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Welcome to the NEW Blackrock College Union community website which is one of the primary channels of communication with our members. We would encourage you to re-register on the new website to help keep you in contact with other past students and inform you of events, support groups and projects the union and college are currently undertaking.
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Updated September 2024
The Blackrock College Union expresses its deepest sympathy and solidarity with all past pupils who were subject to abuse while attending the College. It is a matter of great sadness to the Union that such abuse was inflicted on pupils of the schools and we acknowledge that the matters raised in the media are profoundly upsetting and life changing for the victims of such abhorrent abuse. The Union deeply regrets that pupils in the College and Willow Park were not protected from this abuse and we encourage anyone who has been affected by such abuse to seek the appropriate advice and assistance.The media coverage has referred to a statement which has been carried on our website which encourages any past pupil affected by abuse to seek supports and which is repeated below.
"Inclusion and engagement are two strong themes that the Union focus on. As representatives of your Union we are conscious that the experiences of some of our past pupils while at school in Willow Park and Blackrock College may have been damaged by abuse by persons priest and lay, who were teachers during those important years. The Union wants you to know that if you have been affected by such experiences there are practical and moral supports available on a confidential basis by contacting the Union at unionoffice@rock.ie"
We would encourage any pupil who is an abuse victim to come forward and begin the process of healing with the full support of all your peers.
Additionally, we would direct you to the following links that may provide you with alternatives should you wish to avail of them.
Tim Chapman Restorative Justice Process: Email: info@timchapman.eu
One In Four: One in Four supports people who have experienced sexual violence during childhood. http://oneinfour.ie/ 01 662 4070
Spiritan Order: https://spiritan.ie/safeguarding/ Spiritan Safeguarding Office. Liam Lally (0868312987) Liam.lally@spiritanplt.ie
National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI): www.safeguarding.ie 00 353 (0)1 5053124
Local Garda Station: http://www.garda.ie/Stations/Default.aspx
Tusla: The Child and Family Agency https://www.tusla.ie/services/
Northern Ireland Contact your local Police Station: www.psni.police.uk Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/childprotection_guidance
For the purpose of reporting to An Garda Síochána, the following options are available:
1. By emailing GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie
2. By phoning the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line on 1800 555 222. This is a confidential and free service available 24/7
3. Calling to your local Garda Station
Anyone contacting An Garda Síochána will receive personal contact as soon as possible.
Ref: PR22752/2024.
We will add more as they are recommended to us.
Welcome from Karl O'Neill
Fellow Rockmen,
It is truly a great honour and privilege for me to write to you as President of the Blackrock College Union.
The Union is 125 years old this year and continues to be one of the biggest and strongest Past Pupils’ Unions in the world. The year ahead will be one of celebration, reunion and support.
I am delighted to welcome some new Committee members and deeply thankful for those who are staying on. We are constantly looking for new additions so if you want to get involved please do get in touch.
All the fantastic initiatives and events that the Union is famous for will continue and grow this year. These range from social events, reunions, College events, the Mission Fund, SVP and The Blue and White Group activities. We urge you all to support our activities wherever and whenever you can.
Over the coming year, there are several priorities that we will focus on as a committee.
First and foremost we will support our Union Members.
As always, some of our friends and classmates will require support and the Blue and White Group continues its great work in this space. You can help us here by promoting the Blue and White amongst your peers.
However, the most pressing matter for the Union is to support the past students that suffered abuse whilst they attended our College. We have established an important link with Restore Together. There are detailed plans in place and we look forward to supporting them going forward.
We were all educated under the famous Blackrock values of – “Be there and Be Caring”.
I need to be unequivocal here - the Union is there and the Union does care.
The recent publication of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry only serves to reinforce our position. We will resolutely support our past pupils and assist them in any way we can.
Secondly, we will focus on the Junior Committee. One of the key tasks here is to raise awareness of mental health issues. We are seeing far too many instances of young men struggling and not finding the help and support they need. We simply must raise awareness and offer help where we can.
Finally, we will continue to build and foster strong connections with the College, BCRFC and BCAFC. The Rugby Club and Soccer Club go from strength to strength and it is vital that we support each other where we can.
The bond between the College and the Union is more important now than it ever has been. We look forward to continuing to work with the Principal and her leadership team to navigate the very real issues that affect the campus whilst continuing the long tradition of supporting activities in the College.
I would encourage you all to follow us on social media, sign up on the website or simply drop in to the Union Centre to stay up to date with all Union matters.
I look forward to meeting many of you during my term as President of the Union.
Warm regards,
Fides et Robur
Karl O'Neill (Class of 1993)
Retreat 2025 - New Horizons Living Faith in a Changing World The Union is delighted to welcome past pupils to the traditional Annual Retreat. The Annual Retreat will be held in the College on Holy Thursday evening and Good Friday, 17th / 18th April 2025. Bookin… Read more
Save the Date 60th Reunion - Class of 1965 Calling All Class of 1965 Alumni! Mark your calendars for a truly special occasion – our 60th Reunion! It’s time to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate six decades of friendship and shared history. Join us on Friday, May … Read more
Calling the Class of 1995! Mark your calendars for a special occasion – our 30th Year Out Reunion! This is an opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate three decades of friendships and shared memories. Whether your time at Blackrock College was a lifetime hi… Read more
Membership of the union is free of charge to all members. However, even as a voluntary organisation, the union does incur expenditure to cover administration and to support events such as the Blackrock College Business Lunch, the Annual Dinner, the various reunions, networking events and other charitable support activities.
We would therefore appreciate any donations, no matter the amount as they will all go a long way to ensuring that all of this work continues.
We would also like to take the opportunity to thank those members who have donated in the past. With your ongoing support, we will continue to provide the best possible services to our membership.
