Laois Tech school enjoy fond reunion 40 years later
Deceased pupils and teachers remembered at special night in Mountmellick
The class of '86 at a Laois technical school reunited for a lovely night recently on the 40th anniversary of their graduation.
Mountmellick's former Tech secondary school on Harbour Street, is still a centre of education now under the LOETB.
It rang again to the voices of the class of 1981 to 1986, over the May bank holiday weekend.
The gathering also paid respects to the pupils and teachers who have since passed on.
Back: Danny Byrne, Ray Moore, John Fitzgerald, Brendan Carroll, Tony Bloomer, Fergal Conroy, Oliver Peake, John O Brien, Ray Coss, Paul Hunt. Front: Michael Deane (Teacher), Alan Comerford, Paul Holohan, Catherine Young, Marie Kelly, Mick Lynch, Niall DeBarra.
They came from all corners of Ireland included Derry, Galway, Cork, Meath and Dublin, including several students that are still living locally.
They congregated in the Home Economics room for a cup of tea where photos from previous reunions were on display.
One past student Ray Moore brought some pieces of Metalwork that he'd made there all those years ago.
Their former woodwork teacher Michael Deane was there to share many memories from his 12 years in the school also.
Mountmellick Tech past students of 1981-86 with retired principal Leon De Barra at the 20th Anniversary in 2006.
Past student Mick Lynch told the Leinster Express / Laois Live of some of them.
"The Metalwork room reminded some of leaving the chuck in the lathe unintentionally, to see it leave a dent in the side wall when the machine was started.
"What was obvious to the students is that we're so lucky to have our original school standing, when so many other schools nationally have been demolished. The memories will always be there for us," he said.
Later in the evening they all converged on Turleys Pub next door, for drinks and finger food, and were joined by many other classmates who chatted the night away.
Some teachers from the almost 30th Anniversary in 2017, with the late Frank Higgins and Leon DeBarra.
"Some hadn't seen others in nearly 40 years but that didn't matter. They just clicked as if it was yesterday.
"Unfortunately, the only time most of these guys and girls meet is at funerals, so it's so important to have reunions like this, and on the evidence of this evening, we'll certainly be marking the 50th Anniversary," Mick said.
The organisers wish to thank Larry Delaney and Brenda Duggan from the Tech building for giving the students access to the grounds, and the staff of Turleys Pub for making it such an enjoyable evening.