Catherine Conlon, class of 1981
‘’ I spent twelve out of eighteen years trudging up that long drive in Muckross with those towering chestnut trees on either side and the elegant weeping willow in the centre of the front lawn. My own daughter, Charlie went to school in the Ursuline College in Blackrock, Cork and the driveway is almost exactly the same, so it never fails to bring back those memories. The school too was an elegant granite structure with sweeping steps up to the solid front door.’’
‘’ What I miss most about Muckross is all those vague, dimly lit memories. Smells and tastes and feelings. The bright sunlight in the back field on a summer afternoon. Athletics. Sports days way back with marquees and afternoon teas. Trudging up that driveway. Art classes after school in the art room at the very top of the school. The smell of dust and pastel chalks. The wax polished parquet floors. The quiet serenity of the tiny chapel. The fusty chemistry room. The tiny music rooms along that long corridor between junior and senior school. The green gabardine and the old tunic uniform. Tennis in the summer. Dodging the wasps in September. Sitting on the warm pipes in December. The endless drone of Irish classes. Hockey matches and the orange segments at half time.’’
‘’ Long chats sitting on desks eating corn beef sandwiches. The luxury of your own room and a kettle in sixth year. Two years in Mrs Reidy’s class in junior school. What an inspiration she was – moving the entire class outdoors on hot summer afternoons.’’
‘’ My favourite memory is the day I flew home from the European Young Scientist of the Year competition and almost the entire sixth year class had been bussed to the airport to congratulate my success. It was as if the whole school had won.’’
‘’ Another favourite memory is the community of sisters that lived together in Muckross. That type of community no longer exists. All those lively young women who were so interested in the Muckross girls, and the ethos of Muckross that inspired generations of women to think for themselves and pursue their goals. ‘’
‘’ After school I got a medical degree in UCD, followed by general practice training in Cork. I diverted into public health and after a Masters in Public Health back in UCD, and higher specialist training, lectured in UCC for many years. I was recently appointed as Director of Health and Nutrition in Safe Food but have spent the last two months redeployed to the HSE dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic. I am married in Cork with four adult children. My interests include reading, writing, walking in the wilds of Ballinskelligs with my half horse/ half dog, planting vegetables and wildflowers, and sleep.’’
‘’ Best of all from my time in Muckross are my lifetime friends – Stephanie, Miriam, Fionnuala, Veronica and Vivian; who I meet up with several times a year for conversation, banter, food, wine and memories.’’
‘’ I was quite shy in school and not much into parties and lots of strange faces. My advice to my 18 year old self would be – not to worry about being shy. Do what you are comfortable with and you will have no regrets. We’re not all party animals or mad social beings. If that’s the way you are that’s you and don’t apologise.’’
Wow, thank you so much Catherine for taking the time to write this piece and for sharing your wonderful memories with our network. You are an inspiration, and thank you for your work on the frontline during the current Coronavirus crisis.
Catherine has recently released her new book!
Details and purchases can be found at the following link:
https://www.veritasbooksonline.com/modern-culture-and-wel…/…
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