Events
We’ve more memories to
make – so grab your diary
Current events
Due to Covid restrictions we are currently unable to host any events but we hope to be back to our full schedule in 2021. In the meantime, you can have a peek below at some of our past events.
Past Events
" alt="" >2020 International Women's Day Celebrations
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International Women’s Day 2020
Just prior to our first Covid lockdown and In celebration of International Women’s Day 2020, seven outstanding women returned to their Alma Mater Mount Anville Secondary School to present to the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th years in the Atrium on Friday 6th March.
From Politics to Fashion, Sport, Yoga, Mental Health, Beauty and Media: Minister Josepha Madigan class of 1987; Geraldine Carton of The UseLess Project, class of 2010; Irish hockey international Aisling Naughton, class of 2012; founder of sustainable beauty company Nunaia Nicola Connolly, class of 1997; corporate lawyer turned yoga teacher Sarah Shannon, class of 2003; KeepAppy co-founder Aimee-Louise Carton, class of 2012 and broadcaster Cassie Stokes, class of 2005 delivered their uplifting and inspiring stories. In a positive atmosphere, their encouraging and motivating messages resonated with all present.
" alt="" >Health & Wellness Networking Event
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Health & Wellness Networking Event
We kicked off 2020 with a Health and Wellness networking event. Over 60+ past pupils attended the event in the beautiful surroundings of Mount Anville House. Past pupil, lawyer and WellFest founder Helena Ryan ably guided our presenters through their stories.
The event started with three minutes of meditation by past pupil Serena Connolly who had everyone in the right frame of mind to listen and open their minds to a better way of living.
A healthy discussion followed!
Each of our panel left us with their top tips for 2020:
Louise Sharkey, Vita-Nutrition. Eat a wholefood diet. Nothing in a packet. Apply a rainbow diet, add as many colours to your plate as possible. Have protein with every meal as it will help you feel fuller for longer. Avoid low fat or diet foods. These foods usually mean high sugar or sugar replacements.
Nicola Connolly, Nunaia Beauty. To super power your skincare routine and turn it into a special moment that helps you to pause, rest and find balance after a busy day, try and create a space of quiet and ritual. Turn off your phone, play some relaxing music or enjoy a moment of silence by candle light as you nourish your skin. You’ll be amazed by the results and how these moments not only help to boost your skin health but also help bring more calm and prepare you for sleep
Dr Barbara Kearns GP, skin & women’s health specialist. A daily 20 minute fast walk reduces all causes of mortality by 50% Research from DCU sports physiology faculty.
Sarah Shannon, Yoga Teacher. My top tip is to have a morning practice. I have done mine for years. It only takes 5-15 minutes. It starts the night before, switching my phone on airplane mode and keeping it that way until I finish. I sit on a cushion in my favourite spot and set my timer on my phone to 15 minutes. I sit in silence, observing breath, noticing thoughts come and go. I don’t latch on to the thoughts, I observe. The timer chimes, I open my eyes and light a candle setting an intention for the day. Today I will feel joy. And then I begin my day.
All very doable!
" alt="" >Diversity Week Celebrations
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In November 2019, MAPPA organised a talk in Mount Anville Secondary School for 5th and 6th years with a panel of past pupil speakers to mark Stand Up Awareness Week – Standing up to Homophobic, Biphobic and Transphobic bullying. This was the first talk of its kind to happen in the school and we are very grateful to our past pupils who took the time to come and share their stories – Maeve Delargy, Cassie Stokes, Blathnaid Conroy Murphy, Emer Delaney and Sinead Loughran.
" alt="" >2019 Debutantes Ball
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On Saturday the 16th of November, the class of 2019 reunited in celebration of their
Debutantes’ Ball
The year was welcomed back to Mount Anville by the class of 2020’s Prefects as well as the school orchestra, teachers, year head Ms McCarthy, Ms Caffrey and Ms Kelly. They then moved on to the Leopardstown Pavilion where the celebrations continued with the presentation, raffle, music, photos, props for photos and the gin bar.
A great night was had by all, thanks to the organisers who made the night possible. We would particularly like to extend our gratitude to Grace Murphy, Christina Torsney and Julie Hamilton of MAPPA, the parents of the class of 2019 particularly to Jacqui Maher, Leisa McFadden and Philippa McCarthy and the current sixth and fifth year parents for working tirelessly to create a magical night that will be remembered for years to come.
Grace Mary Doyle & Yvette Dempsey Class of 2019
Unfortunately due to Covid we have not been able to hold the Debs Ball for the Class of 2020 but MAPPA looks forward to holding this event in 2021 when it is safe to do so.
" alt="" >All the '9s' Joint Reunions
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Joint Reunions
In October 2019, MAPPA welcomed 250 past pupils from the classes of 2009, 1999, 1989, 1979, 1969 and a special group of ladies from the class of 1949 – Joyce Byrne, Roisin Macdougald and Daire Downes pictured above with Sister Hutchinson back to Mount Anville to celebrate their milestone reunions.
A beautiful prayer service was held in the Chapel and was followed by a MAPPA hosted prosecco reception in The Atrium before each year group headed their separate ways to continue their celebrations in their chosen venues.
" alt="" >Mount Anville Ladies Charity Luncheon
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Friday 20th of September, the day that MAPPA launched our Ladies Charity Luncheon in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin.
The morning began with incredible style walking into a buzzy drinks reception full of women who hadn’t seen each other in years or in some cases just a few days!
As the bell rang for lunch, ladies in their delicate high heels graciously made their way to the Great Room in The Shelbourne to find their table and to take their seats.
Past pupil Judy Gilroy introduced herself as the MC. Judy spoke to the 340 ladies in attendance about the two charities that would benefit from funds raised – The Sophie Barat Residence and The Sacred Heart Past Pupils’ Benevolent Fund.
A picture speaks a 1000 words and guests viewed a video walk through of the Sophie Barat Residence and a very moving newly produced video telling the story of the Benevolent Fund. The purses opened and the envelopes were stuffed to support these two charities close to our Sacred Hearts.
Claudia Tierney rose and silence fell across the room. It was as if we were back in P.E. class again! Ms Tierney introduced Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan with stories of her on the ski trip in her Pokadot ski suit.
Josepha spoke with such passion and pride about having attended Mount Anville. About the values that were instilled in us and how they have guided her in her career and in life.
The 5 star food service begins and the noise in the room suddenly goes up 10 notches, from chat to laughter, it was like being back in the common room.
After lunch, guests were treated to the most extraordinary fashion showcase from past pupil Helen Cody. Helen shared eight of her pieces from her AW19 collection. They are so much more than garments they are literally poetry in motion and were met with a standing ovation. The models included 6th year student Cayla Hennebry who had had her hair done by Peter Mark and her make up by Sophie Gallagher.
The support for the luncheon was unbelievable, companies and individuals were incredibly generous in donating prizes and vouchers, more than 80 in total. It was like musical chairs watching the ladies jump up to go and collect their prizes giddy with anticipation!
The Shelbourne called an end to lunch at about 5pm but the day did not end then as there were so many friends old and new to catch up with. Some retired to the No 27 in The Shelbourne and some to the Grayson across the road. Many glamorous ladies carrying their beautiful goody bags were spotted across town into the late evening!
The phone is already ringing as many are anxious to book for next year.
I look forward to seeing you all then.
Vicki Walsh
MAPPA Committee Member
Class of 2014
" alt="" >2019 Speed Careers
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2019 MAPPA Speed Careers Night for 5th Year Students
There was a great buzz in The Atrium when 36 past pupils returned to pitch their careers to the 107 5th Year students who had gathered to benefit from the experiences of those who had walked the Mount Anville corridors before them.
The breadth and depth of the past pupils network was reflected by the companies & careers represented in the room which included air craft leasing, IT/Technology (Google, LinkedIn, Facebook/Instagram & Dropbox), medicine, law, teaching, nursing, accountancy, food science, business, media, personal training, fashion, design & architecture, pharmacy and branding to name a few!
Thank you to all involved.
Unfortunately the 2020 Speed Careers Nights had to be cancelled due to Covid 19. Over 60 past pupils representing the broadest range of careers to date had committed to attending the event. We look forward to inviting them back for the 2021 event.
" alt="" >Mount Anville Lawyers Network
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Mount Anville Past Pupils’ Lawyers Network
The inaugural event of the Mount Anville Past Pupil Lawyers Network took place in the offices of McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors on Wednesday, 17th October 2018.
The theme for the first event was “Women in the Law” and speakers on the night were Ms Justice Mary Irvine from the Court of Appeal (now President of the High Court) and Josepha Madigan TD, then Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht.
The Network was established to act as a forum for past pupils working in legal services to collaborate and share experiences both from a professional and practical perspective.
For further information, please contact Mella Kennedy, class of 1999 at mkennedy@lawlibrary.ie
" alt="" >Construction and Related Industries Networking Event
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Laying Foundations and Building for the Future
On Thursday 11th April 2018 MAPPA hosted the first Construction Industry Networking event in Mount Anville House. We had a fantastic turn out from past pupils right across the Industry including Property Law, Estate Agents, Main Contractors and Property Management. I was truly honoured to be host and MC for the event and to pick the brains of our fantastic speakers and to connect with the many talented women from Mount Anville that are working in the Industry. The evening was kicked off with a presentation from Fiona Mulvey Class of 1992 Senior Sales Advisor New Homes who has worked in Sherry FitzGerald for over 16 years who gave us a wonderful insight into Sherry FitzGerald and their connection with Mount Anville.
We then moved onto a group discussion were our speakers (Denise O’Connor Class of 1991 Optimise Design, Edwina Governey Class of 2003 Interim Chief Investment Officer at Hibernia REIT & Rachel Dudley Class of 2005 Architect at Scott Tallon Walker) shared their experiences of being women in a male dominated industry and what they have learnt in their careers.
A huge thank you to all our speakers for giving their time and insider knowledge that had the entire room captivated of their experiences and words of wisdom from the Industry. I would also like to thank Sherry FitzGerald who very kindly sponsored our event.
Christina Torsney
Looking to organise a reunion?
If you’d like to organise a reunion of your own, MAPPA is here to help.?Acting as a liaison between you and the school, we can assist you in gathering contact details for your former classmates, help spread the word by sharing the date of your reunion via email and social media, and support you in the organisation of the day itself. To get started, simply contact Julie Hamilton in our Past Pupils’ Office on +353 1 278 3362 or email pastpupilsoffice@mountanville.ie