Alumni E-zine December 2011
Welcome to our December e-zine with all the latest college news and events.
This month why not book your place at Christmas Commons or the Homecoming? Take a look at photos from the Trinity Tales Launch. Find out what our alumni had to say in the recent Trinity Today Feedback Competition. Do you know someone who’d like a signed Munster Jersey? View the video from the recent Terry Pratchett event and much more. Have a very Happy Christmas!
What's New?
Here’s What You Had to Say...
Many thanks to all of you who took time out to send us your feedback on what the College can do for you and also what you can do for the College. Read some of the feedback received.
Congratulations to all our prize draw winners:
- An Apple iPad 2 - Michael Dunford
- Two nights’ accommodation in TCD - John Kelly
- Two tickets to the Trinity Ball - Shane Christopher
- €100 voucher for the Library Shop - Paul Troy
It’s (almost) Christmas
We’ve had a busy year on campus but we’re not done yet! Tomorrow we’ll be turning on the lights on the Trinity Christmas tree in Front Square at 5pm led by festive singing by the DU Choral Society. Christmas Commons is filling up fast for Wednesday, 7 December and Christmas Homecoming will take place on Wednesday 21, December. Book your place today.
We're Hiring
We’re looking for a new Alumni Relations Manager to join our team. Are you interested or know someone who might be? Take a look at the job description, closing date Wednesday, 7 December.
Events
Christmas Events on Campus
It's that time of year again and plans are underway for our Christmas events. Tomorrow we'll be turning on the Trinity Christmas tree lights in Front Square at 5pm led by festive singing by the DU Choral Society. Christmas Commons is scheduled for Wednesday, 7 December and the Christmas Homecoming will take place on Wednesday, 21 December. Let's hope the snow doesn't spoil our fun this year!
TBA Christmas Reception
The Trinity Business Alumni (TBA) is delighted to invite members and guests to a Christmas drinks reception in the Pavilion Bar, from 6:30pm on Wednesday, 14 December.
The reception will provide an excellent opportunity to catch-up with classmates and reconnect with TCD in the familiar and well-loved surrounding of the Pav. The first drink and canapés are compliments of the TBA as a small thank you for your continued support during 2011. Find out more...
R.B. McDowell London Memorial
A Memorial Service will be held in London to celebrate the life of Dr Robert Brendan McDowell at Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge on Friday, 27 January, at 3pm. Find out more...
Natural Sciences 1991 Reunion
To mark 20 years since graduation Alison Blake, Jenny Byrne and Siobhán Crowe, Natural Sciences Class of 1991 are planning to get as many as possible from the class together to attend the Christmas Homecoming in the Dining Hall on Wednesday, 21 December from 6pm, followed by drinks in the Pav.
If you cannot make the Homecoming event feel free to join in the fun at the Pav that evening from 8pm. Please circulate this message to anyone else from the class that you might be in touch with.
Please email 20yearsciencereunion@gmail.com to let the girls know whether or not you plan to attend the Christmas Homecoming and/or the Pav.
Henry Grattan Public Lectures
To kick start the New Year, The Policy Institute, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, will be hosting two public lectures in Trinity under the theme “The Debt Crisis: Causes, Consequences, Controls”.
Karel Williams, Professor of Accounting and Political Economy at Manchester Business School will deliver a talk titled “Elites and Crisis: the Case of the Econocrats” on Thursday, 19 January 2012 at 6pm. Reserve your place online today.
Joschka Fischer, Former German Vice-Chancellor and Paul Gillespie, columnist and former Foreign Editor at The Irish Times will also speak at a Henry Grattan Lecture titled “The End of the European Project? German and Irish Perspectives” on 23 January 2012. Additional details will be available shortly.
Surface Tension @ Science Gallery
The Earth has abundant water, but only a very small proportion is available for human use. How should this be managed and sustained, and what would a water-scarce future look like? Running until 21 January, SURFACE TENSION features innovative artworks, events, and a lab in the gallery, all of which explore the complex tensions surrounding the future of water. Open Tuesday-Friday 12:00-20:00 and Saturday-Sunday 12:00-18:00. Admission free with a suggested donation of €5. Exhibition is closed on Mondays. Find out more...
For a full schedule of events in TCD, please see www.tcd.ie/alumni/events
News
Campus News
Students Graduate from Contemporary Living Course
TCD Scientist Awarded Researcher of the Year
Northern Ireland Peace Process Accounts to be Recorded
Trinity Astrophysicist flies with NASA
Christopher Lee Receives Gold Medal from The Phil
TCD Motor Neurone Disease Research to Benefit from Munster Rugby
Sports News
Report on Trinity Clubs and Societies Launched
Ladies Boat Club Blazer Launch
Branch Updates
TCD Association, London Branch - Upcoming Events
Trinity College Association, London Branch will host a joint dinner with London Dining Club at 7pm for 7:30pm, on Thursday, 8 December in The Great Hall, Inner Temple, London. (Nearest Tube: Temple. Buses: any going to Fleet Street towards Law Courts).
The guest speaker will be The Hon Desmond Guinness, LL.D. (H.C.), (1980). Tickets cost £85 and include a pre-dinner reception, dress code is black tie. If you would like to attend either event, please email TCD Association London Branch.
By kind permission of the vicar, Fr. Luke Irvine-Capel, alumni & friends are invited to attend a Carol Service, followed by a reception with mulled wine and mince pies during which the brief AGM for TCD Association London Branch will take place.
The Revd Dr Alan Griffin, M.A. (1966) will conduct the service at 3pm, on Saturday, 10 December in St. Gabriel’s Church, Warwick Square, London SW1V 2AD (Victoria Station 10 mins; or Pimlico Station 10 mins, Buses: No.11, 211, C1 to Coach Station).
Cost is £5 per person to cover refreshments & a donation to St Gabriel’s. If you would like to attend this joyful celebration, please email TCD Association London Branch.
Switzerland Branch - Networking Event
Together with the Irish Business Network and Trinity College Research and Innovation Office, the Branch have organised a networking event in Basel. The event will take place at 7pm at Gasthof zum Goldenen Sternen, St. Alban-Rheinweg 70, on Thursday, 8 December.
The key speaker for the evening will be Dr Emily Vereker, Technology Transfer Case Manager, Trinity College Research and Innovation Office. The theme of the presentation will be ‘Taking Academic Innovation to Commercial Reality', and Dr Vereker will share some Irish success stories with you, proving there is still opportunity for Irish companies in spite of the current economic challenges.
Capacity is limited so to book your place at this event please email Ailbhe Grogan.
North of England – Christmas Event
Alumni, family and friends, are invited to join North of England Branch for Christmas festivities at a networking event in Manchester at 12:30pm on Sunday, 11 December. The programme of events will include aperitifs and a leisurely ramble through the German Christmas stalls. Find out more...
For further information please contact Hon Secretary, TCD Alumni Association North West England Martin Byrne.
Boston Branch - Christmas Reception
The Boston Branch will host a Christmas reception on Friday, 16 December in Bond Lounge – The Langham Hotel, Boston. For more information on any of these events please email Tomas Ryan.
Ontario Branch - Update
This year the alumni gathered at the National Club for our ninth annual dinner on Friday, 4 November. View photos from the event or read the full report.
Philadelphia Branch - Update
In late November Paul Maguire B.B.S. (1980) welcomed Dr. Gordon Elliott from the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) for the second annual Maguire Hegarty series of TTO meetings and workshops in Philadelphia featuring Trinity’s TTO. Dr Elliott met with Philadelphia area University TTO offices, pharmaceutical R&D officers and IP professionals. He also toured some Irish owned companies in the region including Almac and ICON. The ICON visit was hosted by Dr. James McSweeney Ph.D. (1997).
For a full schedule of TCD events visit www.tcd.ie/alumni/events
Alumni Interview
Cillian O'Bradaigh - Wealth Manager & Restaurateur
Name: Cillian O'Bradaigh - B.B.S. (2008)
Degree: Economics and Social Studies
What are you doing with yourself these days?
I am based in New York and trying to be a good dad to Oscar and Sean, a good husband to Nastassja and a trustworthy banker to my clients.
Why did you choose your current career?
A friend of my dad told me that, from a business perspective, everything began and ended with money so that if I wanted to be in the centre of all the action I needed to work in the world of finance. I took his advice...
How do you like to spend your free time?
I try and leave my business brain in the office at 6pm each evening so I can have a better work/life balance. I'm restoring an historic house in Southampton, NY which takes up plenty of time, but is a labour of love. Ferrying Sean and Oscar from football to basketball to tennis lessons at the weekends is never dull.
A business partner and I have opened a bistro and bakery in the Meatpacking District, here in Manhattan. Bakehouse NY will rock! Being 5 blocks from where I live, I'm looking forward to having a second living room.
What are your strongest memories of Trinity?
I had a wonderful 4 years there and should have stayed in rooms one year but sadly didn't. A wonderful oasis in the middle of Dublin will forever remain embedded in my mind. Making some great friends and playing an active role in sports, student politics, study and other more nocturnal activities will remain memorable.
Are you still in touch with other alumni?
Absolutely. I have many friends who are alumni who are in Dublin, New York and many other places.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Probably continuing to figure out a way to feather my nest as I move rapidly into my 50s. While being actively involved at present with 2 charities that focus on making a difference when it comes to children's health and art and education (Ireland/US Council Foundation), I would hope to be in a position by then to take my foot off the pedal a bit when it comes to my career and spend as much time on charitable endeavours as on the nest feathering
Have you any advice for students or fellow alumni?
Follow your dream. Do what makes you happy. Laugh a lot. Your gut instinct is normally the correct course of action, so most of you will make it to the promised land of happiness. My other piece of advice to all is to stop by Bakehouse NY when passing through New York. You'll be hard-pressed to find a better restaurant, bakery or watering hole in all of New York!
Notices & Class Notes
Mature Students Study
If you were a mature student who attended Trinity College and enrolled on a primary degree course between 1995 and 2005, then Michele Giblin would like to talk to you. Under the supervision of Dr. Evelyn Mahon of the School of Social Work and Social Policy and funded by the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences (IRCHSS) Michele’s Ph.D. research focuses on the experiences of mature students after they graduate and also their reflections on their time in Trinity.
School of Medicine Tercentenary Photo Gallery
The School of Medicine have added their own photo gallery from the Tercentenary Weekend to their website, take a look at pictures from the Gala Dinner to the Steam Train Outing.
Christmas Gifts from Science Gallery
Be sure to visit Science Gallery Shop in the run up to Christmas. With a wide range of unique products to suit all budgets, it's the perfect place to get quirky gifts and original stocking fillers. Open Mondays 08:00-17:00, Tuesday-Friday 08:00-20:00, Saturday-Sunday 12:00-18:00.
Class Notes
Rachel Fehily B.A. (1990)
Rachel is an author, barrister and a mediator who has recently published ‘Split - True Stories of Relationship Breakdown in Ireland’ available on amazon.com. She also provides a dispute resolution service for individuals, couples and families who are experiencing conflict after relationship breakdown at www.familylawmediator.ie.
Joseph Byrne B.B.S. (1990)
Joey has recently been appointed as the National Head of Insolvency with Freeth Cartwright LLP, one of the UK's top 80 law firms. He has nearly 20 years experience of insolvency law and is recognised by both the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and the Legal 500 as an expert in his field.
Jacques Testard B.A. (2008)
Jacques recently set up The White Review, a new London-based arts and literature quarterly magazine in print and online, with fellow graduate Benjamin Eastham B.A. (2007). Find out more...
Would you like to share your news with fellow alumni?
Reach out to old classmates by submitting your news to Class Notes or read about fellow alumni on Front Gate Online.
Website Watch
The School of Social Work & Social Policy are now on Facebook, why not become a fan?
For previous issues of this newsletter please see: www.tcd.ie/alumni/news/archive/ezine/