Visit of the French Ambassador, April 2023

We welcomed the French Ambassador, Vincent Gue rend, his wife Emmanuelle Gue rend to Blackrock last Thursday morning, 27th April.

They were formally welcomed by Thomas Demichel (6th Year) with Fr O’Brolchain, Mr Smyth, Mr Demichel, Ms Dobbyn, Mr Barrett, Ms Dillon and Mr O’Shea in attendance. We also welcomed Mr Sean Haley, Regional Chairman of Sodexo UK and Ireland, Ms Susan Creedon, Brands and Communication Manager Sodexo and Ms Deirdre Sanders, Co-division Director Sodexo. Sodexo, our caterers, are a French company.

The visit continued with a short tour of the College, visiting Our Lady’s Corridor where there is a pictorial history of the ‘French’ College Blackrock, St Patrick’s Hallway, where our archivist, Jessica Cunningham, had prepared an exhibition of our French connection, history and culture followed by a tour of the chapel built in 1868. The Liberman choir entertained our guests singing Lean On Me (with We Shall Overcome) and ‘Dance with the Storm’. Tom Boret (3rd Year) played Le Petit ane Blanc by Ibert on the keyboard. After this magnificent mini concert, the party returned to the CADLC where Mikhail Rawat (6th Year) spoke about Blackrock College past and present. This was followed by a Q&A led by the students from 5th and 6th Year French classes. Mr Annraoi Wyer presented the Ambassador with a piece of his own artwork, a drawing of the Castle. Finally, Ben Kieran Glennon (6th Year) presented H.E. with a copy of Fearless and Bold and his wife with flowers.

It was a superb occasion. The boys who spoke French at all times were ‘magnifique’!

We thank my colleagues in the French Department, our Maintenance, household and catering teams, Fr O’Brolchain and Mr O’Shea for ensuring that our visitors had an enjoyable visit.