Then & Now

What have we done since leaving school??

This section is people own account of what they've done since leaving school. A brief history of further education, employment (or not) and family circumstances. Please forward your details (keep it brief please), what you're doing, number and names of kids etc by email to me and I'll do the rest!

(Below) Dean Kelly

I took a Senior College course after Leaving Cert in 1986. Worked in college 1987. Employed in sales area for 4 years and joined Civil Service in 1992. There ever since for my sins. Current job involves a bit of "computer work". Married to Cecilia and have 3 kids, Claire 17, Aoife 9 and Alex 3.

(Below) Joan Connolly

After Leaving Cert I did a one year course in the college. Worked for Roches Stores, Henry street for 7 years after that. Left Ireland in 1994 for the Cayman Islands. Spent 7 years there. Moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands in 2001. Still there. Married to Ger since 1997. No kids.

(Below) Samantha Mooney

After the leaving cert I did a post leaving cert course in the college in Business & Computing run by the brilliant Anne Lynch. I went on to the College of Commerce where I studied Commercial Computer Programming. I worked as a computer programmer/developer for several years for various software companies & financial institutions. I am presently working as a consultant for AIB Capital Markets in their Corporate Banking Division as I.T. Business Analyst/Project Manager. I'm still young, free & single(not married!) and live with my 13 year old son, Christopher in Clondalkin.

(Below) Susan Menton

When we finished Senior College, I worked at wages and accounts for a number of years and then I went into youth work full time. You probably know I was always involved at a voluntary level with young people. I now manage the youth services for the south inner city area of Dublin 2. Have done this for the last 13 years and intend to continue, although having our little treasure 'Ben' who is 3 years old, things may change when he's ready for school. I'm married to Alan and we live in Grange Manor in Lucan and very happy.

(Below) Stephen Gunning

When I left school, worked in Paddy Powers as a Boardmarker. From there I joined up with the Irish Naval Service in 1989 and became a 'SBA' (Sick Berth Attendant - fancy name for a medic) and was based in Cork on Haulbowline Island for 1 year. Went to sea for a short time on the LE Emer. From there I took an apprenticeship with the Defence Forces Printing Press in Dublin. They sent me to Bolton Street College to learn my trade as a Compositor. Stayed in the Defence Forces for 9 years as a designer, having served up on the border and overseas in Lebanon during that time. Left the Defence Forces in 1998, and went to work in Loctite, in the artwork department, generating the packaging that you see in the shops. From there I went to take up a position as a Studio Manager with an advertising agency, moving from there to another creative studio after a year. After another year, I went to work with a company called Digital Channel Partners as the Design Studio Manager, which went bust in the dot com crash. I decided to go it alone and was successful as a freelance graphic designer. In 2005 I set up Otis Creative with an ex work colleague. Five of us altogether are now involved and I really enjoy coming into the office each morning. Married to Annette for the last 8 years, with three children, Sean, Alex and Abigail. Living in Navan for the last 6 years.

(Below) Barbara Heyderman

Went to work in the Eastern Health Board on a fas course when I left the Senior College. I had met my childhood sweetheart in the Hunting Lodge in 1984 where I worked as a loungegirl. We are still happily married with three great kids, Shane 19, Stephanie 16, and Hayley 12. We lived in Ballyfermot and then moved to Canada for two years and really enjoyed it. We had a great experience over there. We are now living in Leixlip and have been there seven years and the kids are all doing well. I worked as a Supervisor in different Contract Cleaning companies over the last 10 years but decided to go and get some other qualifications. I did a Business Studies course for 2 years and have just done another course and have qualified as a Legal Secretary. At present looking for part time work until September when my baby goes to Secondary School.