Rev. Fathers, Ladies & Gentlemen, Good Evening. Thank you Owen, and sincere thanks to the Clongowes Union for this beautiful award. I was extremely humbled when I saw that last year’s recipient was Fr. Peter McVerry, a truly great man. In the Ethos of Clongowes it says ‘Through the curriculum, co-curricular activities and the environment of the school, our mission is to help each student to grow holistically and lay the foundations for life-long growth.’ I have few recollections of my time in Clongowes, now 58 years ago, but I know that, what I have quoted from the Ethos certainly helped me throughout my life. I started in Preparatory class, as I was too young for 1st year, being only 10, and had previously spent three years boarding in St Gerard’s. I remember being called by choice at 6:30 a.m. to serve Mass, which I usually did on the balcony of the People’s Church, either side of the Organ. I also loved Swimming, and often got called at 6:30 a.m. to go for half an hour. I was lucky, my family sent me on a school Jesuit pilgrimage to Lourdes, and then across Northern Spain to all the places where St Ignatius of Loyola had fought and lived. One funny instance I remember was when I was in bed in the end small room on the top floor in Third Line and was fooling around quite late and Fr. Paddy Crowe, a scholastic then, was our Prefect. His room was at the other end of the large dormitory outside our room. I was doing some trickery and the other lads were laughing at me, but suddenly stopped. There in the doorway stood Paddy Crowe. He just said ‘Costello, my room’ so I followed him down through the large dormitory to his room. When there, he said to me ‘pick up that shoe’ – ‘put your hand into it’ – ‘turn the sole towards the ceiling’, and then he gave six hard cracks across the soul of the shoe with the Pandy Bat, which you could have heard across the whole school. Then he said, ‘Get back to your room and not a word about this, or you’ll answer to me’. I know that the Clongowes Union supports a number of worthy organisations, but I would appeal to you all here, at some stage of your lives, to consider doing Voluntary or Community work. I did voluntary work with CRC some years ago and for the last 23 years of my life I’ve been involved with colleagues in setting up and running a Charity in support of Polio Survivors in Ireland of which there are presently over 6,000. I can quite honestly say that it has been the most fulfilling and rewarding period of my life. The smaller charities in Ireland are often in need of expertise, particularly on their Boards of Governance, for advice regarding finance, legal issues, PR or HR or Fundraising. I know we certainly are! Or else, you could volunteer in your community, e.g. both my two nominators, Fr. Michael and Phil Mooney are prime examples of this by coaching Youth Rugby for the greater part of their lives. I consider that at 73 years of age I am extremely lucky to be still alive, having survived Acute Respiratory Poliomyelitis. I have had great support and help from so many, – but to mention a few; – Firstly, the medics, that is the consultants and doctors, nurses, carers and other hospital staff to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude. The rehabilitation care that I received in England for a couple of years, and on returning the rehab care I received for many years in the Central Remedial Clinic. Most importantly of all, the lifelong care in Cherry Orchard Hospital, which I refer to as my second home, as I have lived there now during the week for years. My doctor there, Dr Seamus O’Dea, the Chief Medical Officer has looked after me through many crises for more than 30 years, and without people like him and his two predecessors, I certainly would not be here. I’m delighted that he was able to be here tonight. He’s an Old Belvederian – but we’ll forgive him for that! Then I come to, my mother and aunts, who worked hard to support me in the earlier years. My Father had died while I was in Clongowes two years before I got Polio. My friends and neighbours over the years have been a great support to me. My lifelong best friend Phil and his family, whose

support has been astronomical throughout my life. My brothers and sisters, especially my sister Muriel and her family, who have been there for me through many difficult times in my life. And finally, most importantly, my beloved partner Delia who has put up with me, and cared for me, for over 30 years now through thick and thin. I sincerely hope that I have been of help to you also. Thank you Delia! Again, I thank the Clongowes Union, and I thank God that I am still alive to receive this award.