“We were fortunate to be trained by Brother David and were very much a team squad,” Brendan says.
These days he enjoys following Leinster and Ireland rugby and has been to six World Cups witnessing Ireland defeat the current World Champions, South Africia in their pool game in Paris at the 2023 World Cup.
Brendan is a proud member of Greystones Golf Club and was delighted to win the prestigious Scannell Cup as winner of the Past Pupils Annual Golf Outing in 2019.
“I have been involved with the Past Pupils Union since Maurice Mortell Senior invited me on to the committee in the mid-80s. I served as President for the 75th anniversary, attending the beatification of Edmund Rice in Vatican City by Pope John Paul II on October 6, 1996.”
For the day job, Brendan is a Certified Financial Planner, CFP, and this is his second term as President and is very honoured to serve during the Centenary.
“I have a lot of very fond memories of my time in Pres, especially around sport. I was very fortunate to be involved in a strong Pres team that won a junior cup in 1990 under the stewardship of Jimmy Canice and Simon Doyle and captained by Richie Murphy, followed by a senior cup semi final run that was cut short by eventual winners Terenure. I was also lucky to make representative honours in my final year.
Gary is new to the PPU and is an Account Director in cyber security firm – Integrity360.
He has great memories of his time in Pres and he learned a lot from his teachers and colleagues which enabled him to get to where he is today.
Michael is new to the PPU has over 20 years experience in the wine business and is the owner of Grace Campbell Wines.
His grandfather Eamon O’Brien and his twin brother Malachy were students in the early years. Their brothers, sons and grandsons also attended Pres. Shane’s father Pierce and his brothers are also past pupils.
Shane first served on the PPU in the mid 1990’s and re-joined in 2021 to assist with the Centenary celebrations. Shane is on the Pres rugby fundraising committee.
Shane originally qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG. Shane is Managing Director of EMPOWERMENT, a niche financial and legal recruitment firm, he founded in 2008.
A former Cathaoirleach of Bray Town Council and County Wicklow Councillor, and President of Bray Chamber Of Commerce, Mick is a well-known businessman who runs his own audio visual solutions business, Planet Sound.
“I got involved as a way of reconnecting with a network after more than a decade away from the area – it opened a number of doors for me and was a great way of getting to know people again,” he says.
Graham served as President between 2014-15 and has two sons – one of whom is currently a student in the college, with the other due to start in 2022.
Brian has worked in the motor trade since 1996 and currently works for Carroll and Kinsella Blackrock.
“I loved my time in Pres and have many funny memories – too many to mention here but if you were there you would know!”
Brian has also served as President of PPU between 2012-13.