Loreto Past Pupils Union – A History
In 1932 the Loreto Past Pupils Union was formed – the realisation of a vision of Mother General, Raphael Deasy, to have a Union of past pupils with representatives from all Loreto schools. The inaugural meeting was held in Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham and the first President was Lady Broderick, a past pupil of the Loreto Abbey Rathfarnham.
Monthly meetings were subsequently held in Loreto College St. Stephen’s Green until 2005 when the Union opened its own office at Loreto Hall, 77 St. Stephen’s Green. Early records set out the aims of the Union which were “to maintain cordial relations among past pupils of Loreto Schools, to foster among them a spirit of mutual aid as well as loyal co-operation in the works of zeal undertaken by the past pupils’ sodalities and any such activities that may be started to support and strengthen Loreto’s participation in Catholic action”. From the start a particular focus for members was on social work in the Dublin of that time which was a city of abject poverty and poor living conditions. The aims of the Union are enshrined in our Constitution and while they have been updated from time to time to reflect changing times they still continue to support the Loreto ethos of social justice. From the 1930s right up to the sixties the Union was actively involved in the Catholic Social Service of the city of Dublin mainly through the various Clubs. These included North Great George’s Street Social Club, Mount Street Social Club, and Loreto Union Social Club Westland Row. These clubs were run through the various sodality Groups and provided the usual activities and classes to cater for disadvantages groups. While they were primarily self-financing the Union did provide some financial support. With a changing Dublin and the relocation of many Dubliners to the suburbs in the sixties the work of the clubs became redundant. This did not deter the Union from their mission as they continued to provide support for many local charities through fundraising and practical help. Some of these are detailed hereunder. In choosing suitable Charities the Union was always mindful of supporting as much as possible based here in Ireland and also Charities which provide social and educational needs.
The following regularly appear in our Donations list:
St Vincent de Paul Society Sherrard House Loreto Schools Loreto Sisters in challenging ministries at home and abroad
Sherrard House formerly known as Homeless Girls’ Society Ltd) was founded in 1968 by the late Fr. Fergal O’Connor O.P. to provide accommodation for teenage girls who has left home for various reasons and ended up living on the streets of the Capital. The Society bought 2 houses in Sherrard Street and set up hostel accommodation providing a home, education and assistance in gaining employment in an effort to rehabilitate the girls to become more self-sufficient. This work continues today and the annual contribution from the Union and indeed from individual past pupils is greatly appreciated and needed. Despite the involvement of the HSE the Society is still dependent on volunteers in the running of the Society. Loreto became involved through our late President Betty Bean Ui Neill and her husband Pat who were involved with Fr. Fergal in the project. The O’Neill family still continue their involvement to this day.
Fr. Scully Flats. Towards the end of the sixties Fr. Scully, a Jesuit Father, came up with the idea of building a flat complex to house under-privileged Senior Citizens of the city. The first block was built in Grenville Street (off Gardiner Street) and Loreto Past Pupils Union became involved in raising funds to assist the development. The Loreto Order had already made a generous contribution. A further block of flats was built in Ballinteer in 1971 and a request was made to the Union for help administratively and socially with this particular development. The sub-committee worked tirelessly over the years giving both practical help in rent collection, providing a free weekly hair-dressing service to residents, organising outings, celebrations and the annual Christmas Party. This work continued for almost 30 years. Changing circumstances and improvement in benefits for the elderly and the re-development of the Fr. Scully complexes meant that the work of the Union was completed and time to move on to other more pressing needs.
St. Vincent’s Day Centre, Henrietta Street. In 1976 Sr. Vincent (a diminutive and most unassuming woman) of the Daughters of Charity set up this Centre and opened its door to provide a drop-in centre for night time hostel dwellers and homeless people who had nowhere to go during the day. The late Archbishop Dermot Ryan requested the involvement of the LPPU in this apostolate and the Union became active in the provision of services. For many years Loreto past pupils staffed the Sunday afternoon openings at the Centre by providing refreshments and the important warm welcome and chat particularly for young people with little or no purpose in life. For 27 years the Union made a financial contribution to the running of the Centre through its Christmas charities disbursements. The Centre over time involved into a productive centre where young people learned skills through the then ANCO/FAS Schemes. This changed the lives of many young people who were now becoming employable and better able to live a fulfilling life. The Centre was so successful that it brought visitors from EU who would use it as a template for similar schemes across Europe. When the services of the Union were no longer needed and the Centre was fully financed Sr. Vincent was gracious in her tribute to Loreto for their involvement over the years generously commenting “that while our work there was finished we could now devote our energies to a greater need.
Independent Age Ireland (formerly RUKBA) helps older people on low incomes to live with dignity and peace of mind. They help approximately 350 people on the island of Ireland. Many of their beneficiaries are those who have already been a carer whether paid or unpaid. LPPU is privileged to be associated with this worthy charity. The Union continues to play an important role in Loreto and as challenging times still continue to require our involvement and the Union needs to regularly update our focus to meet these challenges a motto suggested by Sr. Margaret Ryan during our 50th Anniversary Celebrations “Higher still and higher” might be appropriate as we face the future.
Some useful dates:
1932 Union established
1936 Social Clubs established
1942 Golf Society established
1943 Loreto House was purchased and was a useful meeting place for Union. During the 60s due to the condition of building it had to be vacated as the cost of repair would have been prohibitive.
1949 First Annual Dinner held and continued until recently. 1956 Debutantes Dances began and continued until the mid 80s. These are now organised by Parents Committees in individual schools.
1963 Loreto Musical Society Crumlin Road established
1966 Musical Society at Nth Great Georges Street was wound down having staged many successful productions for many years. Some members joined the Society at Crumlin Road.
1972 Annual Outings to include a visit to a Loreto Convent were initiated.
1980 Basketball Club founded and ran for some years.
1989 Benevolent Fund started
1998 First overseas trip to York to visit the Bar Convent where Frances Ball was educated and completed her novitiate before opening a branch of the IBVM in Ireland and surrounding areas to follow in the footsteps of IBVM/CJ Founder Mary Ward
2000 Annual Union Day transferred to Loreto Abbey Dalkey
2000 Overseas trip to Seville where we received a hearty welcome when we visited Loreto sisters and students in the local convent school.
2002 Overseas trip to Rome where we met Loreto Community and visited Embassy of the Holy See and entertained by the Ambassador. Attended the Weekly Papal Audience in St. Peters Square.
2004 Overseas trip to Prague
2006 Overseas trip to Vienna
2008 LPPU awarded “Unsung Hero” award by Lord Mayor and members of Dublin City Council 2008 Visit to Augsburg to visit CJ Convent to view original paintings of Life of Mary Ward during Bavarian Tour.