William Devine and Paul Heduan planting the tree in memory of their classmate, Mark Clooney, RIP.

St Finian’s group plant tree in memory of deceased classmate

Published: Thu 5 May 2022, 5:12 PM

Last updated: Fri 6 May 2022, 9:08 AM

More than 40 past pupils attended a St Finian’s College class of 2002 reunion at which they planted a tree in memory of their deceased classmate, Mark Clooney of Meadow Court, Mullingar.

The class held a reunion 10 years ago and many of the same faces were back on campus for the 20th anniversary reunion, which was organised by Paul Heduan, Milltown, Rathconrath, Stephen Rooney, Ballymore, and Francis Murray, Crookedwood.

Some of their former teachers were in attendance, among them Very Rev Phil Gaffney, Administrator of Mullingar Parish, who taught them Irish and geography, Aisling Ryan, now deputy principal of St Finian’s, who taught them German, and Donal Farrell, who taught them geography.

On behalf of the organisers, Paul welcomed all present and thanked the staff of St Finian’s for facilitating the celebration and providing a tour of the facility. “Ten years ago we had a reunion and it was good to see old faces and it is good to see you back again,” he said.

At the event last week were (back from left), John Farrell, JB O’Reilly, Cian O’Leary, Francis Hoey, Eddie Doucey, Willie Devine, Anthony Smith, Ronan Keogh, John Byrne, Bobby McDermott, Tommy Moore and Neville Casserly; (front) James Farrell, Damien Martin, Derry Hand, Terence McCartan, Stephen Rooney, Paul Heduan, Will Egan and John Taafe.

Paul said that the reunion was particularly poignant as they were planting a tree in memory of their former classmate, Mark Clooney. He welcomed members of Mark’s family to the gathering.

Fr Gaffney said that Mark was one of his favourite students in his time at St Finian’s, adding, “I don’t say that lightly. He was just a genuine soul.”

Fr Gaffney taught Mark Irish, which “wasn’t his favourite subject”, and Mark had asked him to give him grinds – which he did.

“Of all my time here, the day he got his Junior Cert results and came down that bottom corridor and nearly knocked the door down and said, 'Gaffers, I passed Irish!’ – that meant more to me than any of the results the lads got that day,” Fr Gaffney said.

He welcomed members of the Clooney family, saying that Mark’s death “reminds us that life is short and we are only here for a short time”.

He said it was great to have the opportunity to commemorate Mark’s life with the planting of a tree to remember him.

The group later retired to Danny Byrnes pub in town for refreshments and to reconnect and recollect.