Mark Hanniffy – Irish Diplomat. Joint Secretary of the North South Ministerial Council 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I remember my time in the High School very fondly. It was a place with a real commitment to high academic standards, but which understood too the broader purpose of education and encouraged us to make a cultural and social contribution. For me, activities like the school musical, debating in English and French, entrepreneurship programmes, and fiercely competitive inter-school quizzes all helped to demonstrate that the skills and understanding acquired in the classroom can be used in many different and sometimes unexpected contexts: that’s a lesson I have valued greatly in my own career. I’m delighted to see the school continuing to embrace that ethos today.”

 

Tony Cantwell

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The words I would use to describe my time in the High School are diverse, memorable and irreplaceable. Over the six years I was enrolled in the High School, I engaged in several team sports, musicals and leadership roles which offered me invaluable life experiences and helped me develop life-long friends. I entered the gates with a strong interest in science and technical graphics, and with the help of enthusiastic, passionate and committed teachers, these interests were nurtured. I am currently in the process of completing an apprenticeship in Electrical Instrumentation and these attained skills are a huge asset in my chosen career.”

 

Liam McCarthy – Risk and Compliance Analytics Analyst

 

 

 

“During my 6 years in the High School I was very fortunate to have fantastic, dedicated teachers who went the extra mile to make sure I got the most out of my years in the school, not just academically but also personally. When I first walked into the High School maths was my weakest subject. 6 years later the High School had prepared me to pursue a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Engineering and now I use Data Analytics to prevent financial crime in some of the worlds biggest banks.”

 

Dr. John Ryan Cardiologist

 

 

 

 

 

 

My time at the High School was among the most fun and perhaps the busiest time in my life. I loved every minute of it, whether it was doing track and field with Ms. Hutchinson, reading Brian Friel with Mr. Ambrose, or developing a fluency in German that I still use to this day from Ms. O’Reilly. My time in the High School instilled in me the value of education, the importance of giving back to the community and has been instrumental to my professional and personal success.

 

Dr. Luke J Prendergast

 

 

 

 

Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering, University of Nottingham, UK

My memories of the High School are very positive. It was a time of diverse new experiences, forging friendships, and making lasting memories. Looking back, the High School is an environment that really encourages students to take on new challenges, follow their passions, and learn key skills. It afforded me countless opportunities. I made life-long friends, developed a love for English and Irish Debating, and took part in many student societies such as Student Leadership and Peer Ministry. This was all facilitated by hard-working teachers who dedicated a lot of time, energy and resources to mentoring and encouraging students to excel. Of the many positive memories, taking part in the school musical in 5th year stands out. When I left school, I went on to study Civil Engineering in UCC and now work as a lecturer at University of Nottingham in the UK. The skills honed during my formative years at the High School still stand to me today.

 

Dr. Liam McNamara Professional Biography

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was a student in the High School Clonmel from 2002 to 2007 and I then studied in University College Cork from 2007 to 2012, graduating with a BSc in Biochemistry and an MSc in Biotechnology. Between 2013 and 2016 I completed my PhD in Eli Lilly, Kinsale where my research process development of a protein-based cancer therapeutic. I joined Johnson and Johnson in 2017 as a Technical Scientist in a process development lab. Then in January 2018 I joined MSD Ireland (Cork) as a Technical Specialist working on setting up a new bioproduction facility. I recently changed roles in MSD to a Global Technical Operations Specialist overseeing the external production of vaccines in a facility in mainland Europe.

As you can see, I have a love for science. That love for science stemmed from my science classes in the High School – I took Biology and Chemistry for the Leaving Cert. I wanted to be a science teacher when I was filling out my CAO, but when I got to college, I realised that I had an interest in biopharmaceuticals and decided to follow that path instead. I love the field that I am working in, as it is very fulfilling to know you are helping to bring new medicines to people who need them.

My advice to students in school right now, would be to find something that you are interested in (and preferably that you’re good at) and then try your best to include that interest in your career – it will make your working life more enjoyable!

    Danny Lyne    

“School days are the best days of your life”. I never believed my father when he’d say that to me but on reflection, how true those words were. 

My 5 years in the High School developed my passion for Sport and Maths/Science. On the sporting front, the highlight for me was winning the O’Brien cup with the senior rugby team and my biggest regret was losing the Munster Senior Hurling B Final. I was lucky to have played alongside some exceptional players and to have had some fantastic coaches during this spell. 

I really enjoyed Maths & Science in school and was fortunate enough to have some very helpful and knowledgeable teachers along the way. All the above helped lay the foundation for my decision to pursue Chemical Engineering in college. Ironically, a tour to MSD Ballydine in second year helped spur on my interest – little did I realise at the time, that I would be working there sometime later! 

I made some great friends during my time at the high school and meet them still, all these years later. All the best in the future – Ardscoil na mBráithre Abú!

 

Stephen Diarmuid Walsh – Urban Planner

 

 

 

 

 

It is hard to understate the influence that my time in the High School had on my professional and personal development. The skills and insights that I acquired from the cohort of diligent teachers I encountered during my time laid a strong foundation for the development of my career. 

The strong academic pedigree of the High School is augmented by the range of sporting and social opportunities available through the school. Availing of these opportunities strongly supported my development as a young adult and helped form friendships that endure to this day.

 

 

Aaron Norris – HP Global Program Manager

 

 

 

 

It is hard to understate the influence that my time in the High School had on my professional and personal development. The skills and insights that I acquired from the cohort of diligent teachers I encountered during my time laid a strong foundation for the development of my career. 

The strong academic pedigree of the High School is augmented by the range of sporting and social opportunities available through the school. Availing of these opportunities strongly supported my development as a young adult and helped form friendships that endure to this day. 

When I think back on my time in the High School, I’m reminded of the dedicated educators who motivated me to always ask questions, think outside the box, and to pursue my career ambitions. 

I left the High School in 2007 to study at the University of Limerick where I earned my BSc. in Economics and Sociology, and my MSc. in International Management and Global Business. 

Shortly after graduating from UL in 2014, I joined Hewlett-Packard on a 24-month international internship program. I didn’t realise it at the time, but this internship would prove to be incredibly fortuitous for my career. 

In 2015, HP announced its intention to separate into two Fortune 50 companies, and I was given the opportunity to lead global communications for the newly formed HP Inc.’s Corporate Real Estate and Environment Health & Safety organizations. In this role, I managed communications and change strategies to support HP’s global real estate footprint and was also responsible for supporting crisis communications around the world. 

Today, I’m a Global Program Manager based in Portland, Oregon working in HP’s Diversity & Inclusion team leading Strategy, Data Analytics, and Operations. 

Paul Quinn – Film Director

 

 

 

I look back on my years at the High School as some of the most formative of my life. It’s where I truly began to discover myself as a person – the things I’m still passionate about and still drive me to this day. Dreaming of being a film-maker in Clonmel in the late 90s was a goal that had no clear path to success, but the teachers at the High School awoke in me a curiosity and hunger for learning that has always stayed by my side and helped me on that journey, whether by stoking my imagination through great literature, on stage at the inter school Musical, or inspiring my confidence through debating and public speaking.