Grainne Cryan, class of 1983
Our next #HumansOfMuckross is
Gráinne Cyran, class of 1983
" Muckross was never just a school "
" Muckross has a very special place in my heart "
" I first arrived into the junior school in 1971. Muckross over the last 48 years has welcomed my sisters Anne & Maria, cousins Sally Ann & Gemma Cryan, Catriona & Finola McLaughlin and my daughter Maia Springael. I took what I would miss with me; my amazing friends and a sense of belonging. We have shared so much over the years, laughs, fun, rugby (our Muckross sport), family and many special occasions, creating solid lifelong friendships "
" My journey through the school was a happy one, the atmosphere spread beyond the gates where you would find my mom chatting while waiting for us to finish junior school - I might not have got an 'A' in my exams or into the special choir but I was encouraged to be the best I could be - Muckross was a positive place "
" A big day for me was March 2nd of 6th class (junior school) when for our Confirmation we got to wear the senior school uniform I felt so grown up in our fashionable black blazers & green skirts"
" I remember the musicals with Mrs. Maguire - Marian College, Gonzaga - Boys/Romance! and our very special end of school 6th year show 'Star Maker - Dream Breaker'.
" I loved the school trip where 'the Banshee' at the window in the cottages in Donegal scared us witless, still think Dan Maloney should own up!"
" And the 'foreign' trip in 3rd year to Liverpool and Stratford on Avon on the Hover Craft which included the famous 'Fame' routine which we re-enacted on the pool tables at a seaside resort en route home in our fashionable leg warmers - poor Sr Barnabas was not the better of it.
At the other end of time, 6th year the traditional unauthorised ring of 'The Bell' on the 3rd floor landing. The last photo of us all on the steps with our dreams and hopes for the future "
FUN FACT: " I was interviewed for the RTÉ 6 o'clock news - on our leaving results day, RTÉ came to our old prefabs. The others interviewed were all excited about college however I had a different agenda 'Blinkers' still reckon I had my priorities right - Drive Time on RTE 1 mentioned me last August ... the girl with the nails done, got the 2nd highest grade for style and was heading out to the disco Blinkers! "
" Muckross life for me was not just about academics - it was where I grew up. Teachers knew me and I them. There was a healthy respect in Muckross. The 'glue' that made Muckross has to be the Nuns & teachers. Sr Barnabas (aka Barney), Sr Norah (aka my Head Mistress), Sr Francis, Sr Louis D, Sr Rose Elizabeth, Sr Miriam, Sr Carmel, Sr Marie, Sr Rita, Sr Alexis, Sr Marie Delordes and others. Special mention to our all-time good friend Sr Brenda Mary and her bicycle. Many Nuns and teachers have passed away but will not be forgotten. I would like to send my best wishes to the nuns still with us who will leave the House they have loved and cared for over many years this summer (our school yet their home)."
Favourite Muckross memories:
" Skipping class on a Wednesday afternoon to go to the Rugby in Donnybrook with Toni Wall and Marylou Shannon ...... oooopppps!!! "
" When my sister Anne burnt her hair on the gas cooker in the H.E. Kitchen and had to call for her big sister, Sr Carmel’s face OMG and Anne has never cooked with gas since! "
" September 2012 seeing Maia walk through the big black gates in the green uniform, she was going to the 'new school'. I expected her time to be like my Muckross, but we all know life moves on and no two experiences are the same.
Sr Norah welcomed Maia, just like on my last day in Muckross she said good bye to me. "
Where are we now:
" All 8 of us are happy, healthy and well. Anne went onto work in NUIG, Maria and Catriona settled in the West, Gemma in the UK, Finola in Drogheda, and Sally Ann & Maia in the world of Medicine RCSI & UCD.
Me, I'm still in Dublin with my amazing children Maia and Jack. I work in the Conference and Event industry where no two days are the same and life is still FUN!" 💚
Advice for my 18 year old self:
" Live and Love yourself, until you do others won't know how! "
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