More than 250 RCSI Alumni were welcomed back to the College from 11 to 13 September for the annual Alumni Gathering Weekend. Alumni from the classes of 1954, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994 and 200 attended this event to celebrate their lifelong connection with RCSI and to reconnect with old friends and colleagues.

The College welcomed graduates from across the globe including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, United States, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Malaysia, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Speaking at the opening of the weekend, Professor Cathal Kelly, RCSI CEO/Registrar, said: “It is a privilege to welcome our graduates back to RCSI. The Alumni Gathering affords our graduates with the opportunity to rekindle relationships and affiliations as well as networking amongst peers. RCSI has an Alumni network of more than 20,000 graduates from over 70 countries worldwide and it wonderful to see so many graduates here this weekend from all corners of the globe.”

A weekend of activity took place including a scientific meeting, reunion class dinners, sight-seeing tours, Golden and Diamond Jubilee Lunch, tours of the College and a black tie gala dinner.

The Scientific Meeting included an update from Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO/Registrar on the activities of the College. His talk gave Alumni a good overview of the research, education, diversity, international activity and overall development of their alma mater. Professor Arnie Hill, Head of the School of Medicine gave a speech on ‘Innovations in the RCSI Curriculum’. Dr Garry Duffy and Professor Fergal O’Brien gave an overview of their research areas and Ms Fionnuala Rahilly presented on the RCSI Mentor Programme. In the afternoon, there was talks and poster presentations from leading medical professionals and RCSI Alumni.

The Classes of 1964 and 1954 attended a special luncheon of celebration in honour of their Golden and Diamond Reunions and each jubilarian was presented with a certificate in recognition of this special occasion.

On Friday evening, reunion class dinners were held in the RDS and on Saturday night the Alumni gathered in RCSI for a black tie gala dinner to close the weekend’s celebrations.