Retirement Party for Donal Burke Head of College NMCI
Wednesday 21 June 2006
Staff from CIT and NMCI hosted a party for Donal Burke on June 14th to mark the occasion of his imminent retirement from the post of Head of College, NMCI. Family, friends and colleagues attended the party on a glorious evening at the waterside in NMCI.
Speeches and gifts were given by Daire Brunicardi and Albert McGrath, both Senior Lecturers in NMCI; Dr. Brendan Murphy, Director of CIT; Conor Mowlds, Development Officer IMDO; Dave Elliot, Arklow Shipping; John Preddy, Services Manager NMCI; Frank Drummy, NAVCOM; and Cdr Tom Tuohy, Associate Head of College NMCI while Michael Delaney, Head of Development, CIT presided as Master of Ceremonies.
Many speakers referred to NMCI as the lasting evidence of achievements throughout his career. One speaker mentioned how it would be visible from ‘The Bosun’ in Monkstown as well as from jet aircraft on the way to Australia and even from outer space.
Donal has made tentative plans to travel during his retirement and in order to help that plan along, his friends from CIT in Bishopstown, Vita Lend Lease, BT Ireland, and McKechnies presented him with travel vouchers.
Much was made of Donal’s Marine Engineering background and so to alleviate his lack of navigation skills, he was presented with a World Atlas from the IMDO, a GPS satellite navigation system for his car and a Bridge Telegraph from his colleagues in NMCI. Cdr. Tom Tuohy presented Donal with a shell which is presented to retiring Naval Service personnel as well as a voucher for a meal from his Naval Service colleagues in NMCI.
Dave Elliot from Arklow Shipping presented him with a golf shirt to support his soon to blossom golfing career and some glasses for the 19th hole. Arklow Shipping also thought a job application form would be useful. Frank Drummy from NAVCOM presented Donal with golfing apparel and he received a print of the Tall Ships Race 2005 from Kevin Sanquest.
Donal was greatly overwhelmed by the evening and presentations and took much pleasure from the spirit of his friends and colleagues in making this a night to remember for him and his family.
A lovely evening was had by all and only that the NMCI facility had to close, festivities would have continued into the small hours.
