What's Happening?

Attracta Bell: After leaving school I worked part time in UCD. A full time position became available and I am now co-managing one of the Student Union shops. I took the plunge last year and bought a house in Kilcoole. [Nov. 2005]

Fionan Costello: I came across the school website purely by accident. It was great to read some of the biographies that were posted for my class. Well here is my two cents:

I emigrated to the U.S. in 1988 and have been here ever since. For the first 4 years I worked in various bars around the New York area. Eventually I got enough sense and went to college. I graduated college in 1992 and have been working as a public accountant ever since. Last September I started my own accounting business and have not looked back. In the mean time I married Leisa O’Flynn – we started dating back when I was at Laurences. We live about 20 miles southeast of Philadelphia and have 4 terrific children. If any of my ex classmates are ever in the Philadelphia area I’d be delighted to hear from them and catch up on life.

I hope all is well with you and the other staff. Merry Christmas! [Dec. '06]

Maria (Crinion) Magee: I can't believe that I haven't looked up this address before now. I actually got it from Tracy Murphy who is living in France ! This is Maria Magee (nee Crinion -- It's a long time since I wrote that name). Tracy was telling me about a reunion that Tracy Jolly is trying to organise, so I'd definitely be interested in that.

I wonder how is everyone in St. Laurence’s? I wonder what teachers are still around from my time there???

This year I have a son who will be doing his Junior Cert. and next year I have another who'll be doing the Leaving. I'll be the one who looks ninety!!! I also have a 13 year old boy and a two year old princess. She's not at all spoilt!

It's great to make contact with the past. So much to reminisce about. I'm also very saddened to see (R.I.P.) after some school mates.

Anyway, looking forward to making contact with past friends and hopefully they'll become ones for the future.

Take care, [April ‘07]

Sine Forsyth: As most of you know, I prefer Sine, but I suppose some people will always remember me as Jensine.....Wadayado?

I've been watching the site and hoping more of our class would write. Then it dawned on me that probably a lot of the others were doing the same as me, watching but doing nothing (d'oh), so here goes....

I left the college about half-way through 6th year (I was always sensible like that). I went to Denmark for a few months. Then I lived in England for a couple of years.

In 1990 I had my first daughter, Robyn. Sarah was born in '92. (Robyn later attended the college for three years. I have to say it was strange being around the school as a parent!!)

Their dad and I were divorced. Some things just aren't meant to be.

Happily, I later met Shane and we have been together for nearly 10 years now. We have a little boy called Jack who is just 4.

We bought a house in Portarlington, Co. Offaly, 2 years ago. Shane and I got married in June of this year. All 5 of us love living in Port'. We have really made it our home.

I now work with my brother Steven. He runs his own online jewellery business. It's great, because I can work from home and still be around for Jack and the girls.

That's pretty much it.... Life is great!!

I'd love to hear from more of you. So take the plunge guys, it's not so bad once you start writing. [Dec. '06]

Barbara Lloyd: The website is fantastic! Seeing my name with all the others in our year was a blast from the past.

I live in Swords with my partner John and I work in Matheson Ormsby Prentice in the IT Department. I got here in a very roundabout way. My working life started when I went to work in Digital Telephones and after a year I went to Australia for 10 months, did secretarial work there for a crowd of environmental consultants. I didn't like Ireland when I left and I was terrified I wouldn't like it when I came home either! But fortunately I settled back into it very easily (the World Cup probably helped at bit).

In any event, after temping for a year in various solicitors offices, I got here and I started working in the Employment Law department in December 1997. At that stage I was very proficient in all manner of word processing packages. We had a very very small IT Dept. Then we got an IT Manager and he offered me a job in the department and I took it. We have quite a big department now, with a great Manager and I have good friends here.

Which brings me nicely to the birth of my beautiful son, Sean who is 20 months. John and I have been seeing each other for over 10 years and we bought our house 3 years ago last August. I think my parents thought they would never become grandparents. They both adore him.

We took Sean on holidays to Spain a few weeks ago and I now I understand completely why my parents never took my brother and I away on holidays. I needed a two week holiday myself when I got back!

I have passed the school many times on our family outings to Wicklow and beyond. I would love to come and check out how the school looks now, it really was one of the best times in my life, but you really don't realise it at the time. Although I must say I am enjoying life now ! [Oct. '05]

The latest news: we now have a beautiful baby girl – born on March 9th, Beibhinn Jane is her name and she is fantastic!  Hope you all are well, looking forward to the reunion ! [May '07]

John is also trained and qualified as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist. His work is influenced by Person Centred, Gestalt and Psychosynthesis approaches to therapy and human development. John enjoys working with a variety of clients and believes strongly in the potential of psychotherapy to help the individual explore, grow and develop.

For further information or to contact John see his website on www.dublin.ie/counselling [Dec 2005]