17th November 2023

The Class of 1988 celebrated their 35 years out at the March Annual Dinner in Clonmel earlier this year. And it was at the dinner that a plan was hatched to meet up later in the autumn and the location was to be Monks of Ballavaughan, Co Clare.

 A bakers dozen of 13 travelled to Monks Restaurant and luxury accommodation in Ballyvaughan on the wild Atlantic Way on Friday 17th November. The group from all corners of Ireland and made it there for dinner and a few refreshments before having a (not so) early night with a plan for Saturday.

Saturday it was up early with a cold plunge off the Pier into the crisp Atlantic waters before breakfast at Monks.

Then it was boots on, wet gear packed and off to Black Head Loop in the Burren for the day.

Assured by group leader and chief tea maker Patrick O Donoghue that it was a light to moderate hike we followed just like sheep.

Sure enough Patrick led his sheep on a 26 Kilometre hike up, down, around and back up Black Head Mountain Loop in an impressive 6 hours and 10 mins. The hike took in some 1600 metres of elevation gain and the weather was kind with mostly dry day and a light 70KpH cross wind (I kid you not).

We made it back to Monks for 4pm, freshened up and that evening were treated to what has to be said was the most impressive spread of fresh seafood, fit for the Kings of the Burren, and we certainly felt like we were.

The management and staff of “Monks at the Pier” looked after us so well from the moment we checked at the 11-room guest house with a welcoming roaring fire in the study before we sat down for two fabulous evenings in the restaurant.  The menu for the weekend was the perfect mix of delicious food, drink, craic and friendship that had been forged so many years ago in Rockwell.

Thank you to Patrick O Donoghue (1988) for your hospitality and warm welcome over the weekend.

Those who attended: Karl Llewellyn, John Lane, Brian Tynan, Donal O Connell, Phil Sheehan, Justin Doyle, Enda Spollen, Brain Roe, Ross Thompson, Martin Hannon, Brain O Donovan, Paul O Connell, Seamus Fitzpatrick and  of course Patrick O Donoghue -King of Ballvaughan

If you and your class have a “Micro Reunion” please share a report and photos of the gathering, we would love to share with the RCU community.