Ah, 1986.

While Madonna was telling her Papa not to preach and Simply Red were holding back the years, the girls of St Mary’s Macroom were plotting their escape from the convent—between perfecting perms and smuggling blue eyeliner past Sr. Patricia.

Fast forward forty years: There are kids, grandkids, and the shared shock that the Eighties are officially “retro.” But some things never change—a school reunion, and the irresistible urge to see who still fits into their debs dress.

Now there’s a 40 Year School Reunion planned for June 20th in Macroom and organisers are hoping to get the gang back together once again.

Marion Pyper, the main organiser, came up with the idea originally 20 years ago and organised the first reunion in 2006, where everyone met at the Convent first and some of their old teachers like the late Sr Joseph joined them.

Organiser Marion Pyper

“Twenty more years have passed and I had the thought that, as the convent is now a private building, we could instead meet in Coolcower House, where we had our Debs 40 years ago.”

“Hopefully a lovely June evening will allow us to gather in some sunshine to catch up with old friends and reminisce about how we thought we knew it all, back then.”

Marion is reminding all her 1986 school pals that it’s time to raid the attic and dig out those old photos and email them on as soon as possible.

Photo: Seán Mac Suibhne

If you, your sister or your neighbour are a 1986 graduate of St Mary’s Macroom and wore the navy uniform and survived the tyranny of Peig Sayers, Marion is waiting to hear from you.

Drop her a line at stmarysreunion1986@gmail.com to join the once-in-a-generation gathering on June 20th at Coolcower House, Macroom.