On Friday July 5, 2019 the Union hosted a wonderful event in Dublin’s Gresham Hotel to celebrate the loyalty and contribution of our longest serving members.

Invitations for the lunch were sent to all IFUT retired members who have continuous membership of 25 years or more and we were joined by some thirty such members coming from almost all Branches of our union.  Unfortunately, due to congestion on the trains from Cork, Galway and Limerick, a number of our former stalwarts were disappointed not to be able to join us on the day.

The event was honoured by the presence of several former Presidents of our union, Breandán Ó Cochláin of NUIG, Bernard McCartan of DDH-TCD and the RCSI, and the redoubtable Paddy O’Flynn of UCD, who we understand is the sole current member who also attended the very first meeting of IFUT.

After a very pleasant lunch the gathering was addressed by Joan Donegan, General Secretary, who welcomed all present (and those who were there in spirit) and thanked them for the vital role their loyalty and service had played in the survival of our union during some tough periods and to its flourishing in other less fraught but equally demanding years.

The event was also graced by addresses by the former General Secretaries, Daltún Ó Ceallaigh and Mike Jennings, and by our current President, Dr Angela O’Flynn of UCC.  All present were then treated to a truly beautiful musical interlude of songs and piano accompaniment.

Other Executive members who attended were our out-going President, Aidan Seery of TCD, Celeste Golden of the RCSI, Anthony Harvey of the RIA, and Des Carswell of MICL.

All of the current staff of IFUT also attended, including our Secretary/Office Manager Phyllis Russell (who is herself one of the longest serving members of the IFUT community), Frank Jones, Deputy General Secretary, and Fiona Lee, Industrial Relations and Data Protection Officer.