Newbridge 1962ers celebrate Fr Heffernan's 90th

Two Kilcullen members of the Newbridge College Sixth Year of 1962 were among those who participated in a celebratory 90th birthday lunch organised for Fr John Heffernan OP this past weekend, writes Brian Byrne.

They were your editor and Seamus Orford, both of us who spent our six years as day pupils two-wheeling it to and from the College every day, along with Bardon and Brennan contemporaries among others.

Fr Heffernan spent virtually all of his career at Newbridge, as teacher, headmaster for a decade, and dedicated rugby coach to decades of boys, encouraging in them both love of and discipline in learning and sport.

Past pupil Tom Doyle presents the crystal rugby ball to Fr Heffernan.

At Saturday's lunch in Killashee House Hotel, Fr Heffernan was presented with a crystal rugby ball by the 18 members present of the graduating class of 1962, at whose reunions he has been a regular guest. They had travelled from several counties and from the UK and Belgium, and many others who weren't able to get to the event sent their regards.

There are others in Kilcullen today who will remember him from their time as pupils in Newbridge before he retired. In recent years Fr Heffernan has been living in the Dominican Friary in Athy, but is now back in Newbridge since the Friary was closed two years ago.

Past pupils Neil Hunt, John Hynes who organised the lunch, and Hugo Loos who came from Antwerp in Belgium for the occasion.

Past pupils Fr John Fitzpatrick, Seamus Orford, and James O'Dwyer.