly I am 100% negative about my time at St. Malachy's College...(1956-61).

I was amazed to come across this Forum and discover that I am not the only one to have repressed memories of my time wasted..not spent..wasted there.
I remember my first day..full of enthusiasm...expectation..excitement...I was not a dumb kid by any stretch of the imagination..did very well in my Primary School..always coming top or near to top of my classes..also did exceptionally well in the 11+.

Then I had the misfortune to go to St. Malachy's. A School that operated on an atmosphere of violence, bullying, brutality, bigotry and fear. Most of the teachers and priests were slap happy. I would exclude Mr Laverty the Geography Teacher at the top of the stairs and Father Michael Dallat...a gentleman ..neither of whom subscribed to the culture of caning and strapping kids at any excuse.

Big Tosh..a man who could barely speak English never mind teach it...was allegedly banned from using the cane for allegedly breaking a pupils arm some years earlier. So he resorted to using his knuckles. And use them he did. McEvoy the Geometry Teacher was a delight to see every morning...he really lit up the classroom with his sour unemotional face and his first duty every morning without fail was to inspect the Homework. Woe upon any pupil who managed to get even one problem wrong and McEvoy would produce the Cane. I believe that this gentleman died fairly recently and I offer my sympathy to his family and may he rest in peace. I bear him no grudge..now..I did then.  Fr Walter Larkin...parked himself at the top of the Avenue his cane swinging by his side...in rehearsal for dealing out corporal punishment to any kid who did not make it to the top of the Avenue before the bell stopped ringing. AS for Fr Maguire. I remember one time he did not turn up for class and as instructed ..when we had a free forty...myself and about ten other classmates headed for the Study Hall. After 10 minutes there a messenger was dispatched to "Get us back to the classroom" as Maguire had shown up. We were met by a snarling , furious Maguire who proceeded to dish out 6 lashes to each of us. When I protested my objections I got a slap across the face and a further 6 for my stance on Human rights.

Most of them thrived on an atmosphere of power and fear.

 >:D . I do hope that the pupils of today are enjoying a much more reasonable, understanding and enlightened staff. Not due to but despite my time at St. Malachys I think I managed to counter their predictions for my future and become somewhat successful in life...Becoming General Manager for Ireland for a UK Insurance Company...on the Board of Directors of an International Reinsurance Company..a Best Selling Author and I like to think a reasonably proficient Broadcaster. It surprises me that people like Derek Davis , Martin O'Neill, Mike Bull and Eamonn Holmes also survived the indignities of this unenlightened environment to go on to success in their respective fields.

I did learn one valuable lesson at St. Malachy's. IF ever a teacher had laid a finger on any of my children at school, I would have had them in Court charged with assault before their feet could touch the ground.

Do I sound like I have a Grudge...animosity ..against St. Malachy's.  Nope I do not. I feel sorry for them. I am simply and truthfully relating MY experiences of MY time at St. Malachys College. They were a product of their time. Society has learned  how NOT to do things since then.

My best wishes and kind thoughts go to all other "survivors" of that period.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on March 19, 2012, 04:49:34 PM
Hi smith19,

You can find Joe Houston in the 1956 Senior 2A photo, and in the 1955 Senior 1A photo, in the relevant Collegian PDFs at

http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

I think he's not in the 1957 Senior 3 photo, although his name is on the list. I think he's fifth from the left of the front row in 1954 Junior 4C, and second from the right in the second row of 1953 Junior 3C. Enough there for a beginner's tutorial in physiognomy! (http://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)

Before you ask, I haven't the faintest idea how the preceding lines became blue and underlined like one long URL!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: JOHNW on March 19, 2012, 10:07:00 PM
I have been told that my two grandfathers both went to St Malachy's college in the early 1900's   where would i go to find out if this is right?
                                                  johnw
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Giannineo on March 19, 2012, 10:09:13 PM
Sadly I am 100% negative about my time at St. Malachy's College...(1956-61).

I was amazed to come across this Forum and discover that I am not the only one to have repressed memories of my time wasted..not spent..wasted there.
I remember my first day..full of enthusiasm...expectation..excitement...I was not a dumb kid by any stretch of the imagination..did very well in my Primary School..always coming top or near to top of my classes..also did exceptionally well in the 11+.

Then I had the misfortune to go to St. Malachy's. A School that operated on an atmosphere of violence, bullying, brutality, bigotry and fear. Most of the teachers and priests were slap happy. I would exclude Mr Laverty the Geography Teacher at the top of the stairs and Father Michael Dallat...a gentleman ..neither of whom subscribed to the culture of caning and strapping kids at any excuse.

Big Tosh..a man who could barely speak English never mind teach it...was allegedly banned from using the cane for allegedly breaking a pupils arm some years earlier. So he resorted to using his knuckles. And use them he did. McEvoy the Geometry Teacher was a delight to see every morning...he really lit up the classroom with his sour unemotional face and his first duty every morning without fail was to inspect the Homework. Woe upon any pupil who managed to get even one problem wrong and McEvoy would produce the Cane. I believe that this gentleman died fairly recently and I offer my sympathy to his family and may he rest in peace. I bear him no grudge..now..I did then.  Fr Walter Larkin...parked himself at the top of the Avenue his cane swinging by his side...in rehearsal for dealing out corporal punishment to any kid who did not make it to the top of the Avenue before the bell stopped ringing. AS for Fr Maguire. I remember one time he did not turn up for class and as instructed ..when we had a free forty...myself and about ten other classmates headed for the Study Hall. After 10 minutes there a messenger was dispatched to "Get us back to the classroom" as Maguire had shown up. We were met by a snarling , furious Maguire who proceeded to dish out 6 lashes to each of us. When I protested my objections I got a slap across the face and a further 6 for my stance on Human rights.

Most of them thrived on an atmosphere of power and fear.

 >:D . I do hope that the pupils of today are enjoying a much more reasonable, understanding and enlightened staff. Not due to but despite my time at St. Malachys I think I managed to counter their predictions for my future and become somewhat successful in life...Becoming General Manager for Ireland for a UK Insurance Company...on the Board of Directors of an International Reinsurance Company..a Best Selling Author and I like to think a reasonably proficient Broadcaster. It surprises me that people like Derek Davis , Martin O'Neill, Mike Bull and Eamonn Holmes also survived the indignities of this unenlightened environment to go on to success in their respective fields.

I did learn one valuable lesson at St. Malachy's. IF ever a teacher had laid a finger on any of my children at school, I would have had them in Court charged with assault before their feet could touch the ground.

Do I sound like I have a Grudge...animosity ..against St. Malachy's.  Nope I do not. I feel sorry for them. I am simply and truthfully relating MY experiences of MY time at St. Malachys College. They were a product of their time. Society has learned  how NOT to do things since then.

My best wishes and kind thoughts go to all other "survivors" of that period.
liamo , are you sure you did not go to Methody??? :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: liamo1 on March 19, 2012, 10:50:33 PM
liamo , are you sure you did not go to Methody??? :D

Did they have Catholic Priests in Methody...? Naaaaw..am pretty sure it was St. Malachy's....I can laugh now but was traumatised at the time....wish I had gone to Methody....Ha...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 20, 2012, 01:50:42 AM
.Becoming General Manager for Ireland for a UK Insurance Company...on the Board of Directors of an International Reinsurance Company..a Best Selling Author and I like to think a reasonably proficient Broadcaster. It surprises me that people like Derek Davis , Martin O'Neill, Mike Bull and Eamonn Holmes also survived the indignities.

Do I sound like I have a Grudge...animosity ..against St. Malachy's.  Nope I do not. I feel sorry for them. I am simply and truthfully relating MY experiences of MY time at St. Malachys College. They were a product of their time. Society has learned  how NOT to do things since.

Hello Liam,
We were at the college about the same time and I also left in 1961.   I never experienced the same attitudes that you seemingly seem to have experienced or maybe I was able to deal with them.  You soon catch on that it is easier to to bite your tongue and get on with life.  However I do remember the indignity of being ignored by Larkin when two of us went to the president to ask permission to miss college and go to play basketball for Ireland.  Tea and bickies was supplied and he then proceeded to ignore me and have a conversation with the other student whose father was a director of a famous company in Belfast.   Although he did that and some other teachers were not fantastic I regarded them as insecure and immature and vowed never to act like them.  Those were indeed different times.  Humility was never taught at the college and had to be understood outside it's confines.  What best selling book did you write and did you include the college..  I have most of Barney Mc Laverty's . ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: liamo1 on March 20, 2012, 03:29:55 AM
Yeah...I think looking back I was a quiet sensitive introverted guy....would have been much easier if I had given them all the fingers...metaphorically of course.....Oh I don't think any permanent damage was done and like you I just thought "What a bunch of sad losers" and resolved not to go through life acting like them.
The Book was "History of Aviation in Ireland"... published by Blackwater Press in 1980 and lodged itself at Number 1 spot from April through to September 1980....Oh it was no big deal...I had a lot of relatives..or so the Publisher thought. But thankfully it did help towards a healthy and long career in Aviation & Travel journalism as a lucrative sideline to my "Day Job".
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: pdburns on March 27, 2012, 09:36:31 AM
Hi everyone. Just came upon this site. I was a Malachian from 1964-71 a great period to be there. Happy to share my memories if others are still looking in here. Is there a Facebook page? Also pity people aren't using their real names :-/
Cheers, Paul Burns.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 27, 2012, 08:11:02 PM
Hi everyone. Just came upon this site. I was a Malachian from 1964-71 a great period to be there. Happy to share my memories if others are still looking in here. Is there a Facebook page? Also pity people aren't using their real names :-/
Cheers, Paul Burns.
  Couldn't agree with you more - Paul Burns!
Bernard (Brian) Smith  1953-59
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: liamo1 on March 27, 2012, 08:43:57 PM

  Couldn't agree with you more - Paul Burns!
Bernard (Brian) Smith  1953-59

Me too agree as well also  (I  was taught English by Tosh)... Paul Burns and Brian Smith -
Johnny Depp.....Ok Ok then...Liam Byrne
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Giannineo on March 27, 2012, 09:11:06 PM

Did they have Catholic Priests in Methody...? Naaaaw..am pretty sure it was St. Malachy's....I can laugh now but was traumatised at the time....wish I had gone to Methody....Ha...
liamo....lol.... naw . Methody was worser than anywhere  ::)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: tboy on March 27, 2012, 09:30:28 PM
Methody had the cream of Ulster    rich and thick ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: liamo1 on March 27, 2012, 10:14:59 PM

 liamo....lol.... naw . Methody was worser than anywhere  ::)
 
Aw No...Malachy's was the worstest of all.....Rumour has it that some of the Kids were executed there for not have their Eckies doned....
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on March 29, 2012, 09:53:08 AM
Methody had the cream of Ulster    rich and thick ;)
Howdy tboy are you writing from experience?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on March 29, 2012, 09:54:38 AM
No Tboy that was Campbell College. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on March 29, 2012, 09:55:34 AM
No Tboy that was Campbell College. ;)

Cream of Society,  "Rich and Thick"   ...joke
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: hairball5_ on April 04, 2012, 06:37:13 PM
I was a student at the College from 1968-1973 before heading to Bearnageeha where, for the first time, i was treated like a human being. First of all, Canon Walter Larkin was rude, arrogant and brutal president and alas his successor wasnt much different. Fr Walsh ruled with literally an iron fist and treated his students with the same contempt that he would eventually treat his priests as Bishop of the diocese. Fr Lynch was my Greek teacher and found him rather fair and a kind of a Jekell and Hyde character, depends on when you got him. Fr Purdy was a strange and very sad fellow, would be a nightmare outside of the classroom but as a teacher he was genuinely dead on. Most of the priest were dead on in my time, special mention to Dr Cunningham - RIP (Latin), Fr Conway (Physics), Fr McLaverty (RE), Fr McMullan (Music) AND especially Fr Crossin -RIP- who was a gentleman and great English teacher. Wee Fr Kelly as Spiritual Director was a nice guy too. My problems lay with ironically the 'lay' staff. Mr O'Duffy was a horrible person, who was only interested in you if you where from a upper class area. Mr Porter beat me black and blue when i was a second year for not bringing my homework in. WHAT!???? Some of these people were insane. I also remember being hit over the head with an Irish dictionary by Mr Drinan for as he put it poor language skills. My children wont believe me that i was treated like this at school but there you go!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: An Tuamach on April 05, 2012, 03:48:20 PM
Again, I am new to this site but I was at St. Malachy's from 1964 to 1971/2. Some teachers were good some were bad. I ended up as a teacher in an Irish medium school. Tosh taught me Irish as well as Gerry Stockman, Wee Joe Maguire and Colm Beckett. You'll go a long way to get a better bunch of Irish teachers anywhere. Tosh was hard enough on me but I needed it. I got to know him outside school and he advised me a lot as a young Irish language teacher. Colm Beckett was one of life's true gentlemen. Suds was a good guy as was Bill Lowrie who died too young. Brian Feeney also taught me history and he was also a great teacher. Someone said that Tosh could not speak English too well. Tosh was born a native Irish speaker and learnt English as a second language. His English was 100% correct. As has been said some were good teachers others were not. Great to read all your views. Sán go fóill, a fheara.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on May 14, 2012, 10:07:31 AM
Any ex St. Malachy's guys out there?

I went to St Malachy's....from 1955 thru 1962
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 14, 2012, 11:08:51 AM
I went to St Malachy's....from 1955 thru 1962

Around the same time Sebe. ..do you live in Europe?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: SANDRAM on May 14, 2012, 11:57:02 AM
Hi Sebe,
 
Welcome to the Forum!  One in a million chance that you might have known a former student by the name of 'Anthony Kay' who attended around the same years as yourself.  Through another forum member I managed to view a few of the old school photos that he featured in but have no idea where he might be now!
 
Sandram
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 14, 2012, 12:03:23 PM
Yes Sebe. .welcome and hope that you enjoy this forum ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on May 15, 2012, 08:41:03 AM
I joined St Malachy's in September 1955 and left in June 1962.  I repeated my last years A levels and took on German O level.  I was the only pupil in the whole school who took German and had one class a day with Dr Cunningham.  I then went on to do Germand and French at QUB.
I moved to German in April 1971 and have been here ever since.  I live just outside of Stuttgart in Southwestern Germany...160 kms from Strasbourg in Alsace
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on May 15, 2012, 08:57:06 AM
My son went to St Malachys from 2000 -2007 he to took has moved to Mainz Germany but is moving to Stuttgart later in the year.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 15, 2012, 09:41:20 AM
  Sebe ...it's a small world .  Last time that we were in contact was about 4 yrs ago when I was heading off to China ::) ::)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on May 15, 2012, 10:33:40 AM
The Stuttgart area is a lovely place to live.  The city itself has about 600 000 inhabitants and a lot to offer.  We're in France in 1 hour, in Switzerland in 1,5. Austria is not far away either. .in a word it's very central....and we have the Black Forst just down the road.  He should enjoy it.  What is he going to do in Stuttgart?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on May 15, 2012, 10:35:05 AM
Off to China?  Taiwan or People's Republic?

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on May 15, 2012, 10:38:32 AM
I can honestly remember an "Anthony Kay" but he may have been in a aparallel class or maybe a year ahead of or behind me.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on May 15, 2012, 10:41:45 AM
That was incorrect:  I can't remember an Anthony Kay.  I was in classes with Des Clarke, Seamus McDade, Ron Pagan, Ciaran McNamara, Bernard McCartan etc. .if any of those names ring a bell
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 15, 2012, 11:50:00 AM
Off to China?  Taiwan or People's Republic?

The People's Republic of China ;)    China would love to have Taiwan as a province but human rights issues are a barrier to unity.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on May 15, 2012, 12:59:03 PM
True, we all make big issues here about human rights but every country wants to do business with China and suddenly human rights go by the board.  I see it here in Germany. .Business overrules ehtics and morals.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Criostoir on May 21, 2012, 09:24:58 PM

Hi Guys,

Just found this site and forum...

Does anyone remember 'Buntus" Ruarí MacGrainne? Irish teacher from 75?

Chris
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on May 28, 2012, 12:03:57 AM
Críostóir - I occasionally come across a Belfastman of that name, Irish translator in civil service, recently retired & living in south Dublin, don't know address or phone, not even sure if he was a teacher in an earlier life. If/when I meet him next, I'll point him at this forum - as long as there isn't anything nasty posted here about him...even teachers have feelings!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Criostoir on May 28, 2012, 12:10:58 AM
Hi BSOH,

Could be him... type of thing he would enjoy.

Chris
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on June 03, 2012, 12:27:29 AM
True, we all make big issues here about human rights but every country wants to do business with China and suddenly human rights go by the board.  I see it here in Germany. .Business overrules ehtics and morals.

In business yes .  I thought that you were talking about China and Taiwan reuniting which is not practical because of the human rights issues.  Money talks in most cases and especially today when there are such huge financial problems. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: kevmac on June 22, 2012, 12:36:22 PM
Hello there,
I was at St Mals in 53/54/55&56,
(does anyone know where I could download copies of old Collegians for those years)Patch Kerr,Fr.Wilson ,Frog and Dr.Kennedy are all names that I remember,an old pal of mine at that time was Paddy MacCartan,I think his da had a bookies shop,anyone know him.
Kev Mac
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on June 22, 2012, 02:01:03 PM
Hello there,
I was at St Mals in 53/54/55&56,
(does anyone know where I could download copies of old Collegians for those years)Patch Kerr,Fr.Wilson ,Frog and Dr.Kennedy are all names that I remember,an old pal of mine at that time was Paddy MacCartan,I think his da had a bookies shop,anyone know him.
Kev Mac

Trawl through the thread Kev Mac and you will find Collegians already in download form by BSOH.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Ann K on June 27, 2012, 10:26:07 PM
Hi, I'm Leonard Sudway's younger daughter, googled his name in a moment of boredom, and found this thread! We left in 1973 - 74 when he got a job as a translator on UK joining the then EEC.
Da retired as a translator over 20 years ago, and stayed on in Luxembourg, where he lives with his lovely wife of 23 years, Erika.
He worked hard at the European Commission, learning fresh languages (Greek / Danish, plus?) and ending as a well respected translator / revisor.
He's now 83, still travelling, and with a fuller set of marbles than me on a good day.
He went back to visit St Malachy's a couple of years ago, and it seemed to stir up bitter sweet memories for him. Some of the priests sounded bad / sad / mad, but the lay staff sounded like a very nice bunch of put upon, bookish geeks!
I'm grateful he hoiked the family out of Belfast when he did - I benefited from an amazing secondary education, avoided any of the bigotry that was still about then, and met a much wider range of people than if we'd stayed.
One regret: leaving behind Patricia Mulholland's dance classes! Special plea to anyone who knows where I can get a copy of her biography, have seen copies for silly money on E-bay, but am not in the right tax bracket.
If anyone would like to get a message to Da, or any other Sudways, let me know, Ann. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on June 27, 2012, 10:36:23 PM
Hi, I'm Leonard Sudway's younger daughter, googled his name in a moment of boredom, and found this thread! We left in 1973 - 74 when he got a job as a translator on UK joining the then EEC.
Da retired as a translator over 20 years ago, and stayed on in Luxembourg, where he lives with his lovely wife of 23 years, Erika.
He worked hard at the European Commission, learning fresh languages (Greek / Danish, plus?) and ending as a well respected translator / revisor.
He's now 83, still travelling, and with a fuller set of marbles than me on a good day.
He went back to visit St Malachy's a couple of years ago, and it seemed to stir up bitter sweet memories for him. Some of the priests sounded bad / sad / mad, but the lay staff sounded like a very nice bunch of put upon, bookish geeks!
I'm grateful he hoiked the family out of Belfast when he did - I benefited from an amazing secondary education, avoided any of the bigotry that was still about then, and met a much wider range of people than if we'd stayed.
One regret: leaving behind Patricia Mulholland's dance classes! Special plea to anyone who knows where I can get a copy of her biography, have seen copies for silly money on E-bay, but am not in the right tax bracket.
If anyone would like to get a message to Da, or any other Sudways, let me know, Ann.
Your Dad taught me for "O" level French (in 1963) and he was one of the good guys. My big memory is of when we did the orals. I was always much better at written French than spoken and he made it as comfortable and encouraging as possible. I passed very comfortably anyway.
I'm delighted to hear he's still keeping well and you can commend him from me on mastering Danish. We have a daughter living in Denmark and the spoken language always sounds to me as though it is being articulated with someone with a brick in his or her throat.
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on June 28, 2012, 12:30:33 PM
Hi, I'm Leonard Sudway's younger daughter, googled his name in a moment of boredom, and found this thread! We left in 1973 - 74 when he got a job as a translator on UK joining the then EEC.
Da retired as a translator over 20 years ago, and stayed on in Luxembourg, where he lives with his lovely wife of 23 years, Erika.
He worked hard at the European Commission, learning fresh languages (Greek / Danish, plus?) and ending as a well respected translator / revisor.
He's now 83, still travelling, and with a fuller set of marbles than me on a good day.
He went back to visit St Malachy's a couple of years ago, and it seemed to stir up bitter sweet memories for him. Some of the priests sounded bad / sad / mad, but the lay staff sounded like a very nice bunch of put upon, bookish geeks!
I'm grateful he hoiked the family out of Belfast when he did - I benefited from an amazing secondary education, avoided any of the bigotry that was still about then, and met a much wider range of people than if we'd stayed.
One regret: leaving behind Patricia Mulholland's dance classes! Special plea to anyone who knows where I can get a copy of her biography, have seen copies for silly money on E-bay, but am not in the right tax bracket.
If anyone would like to get a message to Da, or any other Sudways, let me know, Ann.
Ann, I've PMed you re your Da and my parents.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on July 02, 2012, 10:15:04 PM
Hi, I'm Leonard Sudway's younger daughter, googled his name in a moment of boredom, and found this thread! We left in 1973 - 74 when he got a job as a translator on UK joining the then EEC.
Da retired as a translator over 20 years ago, and stayed on in Luxembourg, where he lives with his lovely wife of 23 years, Erika.
He worked hard at the European Commission, learning fresh languages (Greek / Danish, plus?) and ending as a well respected translator / revisor.
He's now 83, still travelling, and with a fuller set of marbles than me on a good day.
He went back to visit St Malachy's a couple of years ago, and it seemed to stir up bitter sweet memories for him. Some of the priests sounded bad / sad / mad, but the lay staff sounded like a very nice bunch of put upon, bookish geeks!
I'm grateful he hoiked the family out of Belfast when he did - I benefited from an amazing secondary education, avoided any of the bigotry that was still about then, and met a much wider range of people than if we'd stayed.
One regret: leaving behind Patricia Mulholland's dance classes! Special plea to anyone who knows where I can get a copy of her biography, have seen copies for silly money on E-bay, but am not in the right tax bracket.
If anyone would like to get a message to Da, or any other Sudways, let me know, Ann.
Hi Ann, your dad taught me Latin in my first year in 1953/4, I think it was his first year too, as a teacher. Part way into the year, an inspector called and recommended that there should be oral Latin as well as written, so that's what happened. We thought it was great fun, greeting each other with "ave" and leaving with "vale", "valete" for the plural, so we said vale to him and he said valete to us. Never had him after that (I didn't do French), but of course his nickname was "Suds", as much for his bubbly sandy hair as for his surname. I hope he is keeping well. To impress the younger generation, I often proclaim "nihil est ab omni parte beatum" but I'm afraid I got that from Wee Dan McKeown the maths teacher rather than from your dad!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on July 04, 2012, 01:13:43 PM
I was also taught French by Leonard Sudway.  I remember him well.  I also did German in St Malachy's from 1962-1963...the only pupil in the whole school who took German; did an O Level course in one year, was taught by Doc Cunningham and then went to QUB to do French and German.  Have been living in Germany since 1971 and a German citizen since 1993. 
When I was at St Malachy's my name was John Gilmartin, although I was always called Sean and have had my name officially changed to Sean in the late 70s
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on July 07, 2012, 12:05:36 PM
You all remember the bursar of the college, Fr Paddy McAllister.
The boys used to tell in awe that he owned a pub down town which he inherited from his parents.
Also that he was chaplain of Crumlin Road prison next door and had attended many executions.
He always seemed to be in a hurry--"Gotta be somewhere else!".
Can anyone add any more?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: PaulineRooney on July 24, 2012, 06:16:56 PM
Bad start, only showing "First post"  At St.Malachy's 1953-59. Hated every minute of those 6 years, Big Walter taught me Trigonometry and unbelievably made me love it!! I always found him very courteous and fair and he maybe favoured me as he had taught my brother Gerard a few years before at Maths and he was a real whizz kid. It has all changed so much since then but I have fond memories of the fellows I met there and some who are still friends. Anyone out there of this vintage??

Hi There im looking for anyone that remembers my Grandad Thomas Rocks he was a senior pupil 1958, 19 marsden gardens, i found an old photo on the forum somewhere and hes in that Senior Class 1A 1958.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on July 25, 2012, 12:02:04 AM
Good day Pauline

Was your Grandad the brother of Gerry Rocks who was same year as myself. I believe he had loads of children. Thomas would have been a bit younger. Look back for the postings of BSOH as he has loaded on links to the college yearbooks where you will find class photos.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: PaulineRooney on July 25, 2012, 08:22:31 AM
Good day Pauline

Was your Grandad the brother of Gerry Rocks who was same year as myself. I believe he had loads of children. Thomas would have been a bit younger. Look back for the postings of BSOH as he has loaded on links to the college yearbooks where you will find class photos.

Thank you for the info, i found the link to the collegian, thats how i found his details. Im almost sure his one of his brothers is gerard, as his father was named gerard. Would u have any pictures of gerry ? Im trying to do a family tree, Thomas Rocks died aged 29 in 1971. Many thanks for your help and information, i would love to hear from anyone who remembers him, and what he was like, as he died before i was born. Ive also been given the names Elish, alice, gerard and felix as his siblings, though im sure there is more.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on August 01, 2012, 10:32:29 PM
Can someone please advise me how to arrange for personal email messages? I have forgotten.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 01, 2012, 11:31:49 PM
Can someone please advise me how to arrange for personal email messages? I have forgotten.

Hello Smiffey,

Juat click on the name of the person whom you wish to correspond with and you will see the option. .send a personal message. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on August 02, 2012, 12:10:09 PM

Hello Smiffey,

Juat click on the name of the person whom you wish to correspond with and you will see the option. .send a personal message. ;)

Many thanks sj for your prompt reply. Hope all is well with your good self.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 02, 2012, 12:56:42 PM
Hello Smith 19...I love the cloak and dagger stuff.    I have been talking to Joe Houston who was from the class of 57 or 58.  Joe has been in China for almost 20 years.  What a real shame that we don't have an Alumini Assoc as ex students such as Joe would be a great example to the rest of us as we travel throug life :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on August 05, 2012, 04:27:41 PM
Hello Smith 19...I love the cloak and dagger stuff.    I have been talking to Joe Houston who was from the class of 57 or 58.  Joe has been in China for almost 20 years.  What a real shame that we don't have an Alumini Assoc as ex students such as Joe would be a great example to the rest of us as we travel throug life :D
Don't mean to be so secretive but certain info which I may have is a bit personal and sensitive. Yes it is a great shame we do not have an Alumni society. I tried to work up some enthusiasm at last year's AGM and I'm getting nowhere. Why don't you or others try by lobbying SMCOBA, the chairman is Vincent Hunt whom I think you once knew, and the president is Jack Smith, my cousin, and he may as well be president of Christmas Island!!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on August 07, 2012, 11:26:48 AM
I was at St Malachy's from 1955 thru 1962 and I actually enjoyed my time at the school.  I was the only person in the whole school who did German in 1961-1962, taught by "Wee Doc" Cunningham.  I went on to QUB and ende up in Germany in 1971 where I have been ever since. 
I have, in the meantime, met up with some former classmates such as Ron Pagan, Des Clarke and Peter Hennessey.  I am in contact with others thru Facebook, Skype and MSN Live Messenger.

I travel over to Ireland once a year to visit relatives.

I also find it sad that the Alumni page has been dropped.

Anyone who wants to can contact me at  [email protected]

Regards from Stuttgart in Southern Germany
Sean Gilmartin
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: RPS on August 21, 2012, 11:26:54 PM
Apologies to anyone who thought they were ageing premturely - those photos are from 1957, not 1959. Got confused between 09/57 and 09/59, all those numbers are hurting my head...

Definitely 1957 - looks like Mickey Mooney with his cap and Buddy Holly looking on - maybe Maguire in the glasses in charge - dont recognise the ducker or duckee.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on August 24, 2012, 12:59:33 PM
I'd almost forgotten about the ducking photos. I've moved them into the same Box folder as the Collegians:

https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

along with a few other photos. Not all of them mine: I harvested the ones of Dan McKeown, David Kennedy, and Mr Gallagher from some SMC site that I can no longer locate.

Happy to report that the Collegians 1953-1962 have now had over 1000 accesses. Most of them are previews, but roughly a quarter are downloads. So there must be quite a few of us old buffers still around. Downloading is safer in the long run, because there is no guarantee that Box will survive for ever. I used to prefer a site called drop.io, but about 2 years ago Facebook bought them out and closed them down. So be warned!

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: TeeGee on September 01, 2012, 12:29:59 AM
 I came across this forum just a few days ago while searching for the Alumni site.   I read all 31 pages with great interest and while I mostly agree with the criticisms of various staff members I'm not going to jump on that bandwagon as it's over-loaded.   There was obviously a belief that it was OK for teachers, secular and clerical, to beat young boys when they thought it necessary although there was a bit more reluctance to cane senior boys.  I don't suppose it was very different in most boys' schools in Ireland.   Like many others I had blanked out the nastier experiences for 40 years and it was only when I met up with classmates in 2007 [reunion of 'class of 67'] and with my reading of these threads that many of these almost forgotten events came back to mind.
I was a boarder from 1960 to 1967 so I have to employ the Monty Python stance and moan about how the life of the boarders was so much worse than that of day-boys.   Whereas they only had to suffer over the normal school day, we had to endure the torture 24/7, if you'll pardon the awful Americanism.   And we were confined to barracks at weekends apart from the occasional trip [Juniors accompanied] out to town for a couple of hours on a Saturday.  On top of that we had to put up with the insults from day-boys about our accent, dress-style, hair-cut, 'odd country ways' and anything else that the smart-alec city boys could find to belittle us culchies.
But the painful memories have been put well to the back of my mind and instead I can reminisce about the delights of the canteen.   What a life-enhancing experience that was!   The aroma reached your nose well before you got anywhere near it – over-cooked cabbage mixed with the smell of 100 half-washed boys and something which had died and hadn't been buried quickly enough.  On a wet day there was the added attraction of queuing in the rain which was just slightly worse than getting inside where water was running down the steamy window panes.   And in the middle of this were some staff members who had voluntarily decide to eat their lunch there.  Makes you wonder what sort of digs/home they went back to after school.
Boarders got their 'tea' after classes ended which usually consisted of tea, bread, butter and jam [sometimes].  The butter was often a mixed ball of stuff – forty shades of yellow – and on one occasion a mouthy character said “Stuff this butter!”, resulting in the rest of the table falling about with laughter.  He was overheard by the supervisor, Beef McCorry, who hauled him out and demanded to know what he had said. His reply was “I said, 'Great stuff, this butter'”.   Beef was not taken in by this and he was marched outside to get his reward.
Now I have to go back into the darkened room for a few hours.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: See Me on October 19, 2012, 09:42:59 PM
I can reminisce about the delights of the canteen
The Tapioca, Tee Gee. .You didn't mention the tapioca!

Personally, I thought the Canteen was luxury compared to the boarders' Ref (Refectory, for the uninitiated). What about the porridge served in those battered alluminium trays? You had to scrape away the skin to get to the lukewarm goop underneath. Then there were the cod-liver oil capsules on a dish at every mess (table, for the uninitiated). You did mention the tea, bread, butter and jam, but the mess-members had to take it in turns to bring their own jam. Woe betide anyone who brought Malvern Hills!

Before I was sent there, I was a skinny little runt who was finacky about his food. My poor mother tried everything to get me to eat, but to no avail. When I came home for my first mid-term break from St. Malachy's, I nearly ate the family out of house and home. Years later I found out that my mother cried when I left to go back:   ”What have those people done to my poor child?“

We must obviously know each other, although I don't remember a Tee Gee from those days. Without mentioning your name, give us a clue as to your identity - for example, which page in the '62 Collegian (it's available online as a pdf.)?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on November 26, 2012, 02:21:33 PM
Gosh, TeeGee and See Me, whatever you wrote above there seems to have totally silenced everybody else!

Not having anything better to say, I can report that total accesses to the 1953-62 Collegians at

https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac (https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)

are now 1228, and that 1962 has overtaken 1958 as the most-accessed. Maybe because the class-of-1962 have now retired so have time to waste?

I must get out more...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on November 26, 2012, 09:55:27 PM
I enjoyed my time at St Malachy's....and I have met a few of my former classmates in Ireland and in Australia.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sebe on November 26, 2012, 09:56:24 PM
I was at St Mals from 1955 thru 1962
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: TeeGee on December 01, 2012, 03:32:35 PM
 See Me, sorry for the delay in replying but I like to get out of this country as much as possible and see how the rest of the world lives.
 
I certainly remember the tapioca and all of the other culinary delights served up in the canteen and ref.   I think the brains behind some of these concoctions were ahead of their time and only Heston Blumenthal has managed to catch up with them nowadays.
 
The Gee is my middle name initial and is not recorded in the photo on Page 39 of the 1962 Collegian.   I'll leave you to work out the rest.
 
For BSOH's benefit I will try to recall some of the weird, wacky and wonderful experiences of boarding at the College.   One that comes to mind is the time when the new building was starting on the wee field.   The contractors left their equipment there at weekends when there was no work going on and it wasn't as secure as it might be today.   A couple of the wilder fellas had the idea of getting a spin around the track on a dump truck.   They managed to get it out of its enclosure, got the engine started and off they went with at least one clown sitting in the bucket, cheered on by the rest of us.   The peace and quiet of the weekend was broken by the roar of the yoke and within a short time there was a report of a black-robed figure heading our way.   The truck was quickly abandoned at its original parking place while everyone scattered to resume the usual innocent activities of handball, football, wandering around the track, etc.  The culprits were never apprehended – one of them I know later became a highly-respected head of a primary school!
 

 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on December 13, 2012, 11:31:56 PM
One of my treasured moments from 2012 was getting in touch with the best maths teacher I ever had, Paddy Devlin. He had the knack of making mathematics seem very easy and logical and obvious to me. Anyway, I met up with him for a short visit and I am glad to say that he seems to have changed very little in the half-century since I last saw him. He's very spry and fit and his mind is as sharp as that of any twenty-year old. Maybe that's what mathematics does for your brain, or maybe it was because he took early retirement from SMC! I wish him many long and healthy years to ccome. Happy Christmas everybody!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: upthe mountain on January 22, 2013, 07:34:01 PM
Can I agree with you wholeheartedlyBSOH,Mr Devlins abilities extended to also teaching geography and his explanations of how the Earth is composed never left me.Sadly he was in a minority of one or two excellent teachers the all pervasive memories I have of the rest of the teachers would have given some masochists a run for their money.What opportunities were wasted.Mr O Callaghan the English master who spent most of any lesson wondering what horse won the 3:15 at some meeting or other.Louis Hannah 1951 to 1954 Upthe mountain
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: canada now on January 23, 2013, 11:25:02 PM
hey Im looking for an old friend his name is gerry price would have gone to st malachys 65--72
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Ballydownfine on January 31, 2013, 09:26:25 PM
My thanks to those who scanned Collegian 1960. I have others, but cherished this one, now mislaid, which contained some happy memories (among the few sadly, but those were different times).Thanks especially to EH who told me of the site.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: canada now on February 08, 2013, 08:19:04 PM
hi i'm trying to find an old friend who would have graduated 1973 or there abouts his name was price either gerry or peter lost touch since i went to st marys
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: tjm on February 26, 2013, 02:52:05 PM
Leonard Sudway!  Such memories of an inspiring French teacher who taught me from Junior 1A in 1954 to senior 3 in 1960. He instilled in me a love of languages that has remained most of my life. One of the very few there who earned his crust!  Ann K, please pass on fond regards from a grateful pupil who failed to repay his earnest endeavours. Terry
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: tjm on February 26, 2013, 03:42:41 PM
Paddy Bradley's geography classroom had a collection of National Geographic Magazines which we were encouraged to browse through. On one of them I found that someone had blocked out bosoms of native women with strips of Elastoplast.  memories from 1959 I think, Terry
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on March 11, 2013, 10:41:10 AM
I've posted a much-improved version of the photo

1957-09 Frs Michael Dallat-Noel Conway-Des Wilson .jpg

to my collection of Collegians etc at

https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

There is a continuing steady trickle of downloads of Collegian pdfs, the leaders to date being 1953 and 1962. So we're not all dead yet...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Malachy Mulholland on April 19, 2013, 01:24:18 PM
Thanks BSOH for posting the old magazines.

I was at St Malachy's from 1959 to 1966 and still have a vivid memory of being "taught" geometry by Walter Larkin. Our classroom was one where we had to go through another class to enter. Anybody remember that? The year that Larkin became Principal, he was too busy to teach us, so he used to send a messenger every day to tell us what our homework was. This went on for about 3 months I think. I had no idea how to solve the problems, as all we had was the book of problems and I don't remember there being any explanations. So every night I drew the diagrams and wrote the questions, but couldn't work out the answers. Finally, one day Larkin actually arrived in the classroom and demanded to see our homework. There were three groups: those who had done their homework; those who were like me and had made some sort of effort; and the majority who had given up. The first group were allowed to sit and watch while the other two groups were caned. My group received 6 vicious strokes, while the third group received 12. I'm sure his arm was sore after so much caning, but not half as sore as our hands.

I'm living in Qatar at the moment, but visited N. Ireland in 2011 and caught up with Joe Mulhern, now living in Derry and owner of Sandino's bar. Other people I remember from my days there are Brian Moore, Brian Molloy and Fra McClean (all sadly dead now) and Stuart Baxter (very much alive). Anyone else on here remember me?

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on April 20, 2013, 11:39:13 AM
I remember those names Malachy.   Later I worked with Stuart Baxter in the civil service. Give him my regards if you meet him.
Another guy from your year would be Gus Close, who also later was in the civil service.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on April 23, 2013, 07:14:29 AM
I was back in Belfast last October (first time in almost 30 years). After a morning at the Titanic exhibition (complete waste of money, BTW - unless you like walking into an exhibition and hearing "HOME RULE UZ ROME RULE!" blared out over the PA), I was driving past St Malachy's with my eldest son. On a whim, I parked the car and walked up the driveway, determined to show him where his oul Da had gone to school.
We didn't get past the reception. Out the front, one of the teachers told me to press a buzzer button to get into the office. I pressed the button, but I could hear nothing and the door didn't open. I had to do it several times before the door opened. I was then angrily berated by one of the two receptionists for pressing the buzzer for too long "because that buzzer can burn out and I was on the phone all the time you were pressing it". I briefly considered pointing out that she could have stopped my pressing the buzzer by opening the door. Instead, I simply replied that "this dump hasn't improved in forty years", and we walked out.
It's funny when I look back and think of how excited I was when I got my 11 Plus results - the innocence of youth!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Davidmorris on May 14, 2013, 05:59:54 AM
Hello, I stumbled on this forum. I was at St Malachys from 1960 to 1965. Anybody else here from those years ? My name is David Morris, which is fairly easy to guess from my user name
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Malachy Mulholland on May 17, 2013, 06:05:01 AM
David,

I was in the year above you. Check back through the pages here and you will find a very useful collection of old college magazines, scanned as pdfs. They contain the photos of each year, and your name is there in 1960. However, that year they only listed the class alphabetically, instead of identifying individuals. In your class, the numbers in the photo and the numbers on the roll don't match, presumably because a few people were ill that day.

Anyway, take a look and see who you recognize.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on May 24, 2013, 12:13:49 AM
David

The 1962 Collegian at

https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

(no copy of 1961 edition available) has your name in Junior IIIB but not your photo (were you mitching?!), so at least you can refresh your memory of your classmates from it.

The identifications in the 1962 Collegian were "official" by the College, prior to that they were just unofficially figured out by the faulty memories of myself and smith19, and I then overlaid them into the magazine scans. I left in 1959, so identifications were almost non-existent in 1960. Any identity contributions gratefully accepted!
Title: St Malachy's College photos
Post by: Malachy Mulholland on May 24, 2013, 01:53:52 PM
I tried to post a link to some photos from 1965 -1966 I had found from the defunct Alumni Association, but got the message that I wasn't allowed to post external links.

I have messaged BSOH with the link, so hopefully they will be added to his great collection.

Malachy
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on May 24, 2013, 02:56:10 PM
Hi Malachy

I have added your 1965-66 photos of Upper Sixth A/B/C to the collection at

https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

Thanks.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on May 26, 2013, 09:27:26 PM
Hi Malachy

I have added your 1965-66 photos of Upper Sixth A/B/C to the collection at

https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac (https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac)

Keep up the good work. I echo your sentiments on a previous posting of yours regarding Leonard Sudway (Bubbles) and his teaching of Le Francais.  Sadly a lot of his early good work on me was obliterated by a certain "Frog"!!! I still attend evening tuition classes!!! I failed that so called A level much to Leonard's disgust.
Amitie.
 
 
 
Thanks.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Edenvale on May 29, 2013, 10:16:37 PM
I  am new to the Forum and noticed your post as I was at St. Malachys from 1953.  I also thought Big Walter was brilliant.  I started in 2A.  Do you remember "Patch"?  I remember the first day I got a crew cut, he told me not to come back the next day like that.!!!!!   Next day there was a load of kids waiting to see what he would do when I appeared.  Needless to say I became one of the fastest "line" writers in my year.  Would love to share some memories with you. 
  This is in reply to Smith19
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Edenvale on May 29, 2013, 10:30:58 PM
The layout must have changed in the 60s.
In the 50s, if you came up the main avenue in the morning you'd first pass the Patch patrolling the avenue for latecomers. When you got to the quadrangle the office was in the building on the left(west) of the quad. There was a main door in the middle of this building and if you went through you'd pass the office on the right and go straight through the back door to the canteen and the Crumlin Road,Most of the yearbook pictures of the period were taken just outside that back door with the students facing the Crumlin Road.
If , instead of going through to the canteen you turned left after going through the main outer door you could go up two flights and there were two classrooms, a small one and a bigger one, overlooking the canteen and the Crumlin Road.
Adela Street ran along the side of the avenue and one of the school soccer teams was called "Adela"
Butcher Lynch's physics lab was just inside the door on the northwest corner of the quad (looking from the Antrim Road).
  Your description of the school layout was excellent and brought me back many years.  Like yourself I was an ex Pat for 40 years but am now living in Republic of Ireland.  I was in 2A in 1953 (a long time ago) Would like to share some more with you.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on May 31, 2013, 06:09:34 AM
  Your description of the school layout was excellent and brought me back many years.  Like yourself I was an ex Pat for 40 years but am now living in Republic of Ireland.  I was in 2A in 1953 (a long time ago) Would like to share some more with you.

Bonjour edenvale.    I started in '53 in Junior 1A and left in '59 and have fond memories and sadly not so fond. Did you stay on to sit "A levels" in '59?  I was not too successful academically and the ONLY subject I enjoyed and thrived was French. Father "Patch" Kerr taught me in first year and instilled an interest and love of the language and culture of La Belle France which I have never lost. Off next week for another sojourn. Keep well et Amities.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on May 31, 2013, 09:33:42 PM
Edenvale,

I did Senior in 1954 and have been in the US since 1963 so we were there at the same time for only a year. I don't have any angst about my time there. While I didn't like every single teacher there I can't say that I hated any of them. I thought Walter was strict but fair, WEEDAN was crazy but fun, the Patch was downright nasty, and , of course rumour had it that Wee Doc stayed up until 3 am reading the Odyssey in Latin. I never had the Patch in class. My feelings are based on some contacts I had with him in his position as principal.

In the main, my experiences were positive and i've recounted many of them with my own family over the years and have had fun in the telling and remembering.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: JJ48 on July 26, 2013, 04:12:19 PM
Just came across this site. I attended SMC from 63 - 70. I can echo a lot of the comments about the quality of education in those days, especially the bad comments. I would also confirm the view of 'wee Dev' as an excellent Maths teacher. My memory of him was that he never used the cane. Instead, he would look so sad and personally disappointed if you did not do your homework. I can say that this made me feel much worse than any caning. Two other things that stick with me:
1. I failed Geography at 'o' level, but was still allowed to take it at 'A' Level, without repeating 'O' level. My fault obviously but how could they let this happen? I failed it at A level also.
2. 'Wee Dev' was so successful that almost all his class wanted to do both Maths and Further Maths at 'A' Level. Mr Harvey, the A Level Further maths teacher was so shocked when he saw the size of his new class that he immediately set about driving out the weakest links until he drove the numbers down to his acceptable level. I think I was the last to leave around Christmas.
 
 One other memory of Tosh Drinan - I think he may have been banned from caning as he had a bit of a temper, but he used to thump the top of your head with 5 very large, stiff fingers. Better stop now, as I am beginning to feel the need of some therapy.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on August 20, 2013, 10:16:08 PM
I read a few pages of the St Malachy's posts and was struck by the quality of writing throughout.  Excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation is the norm across all the age groups.  It would seem that whatever its faults it was getting something right!

I was looking at the SMC posts to see if anyone would mention sitting in The Coffee House after school, nursing a solitary cup of coffee.  I remember SMC, Inst and Campbell boys and girls from Victoria used to congregate there.  The staff were tolerant until it was nearly time for the next group to come in after work, and probably spend more money.  One waitress used to come round and say, 'Knock that into yiz yousuns and get out of here.  We always obliged

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: smith19 on August 26, 2013, 08:16:54 PM
 
Where was "The Coffee House??"
 
I read a few pages of the St Malachy's posts and was struck by the quality of writing throughout.  Excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation is the norm across all the age groups.  It would seem that whatever its faults it was getting something right!

I was looking at the SMC posts to see if anyone would mention sitting in The Coffee House after school, nursing a solitary cup of coffee.  I remember SMC, Inst and Campbell boys and girls from Victoria used to congregate there.  The staff were tolerant until it was nearly time for the next group to come in after work, and probably spend more money.  One waitress used to come round and say, 'Knock that into yiz yousuns and get out of here.  We always obliged
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 26, 2013, 10:45:02 PM
  Exactly. .I wanted to ask at the risk of being labelled deprived.    :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on August 26, 2013, 11:55:27 PM
The Coffee House was in Queen Street, on the left hand corner of the first block in.  More or less opposite the side of the Athletic Stores.  We thought ourselves very sophisticated as we debated world issues and philosophy.  I think that was where I learned to drink coffee, as I had been raised in a tea drinking household.

Where was "The Coffee House??"
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: JJ48 on August 27, 2013, 01:09:24 AM
The Athletic Stores actually took over the Coffee House building when it moved from  its original location in Wellington Place. Athletic stores was bought over by SS Moores in recent years and the Atletic stores closed I believe.
A number of schools kids from various schools across the divide used the Coffee House in my time around 1969. I seem to also remember older people from he 'scene' in Belfast e.g. DJ Hendi???
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 27, 2013, 04:38:49 AM
Thank you J.J. 48.  I know that many St Malachy's college students had to catch trains and buses from the town centre and bought a snack or drink on the way home.  One place was the tea shop at the Midland railway station and also the cafes around the Smithfield bus station :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on August 28, 2013, 07:00:52 PM
The Coffee House was in Queen Street, on the left hand corner of the first block in.  More or less opposite the side of the Athletic Stores.  We thought ourselves very sophisticated as we debated world issues and philosophy.  I think that was where I learned to drink coffee, as I had been raised in a tea drinking household.

We went not for the sophisticated chat from the pseuds but because of the talent. A mate of mine gave it the name of "The Frothel" .I'll probably get banned now. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 28, 2013, 11:08:55 PM
Great answer??? :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Moondog40 on August 29, 2013, 12:11:06 AM
How's it goin sam 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 29, 2013, 03:42:01 AM
How's it goin sam

Good...speak to me on the Limestone Rd thread :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 05, 2013, 06:12:46 PM
Believe me BBJ, we sophisticated pseuds were there for the talent too.  We merely dressed our raging hormones in a more refined outer garb!  Probably eyed you up in my day.
Title: St Malachy's College. 4 students from the 1960-70's reminiscing
Post by: wee legs on September 16, 2013, 06:00:50 PM
I found this short film on YouTube. My apology if it's already in some earlier  post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EGc_cvnJt0  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EGc_cvnJt0)  
Four of my contemporaries (1965-72) are reminiscing about their College days. They're talking in Irish but the film is dubbed and subtitled in English.  
 
For those of you who have unpleasant memories of the College, rest assured that the film isn't all golden memories. If your memory of the College is strongly about staff brutality then you'll be amused by one short remark about the "Dean of Discipline".  
 Cathal Goan recalls that at the height of the 1969 troubles when there was daily rioting in Ardoyne, most of the students were more interested in the moon landing than what was on their own doorstep. I was probably one of those unaware people. I was once severely glared at by Paddy Walsh for suggesting that the external political turmoil was having some influence over the daily life of the school.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on September 17, 2013, 12:28:38 AM
Bhi athas mor orm nuair a chonaic me an film seo. Go raibh mile maith agat.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 03:39:55 AM
McKeever, as you are obviously an Irish scholar can you please tell me what Cullybackey and Backnamullagh mean.  My little dictionary of Irish place names doesn't help.  Thanks in anticipation
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on September 17, 2013, 03:46:51 AM
 Chattie Brian lives in New Zealand  .what is your main interest in Cullybackey. ?? :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on September 17, 2013, 06:45:10 AM
McKeever, as you are obviously an Irish scholar can you please tell me what Cullybackey and Backnamullagh mean.  My little dictionary of Irish place names doesn't help.  Thanks in anticipation

Cullybackey  hmmmm!     Could be Coille=castrate  bacach=cripple
Backnamullach      Could be  bac=obstruction   mullach=top man

So if you want to be a tyrant yoiu could castrate the cripple and avoid obstruction of the top man.
Civilised folk don't.

Don't quote my interpretation. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 10:03:43 AM
Hi sj and Brian, first it's really Backnamullagh I'm interested in, I just included Cullybackey because it also includes 'back'.  I know the 'Cully' in a place name  is likely to mean forest or corner - church at a stretch, and mullagh often means summit.  Forge and birch trees have been suggested as meanings for 'back' but neither is prominent in my townland.  I love to understand the names of the places around me and usually I can relate them to the landscape or an event or person, but this has me stumped.  Looking forward to hearing some suggestions.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on September 17, 2013, 11:39:55 AM
Cullybackey  hmmmm!     Could be Coille=castrate  bacach=cripple
Backnamullach      Could be  bac=obstruction   mullach=top man

So if you want to be a tyrant yoiu could castrate the cripple and avoid obstruction of the top man.
Civilised folk don't.

Don't quote my interpretation. :D

Well at least now we know that Brian is not an Irish scholar??? :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 12:37:57 PM
Sj you appear to be right!  As someone who enjoyed languages at school, and then went on to study them at uni, it always frustrates me that our language teaching is so woeful here that 5 years after finishing school most people would be hard pressed to even ask for directions in their GCSE language, never mind hold a conversation.  Look how brilliantly the Scandinavians do it.  Having not done Irish at school, I tried to fill that gap at evening classes but only got so far.  It is sad that of all the thousands who did learn Irish at school, so little has been retained.  Ballyvicknacally is my townland - the place of the old woman- but it was called that before I moved in :P ::) !
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on September 17, 2013, 01:46:37 PM
Chattie whats a woman doing on this site??? .I can guess that you might not be in the same time zone as Brian and I.
With any luck he is in bed in N.Z. and I will shortly follow him.  Where are you.? ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on September 17, 2013, 01:53:40 PM
it always frustrates me that our language teaching is so woeful here that 5 years after finishing school most people would be hard pressed to even ask for directions in their GCSE language, never mind hold a conversation. 

My daughter has a knack for collecting languages. Apart from sheer hard work on grammar and vocabulary, her approach seems to include being unselfconscious about expressing herself badly in the early stages. Compare that with the way most of us behave on holiday. We try to express ourselves in adult sentences, then lapse into crippled English or embarrassed silence when it becomes clear that we can't do it. A great help is to live among the people who speak the language you're learning so that you've little opportunity to lapse into your native language. When the only Brit astronaut Helen Sharman was being taught to speak Russian, they took her into shops where there was nothing on display. This obliged her to speak Russian rather than point to items and grunt.
 
Ballyvicknacally. My guess is: bally – place, town; vick – genitive of "mac", son; cally – genitive of cailleach, old woman.  The place of the old woman's son.
 
An improvement on the obstructed top man, but possibly still wrong.  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 03:00:34 PM
Sj I roam the BF at will, dipping in when I see something interesting.  I knew a few boys from SMC as a teenager in Belfast and later.  Dipped into the thread and have now read it 'cover to cover'.  You may have seen an earlier post of mine in which I commented about the quality of the writing on this thread and said that however abusive and vicious the teachers they were getting something right, as by and large it is a pleasure to read.  I'm still at home - Dromore - the big hill.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 03:08:10 PM
Wee legs, thanks for the details on ballyvicknacally - though I thought the 'Vick' was a corruption of 'vocht' old, as in the 'Shan van vocht'  or the poor old woman, which I believe is an emblematic name for Ireland.  BUT still no offers on Backnamullagh!  It's been driving me mad.  Surely some SMC.old boy can help?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on September 17, 2013, 03:41:10 PM
I thought the 'Vick' was a corruption of 'vocht' old, as in the 'Shan van vocht'  or the poor old woman, which I believe is an emblematic name for Ireland.
You could well be right. Don't take my translation as definitive, my last time in an Irish class was 40 years ago. By the way, the well known Irish writer Flann O'Brian, aka Miles na gCopaleen, born Brian O'Nolan, detested the self-pitying 'Shan van vocht' image and let his uncommonly caustic satirical talent loose in The Third Policeman and elsewhere. His regular pieces for the Irish Times, where "the brother" holds forth on every major problem of the world, are very funny, but The Poor Mouth has a very bitter and satirical conclusion.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 03:55:20 PM
You're bringing it all back to me.  The Third Policeman!  Now what was that about??  And then wasn't there At swim two birds?  It's nearly 40 years since I read them (attempted). I don't think I'm much the wiser.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on September 17, 2013, 05:23:33 PM
"Mullagh" means a hill, summit or mound.
In Irish, Cullybackey is rendered as "Coill na Baice" which means either "wood of the river bend" or "woodland of the birch trees".
Maybe Backnamullagh means "mound of birch trees"?
Where's Tosh when you need him?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 05:51:22 PM
Thanks BBJ.  I had heard birch trees as a possibility before, so your corroboration is helpful.  There's definitely a summit, and if there weren't any birch trees when I came here, there are now as I've planted a few over the years.  :P SMC teaching vindicated!

Who's Tosh?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on September 17, 2013, 07:32:35 PM
Who's Tosh?
Tosh was a long serving teacher of Irish at the College. For the 175 year anniversary of the College a collection of historical essays was produced. One of them was written by Gerry Stockman, one of Tosh's many pupils, and later prof of Celtic Studies at Queens. Stockman credits Tosh with 38 years at the College. I was taught by Tosh for 2 years and I don't recall him ever cracking a single joke in class. Not that he was miserable, but just that no classroom time was to be wasted on trivia. Even when one toerag asked "what's miniskirt in Irish?" he was given the translation.

If I get my scanner working soon I'll post Stockman's essay on Tosh.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 17, 2013, 08:47:17 PM
Thanks wee legs.  I look forward to reading it.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on September 17, 2013, 09:05:44 PM
Thanks BBJ.  I had heard birch trees as a possibility before, so your corroboration is helpful.  There's definitely a summit, and if there weren't any birch trees when I came here, there are now as I've planted a few over the years.  :P SMC teaching vindicated!

Who's Tosh?

The thing is, Chattie, I didn't do Irish at St Malachy's. It was deemed to be a "modern" language and you had to choose either it or French. I went for French.
You then got to do a "classical" language (Latin and Greek were the choices) and I did the former.
I'd like to be able to speak more than the "cúpla focal" of what is, after all, our native language.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on September 18, 2013, 12:16:16 AM
Tosh was a long serving teacher of Irish at the College. For the 175 year anniversary of the College a collection of historical essays was produced. One of them was written by Gerry Stockman, one of Tosh's many pupils, and later prof of Celtic Studies at Queens. Stockman credits Tosh with 38 years at the College. I was taught by Tosh for 2 years and I don't recall him ever cracking a single joke in class. Not that he was miserable, but just that no classroom time was to be wasted on trivia. Even when one toerag asked "what's miniskirt in Irish?" he was given the translation.

If I get my scanner working soon I'll post Stockman's essay on Tosh.

Wee Legs that would be delightful. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on September 18, 2013, 03:45:36 AM
Chattie,

I do something similar and enjoy the forum to an extent.  Have you kept in contact with the S.M.C. people?  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College-Muirís Ó Droighneáin
Post by: BSOH on September 26, 2013, 08:26:11 PM
Just over a year ago there was a Blue Plaque unveiled at 49 Glen Road in memory of Muirís Ó Droighneáin (Tosh), putting him in the august company of other Blue Plaquers like Lord Kelvin, C S Lewis, and Samuel Beckett. Reports of the event are at

http://www.ulsterhistory.co.uk/odroighneain.html

and include the material by Prof. Gerry Stockman referred to above by wee legs, as well as addresses by Fr Des Wilson and Dr Caitríona Ó Torna, grand-daughter of Muirís.

In case the web reports should go walkabout, I have uploaded pdfs of them (with my usual regard for copyright...) to the same location as The Collegian magazines at

https://www.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

I was one of Tosh's pupils but I didn't realise until too late what a towering eminence he was in affairs Gaelic.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chattie on September 27, 2013, 12:17:50 AM
No sj, I went to uni elsewhere and when I returned, things had moved on, and the troubles made cross community travel or socialising difficult .
Chattie,

I do something similar and enjoy the forum to an extent.  Have you kept in contact with the S.M.C. people?  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on September 27, 2013, 05:45:18 AM
B.S.O.H.....That is a great article and very deserving of the thread.  Thank you for putting the information on here.  I must look at the S.M.C. website and see if your article or even his existance is being acknowledged ;)   I never had him as a teacher but his fame is well known
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on September 27, 2013, 09:48:10 AM
A very fitting article!

My aunt, Maighread Ni Mhaicin, a lecturer at Trinity College raised Muiris' ire by doggedly refusing to use the standardised Gaeilge and
sticking with traditional spelling. ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: An Tuamach on September 27, 2013, 12:26:54 PM
An Béal Bocht, The Poor Mouth was one of the best books Myles na gCopaleen penned. He was extracting the urine of Irish writers from the Gaeltacht like "Máire", Seámus Ó Grianna. The book is a classic and not a bitter ending. I was one of the people on Daichead Bliain ag Fás and we had great craic making the programme. Great to see all the lads and even going back to the college. In some areas it has remained the same, buildings wise. The desks in the hall looked as they did when I was doing A-Levels in 72. I have nothing but good memories of Tosh, Colm Beckett and Gerry Stockman. Now Purdy. .there's another story.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on September 27, 2013, 03:48:28 PM


If this works it should be of interest to you folks.

(http://i44.tinypic.com/es7q84.jpg)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on September 27, 2013, 03:54:09 PM
(http://i40.tinypic.com/2qn33w4.jpg)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on September 27, 2013, 03:56:48 PM
(http://i41.tinypic.com/16m6amr.jpg)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on September 27, 2013, 03:59:02 PM
(http://i39.tinypic.com/30neo48.jpg)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on September 27, 2013, 05:41:08 PM
I have nothing but good memories of Tosh, Colm Beckett and Gerry Stockman. Now Purdy. .there's another story.

Other than yourself, I haven't known anyone who had fond memories of Tosh. His expertise in Irish didn't mitigate the fact that he was a bullying tyrant in class with a penchant for hitting students.
His particular modus operandi was to walk down the aisle so that he was level with the student and then use his shovel hands to beat the student in the back. I was lucky that it didn't happen to me but I did see a situation where he continued , on and on, to pound one of my classmates. I found it very tough to see a sixteen year old guy so badly mauled that he had tears in his eyes. So much for Tosh.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmc on September 29, 2013, 06:40:40 AM
 :hi: Expat    I have similiar memories of Tosh. Blokes were s---tting themselves if he stopped behind them in case they they wrote or spelt something wrong. Waiting for the whack on the back.Education by fear!
                     johnmc
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sapper on September 29, 2013, 06:57:01 AM
I think the only time a bigger bunch of thugs and sadists got together was the SS.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on September 29, 2013, 10:09:51 PM
Was Tosh the one who always wanted to tell the class the difference between bullocks and bulls? 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on September 29, 2013, 10:43:13 PM
Was Tosh the one who always wanted to tell the class the difference between bullocks and bulls?

He was constantly expounding on geldings.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on September 30, 2013, 05:45:00 PM
An Béal Bocht, The Poor Mouth was one of the best books Myles na gCopaleen penned. He was extracting the urine of Irish writers from the Gaeltacht like "Máire", Seámus Ó Grianna. The book is a classic and not a bitter ending.
OK, the parodied writers are unfamiliar to me and I may well have misinterpreted the sad ending. I'll  read it again (in English, my Irish is long gone) and look more closely.  
 
On a different topic, what were the circumstances of that "40 Bliain ag Fas" film? I'm guessing that Cathal's TG4 influence organised the production facilities, but considering your unflattering memories of the methods of discipline I'm a bit surprised the modern College gave you four the free run of the place. I know that they can't deny historical fact but they don't have to publicise it on TV. What was the deal with the College?
 
I believe that Brian Moore was due to give a lecture at the College but died before it could happen. Now that would have been hearing, if only for the noise of people rolling in their graves!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on October 01, 2013, 01:55:56 AM
OK, the parodied writers are unfamiliar to me and I may well have misinterpreted the sad ending. I'll  read it again (in English, my Irish is long gone) and look more closely.
 
On a different topic, what were the circumstances of that "40 Bliain ag Fas" film? I'm guessing that Cathal's TG4 influence organised the production facilities, but considering your unflattering memories of the methods of discipline I'm a bit surprised the modern College gave you four the free run of the place. I know that they can't deny historical fact but they don't have to publicise it on TV. What was the deal with the College?
 
I believe that Brian Moore was due to give a lecture at the College but died before it could happen. Now that would have been hearing, if only for the noise of people rolling in their graves!

I live in Australia and watched the very amusing and serious programme on T.V.  I would really like to be able to get hold of a copy. :)  I can remember the remark " let's see if there is anything worth nicking " ..it was very good.   Discipline in those days ( late 50's ) was very different however I did witness a mental and physical aspect to punishment that I never witnessed anyplace else....especially the mental cruelty.  One priest in particular was very fond of the proverbial private space around him and would lash out with the cane if we came too close to him in the corridor.  His delight seemed to be to demean a student in front of the whole class on the aspect of where he lived and the occupation of the father.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: An Tuamach on October 02, 2013, 06:22:26 PM
It was actually myself who organised the programme. I'm a retired teacher and am working part time for a TV production company that makes programmes for TG4. Cathal, Malachy  and Danny agreed right away. I made contact with three others who would have gone on the show but TG4 said that was too many. The College never really objected and the Irish teacher, Michael Anderson could not have been more helpful. Things have changed that much from the 60's/ 70's that they looked on us as relics of another age. Malachy was brutally honest. Danny was not far behind him. I have to say that there were certain things that went on in those days that should and have been condemned. Thankfully most of us managed to lay them to rest. The book needs to be read in Irish. When I read the Poor Mouth it was not as funny as An Béal Bocht. Hope this helps.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: PAUL D on October 19, 2013, 04:04:25 PM
I was at SMC from 69/72 when they decided that they could survive without my academic prowess.  They were the 3 most miserable years of my life.  The teachers were , with a couple of notable exceptions , either not interested or bully boys.  I remember one ,allegedly a former boxer , putting a boy's head through a door panel in 'A' block .   Fr Purdy gave me 6 for apparently not doing a homework despite the fact that it was in my book - it was, it turns out,  my fault as the page had turned of it's own volition and he assumed it to be an act of dumb insolence.  Cavanagh( form teacher)  called in 2 of my friends and had them report to him on a daily basis what i did when i went home.
I will say however that Wee Jimmy Fraser was fine and a history teacher called McGarry ( a Belfast man with an unapologetic Belfast accent ) was excellent and tipped  my mother off about the 'campaign' against me.
Went to Barny in 1972 and got happy. >:D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 13, 2013, 03:32:15 AM
Happy Christmas everyone :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: joeslovo on December 14, 2013, 12:44:05 PM
Attended SMC briefly 1955-56 thereabouts.Father Des Wilson taught me Latin.
I remember the gun turrets (from the Crumlin Rd jail) overlooking the playing fields.
Fr Patch was the head when I was there.
Afterwards i went to work in Alam's cattle market as an auctioneer apprentice.
Then to London and subsequently California.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: clarkes-wa2 on December 19, 2013, 08:02:55 AM
 8)Hi Guys. I was at St Mals from 1955 until 1961 and have been lucky enough to have caught up again with several of the others of that era and we now communicate regularly.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Edenvale on January 10, 2014, 01:30:02 AM
To Smith 19 and Expat

Sorry lads for not answering sooner but had few medical problems (old age with me)!!! I will be in touch via forum with my little bit of information.  I enjoyed St. Malachys and believe it is a very fine school.  I worked in Courtaulds in Carrickfergus which as we know was a well known English Firm.  They employed me because of my background at St. Malachys which they reckoned to be one of the best colleges in Ireland.  Keep well.  Edenvale
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: jigfitz on March 27, 2014, 01:37:20 PM
Hi everyone, just stumbled accross the forum a couple of days ago while looking for any info on St.Mac's in the early 70s. I went to the college from 72-77 and have pleasant memories as well as some particularly unpleasant ones. I grew up in Newington which is only down the Antrim Road a bit from the college. And these days I live in Germany and am the only Irish person in our town. So if any of my old classmates from way back then had been trying to get in touch with me, I'd say here's a good place to start. I've never been invited to any class reunions or anything like that but maybe that type of occasion had never been organised. Looking forward to meeting you all.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: mbe01 on May 12, 2014, 06:15:40 AM
Hello, I stumbled on this forum. I was at St Malachys from 1960 to 1965. Anybody else here from those years ? My name is David Morris, which is fairly easy to guess from my user name
Hi David - I think I remember you - I was there from 60 - 63.  jnr 1a, 2b ,3c - a pattern was emerging so I left to do an apprenticeship... my name is mick eccles
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: mbe01 on May 12, 2014, 07:17:36 AM
hello there . like many  others i am indebted to BOSH for his collegians.  but i have to say i remember the place with some mixed feeling. yes some of the teachers were fine e.g paddy bradley but what about lefty lenigan? [ and others]  he slapped every single day [and seemed to enjoy it] i was there. did he ever stop to think it was his his teaching was at fault? of course some lads have posted he was great to have a drink with - but it didn't seem like at the time. i left st. mac's affer 2 years  and one of the reasons was lefty. i didn't feel relaxed in the classroom because of him. many years later i had just had a meeting with the the st. mac's heirachy, [for my son who was entering the college]  and was walking down carisle circus and who came walking past but the boul lefy[brushing my left elbow - what is that about little men?] after 30  years i still wanted to spit in his his eye. nuff said.
Hi - just found this forum and note your comments re Lefty. Apparently everyone thought him a great guy but I know better. I was there from 60 - 63 and he never taught me, but took some sort of instant dislike, so that he 'pulled me' every time he saw me - still dont know why. Anyway, a few years later , I think I was about 18, one Saturday I was in Mooneys with a few friends and who walks up to me but Lefty, saying 'I always knew you'd end up a cornerboy'. Now bear in mind that I was never in any of his classes, and this was in front of my friends - so I proceeded to tell him what I thought of him and asked him nicely if he would like to try it now.( as you do ) He immediately called the barman and asked him to put me out. I still remember the reply. " name'a 'jases if we threw out every wee lad that wanted to give you a dig we'd need a bouncer"
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on May 17, 2014, 08:55:23 PM
Hi to all St Malachy's old boys from 1965 -70.  I was a boarder then and went by the nickname Caesar.  I have met a few of my classmates over the years and was even called up to the college once during the summer a couple of years ago just to see if I could get a walk around it.  It didn't happen as I was told it was closed to visitors.

Anyway, if any of my old classmates or boarders read this it would be good to touch base.

Just for the record, the college was tough enough during those years, though I made good friends and played football every day which made up for some of the priests and teachers who seemed to get their kicks out of knocking wee lads about.  On the plus side there were a couple of good teachers who didn't get caught up in the bully boy stuff.  Eugene McEldowney taught me English, albeit for a very short time, but was a really sound guy, as was one of the priests who taught me Latin.  I'm embarrassed to say that I forget his name but he was a Dr and was fluent in a number of languages.

Anyway, all the best to any colleagues who might read this.

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on May 17, 2014, 10:15:44 PM
Hi Caesar. I remember you well. I wasn't in your class but I was in the same year. I attended 65 to 70 as well and was "encouraged" not to return after pretty dismal O Level results. I put that down to the hateful regime that existed. If you weren't from a privileged background some of the teachers and most of the men in frocks jumped on you with straps and canes at every opportunity. I then went to Hardinge Street CBS and then on to St Mary's CBGS on the Glen Road. Despite what was said about the Brothers, they treated me with respect (unheard of at Malachy's) and I loved every day there. I reciprocated with A Level results to be proud of. It made me resent Malachy's all the more as they had given me 5 years of misery.
My nickname at Malachy's was The Wop. I was christened with that name in first year by Barney Devlin the English teacher. A hard wee nut but a good teacher nevertheless. BTW, was it Stoneface who taught you Latin?
Best wishes to all fellow escapees!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on May 18, 2014, 09:02:23 PM
Hi Marshmallow,

Really pleased to hear from you and I do remember your nickname.  I know what you are talking about re. the treatment and like you I moved on to college at home (Coleraine) where I made up for lost time.  It was certainly an experience but not one I would allow my 2 sons to experience!  I remembered the name of my Latin teacher - Dr Cunningham.  He was really quiet but was a great teacher and a decent man.

Thanks for taking the time to reply and I hope life's good for you.

cheers,

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on May 18, 2014, 11:07:58 PM
Hi Caesar
Yes, that strikes a chord with me too. The youngest of my children, now teaches in Scotland and when it came time for him to transfer at age 11 circa1994, I was determined despite my loathing for Malachy's, not to influence him one way or the other. We went to the open nights and I remember the then Boss of Malachy's lay claim to famous alumni who were broadcasters and the like etc., and he mentioned Martin O'Neill. He was a year or two ahead of us but his brother Owen Roe was in our form. They came to Belfast from the country and joined us 1968 or 1969. What the Boss didn't mention was the very hard time (I'm nearly sure though I could be mistaken), they gave Martin because due to him playing for Distillery he was not eligible to play Gaelic games for the school and Martin was a great Gaelic player too. Thank God my son chose St Mary's and I was mightily relieved.
Yes, life is good and thankfully my grandsons live in Bangor, out of reach of our Alma Mater. Luckily you didn't experience Hoppy for Latin. Rumour had it he was a footballer who was banned for life for chinning a referee. Seems to me he brought his physicality into the classroom and we were terrified of him.
Strange but it's good to vent spleen after all this time.
Best regards
Marshmallow.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 19, 2014, 08:15:44 AM
You can't vent enough spleen about Hoppy.  He was almost obsessive about catching someone out in class.  He was indeed a player of Gaelic games and of ill repute :D   I was at the college in late 50'sand early 60's.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on May 19, 2014, 08:27:10 PM
Hi Marshmallow,

I remember Hoppy (Cassidy?) and I think I might have had him for a year.  You mentioned Martin O'Neill and I knew the family well.  Martin came from Kilrea and is a 1st cousin of my brother-in-law.  He was wise to stick with soccer though he did play for the college in the Hogan Cup final in and around 1968-69 from memory.

I don't know if you recall a lad called Danny Rennie who came to the college probably around 3rd-4th year.  He was originally from Belfast but his family had spent some time in South Africa before returning to Belfast.  Danny and I would have been good buddies and I actually got am email from him from Utah where he is a football coach.

Despite the issues with the college it's great that we "survived" and are better people for it, although its hard to believe how they got away with it and remain basically unscathed to this day.  ironically, when I started there Purdy asked me on the 2nd night what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said,  "A Priest".  Maybe he chose to direct me down a different path but he could have just advised me rather than hammering me at every opportunity and I might have listened!! :)

Great to hear about your boys and my two lads went to La Salle and Rathmore; one's a doctor and the other is in IT, both happy and both good pals to me.  They actually love to hear about my time at the college but I sometimes think that they believe that I am exaggerating - if only they knew!!

Anyway, good to hear from you again.

Best regards,

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on May 19, 2014, 09:34:56 PM
Hi Caesar
I think I remember Danny. Did he gave a shock of curly blonde hair? If it's who I think it is, he was a very nice lad.
Good to hear the family is doing well. Just as well you didn't enter the "Wing". I met Purdy's brother in the late 70s. He was a builder and ran his business from his house on the Antrim Rd. The family resemblance was uncanny, but he was a thoroughly decent guy. I found it difficult to imagine they were brothers. I remember vividly, Purdy sometimes liked to hide in the arch leading to the 6th form library at the top of the avenue. When the bell rang he stepped out from the archway onto the avenue and like a "Point peeler", he would put his hand up and stop the boys who were still on the avenue and had not yet crossed the line into the quadrangle with the elm tree. When he had a dozen or two lads lined up, he took the cane out from under his cassock. Every boy got one on each hand. The sound was something I still remember. It was in 3 stages. First there was the whoosh as the cane flew through the air. Second came the smack as it struck the flesh. Then last came the muffled smack of the cane hitting his cassock. I still remember the relentless whacking that seemed to go on for 5 minutes or so till everyone was done. Sometimes if a lad flinched and Purdy didn't connect properly, they got another right away along with an evil dirty look from him. He seemed to be able to keep it up for ages. The man's energy was impressive indeed. And that was a priest! I also remember Danny Rainey getting whacked by him and I felt sorry for him because he seemed to be really hurt by the strokes he got. Me myself, when I got it I thought my heart was going to stop. That's actually how I felt and it frightened me. Those were the days? I remember a line from the film Catholic Boys, where corporal punishment is described jokingly as having your character built.  
I pass his grave now and again in Milltown on the way to my parents' grave and I say a prayer for him.
SJ can relate to Hoppy too. At least my memory isn't failing yet.  
Walter Larkin liked to keep his hand in too sometimes. Though his abuse to me was mostly verbal. Did I deserve it? Once or twice I must admit I did but for the most part I didn't. One day a lad called Scobie, lit a ball of paper and threw it up the line of desks. It landed on my desk just as Lefty entered the room. My protests of innocence went unheeded and I was frogmarched to Walter's presidential office and branded an arsonist. Walter drew a deep breath and started in on me overjoyed at the chance to expel me when Gerry Lacky whispered urgently into his ear. Walter said no more and sent me back to class almost choking with apoplexy. When I left his office I found my whole class had marched down to the office in protest maintaining my innocence. REVOLUTION IN MALACHY's. What a great bunch of lads. Walter would have hung me out to dry for sure were it not for them.
Sorry to go on, I could write a book!
I'll shut up now.
Cheers lads. We survived!

 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 20, 2014, 07:24:08 AM
 You could write a book or a short story about it just as Bernard Mc Laverty did. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 20, 2014, 12:14:30 PM
I found your story riveting caesar even though I now have t0 use MSN Magnifier
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 20, 2014, 12:36:15 PM
 I missed that Brian?...why..good to hear from you. :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 20, 2014, 12:55:51 PM
Old age encroaches, Sam. :)
 I find the foums white background too glaring and
I need to magnify------AND I struggle to see the keyboard.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on May 20, 2014, 01:03:04 PM
I had St. Malachy's down as my first choice in1948 when I passed the 11+.
My head-master persuaded me to change it to St. Mary's.   For years I harboured real resentment, and felt I had been cheated out of my true choice.   Having read these posts,  I now see that he did me a favour.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on May 20, 2014, 01:08:40 PM
 :drinks:
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: chi on May 20, 2014, 01:45:07 PM
Old age encroaches, Sam. :)
 I find the foums white background too glaring and
I need to magnify------AND I struggle to see the keyboard.

No need to use a magnifying glass
on the forum, just hold the control
key and press the plus sign that
enlarges the print as big as you need
it and to reverse back to smaller print
use the minus button. :read:

Never could understand why teachers
used those bamboo canes. Some of my
elementary "lay" teachers  used them.
I heard my brothers talk about some
"christian brother" teachers throwing
the blackboard erasers. ???

~ Bridget
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on May 20, 2014, 06:29:40 PM
Throwing the blackboard eraser was common practice Bridget.
The Brothers used a stiff leather strap for using on the hands of pupils (I think it had a special name)
Some damage to students was done in the name of education!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on May 20, 2014, 08:59:21 PM
Hi Marshmallow,

You got Danny in one with the hairstyle! Don't know if you remember the comic character Billy Whizz, but Danny must have modelled his hair on him.  Ironically, Danny was a superb soccer player and was like lightning on the pitch.  The year he joined our class we won the form league (Gaelic) and ~90% of the games Danny kept the ball at his feet.  If you Google "Danny Rennie Utah" you will pick up his profile, and whilst his hair might have receded somewhat it still has that corrugated appearance! :)  Great guy and a really good friend back then.

You mentioned the use of the cane in the college, well I can honestly say that as a boarder the cane was a daily feature and at times it got to the stage where you got caned on top of blood blisters from previous canings.  I have to say that at the time I could live with the caning and straps but not with getting punished so often without a just cause.  To this day I still don't understand it and my big regret remains that any element of enjoyment from those days was literally beaten out of you.  I actually never intended revisiting this theme when I logged into this site but I suppose it does no harm to share those experiences.

Good to hear from Brian and even if the eyesight isn't what t should be, do the Neal Young thing and Stay Forever Young!

Cheers Guys,

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 20, 2014, 11:50:52 PM
No need to use a magnifying glass
on the forum, just hold the control
key and press the plus sign that
enlarges the print as big as you need
it and to reverse back to smaller print
use the minus button. :read:

Never could understand why teachers
used those bamboo canes. Some of my
elementary "lay" teachers  used them.
I heard my brothers talk about some
"christian brother" teachers throwing
the blackboard erasers. ???

~ Bridget

it is possible to reset the font in the control panel :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 20, 2014, 11:53:43 PM
Old age encroaches, Sam. :)
 I find the foums white background too glaring and
I need to magnify------AND I struggle to see the keyboard.

And afterwards you have sore eyes. .try changing the background to black with white letters.  :)
In the control panel  under I think personalise
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: chi on May 21, 2014, 06:13:04 AM

it is possible to reset the font in the control panel :)

Thanks sj I didn't know that.

I just replaced my laptop with
a  more updated version with
all the latest apps so I have a
lot of new stuff to learn :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: chi on May 21, 2014, 06:17:54 AM
Throwing the blackboard eraser was common practice Bridget.
The Brothers used a stiff leather strap for using on the hands of pupils (I think it had a special name)
Some damage to students was done in the name of education!

Present day they'd get jail time for child abuse  O0
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on May 21, 2014, 06:26:39 AM
Thanks sj I didn't know that.

I just replaced my laptop with
a  more updated version with
all the latest apps so I have a
lot of new stuff to learn :D

 So have we all.. :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on June 21, 2014, 02:41:59 PM
Someone mentioned Barney Devlin.  Barney thought me in second year, his first after graduating.  A good teacher, he migrated to Australia and ended up a professor at Adelaide University.  Also James Stewart who started that same year.  Had him for history. Again a good teacher.  So it wasn't all bad.  But I hated it there.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on June 23, 2014, 08:42:09 PM
I was up in my home town on Sunday and met one of my old friends who came through primary school and then St Malachy's College with me.  I happened to mention this forum and told him that I had received some replies to messages that I had sent recently.  The conversation went down like a lead balloon as he advised me that he had left those days far behind and had no desire to return to them!

I must confess to having some good memories, mostly around the friends that I met there and the time spent kicking football (watching the world cup and footballers falling over at a whim and cramping after 60 minutes of football, they wouldn't have stuck the pace of football 3 times a day and almost all day over the weekend!! LOL!!! 

On a serious note, I also think that having boarded for 5 years, when boarding meant only seeing your family at holiday time, it has taught me to value family and friends so much and to really enjoy simple pleasures like the freedom of the West Coast of Ireland.

Probably sounds a bit corny but sometimes we learn more from adversity and come out a better and stronger person.

Anyway, really enjoy reading the messages on St Malachy's and hope all are enjoying the sun!

 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on June 24, 2014, 12:43:39 AM
Hello again Caesar. I'm not surprised that your friend didn't want to rekindle his memories of those days. I know one or two people who are the same. Does that make the likes of us wrong in revisiting our experiences? I don't think so but I do wonder why at times I find myself looking at every face and name in the old Collegian magazines. I can't explain it but it is like unfinished business in that with hindsight I should have defended myself against the abuse we received. (No other word for it. If it were today, some if the teachers and priests from our time would be convicted of assault and GBH). On the other hand it is probably a bit of denial as well of the fact that I am now 60 years old and I wish in vain that I had that time over again.
I agree that we did make some good friends and there were good times despite the lasting damage done to self esteem and self confidence by the regime. Strangely (or not) I find that the music of the sixties evokes memories of my school days. A strange thing but when I hear the Rolling Stones sing Satisfaction, I am taken back to the dinner hall. The yellow ticket with a prefect punching a hole in the appropriate day of the week marked on it. The long table on the right with the teachers having their dinner. Us boys queuing up for the dinner ladies to dole out the food on well worn and sometimes poorly rinsed plates. The smell of boiled cabbage which strangely I loved. Steam on the windows too.
It was during those formative years also that Jim McCullough introduced me to Irish folk music by pestering me to go to a Dubliners concert in the Ulster Hall. And so started a long road which included The Chieftains, Sean O'Riada, Planxty, Sweeny's Men etc and a lifelong love for the music. The memories of those days are therefore both good and bad. When  I have cussed the bad which was the school itself, I feel relieved and can then remember the good times which blot out the bad.
Italy for the Cup! I hope they make short work of Uruguay tomorrow night!  

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on June 24, 2014, 12:47:16 AM
Apologies to everyone but I don't seem to have mastered the method of correcting the font size when it goes skew whiff on me.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on June 24, 2014, 07:43:54 AM
Anyone remember Willie Begley who went to St. Mal's  1948/49 from St. Pat's CBS.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on June 25, 2014, 09:17:44 AM
Hi Marshmallow, I appreciate your reply and a lot of what you said I can concur with.  You mentioned music and the link to the college; I have one piece of music that to this day I still love and I link it to the college.  It's the Procul Harum number, Whiter Shade of Pale, and I think I was about 15 when I was home from boarding school when it came out.  There was a carnival at home, swing boats, dodgems etc and, under pressure from me, my Mum had bought me a pair of wide flared herring bone trousers - major improvement then from 24/7 school clothes for me as a boarder.  Well Whiter Shade of Pale was playing at the carnival alongside the River Bann, sun was out, and females were floating about everywhere - Heaven!!  Everytime I hear that song it still evokes those memories. 
 
I also remember Fr Kelly allowing me to listen to his record collection in the college - Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix - first intro to Hey Joe - he was a great priest and i think he knew what was going on in the college and regretted it big time though he had no part in it.
 
Given your interest in Irish music, you might want to look up Damien O'Kane (from Coleraine).  He is my sister's son and is an exceptional banjo player and good singer.  He is married to Kate Rusby who is a very talented English folk singer.
 
Anyway, good to hear from you and sorry about Italy!!!  I think you definitely put the scud on them!!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on June 25, 2014, 05:33:03 PM
Hi Caesar

Yes I definitely did put the blinkers on them -How? Well, I watched the match. I didn't see the England match but watched the next two. Nuff said? I am a Jonah pure and simple. However, I do believe that had Suarez been sent off the match would have ended differently. Uruguay seem to have got through "By the skin ON his teeth!"

Yes the music brings me back there to the good times. Lying up at the Big Field on a lunch time with summer sunshine and a transistor radio and good mates. Procol Harum were on my list of favourites and funny enough the most evocative song for me which reminds me of those days is Pandora's Box. I seem to visualise myself back in B block.

I have heard of Kate Rusby.  I have an interest in all sorts of Folk music and that includes English & Scottish with the likes of Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, the Battlefield Band, the Albion Band, Steeleye Span and many others.  I caught some of Damien O'Kane's videos on You Tube including Dancing in the Puddles. Good stuff!

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on June 27, 2014, 10:31:08 PM
Hi Marshmallow,

Good to hear from you.  The World Cup is throwing up some shocks though I had a sneaking suspicion before it started that Germany would be there or thereabouts;  they have a good squad and are very fit.  Is that the death knoll for them??

On the music front I don't know if you have ever heard Maurice Dickson's (home boy) rendition of Raglan Road?  I picked it up on Youtube and was knocked out by his guitar work and by the fiddle player.  You should look it up, though I mentioned it to my sister (Damien's Mum) but she preferred Luke Kelly's version.  Remaining on the music theme, there was something magic about sneaking the pocket radio into the dorm to listen to the Top 20 on a Sunday night.  My elder son has picked up on a lot of the music of my era and a couple of years back he and I did a road trip in America.  Going across the Nevada Desert and "Little Wing"- Hendrix playing was one of many special memories.  It was my first experience of the States and I was knocked out by it.  So much to do and see and hopefully I'll head back again in the near future.

Back to the college, I know what you mean about looking up the Collegians, as I have found that virtually everyone that I have met again over the past few years still carry a camaraderie which I'm not sure exists in other schools.

I don't know if you remember Frankie McIlhatton in our year, but I met him last August walking round Letterkenny and it was just like old times.  I had promised to keep in touch but when you get back into the work zone it tends to knock things back a bit.

I also had regular contact with Michael Walker who was on the Board of the organisation that I work for.

Anyway, hope you're enjoying the weather and good to talk to you!

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on June 27, 2014, 10:49:26 PM
Anyone remember Willie Begley who went to St. Mal's  1948/49 from St. Pat's CBS.

I was in the college from 1949-1954 and don't remember Wille Begley. I did the 11+ in 1948, the same year as you but had to wait until 1949 because Jakie McMullan said I was young and admitting me would deny an older guy a place.

If you remember the 1948 11+( the first year given) they had a section on comprehension based on Baron Munchausen's tall tales.  I had never heard of him. Maybe that is why I still remember it after all these years

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on June 28, 2014, 08:28:40 AM

I was in the college from 1949-1954 and don't remember Wille Begley. I did the 11+ in 1948, the same year as you but had to wait until 1949 because Jakie McMullan said I was young and admitting me would deny an older guy a place.

If you remember the 1948 11+( the first year given) they had a section on comprehension based on Baron Munchausen's tall tales.  I had never heard of him. Maybe that is why I still remember it after all these years

Hi Expat ,
Thanks for your reply,  Willie Begley was my best pal at St. Pat's  CBS.    We both did the 11+ in 1948, and both wanted to go to St. Mals.   Bro. Byrne talked me out of it and persuaded me to go to St. Mary's.     Willie stayed with original choice , and we never saw each other again.
For years I regretted changing my mind,  but after reading some of these posts on here, I'm beginning to think he did me a favour.
As for Willie, I wonder what happened to him ?     Perhaps he left after a year, or his family moved away ?
It's a shame, looks like I'll never know.
Thanks again for your reply,
Regards,   Sassidge. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on June 28, 2014, 04:58:46 PM
Hi Caesar
Yes I remember Frank McIlhatton. Do you know whatever became of some of the others, such as the boarders? I remember John mcAteer from Glenarm, Sean Rodgers from Kilkeel and Michael Stewart who used to play the organ at mass in the college chapel. I remember we were in awe of his playing ability, and it was like he had kept it a secret. A very nice kid that I doubt anyone would have had a disagreement with.
I never really caught up with many old Malachians myself in later life. In fact the only one would have been Ronnie Mercer who was in my class. We caught up some years ago through Friends Reunited and it turned out he had emigrated to Australia after marrying an Aussie girl he met in London. We exchanged emails for a time but then they stopped. I got an email sometime later from his wife telling me he died suddenly in 2009.
I had more connections with guys with whom I went to St Mary's on the Glen Rd. It was an altogether better place and I was very very happy there. Despite the horror stories about the Brothers, I must say they treated me well and above all with respect, which in turn fave me back the self respect the priests and staff at Malachy's had robbed me of. And referring to that, I would say to sassidge, Yes you did make the right choice. I wish I had gone there from the start too but that's the way life goes. We are all wiser after the event.
Another good friend I had at Malachy's was John McMahon, known as Max. We were basically messers together until he saw the light and became wrapped up in Maths. I believe he became a Maths lecturer at Queens. Quite a guy!
Regards
Marshmallow
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on June 29, 2014, 10:46:34 PM
Hi Marshmallow,

Funnily enough I have met very few boarders since leaving the college, though I think Sean Rodgers may be the same Sean Rodgers who represents SDLP down Kilkeel direction.  The Co Down boarders that I am aware of include Gerry O'Hare solicitor in Belfast, John Maginn who died a few years back (I think on a squash court) and I saw an entry in the obituary column of the Irish News for a Patrick Poland (don't know if it's the same lad that I knew  who was a good friend of mine).

I keep forgetting that I am 60 and that time moves on, so each time I hear of a death to either Primary or Grammar school mates it really shocks me.  The upside is that I still play sport and don't make too big a thing of my age; my sons won't let me anyway! :)

I still get a hankering to go back and take a walk through the college and might still contact them to see if they would permit it, though I honestly don't know why I feel the need to do it.  It's almost like unfinished business and, to be honest, to see if it still carries that feeling of dread that I get when I drive past it.  The boarders dorms, the boot room and the trainee priests' area were the spookiest places for me.

You will remember the initiation treatment for the new starts, well myself Peter Eastwood and Eamon Gallagher set up a sort of "vigilante gang" in our third year and went up against the bigger guys dishing out the treatment to the first years.  It felt good at the time and we definitely stopped a lot of the bullying incidents which would have taken place if we hadn't intervened. 

It was funny how those in authority could catch and punish boys for running in the corridor, yet they seemed incapable of stopping the initiation stuff.  I went 2 months with my blazer sleeve hanging off as a result of the boot room, yet none of the priests appeared to notice it????? It wasn't until I went home for a holiday that my Mum sorted it out.

Well enough of that for tonight and catch up with you soon.

Cheers,

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: JJ48 on June 30, 2014, 01:18:33 AM
I wasnt a boarder, and I was a couple of years ahead, but other Co Down boarders - Peter Leonard(Portaferry direction), James Francis McLean (Kilcoo), John Rodgers(Crosgar??), P Braniff Portaferry, the other Maginn brother from Newcastle. Chris Tinkler, Patrick Vance Downpatrick.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on June 30, 2014, 07:24:56 AM
Hi. One of the McGinn brothers from Newcastle did indeed have a fatal heart attack playing squash. There was one brother nicknamed "Slash" in the same year as me who was younger than the one who died. Nice bloke. Also remember Barney Eastwood in the same year.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on June 30, 2014, 12:38:35 PM
Hi to All,
 
Suitcaseau - I think the brothers were called John ( the lad who died) and Pat who was around my age.  Both were great gaelic players.  The Eastwood family all boarded at one time or other and Barney was the oldest brother - in 1968 he was talking then about owning a  Lamborghini Testarossa!!!  I would have seen Peter on a rare occasion down town and met Barney once at a boxing tournament a long time ago.
 
JJ48 - I remember all of the lads mentioned and Chris Tinkler was originally from Portrush.  I have a vague recollection of him serving in the RNLI; if it wasn't him it was definitely one of his family.  He was a very good discuss thrower at college and was a really nice guy.  There was also a Liam Braniff who worked in the NICS but is possibly retired now.  He was the first person I ever saw wearing winklepickers - what a claim to fame!!
 
Thanks to both of you for the response,
 
Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on June 30, 2014, 12:53:43 PM
I remember Barney being car mad, as I was. We were in the same geography class under Gerry (Poe) Lavery.   Barney's trick was to put in some home works of excellent standard but always - quite deliberately - on a completely different subject than the one set. Used to drive poor old Poe mad.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on June 30, 2014, 03:23:59 PM
Hi Expat ,
Thanks for your reply,  Willie Begley was my best pal at St. Pat's  CBS.    We both did the 11+ in 1948, and both wanted to go to St. Mals.   Bro. Byrne talked me out of it and persuaded me to go to St. Mary's.     Willie stayed with original choice , and we never saw each other again.
For years I regretted changing my mind,  but after reading some of these posts on here, I'm beginning to think he did me a favour.
As for Willie, I wonder what happened to him ?     Perhaps he left after a year, or his family moved away ?
It's a shame, looks like I'll never know.
Thanks again for your reply,
Regards,   Sassidge.

Sassidge,

I took a quick look at my copy of the 1952 Collegian. This was published Christmas 1952 and students were photographed in their 1952/53 class.

Willie Begley was in Senior 2C and it would have been his last year before doing Senior in 1953.

I'm off to Salzburg, Vienna and Prague tomorrow, When I get back I'll try to scan the class picture and, if successful, you'll be able to pick out Willie. Unfortunately the names of the students in the class are listed separately from the picture. I remember quite a few of his classmates because they hung around for another year to improve their Senior for university entrance.

At least now you know he went the whole 9 yards at the college.

BTW , I can't understand many of the complaints about the college. I personally have good memories of my time there and have enjoyed remembering them and sharing them with my children and grandchildren. I can't say that I liked every teacher/ priest there but, in the main, I found them fair and I was able to tolerate the very few that I didn't like. In later life I had friends from St. Mary's, Methody and Inst. and didn't hear that their experiences were significantly different for that period.   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on July 01, 2014, 12:42:11 PM

Sassidge,

I took a quick look at my copy of the 1952 Collegian. This was published Christmas 1952 and students were photographed in their 1952/53 class.

Willie Begley was in Senior 2C and it would have been his last year before doing Senior in 1953.

I'm off to Salzburg, Vienna and Prague tomorrow, When I get back I'll try to scan the class picture and, if successful, you'll be able to pick out Willie. Unfortunately the names of the students in the class are listed separately from the picture. I remember quite a few of his classmates because they hung around for another year to improve their Senior for university entrance.

At least now you know he went the whole 9 yards at the college.

BTW , I can't understand many of the complaints about the college. I personally have good memories of my time there and have enjoyed remembering them and sharing them with my children and grandchildren. I can't say that I liked every teacher/ priest there but, in the main, I found them fair and I was able to tolerate the very few that I didn't like. In later life I had friends from St. Mary's, Methody and Inst. and didn't hear that their experiences were significantly different for that period.
Thanks for the information Expat,
Looks like Willie lasted the course, as you say.  I'm happy to know that.   Now I'll have to see if I can find out what happened post St. Mal's.
Regards,    Sassidge.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on July 06, 2014, 09:07:25 PM
Suitcaseau - I think Barney went to work for his Dad but I never met him again after I left.  Peter was managing the Castle Street head office and the younger brother Adrian was also working for the Dad for a while.

Sassidge - I hope you had a great trip.  I'm glad that you enjoyed the college and didn't experience some of the stuff which you have read on this site.  However, the issues were real and the fact that so many ex-pupils have come on this site to share their experiences speaks for itself. What went on was unacceptable by anybody's standards and, whilst my initial reason for using this site was to touch base with old colleagues, I can understand why some loggers feel the need to make reference to the unhappier side of the college.

Cheers,

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on July 06, 2014, 10:05:41 PM
Hi Caesar
I echo what you say 100%. For me, when I transferred to St. Mary's at A Level, a whole new world opened. I couldn't wait to go to school in the morning and in the afternoons I couldn't wait to get home and study! I ate, slept, drank my studies. I loved analysing every page of Forster's Howard's End. Elliot's Adam Bede was so good I had to read and re read it. I did English Lit, Italian and French and loved every minute. That's why I am so bitter towards Malachy's for making me miserable for 5 years.

I remember in my early twenties walking up Clifton Street and meeting Mr Lynch, my old Junior science teacher from Malachy's who had recently retired. We recognised each other and we stopped to chat. He had one of the science labs in A block. We spoke for a while and he became a bit emotional when he talked about having to use the cane which he said was part of the job. He was nearly in tears when he said it resulted in him getting a nickname he didn't deserve. His nickname (given to him well before we started in 1965), was The Butcher. The sad thing about it was that he just didn't get it. He saw beating children as a teaching method. Caning was done if questions were not answered correctly or a table to be learned wasn't rhymed off perfectly. Beating was used to reinforce learning. There was no carrot, only the stick.
I am glad for those who have fond memories of St Malachy's. I have fond memories of St Mary's and doubtless there are those who remember the Brothers being cruel or in one case breaking a boy's arm. But I can only speak from my own experiences. My youngest son is a teacher in a socially deprived area of Kirkaldy in Scotland. He thankfully went to St Mary's. He gets great results from the pupils with no need to resort to the physical.
Like you Caesar, I posted to get in touch but things needed to be said and I don't regret saying them. I only regret going to the College. I was taken to see some plays in the College before I entered, in the early sixties. One of the plays put on was Dotheboys Hall, a representation of part of Nicholas Nickelby. Whackford Squeers and all the well named characters Dickens penned. How ironic that Malachy's couldn't see itself in that short play which I remember to this day for the sadistic cruelty of Squeers. Maybe Dick Dynan was trying to tell them something by putting it on in the first place!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on July 08, 2014, 04:34:51 AM
@Marshmallow, I can only endorse what you've said (with the exception of Sean Dynan!). When my father announced, in 1971, that we'd be emigrating to Australia, my first thought was, "Thank God, no more St Malachy's!". There were, undoubtedly, teachers who were relatively gentle souls (Sooty and Sambo come to mind), just as there ones who were sadists. The real problem was that the college was just a machine. Like many other lads, I went under, and no-one seemed to notice or care. To this day, I cannot fathom how an educational institution could enrol what were (in all genuine modesty) a very bright bunch of kids and then stand by, apparently uncomprehendingly, as many of them lost all interest in learning. Perhaps that situation was allowed to continue because it provided a steady stream of human punching bags for those teachers who were sadists.

Like you, I went on to a CB school (albeit in Australia). Like you, I'd jump out of bed in the morning, looking forward to school again. I was never caned or strapped there. I ended up doing so well that I was fast-tracked into second-year English at university and ended up graduating with Honours in Law. I say this, not to big-note myself, but to make the point that none of this could have been predicted from my shocking school reports from St Malachy's.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on July 08, 2014, 07:10:12 PM
Hello Stiofan
I think you have hit the nail on the head. Whilst there were good teachers there, they were absorbed into a kind of production line designed to churn out boys for the areas of life that were open to them in a possibly closed society. Those boys who expressed a desire to join the priesthood, the Judiciary, the teaching professions or who came from well to do families, were cosseted. I remember our whole class got caned for some reason. I can't remember who the teacher was but one lad who never got caned because he was very bright and the son of a surgeon, was really hurt and he cried. The teacher made a fuss of him, apologised and put his arms round him to console him. The rest of us without exception were fuming. The teacher was obviously afraid of the lad telling his parents. The rest of us just didn't matter. And indeed I entered in 1965 having achieved the highest marks ever in my primary school in the 11+, and from then it just went downwards. When I was interviewed by Brother Quinlan for the Christian Brothers in 1970, I told him my whole story. His comment was that I had lost my confidence. It was then my eyes were truly opened to what the College had done to me and others.
Yes, Bill Lowry was a good man and when I heard of his death, I was truly shocked and saddened. He was too young for that. Leonard Sudway always treated me and others with respect but I remember others I will not name who were elitist and sadistic.
An old acquaintance of mine was an accountant who practiced in University Street and lived off the Antrim Road. He was one of the very first "Day boys", that Patch Kerr took in. In his opening address to them in the assembly hall, he made it quite clear to them that they were the lowest of the low and that they were there under sufferance because the Ministry made him take them in.  It sort of explains a lot about the elitism that was evident to me and others.
The great thing is we survived it. Possibly not unscathed but we survived nevertheless.
On a happier note I will always remember the great bunch of lads that were in my form. Whilst I hardly see any of them today, it has been good to make contact with some of them by this means and Friends Reunited. OK the College made me miserable but in between the bad bits, the friendships were great.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on July 08, 2014, 08:54:41 PM
Hi Marshmallow and Stiofan,

It's good to note that both of you went on from the negative experience of the college to develop academically and professionally.

I used to think that it was just a "boarder" issue in that whatever happened was largely ignored because there was no ready access to parents to confide in.  Though, I do recall that when I was about 19 I did eventually mention it to my parents, but I think they struggled to accept it given their parochial experience of the clergy.

I would still contend that the physical punishment side was the lesser of the two evils for me; what I found most difficult to cope with was coming from a close and caring family environment at the age of 11, to a place where I was made to feel literally worthless and insignificant for a prolonged period of time.   I cannot remember many moments where I witnessed many of the priests actually smile, and I grew up there expecting nothing else but chronic institutionalism.  I would also say that everyone has a choice and no matter whether it be a priest or a teacher, I do not accept that they were forced to behave in the way that some of them did.   

Would I want to go through those 5 years again??  Not a chance!!! I openly defied the treatment while there and I am glad that I did.  Life started again for me at 16 when I left, but the legacy remained into my 20's.

I have a good life, great family and still doing the things that I enjoy and I appreciate talking to guys like you who have been there.

Good luck,

Caesar

 

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on July 09, 2014, 06:34:25 AM
Hi Caesar

Yes that feeling of worthlessness was with me too. I didn't count. So I became resentful. Like Stiofan I was glad to go somewhere else where I was valued as a person.

As for smiling priests, don't you remember the nickname given to one of them was "Stoneface"? Says it all doesn't it? And you have to wonder about the ethos of any school where the headmaster is called "The President".  I wonder if that's still the case there?

Like you, I am grateful for my family and my health, so I enjoy life and my work. We are lucky in that respect but none of that is down to our Alma Mater.

Cheers
Marshmallow
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on July 11, 2014, 02:06:01 PM
Hi Marshmallow,
 
Good to hear from you and the "Stoneface" reference was very appropriate!
 
On a lighter note,  each year the boarders were allowed to attend a "film show" in the college.  For each of the 5 years that I was there, the same film was shown-------"Stalag 17"!! Maybe I should be crediting it with my great escape, though Robin Hood might be more apt in my case - a story for another day perhaps!!!
 
Have a good break over the holiday period and if you are heading off I hope the weather is kind to you.
 
Cheers,
 
Caesar
 
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: JJ48 on July 12, 2014, 01:56:53 AM
What happened to Bill Lowry?? I remember he was in his first year teaching at the same time as I started in 63. He taught us French in the first year.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on July 12, 2014, 08:47:36 PM
JJ48,

I don't know what happened to Bill Lowry but I do remember him being there during my time 1965-70.  He appears in the 65 and 66 Collegian.

Cheers,

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on July 15, 2014, 05:08:19 PM
What happened to Bill Lowry?? I remember he was in his first year teaching at the same time as I started in 63. He taught us French in the first year.
Hi jj48
Bill Lowry or Sambo as we affectionately knew him died sometime in the seventies having succumbed to cancer. He was a good teacher and I cannot remember anyone speaking ill of him. As I and others have said, he died before his time but cancer doesn't take age into account as we all know too well here in N. Ireland.
Regards
Marshmallow
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: JJ48 on July 15, 2014, 06:39:52 PM
Thanks Marshmallow, I did not know he had died so young. I think he taught me French for the first 3 years. Also, you refer to Stoneface, or Father Hugo Lynch, who taught me Latin for 5 years. He was a very stern looking man who could deal out the punishment quite severely. He was also Vice President I think. We often had free periods as he had only one lung and was often off sick. I think he also continued to smoke! Oddly, or amazingly, I was quite fond of him as a fair, if hard, man. On occasion I thought he wanted to smile but managed to control it as it was not good for his reputation. Also, amazingly, many years later I had him as a dinner guest in my house!!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on July 15, 2014, 07:40:52 PM
hi JJ48,
It's strange that you should say that about a dinner guest in the shape of Stoneface. In later years when Fr. McMulan was posted to St Patrick's Church, Donegal St, he was often a dinner guest of my mum's along with his brother Kevin. Strange that when priests left the scholastic environment, they sometimes became more human. My heart went out to him several years ago when his car was hijacked during some trouble. I also felt sorry for Fr Murray last week when his Church was vandalised.
Funny old world I suppose.
Regards
Marshmallow
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on July 16, 2014, 09:58:56 AM
I had Bill (Sambo) Lowry too for one year and would have to agree that he was a good teacher. There were a few who arrived about that time fresh from University who were very good. Barney Devlin and Jim Stewart (the [censored]) were two.  We had Jim for history and he was good, if a bit humourless. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Docus on July 21, 2014, 08:49:52 PM
I stumbled across this post by accident when I was looking for something else - the story of my life, everything happens in a haphazard way. I was at SMC from 1961 until I did my A levels. I even found a photo of my class on page 40 of the 1962 Collegian. My memory is it was a dreadful place where most teachers were bullies. I regret allowing myself to be forced to learn Greek instead of Irish, but what could an eleven year have done. When I started I seem to remember we had to attend on Saturday mornings, that was a real drag, but thankfully that practice was discontinued. I can remember Big Paddy saying at every opportunity, "Dunloy has a sausage factory". I remember Johnny Porter with his long piece of joinery which enabled him to hit a boy at the back of the class without rising from his seat, as well as his empty bottles. There was a pub on the Crumlin Road which a few of us went to one day at lunch time to find Lefty Lenaghan at the bar and we quickly worked out that he couldn't report us. There was Santa and Wee Dean and BAK and Davy Bak and Lefty and Tosh and Stoneface and so on. I remember Purdy waiting near the top of the avenue for latecomers and encountering him all too often(if my bus was late, I was late, but that didn't seem to matter to him). I did meet a man who attended the College during the previous decade and he told me it was a great school and he loved going to it, completely different to my experience. There were good memories as well, though these were confined to my classmates. Someone mentioned the Tudor Coffee House in a previous post, yep I was there too doing my talent spotting. I used to get the bus home in preference to the train as the bus always took on girls from Methody and I loved that even if they did giggle a lot. Just a few of my random thoughts of my days at SMC.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on July 21, 2014, 09:45:07 PM
Welcome Docus, you survived as well!

Purdy was for me the worst of them all and a thoroughly unpleasant person, closely followed by Walter Larkin who enjoyed giving verbal as well as physical abuse. In an earlier post I described the morning ritual Purdy would have carried out and you remember it too. What chills me to this day is remembering the hateful look on his face if you flinched and he didn't connect properly with the cane. Real sadists in frocks. I pray for him when I pass his grave. I think he needs it.

I also remember Big John Porter. He always wore the same suit. He was also a violent person as you describe. I can remember him lashing out quite often. We were frightened of him but gave him no respect whatsoever as I recall. The desks were close together in the art room in D block and I clearly recall him looking at someone's work in the row in front of me. He bent over and his rear end was pushed towards me and there was an awfully unhygienic smell that if I describe, the words would be censored. I was brought up in the knowledge that soap and water were cheap and effective.

In this day and age where organisations run by the Church are being outed for their institutionalised cruelty, it shocks and angers me when as recently as last week, some old nun or priest claims they knew nothing about the horrors that went on and that they sacrificed their lives in the service of others. How pompous. A bit of humility wouldn't go amiss. Worse still where they saw the cane and strap as part of their job or vocation.

Good luck.
Marshmallow
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: JJ48 on July 21, 2014, 10:16:36 PM
I may have imagined this for some reason, but did Big John allow kids to bunk off other classes and hide in his store room for the price of cigarette coupons??
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on July 22, 2014, 05:54:12 AM
I've no idea about that, maybe someone else can verify it for you but I do remember him having a reputation for "tapping" cigarettes from senior boys. :o
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: hblancha on September 20, 2014, 11:42:14 PM
Hi, I've just found this site. Fascinating. Leonard Sudway is my dad. He's alive and well in Luxembourg - I'm going out there in a couple of weeks for his 85th birthday bash. Stiofan, do you have a sister Barbara? If so, I was in her class at primary school.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: suitcaseau on September 21, 2014, 05:53:19 AM
Hi, Your dad, Leonard Sudway, taught me French in my first year.  Undoubtedly one of the better teachers there.  But others mentioned the Wee Dean, Father Joe Conway, another favourite of mine.  But as for some of the others.  Some of them shouldn't have been allowed near the teaching profession. Johnny Porter had no academic qualifications whatsoever and was often drunk in the afternoon. I too remember the stick he used.  And I also remember the look of contempt on Father Sean Purdy's face when he wielded the cane. Wee Duff, who had the same cracked spectacles for the entire five years I was there.  As if teachers were that badly paid.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on September 22, 2014, 04:02:35 AM
Hi, I've just found this site. Fascinating. Leonard Sudway is my dad. He's alive and well in Luxembourg - I'm going out there in a couple of weeks for his 85th birthday bash. Stiofan, do you have a sister Barbara? If so, I was in her class at primary school.
@hblancha, the answer is Yes. That wasn't the only family connection, so I've PMed you.
Title: St Malachy'sCollege
Post by: laurencef on October 28, 2014, 07:33:07 PM
Hi, I am a new member and my name is Laurence Forrester.My brother Paul and I attended the college between 1950 and 1955. If anyone remembers us I would love to hear from you.Paul passed way recently after a short illness fro lung cancer.
Title: Re: St Malachy'sCollege
Post by: belle on October 28, 2014, 08:13:26 PM
Lawrence, i never went to St Malachy's.

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. God bless :-*
Title: Re: St Malachy'sCollege
Post by: sassidge on October 29, 2014, 10:31:57 AM
Hi, I am a new member and my name is Laurence Forrester.My brother Paul and I attended the college between 1950 and 1955. If anyone remembers us I would love to hear from you.Paul passed way recently after a short illness fro lung cancer.

Hi laurencef,     I did not go to St. Mal's but I have been trying to find out what happened to a primary school friend of mine who did,  Willie Begley,  who would have been there same time as you.   Did you know him ?
I'm sorry for your loss.

 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: laurencef on October 29, 2014, 04:18:29 PM
Sorry but the name doesn't ring a bell. Mind you at my age I'm not sure who I am sometimes!

LaurnceF
Title: Re: St Malachy'sCollege
Post by: brianmckeever on October 30, 2014, 09:40:32 AM
Hi, I am a new member and my name is Laurence Forrester.My brother Paul and I attended the college between 1950 and 1955. If anyone remembers us I would love to hear from you.Paul passed way recently after a short illness fro lung cancer.

Hi Lawrence
Theres a guy called gerry Forrester living here in Hastings New Zealand who went to the college in the 1950s.
 Hes originally from Fort St Springfiekd Rd,
Is he a cousin perhaps
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on October 30, 2014, 09:49:18 AM
I think I remember him Brian.  Fort St and the names rings a bell.  :)
Title: Re: St Malachy'sCollege
Post by: BSOH on November 05, 2014, 02:15:33 PM
Hi laurencef,     I did not go to St. Mal's but I have been trying to find out what happened to a primary school friend of mine who did,  Willie Begley,  who would have been there same time as you.   Did you know him ?
I'm sorry for your loss.

Hi Sassidge

Check out Collegian magazines 1953-1960 + 1962 at

https://app.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

If you're interested, download them, as they may not stay there permanently.

The only Begley I can find listed is a Thomas Begley, who appears in lists from 1957 onwards. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be identified in any of the photos, but presumably you'll recognise him if that's your man. Wouldn't worry too much about the Thomas/Willie discrepancy...

Laurencef, I'm sorry for your loss. I see your name (but not Paul's) in several of the the Collegian mags mentioned above.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: laurencef on November 05, 2014, 04:02:17 PM
bsoh. .gerry forrester is definitely my cousin. I was unaware he had moved to NZ. he may know  my sister Marie McKinney who lives in Auckland.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on November 06, 2014, 11:34:15 AM
Hi Sassidge

Check out Collegian magazines 1953-1960 + 1962 at

https://app.box.com/s/grjm02my46fdpy35vtac

If you're interested, download them, as they may not stay there permanently.

The only Begley I can find listed is a Thomas Begley, who appears in lists from 1957 onwards. Unfortunately he doesn't seem to be identified in any of the photos, but presumably you'll recognise him if that's your man. Wouldn't worry too much about the Thomas/Willie discrepancy...

Laurencef, I'm sorry for your loss. I see your name (but not Paul's) in several of the the Collegian mags mentioned above.
Hi BSOH   thanks for your response.  could be the man !   I wonder what happened to him.   Love to know if he's still around.   We were best pals at primary school.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on November 06, 2014, 06:09:29 PM
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2nisgw6.jpg)

Wille Begley is listed in this class in 1952

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on November 07, 2014, 07:55:23 AM
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2nisgw6.jpg)

Wille Begley is listed in this class in 1952

HI Expat, that, is indeed Willie,  front row, second from left, sitting.
Many thanks.   I wonder if any one knows how he fared, and if he is still around ?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: poguesman on November 07, 2014, 02:41:58 PM
Any of St Malachy's former pupils have
memories, stories of the sweet shop opposite the gate?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on November 07, 2014, 05:21:50 PM
What one remembers of the shops opposite depends on when you attended. During the period 1965 to 1972 there was a very small confectioners shop wedged in between the San Remo chippie and the graveyard wall but I can't remember the name for the life of me. There were others we frequented on the the same side of the Antrim Rd in both directions and then Milliken's on Clifton St. Spoilt for choice at lunch time.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmc on November 08, 2014, 03:56:17 AM
      G Curran--center front
          J frazer--right end front  [ brother of James Frazer -st mals teacher ]
        trainor extreme right--back row
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on November 08, 2014, 02:09:30 PM
Back Row: Peter Woods second from left
                John Barton -second from right.

Middle Row -8 guys standing:
                   Danny O'Connor -fourth from left
                   Mick Murray- second from right.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on November 08, 2014, 04:07:46 PM
Back Row: Peter Woods second from left
                John Barton -second from right.

Middle Row -8 guys standing:
                   Danny O'Connor -fourth from left
                   Mick Murray- second from right.

Hi Expat

If you or any of the ex St. Mal's lads have any knowledge of Willie Bradley I should  be most grateful if you would contact me.
I would love to make contact before it's too late.

Many thanks.   Sassidge.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on November 08, 2014, 10:32:56 PM
 Is Peter Woods not in the front row?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Expat on November 09, 2014, 12:17:59 AM
      G Curran--center front
          J frazer--right end front  [ brother of James Frazer -st mals teacher ]
        trainor extreme right--back row

I think you're right. That looks like Gerry Curran in the front row.I think he had a younger brother Paul and the family owned "Curran Theatres" in Belfast.

The book also lists John Frazer and John Trainor.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: McNamee on November 09, 2014, 09:43:14 AM
The Currans had another brother Ray....but I cannot remember whether or not he went to St. Malachy's.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on November 23, 2014, 08:24:02 PM
Hi Marshmallow,

I remember 2 sweet shops in particular.  One was right next door to the school gates and I think the shop owner was called Brendan.  He wore glasses and I remember meeting him in Portstewart a few years after I left the college, where he had a holiday home.  He was a really nice man though I think his heart was broken with some of the lads that went in, trying to rob him blind.  The other shop was almost directly opposite the school gates but I didn't use it.   As a boarder I had to sneak in and out of the school to get to the shop, no mean task when Fr Purdy was constantly prowling around the front quad! It was a risk worth taking, as I would have done the shop runs for some of the other boarders who didn't fancy getting caught and it proved to be quite lucrative for me! Amazingly I only got caught once so the wee man wasn't as sharp as he thought he was!

Takes me back to the sweets of my choice then, chocolate tea cakes, crispets, sports mixtures, chocolate chewing nuts, and fruit salad - spoilt for choice!! 

All the best,

Caesar
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on November 23, 2014, 10:52:44 PM
Ah Caesar
You have reminded me of things long forgotten such as Sports Mixture and Fruit Salad amongst other things. I also remember some of the harder nuts in our year robbing the shops around the school. On one occasion, someone who will remain nameless appeared in the bogs beside the gym with a full sweet jar obviously taken from a shop.
The chipie was called the San Remo. A guy called Alex ran it but it was only opened sometimes as I think he was in bad health perhaps, but I do remember the chips were lovely and a welcome change from our canteen slops. Thinking about thievery in general, I remember before the troubles started some lads were able to climb into the Crumlin Rd prison garden and nick rhubarb. Strange irony that!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Donovan on November 24, 2014, 04:31:23 PM
Any of St Malachy's former pupils have
memories, stories of the sweet shop opposite the gate?
The name of the sweet shop opposite St.Malachy's was Kearns,the name of the sweet shop at the corner of Cranburn st. was Farmer's,I lived in Lincoln Ave.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Donovan on November 24, 2014, 04:34:17 PM
The Currans had another brother Ray....but I cannot remember whether or not he went to St. Malachy's.
One of the Curran's went to St.Mary's C.B.S in Barrack st.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Caesar on December 21, 2014, 12:12:13 PM
Hi Marshmallow,

Just wanted to wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy 2015.

I enjoyed the conversations throughout the year and well may they continue!

Happy Christmas to everyone one else who took the time to respond to my posts!

Caesar

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on December 21, 2014, 06:31:40 PM
Hi Caesar

Good to hear from you. I was talking to a colleague in work who would have been a couple of years behind us and in common with us he also had a bad time in St Malachy's. We were discussing the forum and he was saying how much he enjoyed it because the posts said so much that he himself would have wanted to give vent to. So it's definitely good to talk!
I'll pm you over the next few days with a couple of his anecdotes. I don't want to repeat them publicly as they are not mine to make public I suppose.
Meantime I wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas and I look forward to the odd exchange on here in 2015.

Marshmallow
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on December 29, 2014, 09:34:26 AM
Best wishes for the New Year to all the contributors on here.
Please remember,  if anyone finds any information on or about my friend
Willie Begley, (post school-days) it would make an old man very happy
if you would let me know.
Best wishes everyone,
Sassidge.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 29, 2014, 11:10:52 AM
Cassidge was Billy Begley from Larne.? ;)

Have a great New Year ?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sassidge on December 29, 2014, 11:38:16 AM
Cassidge was Billy Begley from Larne.? ;)

Have a great New Year ?

[Hi sj.
Thank you and best wishes to you and yours as well.
Willie Begley was a Belfast boy, was with me at St. Pat's CBS Donegall St.
He went on to St.Mals. and I went to St. Mary's and we never saw each other again.
I am feeling the need now to look up old friends, time being  of the essence.
Regards,
Sassidge/quote]
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Moses on January 12, 2015, 10:08:05 PM
I came across this forum by chance this evening and spent a fascinating hour or so reading the posts on St Malachy's. I was there from 64 to 72 and like many others I can't say that many of the memories are happy ones. I too remember the abuse meted out by some of the priests/teachers particularly a maths teacher called Cavanagh who was a real brute. I agree with the positive comments about other teachers like Suds and Wee Barney. Real gentlemen. Somebody also mentioned Owen Roe O'Neill who was in my class for a while. A nice lad and a handy footballer just like his big brother!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Astor on January 12, 2015, 10:43:55 PM
I came across this forum by chance this evening and spent a fascinating hour or so reading the posts on St Malachy's. I was there from 64 to 72 and like many others I can't say that many of the memories are happy ones. I too remember the abuse meted out by some of the priests/teachers particularly a maths teacher called Cavanagh who was a real brute. I agree with the positive comments about other teachers like Suds and Wee Barney. Real gentlemen. Somebody also mentioned Owen Roe O'Neill who was in my class for a while. A nice lad and a handy footballer just like his big brother!

Welcome to the Forum Moses, a lot of us found the forum the same way as you did.  No doubt you'll find lots of people you know here once you find your way around.  Did St Malachy's gave you the name Moses lol!  ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 12, 2015, 11:11:03 PM
Maybe he just felt like Moses.
Moses are you still in the North of Ireland.     ? I was a friend of Owen Roe's brother Paddy and I was able to find where he was a Priest but recently he seems to have disappeared. .Dp you know if he is still with us ? :)   Paddy was at the college from 1955 to 61 and then was in the wing.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Astor on January 12, 2015, 11:59:56 PM
Maybe he just felt like Moses.
Moses are you still in the North of Ireland.     ? I was a friend of Owen Roe's brother Paddy and I was able to find where he was a Priest but recently he seems to have disappeared. .Dp you know if he is still with us ? :)   Paddy was at the college from 1955 to 61 and then was in the wing.

Maybe indeed sj... A cousin of mine went there about that time, he was George McCreesh, do you recall the name by any chance ???
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 13, 2015, 12:11:46 AM
Maybe indeed sj... A cousin of mine went there about that time, he was George McCreesh, do you recall the name by any chance ???

Yes indeed. .If I remember correctly he had a business around Glens of Gormley?   Is that the same person :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Astor on January 13, 2015, 12:19:41 AM

Yes indeed.
f I remember correctly he had a business around Glens of Gormley?   Is that the same person :)

Not sure about that. They lived on front of Falls Road  just past Giants Foot. Been living in Dublin now for many years.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on January 13, 2015, 12:22:25 AM
I have the wrong person but I remember the name
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Moses on January 13, 2015, 08:05:17 AM
Lost track of Owen Roe when I left Malachy's. Can't remember how I got the Moses tag really but I think I was christened in Junior 1C around 1964! Moses is alive (and fairly well!) and settled in Armagh. I remember Desi Hogarth, Seamus McMahon and George Adams with great fondness.
Title: Re: St Malachy'sCollege
Post by: belle_fast on January 22, 2015, 04:10:10 PM
Hi, I am a new member and my name is Laurence Forrester.My brother Paul and I attended the college between 1950 and 1955. If anyone remembers us I would love to hear from you.Paul passed way recently after a short illness fro lung cancer.
Hello Laurence, I'm your brother Arthur's daughter in law. 
I've been researching the Forresters and the Gillens and will be able to share a lot with you.
Please feel free to PM me and we can link up, failing that give Arthur a shout and we can link up that way  :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alpine Fan on January 26, 2015, 09:03:03 PM
A few teachers stand out in my recollections of the college in the period 1961-1968.

Paddy Devlin was a superb teacher of Mathematics. He helped me pass both Maths and Add. Maths at GCE level. He was dedicated and conscientious, using the discipline of the subject thather than resort to corporal punishment as others would have done. He was also the college timetabler in days before software packages were available: he had to do it all manually and there was never even the slightest hitch in his planning.I owe him agreat deal and have great admiration for him. I saw him a few months in QFT and he was still looking "relatively" youthful.

Jimmy Frazer was a thoroughly decent individual who exuded his love of language on to his students. Always a man with a sense of humour, he livened up many lessons on the the intricacies of irregular verbs. He was one of those people whom I would have been happy to speak to outside of school. Tragically he passed away from us at an early age.

Fr Desmond Wilson inspired in his students an enquiring mind encouraging us to challenge and question what had previously been taken as the "truth." He was years ahead of his time which may well explain why he came up against what the establishment saw as his radical views. I am greatly impressed by his staunch defence of the rights of the oppressed and marginalised. I have met him on and off over the years and still pay great attention to his wise counsel.

Canon Larkin appeared as a distant and austere individual. However, he did have a compassionate side and was very kind to pupils when a pastoral role was needed. Running a school of 1000 pupils cannot have been easy and he could not have afforded to appear to be soft. He balanced the two roles of head and pastor very successfully.

Many contributors have mentioned the excessive use of corporal punishment at that time. I agree that is use was a profanity and unbecoming of an institution purporting to be a diocesan college. The use of the cane was particularly reprehenisble when it was used as a punishment for a failure to learn.  Quite a number of staff members who used it have long since gone so I will refrain from mentioning names. I am surprised that with their undoubtable intelligence, it did not dawn on them that the exercise was pointless and counter productive. Perhaps the whole nasty business should be seen in the context of history. Many other schools used it as well, not just St Malachy's. Indeed the state used violence as means to maintain order: the death penalty was still in use, the Isle of Man still practiced birching etc.

After I left the college a new head (Fr Walsh) arrived and he outlawed the barbarity of corporal punishment. For that alone he deserves praise.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alpine Fan on January 27, 2015, 09:02:52 PM
Pat McL asked about Margaret Bond.

She married and went to live in England.

Tragically she died in 1984 and is buried in the cemetery beside the church in Carryduff.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on January 29, 2015, 03:58:54 PM
Like many others, I just stumbled across this site and stayed as I tried to see if there was anyone I knew: a few tugs but no real certainties from my years 62-69. Lefty, he gave me one and sixpence for the quickest declension of porter (the verb not the drink). Suds, I hope he is still alive and kicking: he wrote on my final A-level report "Gregory is an incorrigible student" and God he was right. Hugo was hard but I always rather liked him, surprising as he followed on from Fr. McLaverty Tosh  used to knuckle me for "fumbling, boy" and as someone said discuss the bull/bullock and I remember his one showing us how to castrate a bull.
The Conways were strange, Wee Dean was ok but the science man, he knew how to inflict pain.
I haven't seen much mention of Relko, Mr.Derby and named after the race-winner the year he started: I recall his being very fair and able to interest me in History. FR John  L Sullivan, a nice guy, not a great teacher, I met him some 20 years later, officiating at my step-mother's funeral in Crumlin.
Lots has been noted re Purdey, none of which I'd differ with and Larkin in retrospect was perhaps understandable. Con Devanney, from the office, was a great footballer and Gerry O'Hare I remember as being a decent guy. Wee Duff's sole advice to me on leaving and potentially going to Uni was " not to do anything I'd done at A-level." Mick Mc C was mad but great and it must have been difficult for Mr. Ward, a newish teacher, to have his younger brother in the class. Yes, lots of corporal punishment, some good mates and some not so good who'd nick anything they could from you, especially if you were late back to the changing-rooms. And the final act of rebellion, on the last day of Upper Sixth was to set the blazers on fire at the top of the Avenue, strangely unseen by the great and mighty. Plenty more memories but I've droned on enough. Good luck to you all, this thread just seems to keep on going.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: laurencef on January 29, 2015, 08:08:45 PM
Is there St Mal's old boyes from 1951-55 who remember Paul or Laurence Forrester?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alpine Fan on January 29, 2015, 08:25:51 PM
In response to Greg McA.

John Darby was a forward thinking person who saw things in a wide context. He always encourgaed pupils to build up relationships with those from other schools, including those which were non denominational. Not surprisingly he became involved in community relations projects and then moved to UU in Coleraine, where he eventually became a Professor. Sadly he passed away about three years ago.

Noel Warde did not teach me and I did not realise that he actually taught his younger brother. That was not a comfortable situation for either of them and should have been avoided. He and his wife felt that they had had enough of the violence in NI, and moved to Hereford. He eventually became deputy head and was a prominent figure in the community outside of school as well. Sadly he too has gone, having passed away in August 2013
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on January 30, 2015, 01:51:02 PM
Thanks very much for the update, very sad to hear they both passed away. If I remember correctly, it was a guy named Ben O'Hare who christened John D as Relko. As you said, he was a very fair and keen to get you thinking. I remember him asking us what we thought of Big Ian: most said he was laughable but Relko had been to listen to him and insisted the oratory was powerful and he would have a say in the future, how very prescient. There was another French teacher there, was his nickname Noggin? (McNally?). I was in touch with Jim Holland 5 or 6 years ago and he actually sent me a few pictures from the Collegian. His brother Martin (went to teach in Leeds I think) was a good friend of mine. A team of us went up to the Shetlands, apparently to spread the faith by example but failed totally. I also spent a summer in London with Jim, Martin, their elder brother Tim and a few others (Deke springs to mind, from Ormeau way), living in a house in Larkhall Rise in Clapham
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: See Me on February 25, 2015, 05:39:57 PM
Lefty, he gave me one and sixpence for the quickest declension of porter (the verb not the drink).

Did he, indeed? I'm surprised he didn't grab you by the scruff of the neck and drag you out to the front of the class to explain to you and the others that you don't decline a verb - you CONJUGATE a verb!

Apart from that, Hi Greg! (Same years, same class). Nice to know that you're still alive and kicking - not something to be taken for granted at our age!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on February 27, 2015, 09:40:24 AM
Sincere apologies Mystery Man for confusing my mensa with my porter. Though I thought I hated it at the time, I still have some fond memories of St.Mal's along with a severe loathing of splitting the infinitive. I left Belfast in '71 , you just get used to living in London and the weather is a lot better  :) .  Still alive and hitting the odd golf-ball rather than kicking. I'll be 64 in September so I may slide disgracefully into retirement but the wife thinks it would be bad for me (the devil making etc) or she just can't stand the thought of me being in the house all the time!
All the best to you and yours.
Greg
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: See Me on February 27, 2015, 01:25:58 PM
To Greg McA.
 
 That's OK - just stay behind after class and write out the pluperfect subjunctive of the verb porter 100 times.
 
 To comment (less facetiously) on your first two postings - you mentioned Suds (Leonard Sudway). Maybe you missed this, but his daughter posted on this thread quite a while ago (reply Nr.447, Ann K, June 2012) stating that Leonard was alive and well, aged 83 and living in Luxembourg. I was never his favourite pupil, being a bit uncouth, but he was one of the few teachers there that I have respect for. I ended up with a grade B in A-Level French, so he's the one to thank for that. I also live now in a country where French is one of the official languages, so I get plenty of opportunities to practive what he taught me.
 
 Hugo (Father Hugo Lynch) also had my unwavering respect, which is in contrast to some unflattering opinions of him expressed elsewhere on this thread. It was hard not to like Paddy Bradley - I never heard anyone say a bad word about him all the time I was at that school.

Quote:
And the final act of rebellion, on the last day of Upper Sixth was to set the blazers on fire at the top of the Avenue, strangely unseen by the great and mighty.

I remember this vividly, although my recollection of it is that the blazers were set on fire in the little courtyard where the sixth form library was situated. My ”Blazer“ was living up to it's name when Purdy appeared through the arch from the direction of the chemistry lab. He flitted about nervously like a little Dalek (you couldn't see his feet move under the soutane), but realised that the situation was way beyond his control. We were too defiant and he probably had legitimate concerns for his own safety.

In your second post you mentioned Marty Holland. I don't know if he ended up teaching in Leeds, but he certainly went to teacher training college near the city. I was in another college in Leeds at the same time and I remember visiting him at his digs and hearing ”Hard Nose the Highway“ for the first time. I also vaguely remember a St.Patrick's Day session in Leeds when Gorky and Bronco came up from Stevenage and Pro came from London with his girlfriend/wife Josie. I think Marty would have been there as well.

I also left NornIron in 1971 and lived for several years in London, mostly in Clapham or Balham, so it's a wonder we didn't come across each other.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on March 02, 2015, 02:22:02 PM
I'm sure you're right about the geographical positioning of our incendiaries as you clearly have 100% recall.....of everything. :) . I only stayed in Clapham for that summer, went home, up to Shetland and then back to London where I failed miserably to make any impression as a busker though I did have a load of fun , living in Pimlico before doing the usual and working in a pub or two before finding gainful employment a few years later.
On Friday, for the first time in over 40 years, I went to Clapham and visited the first English pub I drank in. It was the Belle Vue opposite Clapham Common station. Tim Holland instructed me not to order a pint but rather a light and bitter on the basis you always got more. You probably knew it but not as it is these days, stripped back to the wood and brick. You'd probably not fancy the prices either, cheapest wine was £26 a bottle (in a pub?) , so I had a pint at £3.90. I wasn't tempted by the triple burger and thrice-cooked chips at £11.
I remember Bronco and Gorky well but can you help me out with Pro, please? By the way that's a cracking photo.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alpine Fan on March 03, 2015, 12:57:47 PM
Greg McA

Please click on http://www.belmontparish.org.uk/Easter%202014%20for%20website.pdf

to read an obituary to Noel Warde.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on March 03, 2015, 01:16:41 PM
Thanks very much for this. I had some neighbours who moved that way about 10 years ago so I must ask them if they knew him. Thanks again.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: See Me on March 07, 2015, 07:34:34 PM
I remember Bronco and Gorky well but can you help me out with Pro, please? By the way that's a cracking photo.

You would have known Pro very well indeed. He was one half of the incomparable comedy duo Hannibal and Pro, whose bizarre and spontaneous outbursts of wit helped to make everyday life tolerable at that school. The one would set the other off (it didn't take much) and have the rest of us in stitches. Even the teachers sometimes struggled to keep a straight face. If you haven't already guessed his identity, to protect his anonymity I'll just give his initials:  S.B.

Unfortunately, I believe Bronco is no longer with us. I don't know this for sure, but I saw his name on an In Memoriam list on the Old Boy's website a few years ago (the list has since disappeared). Theoretically, it could have been someone else with the same name, but I doubt it somehow. Maybe you know more?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on March 22, 2015, 09:15:38 AM
Sorry for tardy response as I've been working away and got caught up in other things. Thanks for the clue and I do remember Pro now. The last time I saw him that I recall anyway was when he, Moses and I went to Dublin to see about getting to Uni as our A-Levels were not good enough for Queen's. Moses and I could get get into UCD as we had Irish at O-Level: this led to a very funny episode where Pro told them that he took Greek instead of Irish as he had intended to study for the Priesthood and demanded that this was aligned to the requirements for entry to UCD , at least philosophically.
Until your crossword clue, I had been thinking you might have meant the Prof (was his name McMillan). Jim Holland several years ago when he was still gainfully employed at St. Mal's, sent me several class pictures from the Collegian but alas they got deleted and the present website is not really very comprehensive.
All the best
Greg
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: chunder on March 23, 2015, 12:35:26 AM
Moses?

Is that Moses McDonald?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on September 23, 2015, 05:24:10 PM
Sorry I missed your question,
It was indeed Moses (Martin) McDonald. Haven't seen him since my defenestration from UCD in 1970
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chunkyismyname on September 30, 2015, 04:40:26 PM
I spent three torturous years at this hellhole. 1968 to 1971.  After passing only 5 subjects at my Junior my parents were (thankfully) advised by that old snob Walsh(what a truly hateful man he was and is) that I would be better suited to a secondary intermediate education. Fortunately for me I got a place in St MacNissis, Garron Tower. It had its fair share of sadists also but I loved every single day of my years there and managed to get out with 2 A Levels. St Malachys was a dreadful institution. The clergy had a reprehensible snobbishness about them. I hope it has changed.
I often wonder what became of my old classmates Joe Lennon from Castlewellan and Liam Hyland, Stevie Hill and Thomas Holmes - all from Turf Lodge, I think.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on March 15, 2016, 11:53:15 PM
Well, that's what you might call a conversation-stopper...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Docus on March 16, 2016, 12:22:43 AM
I believe my grandson is destined for St Malachy's in the near future. I got quite a cold reception from my son and his wife when I told them my time there in the1960s had been a dreadful experience. I explained to my son that my period there had been the reason he was sent to a different school, "No way was he being sent to the school I went to!". However when I did a little research I realised St Malachy's is a totally transformed school and I would be quite happy for my grandson to attend it. How times change!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 12:27:11 AM
I believe my grandson is destined for St Malachy's in the near future. I got quite a cold reception from my son and his wife when I told them my time there in the1960s had been a dreadful experience. I explained to my son that my period there had been the reason he was sent to a different school, "No way was he being sent to the school I went to!". However when I did a little research I realised St Malachy's is a totally transformed school and I would be quite happy for my grandson to attend it. How times change!
Yes, but is the head teacher still called, "The President"?  ???
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 12:50:02 AM
 The head of St Malachy's college is now a female and it is a much changed place ...the old attitude has been discarded to the waste bin and it is a much improved place to be associated with as are all schools. I think the problem was that many of the teachers were priests but not all were sadistic people. :) and not everyone had a bad time
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 01:03:57 AM
The head of St Malachy's college is now a female and it is a much changed place ...the old attitude has been discarded to the waste bin and it is a much improved place to be associated with as are all schools. I think the problem was that many of the teachers were priests but not all were sadistic people. :) and not everyone had a bad time
Glad to hear that.  :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Docus on March 16, 2016, 01:08:38 AM
My recollection is many of the priest teachers were sadists, although not all. Also many of the suited teachers were either alcoholics or sadists, again not all. There were enough of these degenerates to make a huge difference to the manner in which St Malachy's was  perceived. From what I can gather it is indeed a very much improved place.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 01:14:44 AM
Glad to hear that.  :)

Marshmallow did you go to St Malachy's  :o
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 01:19:12 AM

Marshmallow did you go to St Malachy's  :o
Yes. 1965 to to 1970. The 5 unhappiest years of my life. I got my self esteem back thanks to St Mary's CBGS, Glen Road where I did my A Levels. I have posted before on this thread and if you look back you will see how bitter I am about those lost years.  :(
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 01:21:30 AM
Just looked up their website. If it's up to date, a Paul McBride is "Principal". Good to see the self inflated title of President is no more.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 01:29:35 AM
 Yes I remember your post now. .I found the teaching staff and some of the priests strange people.   In one instance  a very famous priest had an Obituary written about him by a member of staff and an x-pupil ( We can no longer read it as the Alumni site is now longer open to viewing ) and it certainly had a lot of meaning for me.  I always thought of him as a rather sad person who didn't have any or very few real perception of life or people and this proved to be correct .  A I read the Obituary it was very evident that the priest thought this of himself and his life had been too focused on teaching and religion :) .
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 01:31:58 AM
Really ...the female didn't last very long. .it might be that she replaced Paul Mc Bride .  The previous principal was headhunted by a very wealthy and prestigious English school. :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 01:35:34 AM
http://youtu.be/b5qF5wXKiqw

Des Wilson....one of the good guys!  :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 01:37:41 AM
 Marshmallow I am seemingly incorrect about the female president .  The vice is female and the principal of Bearnageeha is female.

Des Wilson had a hard time ? :)  from unchristian Bishops ???  Saints are not always recognised.....a high acolade I know but he has many supporters.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 01:40:01 AM
 I have to go now as I am meeting the Mayor of Brisbane shortly?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 01:56:31 AM


Des Wilson had a hard time ? :)  from unchristian Bishops ???  Saints are not always recognised.....a high acolade I know but he has many supporters.

Fr Des was the complete antithesis of priests who were outright snobs in my opinion, who included in their number, Patch Kerr, Walter Larkin and Patrick Walsh. I wouldn't grace them with the title "Father".
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 05:37:48 AM
  That is where we differ.   Des Wilson certainly wasn't a snob nor in my opinion was Patch.  We always perceive people differently however in personal criticism on a public forum it is wise not to mention names as some people  can be upset.  Larkin reminded me of DeValera and I never knew Walsh. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 06:10:51 AM
Patch openly despised day boys who got 11+ scholarships and in so many words told them so on one occasion in assembly. He made it quite clear that they were there because the Ministry of Education made him accept them and he was an unwilling recipient of their presence. We'll have to agree to differ I suppose.  :)

Just for clarity sj, my insertion of your quote didn't transpose correctly so I wasn't implying Des was a snob, but I think you got that OK. The point I was trying to make in the postings is that Fr Des is one in a million. The others were horrible imho.

 :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 12:43:04 PM
 :D / .I thought that you were saying Des was a snob...thanks for clearing that up? :o
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on March 16, 2016, 12:51:28 PM
Wow, 13 posts inside 2 hours, after nothing during about six months!

I'm curious as to why it matters if the top guy in a college is called "the president", "the principal", "an taoiseach", "the heidyin" or whatever - aren't they all basically shorthand for "the buck stops here"?

Maybe we can take it as a given that some were miserable at SMC half a century ago, and some have reasonably good memories of the place...the crushing negativity of going on and on about how bad it was doesn't serve many useful purposes at this date, for most of us. Just because we share experiences from there doesn't mean we support, or supported, the bad eggs. During my life after SMC, I have encountered lots of horrible people, and lots of wonderful people too. Get over it and move on.

As Reinhold Niebuhr nearly said, "God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference".
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 07:46:35 PM
Wow, 13 posts inside 2 hours, after nothing during about six months!

The number of posts reflects a conversation. If we were all seated round a dinner table with a glass or two, it would be a lively exchange. It's good to talk.

I'm curious as to why it matters if the top guy in a college is called "the president", "the principal", "an taoiseach", "the heidyin" or whatever - aren't they all basically shorthand for "the buck stops here"?

To answer you, it mattered to me because to myself and others I know, it smacked of self-aggrandisement or even megalomania. Still does, so I'm glad it's a more humane title now. Respect in life is earned - it isn't an entitlement or right conferred by adoptimg a grand title.

Maybe we can take it as a given that some were miserable at SMC half a century ago, and some have reasonably good memories of the place...the crushing negativity of going on and on about how bad it was doesn't serve many useful purposes at this date, for most of us. Just because we share experiences from there doesn't mean we support, or supported, the bad eggs. During my life after SMC, I have encountered lots of horrible people, and lots of wonderful people too. Get over it and move on.

You have no right to tell me how to deal with my hurt. I will though assume your statement was made with good intentions. 😊 The useful purpose is for me to get it out of my system even after all this time. As to getting over it, I cannot forget or forgive. It was the CBGS that restored my faith in the system and enabled me to achieve and be the student that my 11+ results had promised. SMC broke my spirit and self confidence.  Why is it important today, some 50 years on? Simply because I had two sons amongst my children and now have grandchildren too. Whilst they are my childrens' concern, not mine, I do worry.

I'm glad for you that you seem to have come through unscathed or if you were affected, you got over it and moved on as you say. But don't tell me how I should feel.

As Reinhold Niebuhr nearly said, "God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference".

It wasn't a matter of liking or disliking certain individuals. For me it was a matter of real physical and mental cruelty.

Just for perspective, I have waxed lyrical about the CBGS and I recognise fully that there are former Christian Brothers pupils out there who suffered greatly at their hands. I take nothing away from their stories or pain. Everyone is different. At least the Brothers apologised.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 10:35:02 PM
 True ..the brothers apologised and have now faded into obscurity but it is sometimes down to the perception of the individual.     However sometimes it is down to how the teacher / priest was treated as a child.    One event that happened to me was that I was picked to play basketball for Ireland and then had to front Larkin whose 1st words were that he would consider my request FOR TWO DAYS LEAVE.  Another student was with me whose father was well known and Larkin proceeded to talk to him and give him permission to play for his country and to uphold the reputation of the college.  At the end of the conversation he finally gave me permission.   I have often thought about his attitude and how miserable a person he surely must have been,  but life moves on and I am a better person for the experience.
NOONE HAD MY PERMISSION TO USE ANY OF THE ABOVE IF WRITING A BOOK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AT S.M.C. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on March 16, 2016, 10:44:03 PM
Yes sj, I felt that some boys got treated better if they had prominent families. I won't repeat my old posts but it was clear to all of us and sadly accepted which reinforced the negative self image that some boys, including me, had.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 16, 2016, 11:09:31 PM
Yes sj, I felt that some boys got treated better if they had prominent families. I won't repeat my old posts but it was clear to all of us and sadly accepted which reinforced the negative self image that some boys, including me, had.

But the Brothers soon beat that out of you? :)  ( that's a joke ) and it is unfortunately a general misconception.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmc on March 17, 2016, 03:04:05 AM


         SJ--I had a similar meeting with Larkin. Maybe he just didn,t like sports people?
                    He certainly cut me down in front of all my classmates
                                            johnmc
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on March 17, 2016, 03:08:01 AM
 In fairness it was his 1st year as President and he was completely out of his depth when it came to dealing with people  :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on April 01, 2016, 05:14:41 PM

Is 1916 long enough ago not to provoke a savage reaction to this item?

http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/old-school-ties-an-irishman-s-diary-on-the-1916-rising-and-st-malachy-s-college-in-belfast-1.2581980
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on April 06, 2016, 08:36:24 PM
I have to go now as I am meeting the Mayor of Brisbane shortly?

As it happens, I met Dublin's Lord Mayor (or Ardméara, as she prefers to be called) earlier today.
Patch would be proud of us!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 06, 2016, 11:10:12 PM
 My meeting was profitable .   Have a friend who is very Irish to the extent that he doesn't recognise that people who were transported to Australia should be called convicts.  He goes to the odd meeting on Irish affairs at Westminster and meets the Irish ambassador and are on 1st name terms.  During an informal meeting at Westminster he found himself sipping beside a man who although he introduced himself Noel didn't catch his name and it was only at the end of a very interesting long conversation that he found that he had been talking to the President of Ireland. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on April 07, 2016, 05:30:22 PM
My meeting was profitable .   Have a friend who is very Irish to the extent that he doesn't recognise that people who were transported to Australia should be called convicts.  He goes to the odd meeting on Irish affairs at Westminster and meets the Irish ambassador and are on 1st name terms.  During an informal meeting at Westminster he found himself sipping beside a man who although he introduced himself Noel didn't catch his name and it was only at the end of a very interesting long conversation that he found that he had been talking to the President of Ireland. :D

Ah, good old Michael D!
I saw him at an event in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, recently. He's been quite ubiquitous during the 1916 events down here.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on April 29, 2016, 02:55:54 PM
Maybe we can take it as a given that some were miserable at SMC half a century ago, and some have reasonably good memories of the place...the crushing negativity of going on and on about how bad it was doesn't serve many useful purposes at this date, for most of us. Just because we share experiences from there doesn't mean we support, or supported, the bad eggs. During my life after SMC, I have encountered lots of horrible people, and lots of wonderful people too. Get over it and move on.

As Reinhold Niebuhr nearly said, "God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference".
Speak for yourself. I have found the discussion on this forum very useful, if for no other reason than that it has made me realise that I wasn't alone in regarding the College as a place where young kids were routinely humiliated, both physically and mentally.

And it isn't really that easy to "get over" the experience of years of being made to feel completely worthless. Eventually, you internalise that feeling. In my case, I felt such a failure that I was terrified of telling my parents what daily life at the College was like for me - even when teachers punched or slapped me around the head.

Objectively speaking, I can see that there were all sorts of reasons for the toxic atmosphere I and others experienced - inadequately-prepared teachers (some of whom should never have been in a classroom), inadequate resources, too many students, the historical legacy of Catholic oppression, etc.

Unfortunately, when I was at the College (1967 onwards), this shambolic (to put it diplomatically) state of affairs coexisted with the College's image of itself as a great educational institution. That delusion prevented it from recognising and addressing its many problems and failings. The institution survived, of course, but many of us are still damaged to some degree.

As that anonymous Jesuit nearly said, "Give me the boy until he is 17, and I will show you the man."
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on April 29, 2016, 04:18:14 PM
Speak for yourself. I have found the discussion on this forum very useful, if for no other reason than that it has made me realise that I wasn't alone in regarding the College as a place where young kids were routinely humiliated, both physically and mentally.

And it isn't really that easy to "get over" the experience of years of being made to feel completely worthless. Eventually, you internalise that feeling. In my case, I felt such a failure that I was terrified of telling my parents what daily life at the College was like for me - even when teachers punched or slapped me around the head.

Objectively speaking, I can see that there were all sorts of reasons for the toxic atmosphere I and others experienced - inadequately-prepared teachers (some of whom should never have been in a classroom), inadequate resources, too many students, the historical legacy of Catholic oppression, etc.

Unfortunately, when I was at the College (1967 onwards), this shambolic (to put it diplomatically) state of affairs coexisted with the College's image of itself as a great educational institution. That delusion prevented it from recognising and addressing its many problems and failings. The institution survived, of course, but many of us are still damaged to some degree.

As that anonymous Jesuit nearly said, "Give me the boy until he is 17, and I will show you the man."

 O0 O0
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on April 29, 2016, 11:18:54 PM
 These discussions are useful and being held by many Christian organisations.  However the thread should not be all doom & gloom as many, many people had a most acceptable time at S.M.C AND EVEN THOUGHT THAT THE FOOD WAS GOOD. :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on April 30, 2016, 01:04:42 AM
These discussions are useful and being held by many Christian organisations.  However the thread should not be all doom & gloom as many, many people had a most acceptable time at S.M.C AND EVEN THOUGHT THAT THE FOOD WAS GOOD. :D

Funny you should mention the food. That was the one highlight of my day! We had a square yellow card with the weekdays printed along the bottom. When you queued up to get to the serving hatches, a prefect had a hole punch and he would punch out the appropriate day. The canteen was indeed good though some preferred to bring a lunch in.

Don't know what the boarder's food was like though.  ???
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on May 01, 2016, 04:16:36 PM
Some of you might enjoy this epic....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CkJoh6xz0Q
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: johnmel on May 17, 2016, 01:39:16 PM
I went to St Malachy's from 74 -77. What a terrible place it was. As a secondary school teacher I look back with a mixture of disbelief/sadness at the way children were treated in that place. My memories are ones which are deeply unhappy. I remember the Latin teacher, whose nickname ironically was Happy, whose classes I feared so much that I often felt physically sick as we lined up outside his room. I remember the cane tapping on the desk in front of me as we did Latin verbs. I remember the canings from him and others. So many of the teachers then should never have been let near youngsters. One abiding memory is being late for school because of a bomb scare. Our bus was diverted so there were quite a number of us late. We were met at the top of the avenue by the Dean and someone else (a long time ago) and caned for being late - through no fault of our own. The President was Walsh. A detestable man who seemed to have a permanent sneer on his face. He set the tone very effectively for the place. There were a few teachers who stood out because they showed some signs of common decency to the kids - Mr Soetens (Sooty) the German teacher, Poe the Geography teacher, Mr Maguire(I think) the Art teacher. The English teacher was just out of training college and liked to throw his weight around -looking back it is clear that it was to with his lack of confidence. I entered that school as a child who loved books and had no problems with learning. However, by the time I left the place I had dropped like a stone academically. I had lost my confidence due to the daily diet of being demeaned by teachers. I also suffered from bullying by a couple of lads whose names I still remember. However, pastoral care was non-existent in St Malachy's,so you just suffered in silence.
We were intimidated out of our house in 1977. Our family moved to Downpatrick. On a Friday I was in St Malachy's and on the following Monday I was in St Patrick's HS (the Red High). What a change. The school was a revelation to me. Teachers treated the kids as if they were human beings, not as if they were something which had stuck to their shoe. I improved academically very quickly. I was happy.
I think that many of the people "teaching" there were damaged. They themselves were the products of a repressive Catholicism which valued conformity and obedience over everything else. As I reach my mid 50s I pity them more than anything else.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on May 17, 2016, 04:52:42 PM
Johnmel, your experience echoes my time there and so many others. Glad you survived and fair play to you for coming forward. There are those who enjoyed their time in the place no doubt....they have posted here. But the overwhelming slant of the personal experiences related on this thread about the past under the various megolamaniac Presidents, is a negative one.
Glad you survived like me and others. I haven't forgiven or forgotten though.  :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on July 29, 2016, 03:25:28 AM
I can identify with a lot of stuff in the most recent posts. Hugh McAvoy was an absolute bstard and would have better served the human race as a guard in a penal institution. But Bill McAvoy, Sean Kavanagh and Charlie Gallagher were among many decent guys who provided relief during the awful stress that we endured. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stickyra on July 29, 2016, 03:27:06 AM
BTW Walsh does not merit a comment from me. Even an extremely negative one.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 01, 2016, 08:51:03 PM
My son went to St Malachy's,i dont understand how these teacher's got away with he things they did,i remember myself being trailed by the hair and often aged 7 she was a right bitch
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 01, 2016, 11:21:27 PM
Did you go to St Malachy's college, on the Antrim Rd ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 01, 2016, 11:24:59 PM
Are u talking to me.i said my son went to st malachy's

Also im female its an all boys school.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 01, 2016, 11:32:04 PM
,i remember myself being trailed by the hair and often aged 7 she was a right bitch

You wrote this  ???  which is why I asked?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on August 02, 2016, 12:50:07 AM
My son went to St Malachy's,i dont understand how these teacher's got away with he things they did,i remember myself being trailed by the hair and often aged 7 she was a right bitch

that was incredible cruelty       did you confide in your Mum      regarding this incident   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 02, 2016, 12:55:10 AM
no sure it was just normal at the time
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 02, 2016, 05:19:53 AM
 Dot,          
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on August 02, 2016, 06:35:06 AM
no sure it was just normal at the time

That's sadly true. And I presume you're talking about one of the local secondary or grammar schools run by nuns? (Am I right?)

I remember in my primary school, the cane and strap were the normal means of corporal punishment but one teacher, good though he was as a teacher, used a small snooker cue as a cane. No one questioned it. We accepted it. So when we were older in St Malachy's, the marked increase in physical contact with punishment (Cane, strap, fist, verbal abuse), for the slightest reason was also normal.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 02, 2016, 09:38:59 AM
There was no nun's at our primary school there was at secondary we had a good teacher for the last two year's primary school who also was a policeman i often wondered what happened to him,his wife was also a teacher at the school
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on August 02, 2016, 10:34:15 AM
Dot,        

yes I am shocked         I'd have told my Mum         had some teacher pulled my hair      if Mum didn't pull her

child's hair        she most certainly wouldn't have allowed a teacher to do so     my most extreme punishment from

my Mum     was a slap across the bum      that was humiliating enough       

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 02, 2016, 11:42:46 AM
 However Dot...Did this hair pulling happen at St Malachy's college to a girl and if not why is it being discussed on the St Malachy's College thread??? :o
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on August 02, 2016, 11:53:07 AM
However Dot...Did this hair pulling happen at St Malachy's college to a girl and if not why is it being discussed on the St Malachy's College thread??? :o

I've no idea         only BW could answer that question      I guess I too am guilty      off going off piste on this

thread        :whistle: 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 02, 2016, 02:16:43 PM
 The solution is to not drink whilst posting?? :)    I was near you 3 weeks ago. ??
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 02, 2016, 02:16:50 PM

I remember in my primary school, the cane and strap were the normal means of corporal punishment but one teacher, good though he was as a teacher, used a small snooker cue as a cane. No one questioned it. We accepted it. So when we were older in St Malachy's, the marked increase in physical contact with punishment (Cane, strap, fist, verbal abuse), for the slightest reason was also normal.
I've always thought that there's no problem (in theory, at least) with a small amount of corporal punishment, judiciously administered. On the other hand, it also seems to validate the slippery slope argument: after being on the receiving end of the cane and the strap at primary school, I didn't think that there was anything unusual about the escalation of punishments - slapping and punching - that I encountered at St Malachy's; and I suspect that, having been reared in that system themselves, many of the staff (themselves Old Boys) didn't think it unusual to dish it out when they became teachers themselves.

I never got the chance to ask my dad about what life was like the College in the 1940s. But I have an uncle who was there in the late 50s, so I might ask him.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 02, 2016, 02:22:23 PM
 Oh ....Please ask him because I was at the college in the late 50's and it was not good. ;)   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on August 02, 2016, 04:03:36 PM
The solution is to not drink whilst posting?? :)    I was near you 3 weeks ago. ??

what do you mean near me  ??       :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 02, 2016, 10:49:59 PM

what do you mean near me  ??       :)

Well I don't know how far I was away from you , but I was in England.  At Cambridge & Oxford & London. :) Switzerland & Spain??
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on August 03, 2016, 10:10:35 AM

Well I don't know how far I was away from you , but I was in England.  At Cambridge & Oxford & London. :) Switzerland & Spain??

I live in glorious Gloucestershire         :) :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 03, 2016, 12:26:07 PM
 Dot, I went to St Malachy's College? ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 07, 2016, 10:14:06 AM
However Dot...Did this hair pulling happen at St Malachy's college to a girl and if not why is it being discussed on the St Malachy's College thread??? :o

I didnt say i went to st malachys college i said my son did,i went to holy rosary sunnyside st were the hair pulling etc happened,you can ask me yourself dont need a third party to make it aware.Also how could i have went to st malachy's,its an all boys school and still is.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 07, 2016, 10:22:55 AM

I didnt say i went to st malachys college i said my son did,i went to holy rosary sunnyside st were the hair pulling etc happened,you can ask me yourself dont need a third party to make it aware.Also how could i have went to st malachy's,its an all boys school and still is.

I have already answered your post ? ;)   Don't forget the smileys.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 07, 2016, 10:29:52 AM
No you didnt answer me you answered to somebody else about my post,there's a difference

Gl have a good day.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 07, 2016, 11:02:38 AM
The solution is to not drink whilst posting?? :)    I was near you 3 weeks ago. ??

Think you shouldnt make assumptions on people.Think before you speak in future i guess

Here is your smile  >:D  Ta
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 07, 2016, 12:10:05 PM

Think you shouldnt make assumptions on people.Think before you speak in future i guess

Here is your smile  >:D  Ta

Dot and I are friends from afar.  She gives as good as she gets and no harm is intended to her. :)  and she would know that.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 07, 2016, 12:13:16 PM
As for that NO Comment

As to your personal comment..

Please.

Do it on open thread and no personal Pm.   
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Belfast Woman on August 07, 2016, 12:15:34 PM
If you want to talk to me again,either you or your friends,do it through Chris.

I dont want to close this thread please continue i shant get involved.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Gerryd10 on October 05, 2016, 09:44:49 PM
I went to St Malachy's from 74 -77. What a terrible place it was. As a secondary school teacher I look back with a mixture of disbelief/sadness at the way children were treated in that place. My memories are ones which are deeply unhappy. I remember the Latin teacher, whose nickname ironically was Happy, whose classes I feared so much that I often felt physically sick as we lined up outside his room. I remember the cane tapping on the desk in front of me as we did Latin verbs. I remember the canings from him and others. So many of the teachers then should never have been let near youngsters. One abiding memory is being late for school because of a bomb scare. Our bus was diverted so there were quite a number of us late. We were met at the top of the avenue by the Dean and someone else (a long time ago) and caned for being late - through no fault of our own. The President was Walsh. A detestable man who seemed to have a permanent sneer on his face. He set the tone very effectively for the place. There were a few teachers who stood out because they showed some signs of common decency to the kids - Mr Soetens (Sooty) the German teacher, Poe the Geography teacher, Mr Maguire(I think) the Art teacher. The English teacher was just out of training college and liked to throw his weight around -looking back it is clear that it was to with his lack of confidence. I entered that school as a child who loved books and had no problems with learning. However, by the time I left the place I had dropped like a stone academically. I had lost my confidence due to the daily diet of being demeaned by teachers. I also suffered from bullying by a couple of lads whose names I still remember. However, pastoral care was non-existent in St Malachy's,so you just suffered in silence.
We were intimidated out of our house in 1977. Our family moved to Downpatrick. On a Friday I was in St Malachy's and on the following Monday I was in St Patrick's HS (the Red High). What a change. The school was a revelation to me. Teachers treated the kids as if they were human beings, not as if they were something which had stuck to their shoe. I improved academically very quickly. I was happy.
I think that many of the people "teaching" there were damaged. They themselves were the products of a repressive Catholicism which valued conformity and obedience over everything else. As I reach my mid 50s I pity them more than anything else.
I wentsame time as you.Was mates with joker Taylor,Paul Roberts bunt Cunningham billy mc clelland paul Steele   Hated that school,toughened me up though
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on October 06, 2016, 01:03:15 AM
 Some students really did well whilst others didn't .  It certainly wasn't the place for everyone and I could never understand why some teachers were allowed to come from Queens University and enter a place like St Malachy's college without teacher training.  At least at teacher training college they would have learnt how to communicate with students especially the priests who were teachers. :o
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on October 06, 2016, 02:42:04 AM
What about Brendan Harvey, Sam.  HE came from the shipyard.  [censored]!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on October 06, 2016, 10:09:42 AM
What about Brendan Harvey, Sam.  HE came from the shipyard.  [censored]!

Brian, Could you remind me of him. .what did he teach.  I must resurrect an old Collegian. :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alpine Fan on October 24, 2016, 09:27:19 PM
Expat

Frog's real name was Coghlan, not Flaherty.  He received his nickname because traditionally teachers of French had that name.

There was another teacher there called FAHERTY, at the same time. Maybe you are confusing the two characters.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: mcgrudie on October 27, 2016, 06:28:25 AM
I know Jimmy Frazer is dead, and to the best of my knowledge, Lefty passed away a few years ago? ???
I knew Brendon McMullan as a primary school teacher in St Teresas. He taught us in a parish hall beside St Agnes church. He had a split personality then also being nice to most pupils but routinely physically  abused 3 boys jimmy  Mulgrew being his main target. Lifting him up and throwing him against the wall.
All the makings of a good Irish Priest.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on November 04, 2016, 02:34:13 PM
I don't know if it was the same McMullan but I recall in RE we were discussing the Schism and I said something about the competing Popes and he completely lost it, ran down the classroom, grabbed me and threw me out.
Such sweet memories
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Dot/dash on November 04, 2016, 04:29:26 PM
I don't know if it was the same McMullan but I recall in RE we were discussing the Schism and I said something about the competing Popes and he completely lost it, ran down the classroom, grabbed me and threw me out.
Such sweet memories

holy s###   what an  a###        how awful to have memories such as those       
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on November 04, 2016, 10:52:40 PM
 Those were the days  .my friend?? :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Leedsboy on December 30, 2016, 10:52:45 AM
Hello all,Leedsboy here..stumbled across this forum and have loved reading the posts.I attended the college from 76 to 83 and luckily the place had transformed to a more humane/pastoral school.My memories are largely positive,due to the strong friendships and being very lucky with the teachers who inspired me.I ended up teaching for one year in the College and strangely in light of Belfast Woman's posts.Holy Rosary P S.I suspect I even worked with the hair pulling teacher.The present principal is a peer of mine,a superb musician and decent footballer who loves the college.The year I worked there,I was looked after very well by the staff who had taught me especially Bill Lowry,who became a great friend.Bill sadly died of a heart attack in the mid nineties,far too young.We'd both gone to the same small North Belfast primary school,Sacred Heart.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jim McCullough on December 31, 2016, 03:39:07 AM
" Sambo" taught me from Junior 1 to Upper Sixth and I suppose is the main reason why I ended up a total French Freak and a French teacher for over thirty years. He very definitely was one of the good ones and the only teacher from St Mals that I really would have liked to have met in later years, just to thank him. RIP Bill.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Anthonyjohn on January 04, 2017, 01:15:48 AM
Did not know this Forum existed . A forum for St Malachy's eh? I was a pupil from 1967 until 1973 . Goodness me it must be different now surely ! Mr Soutens ? Taught us French . Liked him . Never spoke English ! I am sure it's moved with the times . I have very few happy memories except the last year or so . Sort of a Catholic Trance most of the time ! No one believed it really ! Did they ! Glory from within ? Mmmmh I never saw much of that !
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Paul Carroll on January 12, 2017, 01:21:02 PM
(http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/webkit-fake-url://baf2046e-01a0-4126-bd00-6c4f36bac9a4/imagejpeg)
I've been trying to post the class photograph of 1971-1972 Upper VIA featuring Jim and myself but to no avail. Does anyone know the procedure ?
Regards, Paul

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on January 12, 2017, 02:26:14 PM
(http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/webkit-fake-url://baf2046e-01a0-4126-bd00-6c4f36bac9a4/imagejpeg)
I've been trying to post the class photograph of 1971-1972 Upper VIA featuring Jim and myself but to no avail. Does anyone know the procedure ?
Regards, Paul
Instructions given by Chris at
http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,26595.0.html
some years ago, but probably still valid.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Paul Carroll on January 12, 2017, 02:46:44 PM
(http://i65.tinypic.com/2a9qovc.png)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on January 13, 2017, 04:33:57 PM
There's some serious hair there! Bet it's diminished a lot over the 45 years...
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jim McCullough on January 13, 2017, 09:57:47 PM
Yip!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: townieman on January 20, 2017, 10:54:32 PM
What about Brendan Harvey, Sam.  HE came from the shipyard.  [censored]!

Brendan Harvey was an utter [censored] to me. The day after Bobby Sands died I couldn't get to school following a fatal incident involving a milkman and his son as we were in lockdown. That [censored] accused me of being involved in a riot, claiming he'd seen me when i hadn't been over the door. Hateful, hateful man.

 >:D >:D

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on January 22, 2017, 04:44:30 AM
It's good we agree on that score townieman.  Have another pint of Guinness!! :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Wee .... on January 29, 2017, 10:04:18 PM
I just discovered this site. I was at Malachy's as a 1 & 2 year border in 1967&68. Wee Dan McKeown my grandfather had retired as a teacher at the College a couple of years before. He was a god man. My father, Brendan  was at Malachy's during the war and he turned out well.
My personal experience of Malachy's was of hard education with brutality & cruelty being used to keep us innocents on the straight and narrow. There was no heart or compassion. I don't remember Malachy's being fun but I did get educated primarily because as a border we had more than 30 + hours  per week of quiet study. When not studying it was  football in the quad or handball in the alleys.  Reading the blogs here brings back the brutality of Purdy and Stoneface Larkin. Some of you will remember a crazy elderly arts teacher. He didn't use a strap. He used a chairleg.  I was afraid because I wasn't good at art but I did try.
My nick name was wee Persia or wee [censored], because my brother was Persia or [censored].
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on January 30, 2017, 05:38:43 AM
Some of you will remember a crazy elderly arts teacher. He didn't use a strap. He used a chairleg.  I was afraid because I wasn't good at art but I did try.
John Porter was a (the?) art teacher at that time. I don't remember his ever using a chairleg; in fact, I don't remember anything about art classes at the College at all, apart from some incidents involving Porter and his undoubted irascibility, which, in retrospect, are quite sad.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Wee .... on January 30, 2017, 06:54:12 PM
Thank you Stiofan.
John Porter it was. 

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on September 11, 2017, 12:19:56 PM
As usual,

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Greg McAvera on September 11, 2017, 12:25:07 PM
Must remember not to press the return button. Big John Porter was , let's say, unpredictable and having a bit of wood in his hand was not an infrequent sight though I don't remember his actually using it. I was friendly with his son Des who had a huge tent which we used to put up in Skerries where we'd stay for several weeks in the summer. Happy days
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alliance on December 15, 2017, 06:51:28 PM
Was a pupil at the college from 1964 until 1971. Have very clear memories of all the teachers, the physical layout of the school and the unique relationships between boarders and day boys. Survived it nonetheless.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 15, 2017, 09:55:32 PM
 Well done Alliance :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: lonesome dove on January 16, 2018, 10:02:23 AM
Was a pupil at the college from 1964 until 1971. Have very clear memories of all the teachers, the physical layout of the school and the unique relationships between boarders and day boys. Survived it nonetheless.

I was also there '64-'71 Alliance
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: kester72 on July 29, 2018, 12:10:24 AM
Calling all 70's past pupils !

It's been seven months since a post on this thread.

Most of the 51 pages have been a wonderful collage of experience up to the late 60's.

Maybe it's now time for the 70's classes to put their thoughts here to allow today's pupils the opportunity to read about our experiences, and our teachers, during what would be termed today as a civil war, not the 'TROUBLES'.

Frankly, I couldn't deal with that period in my life until now, but after reading this thread it's too good to die?

We will find out!

I started in 72   Junior 1C  .. any takers?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on August 07, 2018, 03:47:53 AM
I am looking for late 50's to early 60;s x-students.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sonychka on October 24, 2018, 06:28:37 AM
My father, Pat Lee, then possibly known as Patsy Lee, attended St. Malachy's from ~1947 or '48 through ~'52 or '53. After St. Malachy's, he went to Queen's and qualiied in Medicine in '59. He did a houseofficer's year at the Belfast City Hospital, then Contactor's Bureau, and then an obstetric flying squad for about 6 more months. He married my mother, a Midwife, in 1960 in St. Brigid's, Derryvolgie, off the Malone. They left for America on the "America" or the "United States," (I am not sure which of the two ships) from Cork to Southampton, then on to New York. He was from South Down, in the farmland area between Castlewellan and Ballynahinch. Does anyone remember Pat Lee? He passed away some years ago, quite young, and I would be grateful if anyone had any recollections, old photos, old documenets/certificates, or anything at all relevant to him or his class who finished in ~'52 or '53. Warm Regards to All
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on November 21, 2018, 12:41:49 PM
One thing I could never understand was the post of Dean of Discipline. Many or most of the teachers seemed perfectly prepared to use the cane or the strap, so what was the point of having a Dean of Discipline to do the same thing? Just curious.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Cambrinus on December 23, 2018, 08:10:50 PM
Was at SMC from 1969-76. Have noticed that stickyra, sj, marshmallow and one or two others might be of my vintage. Generally stayed under the radar, so have only a few horror stories to impart, but lots of good/funny stuff.

So, does anyone from 1970/71 remember 'Malachy's for Mexico' chant (the All-Ireland GAA Schools Football Final) in Dublin, against a school from Cork, I think? (we lost!).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: rayk on December 23, 2018, 09:01:00 PM
I am looking for late 50's to early 60;s x-students.
I was there ‘56 to’63
Rayk
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: sj on December 26, 2018, 01:46:55 AM
 I came from Bearnageeha in 1959 and left in 1961.? :)  I passed Junior so was 15 when I came to St Malachy's .    ;)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on December 26, 2018, 03:47:11 AM
I started in 1958 and finished in 1964.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Jim McCullough on December 26, 2018, 03:48:29 AM

So, does anyone from 1970/71 remember 'Malachy's for Mexico' chant (the All-Ireland GAA Schools Football Final) in Dublin, against a school from Cork, I think? (we lost!).
If the chant had anything to do with a certain member of the office staff, then I do. Looking back on it now, it was pretty cruel to single out someone who was just doing his job, although at the time it was funny. It's lucky that we grow up, really.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: portst on February 26, 2019, 12:03:46 AM
Hi !. I was a boarder at St. Malachys from 1948 to 1952.  I remember Pat Lee as a rather tall,reserved student.  Not much help I'm afraid. Very sorry to hear that he has passed away.  My time at the College was uneventful.  I got the odd thumping from the teachers but probably deserved it.  Nothing like the students experienced in later years.  Good luck.  Peter
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BBJ on February 26, 2019, 09:06:34 AM
I started in 1958 and finished in 1964.

Hi Brian, good to see you're still going strong!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Bread Basket on February 26, 2019, 09:14:29 AM
My Great Uncle, W.D. Broderick (Bass) was the Choirmaster / Director of Music way back in 30’s & 40’s. Died in 1946.
Wonder if the College hold any archived of him?. I think i’ll Drop them a line.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: brianmckeever on February 27, 2019, 07:57:24 AM
Hi Brian, good to see you're still going strong!

And you too John.  There's nothing wrong with being in our seventies, is there. :)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alber55 on June 14, 2019, 07:11:09 PM
Just signed up to this forum. I was at SMC from 1966 - 70. Mixed feeling about the school and teachers. I remember a few names from my class and year....Sean Magee, Kieran Crossey, Paul Maguire, brothers John and Paul Dick, Edward Armstrong, Malachy McGowan....and of these ring bells with anyone?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Noworries on December 15, 2019, 12:09:00 AM
Stiofan - Finally got on here quite by mistake and I am enjoying Collegians and other posts.  You certainly were active.  Are you still on this?
Your Uncle U.S.A.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: An Tuamach on December 16, 2019, 09:13:59 AM
Nollaig Shona daoibh! The forum almost died this year. Hope more people use it next year.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alber55 on December 16, 2019, 11:05:36 AM
Feliz Navidad ... 🎅
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: erjmckay on March 08, 2020, 10:18:55 PM
This is an interesting forum. I've dipped in and out of it over several years. I'm writing a book, and the college features prominently. I came back to explore the comments on SMC again. I hated the place. I have a couple of questions. Does anyone remember hearing the tales of a ghost that haunts the old dorms (the same building as the administrative offices, I believe)? I believe it was a hanging, suicide. And whatever became of Fr O'Hare, the Dean Of Discipline during my time there, 81-86? Thanks.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Gerard Mcg on March 17, 2020, 01:01:08 AM
Just signed up to this forum. I was at SMC from 1966 - 70. Mixed feeling about the school and teachers. I remember a few names from my class and year....Sean Magee, Kieran Crossey, Paul Maguire, brothers John and Paul Dick, Edward Armstrong, Malachy McGowan....and of these ring bells with anyone?
Malachy McGowan from sunny Carrickfergus ?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 17, 2020, 03:43:23 PM
 Hello, erjmckay.
I attended at the College from 1965-72 but have had no contact since 2005 when my wife and I were given a guided tour by Sean Devenney. Sean was at the College man and boy; he had reputedly been a talented athlete; he started and finished his working life in the College admin office. (You might remember his colleague Gerry O’Hare who was given a very unkind nickname by many cohorts of us not-very-civilised urchins.) Sean told us that his retirement task was to work through decades of College archives to produce some sort of official history. No doubt his discretion in dealing with uncomfortable situations over the years recommended him to the authorities!
If you’re researching the College, you might try to find out what happened to Sean’s efforts. It’s possible that some material found its way into the 2009 publication “Glory from Within. Essays and Perspectives on St Malachy’s College, 1833 – 2008. ISBN 978-0-9560101-9-3” but I can see no acknowledgement of Sean Devenney. The 2009 book has interesting stories from the very early days when the bottom of the Antrim Road was way out in the sticks and that part of Belfast ended somewhere around today’s Clifton St..
You ask about a Dean of Discipline called Fr. O’Hare around 1981-86. This would be around the right age for my contemporary Peter O’Hare. Peter was a very mild-mannered lad so I’m not sure how he managed to survive the rigours of that job. I was told many years later that even the dreaded Sean Purdy disliked his job, but when the bishop gives the order, what are you to do? I was also told that many of the College-educated priests had the ambition to get to foreign parts to convert the heathens but the bishop ordered them to stay where they had spent their youth. More heathens in Belfast, maybe?
Here’s a very long shot. When I first arrived in 1965, an exuberant 6th-former called Derek Davis was fronting a project to make a cine film (I use the old phrase because I remember the clockwork camera that they used) of daily College life. Derek went on to a very successful career as an RTE presenter. It’s possible that not much came of the film project because Derek had many other interests (I once saw him fronting a showband in Donegal) and sadly he died in 2015 so we can’t ask him. If you unearth anything, let us know.
Good luck with your research.
 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on March 19, 2020, 11:39:09 AM
 Hi Wee Legs – long time, no see!
Your comment about what priests had to do reinforced what one priest told me when I was back in Belfast a couple of years ago. He said that he got a phone call to tell him that he was being transferred out of the College:
“I said, `Thank God!’, and the person on the other end said, `But I haven’t told you where you’re going.’
`I don’t care,’ I told him.”
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on March 19, 2020, 04:59:05 PM
I skimmed “Glory from Within. Essays and Perspectives..." to refresh my memory. As you might expect in a publication celebrating the 175th anniversary of a prominent institution, it's mostly upbeat, with emphasis on inspirational teachers and successful (and sometimes very successful) alumni. There's the occasional acknowledgement that corporal punishment was an integral part of the education process. I was surprised to be reminded that it was under Paddy Walsh that caning was abolished.

But there are some dissenting voices. Brian Moore arrived at the College in 1935, thoroughly disliked his experiences and wrote "The feast of Lupercal" (later published in paperback as "A moment of love") where some institution easily recognisable as the College is profoundly criticised. Apparently he said that "he was both claimed and disclaimed by his Alma Mater". The article on Moore and Luperal in "Glory ..." reads like a rebuttal of the more derogatory bits of Lupercal. There's a commentary on Moore, his social background and his likely motivations. Several identified College people are discussed in quotes from Lupercal and from Moore's biographer, but interestingly there's usually a rebuttal in the form of a contrary opinion from a noteworthy alumnus. The 175th anniversary publication couldn't plausibly have ignored the internationally known writer Moore, but I think he got it right when he said that the College both claims and disclaims him. It's a great pity that he died in 1999 before he could fulfill his agreement to give a lecture at the College.

In passing, Moore sets Lupercal in a jumbled-up geography of North Belfast. Of course he's not the first writer to repurpose rather than invent from new, but I find it a bit distracting to recognise roads and locations that have other associations for me.

Re the Dean Fr. O'Hare, I've had no contact with Peter since 1972. I think he was priest at Somerton Road church for a while.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on March 21, 2020, 12:11:01 AM
“Feast of Lupercal” was a sensation in the wee world of North Belfast when it was first published – one of those books which is more talked about than read. I seem to remember that there was even talk of libel actions.

 
In any event, it is not one of Moore’s best.  To say that it paints an over-simplified black and white picture  is an understatement. It drips with dislike of the College, its staff and the Church. That’s fine if you’re posting on Belfast Forum about your less-than-positive experiences as a student there (as I have done myself), but it results in a novel that is largely peopled  with cardboard cut-out characters. Moore was happy to portray Catholics in Belfast as narrow-minded wee bigots, ruled by an uncaring clergy, and there is undoubtedly truth in that. However, he fails to see or consider the whole picture, which especially in the time he was writing about, included institutional discrimination and the memories of  the 1920s; events like the McMahon murders would have been part of the lives of most of the adults in “Feast of Lupercal”.

 
Old Collegians might also be interested in Bernard MacLaverty’s short story, “Secrets”, which is about a Latin class in a thinly-disguised St Malachy’s. Also worth a look is Brian Moore’s “Emperor of Ice Cream”, which is about the transition from the College (and middle class Antrim Road life) to manhood during the Blitz. 
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chunkyismyname on June 05, 2020, 10:30:18 PM
Malachy McGowan from sunny Carrickfergus ?
I was at SMC from 1968 for 3 years and while I have some very unhappy memories, I have a few fond ones also. I don't think I liked any of my teachers and as for the priests? Inept bullies and would be snobs. Malachy and Edward were my older cousins. I lived in definitely not sunny Carrick I have a vague recollection of the Dicks. Did they have red hair? Where were they from?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chunkyismyname on June 05, 2020, 10:34:10 PM
Was at SMC from 1969-76. Have noticed that stickyra, sj, marshmallow and one or two others might be of my vintage. Generally stayed under the radar, so have only a few horror stories to impart, but lots of good/funny stuff.

So, does anyone from 1970/71 remember 'Malachy's for Mexico' chant (the All-Ireland GAA Schools Football Final) in Dublin, against a school from Cork, I think? (we lost!).

Don't remember the chant but remember the match and the disappointment.  I think I even remember the goal that sank us ??
Didn't Martin O'Neill play in that match? Why the chant?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on June 06, 2020, 02:07:21 PM
Don't remember the chant but remember the match and the disappointment.  I think I even remember the goal that sank us ??
Didn't Martin O'Neill play in that match? Why the chant?
He did, indeed - which was why the team and supporters ended up tramping all over the North at one point: https://www.irishnews.com/sport/2020/04/22/news/martin-o-neill-and-the-macrory-cup-fall-out-of-1971-1910750/

The game at Croke Park itself was a real heartbreaker. Funnily, the other team's colours were the St Malachy's school colours, which meant that, with our flags and scarves,  it looked as though we were supporting them.

Here's another GAA-related question: does anyone remember the bus which caught fire while we were going to one of the games? In my mind, it was the game at Croke Park, but I'm fairly sure that we went there and back by train.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Chunkyismyname on June 06, 2020, 10:29:35 PM
He did, indeed - which was why the team and supporters ended up tramping all over the North at one point: https://www.irishnews.com/sport/2020/04/22/news/martin-o-neill-and-the-macrory-cup-fall-out-of-1971-1910750/ (https://www.irishnews.com/sport/2020/04/22/news/martin-o-neill-and-the-macrory-cup-fall-out-of-1971-1910750/)

The game at Croke Park itself was a real heartbreaker. Funnily, the other team's colours were the St Malachy's school colours, which meant that, with our flags and scarves,  it looked as though we were supporting them.

Here's another GAA-related question: does anyone remember the bus which caught fire while we were going to one of the games? In my mind, it was the game at Croke Park, but I'm fairly sure that we went there and back by train.
Thanks Stiofan that link was a great read. That final was indeed a heartbreaker. I dont know how this could have happened but I remember playing on the same team as Martin in a match. I was obviously much younger. Maybe it was an end of term thing or sports day? I was not a particularly gifted player but I did love playing. Is it possible that the bus fire was on the way to Clones for a match?
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: hungry homer on June 16, 2020, 12:34:57 PM
I've just been informed on the St. Pat's Knock page, that Fr. O'Sullivan who taught at St. Malachys for many years before he came to St. Pats, has died.
R.I.P. Fr. O'Sullivan

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alliance on July 26, 2020, 02:59:36 PM
As I perused the pages of this thread I can see truth in many of those recalling memories of their time spent at the college. I was a pupil at the college when it was an all male institution in terms of pupils and teaching staff. It was only a short time after I left that a female joined the teaching staff and I cannot therefore testify as to whether the atmosphere changed thereafter.
During my 7 years at the college corporal punishment was clearly evident as indeed was physical and verbal reprimand. I did not escape either as a pupil. There was a skill in taking punishment from the cane or strap. The most resilient of pupils offered stretched out hands to receive the determined number of slaps without even flinching. Others would stretch out their hand but at the last minute withdraw it out of abject fear. They would be unceremoniously warned not to repeat this tactic as the rest of the class looked on. The level of fear was such that instinct often took over and the hand would again be pulled away. This infuriated most teachers who would then grab the pupil by the wrist in order to ensure that the hand could not be pulled away and the cane or strap would therefore made solid contact with the palm. The most frustrating pupil was the one who never held their arm out straight for the teacher but rather kept it bent at 90 degrees at the elbow with their palm in line with their ear. He would then begin a Riverdance style movement which meant that the teacher had no chance of administering the punishment even if he held the pupil by the wrist. Invariably the teacher gave up out of frustration and determined an alternative retribution in order not to lose face. This sometimes involved a more physical altercation. I was once subjected to a severe hair pulling by my English teacher as I sat at my desk in room B14. I admit that I had spoken out of turn but certainly did not deserve the treatment I received. I remember the pain of it to this day. I was so so close to swinging around and thumping the teacher in the head, despite knowing that I would be expelled. He must have let go at that exact moment and I sank down into my chair holding my head to try to ease the agonising pain. I don't remember anything after that except that he came to me at the end of class and apologised for what he had done. I never forgave him and determined that no one would ever do that to me again. He was one teacher of many but I will leave recollections of them for a future thread.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: See Me on August 14, 2020, 10:48:33 PM
Here’s a very long shot. When I first arrived in 1965, an exuberant 6th-former called Derek Davis was fronting a project to make a cine film (I use the old phrase because I remember the clockwork camera that they used) of daily College life. Derek went on to a very successful career as an RTE presenter. It’s possible that not much came of the film project because Derek had many other interests (I once saw him fronting a showband in Donegal) and sadly he died in 2015 so we can’t ask him. If you unearth anything, let us know.
Good luck with your research.

A very long shot, maybe....but even in those days, it seems, film projects had someone on the sidelines doing “making of” still pictures.

Here is one such picture of said project showing the intrepid blond-haired Mr. Davis directing Scene 3, Take 1. The person doing the actual filming appears to be Patrick Lane, (although I can't be 100% sure of that), elder brother of Peter Lane who was murdered during the troubles. The main protagonist in the film was Piers Tweedale RIP.

Whatever became of the film, I'm afraid I have no idea. I would assume that it had its premier at the annual hobbies exhibition in the assembly hall in 1966 (if it made it past the censors), but some others might be able to shed more light on its history.

(https://i.imgur.com/0uOHBTJ.png)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: wee legs on August 15, 2020, 08:46:17 PM
I have no memory of Derek's film ever being shown. I'm fairly sure I would have known because I was a very junior member of the Photographic Society (older members included Dennis Newberry, Jim Crawford, Tim Young) and would have taken an interest. Film purchasing and processing were expensive in those pre-digital days so someone must have looked after the results, but who? Not much hope of finding it today because celluloid film needs careful looking after to survive 50+ years.

Interesting remark about the possible censorship! I'm sure the Boss would have wanted to scrutinise the results before they were made public.

The Photographic Society had access to a room in the clerical students' old wing, now long demolished and replaced, where I remember handling Derek's clockwork cine camera. A few years later, thanks to Noel Conway's support, we were also given an equipped darkroom in the same wing. The school caretaker was a skilful joiner and he built a bench over the bath in the ground floor of one of the houses (in Adela Place?) that together made up the students' old wing. Health & Safety wasn't a big concern in those days because Noel Conway gave me a handful of electrical plugs and sockets and send me off to wire them up. Luckily, he had overestimated my electrical experience and I came back to him for help. If I hadn't, that wing could have been demolished much sooner!

I eventually became President of the Society (what a grand title!) mainly because the membership had dropped to a handful and no-one else wanted to take on the job.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on August 16, 2020, 02:21:31 AM
Not the only handmade film from the College: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CkJoh6xz0Q&fbclid=IwAR1JPHtQlT1mi5ireajMQQg0NuChSvQdUzPRb-74MZCIql-BTyS5qSmXb4c
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Alpine Fan on September 12, 2020, 08:59:49 PM
Hairball 5

I disagree with your profile of Fergus O’Duffy where you allege that he was interested only in the pupils who came from better off homes.

I came from a working class home, as did many others in my class and we were never treated in any way other than with fairness. For many years Fergus O’Duffy taught me and I am indebted to him for all that I learned. He was also very helpful regarding careers guidance for many students.

You may like to know that when Fergus died, he was almost penniless as he had given virtually all of his wealth to charities.  That is hardly the action of a person allegedly pandering to the rich.

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: irishcolum on October 12, 2020, 01:18:40 AM
THE VERY REVEREND JOHN O’SULLIVAN –
The Very Reverend John (RIP), died 15th June 2020, peacefully at his late residence, Nazareth House Care Home Belfast, on his 96th Birthday, dearly beloved brother of the Late Robert and Marie O’Sullivan.Deeply regretted by his nieces Patricia, Geraldine and Sheelagh and the O’Sulllivan family circle, by the Bishops, priests and deacons and religious of the Diocese of Down and Connor, and by his many friends.Requiem Mass will take place on Thursday 18th June at 12 Noon in St Joseph’s Church, Glenavy, followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.
It is with great regret that due to the current restrictions the funeral will be PRIVATE.
The funeral can be followed by the Glenavy and Killead Parish Facebook page.
May He rest in Peace.

Posted on FindaGrave.com
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: hungry homer on October 12, 2020, 08:47:12 AM
Irishcolum,
As it's coming up to Halloween, are you going round as the grim reaper? :o
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: irishcolum on October 12, 2020, 06:14:37 PM
Be careful Homer, else you might find your way on to my list.... :D
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on October 15, 2020, 11:07:06 PM
I've just been informed on the St. Pat's Knock page, that Fr. O'Sullivan who taught at St. Malachys for many years before he came to St. Pats, has died.
R.I.P. Fr. O'Sullivan
I had him as a maths teacher in the mid 1950s.  think he was less interested in maths than in yarning with the soccer-heads in the class. Nickname "John L", I suspect in reference to a famous Irish-American boxer - or maybe he really did have a second name beginning with L. May he rest in peace.

On a totally different topic, I've just noticed that what used to be my saved shortcut to the Old Boys Association at smcoba.org now points to the Old Boys Association of Stella Maris College Port Harcourt which as we all know (thanks to Wee Po, my geography teacher also in the mid 1950s) is in Nigeria. Moral: use it or lose it (the web address that is).
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Cambrinus on January 28, 2021, 02:50:05 PM
Thanks Stiofan that link was a great read. That final was indeed a heartbreaker. I dont know how this could have happened but I remember playing on the same team as Martin in a match. I was obviously much younger. Maybe it was an end of term thing or sports day? I was not a particularly gifted player but I did love playing. Is it possible that the bus fire was on the way to Clones for a match?
There are two photographs of that bus fire, on the M1, on p.78 of the 1969-70 Collegian. I think it was when we played St. Macartans's, Monaghan, in the Rannafast Cup; so it was probably Clones, but I do not remember.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Cambrinus on January 28, 2021, 02:58:23 PM
One thing I could never understand was the post of Dean of Discipline. Many or most of the teachers seemed perfectly prepared to use the cane or the strap, so what was the point of having a Dean of Discipline to do the same thing? Just curious.
Well, Fr. Murray and Fr. Purdy would do the rounds between lessons and at break/lunch times, just keeping an eye out for any rule-breaking. They patrolled at lesson-breaks and would slap the whole class (with that stubby bit of leather they carried) if you were seated in a  classroom with the door closed. I remember Fr. Purdy's untimely and sudden death being  announced in Mr Cavanagh's French class - we very nearly cheered!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Cambrinus on January 28, 2021, 03:02:08 PM
If the chant had anything to do with a certain member of the office staff, then I do. Looking back on it now, it was pretty cruel to single out someone who was just doing his job, although at the time it was funny. It's lucky that we grow up, really.
I vaguely remember that, Jim, but the main chant was, of course, a rather facetious reference to the impending 1970s World Cup, by some Junior boys (of whom I was one). I think there was a banner, too.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Cambrinus on January 28, 2021, 03:08:36 PM
Instructions given by Chris at
http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,26595.0.html (http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,26595.0.html)
some years ago, but probably still valid.
Photos now available, mostly without names, at the School website (click on Alumni/Alumni Network/Collegian Photographs)
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: BSOH on January 28, 2021, 03:54:39 PM
If names are wanted (GDPR?) they'd better get a move on...not all of us will live for ever!
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: [email protected] on July 24, 2021, 07:01:10 AM
Hello . When did you go to Holy Rosary? I was there aproximately 1952 to 1955. Des, Western Australia

Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: littlemo on March 22, 2022, 01:48:17 PM
Jim Lenaghan r.I.p. was my cousin my brothers Austin r.I.p. & Paddy were there mid 1950
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: grendelkiller on September 23, 2022, 05:05:50 PM
I attende the College from 1977 to 1984
Corperal punishment by can/strap had by this time gone
However there were several viscous teachers/ priests about

Teachers who were amazing however were abundant
Mr McAvoy or wee Hugh (nicknamed) was an amazing teacher
who rarely ever raised his voice. When he did the classroom
became as silent as the Mary Celeste.  He was frightening
There was an almost latent sense of violence to his
raised voice As his face changed, his quiet demeanour, became
almost savage.  He was my Math English RE. And history
teacher for first year and in all that time I think I witnessed this
twice. Unforgettable. However never once did he touch a hair on any
Students heads.
A brilliant man, and I reapeat an amazing teacher whom I really liked
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Ivan Kehelly on October 02, 2022, 01:05:39 PM
Was browsing and came across this. I see it a post from over a decade ago. Nevertheless would like to add to the discussion.  I went to St Malachy's from 1969 to 1974. It brought a lot of memories back reading the St. Malachy posts. Some of the teachers I recall are Wee Dev, Wee Duff, Fr Foy, Lefty, Happy, Porter (Art Teacher), Harvey, Dirty Dick, Fr Conway, Fr Laverty, McCormick (PE), Ma Bond, Mr Stewart (Irish), Purdy, Sniff (Principal) and Fr. Murray. It's amazing how fresh some of the memories are still now. There were definitely some suspect teachers and probably no more than any other schools like this.  The worst thing I saw was Harvey beating up one of the students in front of the class and making him sit in the bin for the rest of the class.  He was an outright bully. We just all sat there believing it was okay and normal. I also saw the Religious Knowledge teacher Hutchy put one of the students head through a door panel. We all thought it was hilarious. To be fair it was just a bit of plywood. Can you imagine that happening today. At the end of the day I don't think I learnt anything of great importance. It was the status of being at a grammar school. A school for young catholic gentlemen! Anyway. I got through it. Now 64 and it is in the past.
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: stiofan on October 03, 2022, 12:27:56 PM
Anyway. I got through it. Now 64 and it is in the past.
It's not just "in the past". It helped to make us who we are today. To put it quite simply, the College took a lot of bright kids and beat the crap out of them until they were convinced that they were stupid and worthless. It wasn't until I left the College and went to another school in another country that I realised that "education' wasn't a synonym for ritual humiliation
Title: Re: St Malachy's College
Post by: Marshmallow on October 03, 2022, 04:36:30 PM
It's not just "in the past". It helped to make us who we are today. To put it quite simply, the College took a lot of bright kids and beat the crap out of them until they were convinced that they were stupid and worthless. It wasn't until I left the College and went to another school in another country that I realised that "education' wasn't a synonym for ritual humiliation

And I know of past pupils who didn’t come away unscathed and though in their 60s they still have the scars. I refuse to call it a college. It was a Hellhole.