The annual Clongowes Union Easter Retreat took place in Clongowes on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, 2/3 April 2026. A total of thirty-three OCs attended with 24 sleeping overnight on Holy Thursday in the Rhetoric rooms. 

Planning for the Retreat started many months in advance with a small committee consisting of John Galloway (‘72), Tom Lane (‘81), Jim Ryan (‘85) and John Sheehan (‘74) meeting on-line. For the first time, the Retreat Director was a Jesuit not resident in Clongowes. Fr Tom Casey SJ did the honours. Based in Gonzaga as Chaplain, he previously was Rector of Milltown Park and Professor of Philosophy at the Pontifical University at Maynooth. Fr Tom delivered thought-provoking and erudite talks of the highest quality which stimulated good audience participation. 

The Retreat was marked by several innovations. In order to introduce a period of reflection, the starting time on Holy Thursday was brought forward to the early afternoon. An hour of silence, observed on a voluntary basis, was timetabled following Fr Tom’s first talk. On Good Friday, Professor Barry White gave a talk on Christian Meditation. Barry is a prominent exponent of Christian Meditation in Ireland as well as being a medical doctor and Professor of Haematology. He now has the distinction of being the first lay person to deliver a talk as part of the Retreat – an initiative that will be repeated. He also guided the retreatants through a session of meditation, a first experience for many. 

Fr Tom was joined by Fr Barney McGuckian SJ for the Liturgies which were held in the intimate surrounds of the People’s Church, long associated with Blessed John Sullivan SJ. 

After lunch in the Castle, the retreatants gave generously to CUBA, the Union benevolent fund. 

Ms Vicki Cahill and Ms Emma Robinson provided excellent administrative support and warmly welcomed the OCs to Clongowes. The chef and catering staff made sure we didn’t go hungry! 

As the retreatants headed off after supper on Good Friday, all agreed that the event was most enjoyable, informative and spiritually uplifting and an excellent way to celebrate Easter while at the same time, reconnecting with Clongowes. 

John Sheehan, OC ’74, Retreat host