We are pleased to announce that Michael Ryan (OC’76) has been appointed Chairman of Clongowes Wood College Foundation.

Michael is currently chief executive and major shareholder of the Kleerex Group, a retail services company with sales approaching €100m and employs over four hundred people in six operations in Ireland and the UK.  Kleerex supplies many leading retailers and brands such as Asda, Boots, BP, Dunnes, Musgraves, National Lottery, Sainsburys and Vodafone with their store fixtures and displays as well as supply chain services.

While attending Clongowes, Michael played on the junior rugby team 1974 and in the senior squad.  He won three Leinster medals in tennis, juniors in 1974 and seniors in 1975 and 1976.

Michael was nominated for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2002.

Commenting on his appointment, “I believe that investing in education should be our number one priority in this country as it is one of our only sources of competitive advantage.  The events of recent months clearly show more than ever the need to educate and prepare the next generation to create and lead activities that add long term value to our economy and society”.

Committed volunteers are central to the success of the Clongowes Towards 200 campaign and the College is profoundly grateful to the dedicated past pupils and parents who give so freely of their time and talents.

A variety of roles exist for volunteers to the Foundation. The philanthropic example of our volunteers, coupled with their personal connections to classmates, parents, and friends, makes them a cornerstone of our work to advance the mission of Clongowes.

To learn more about volunteering for other projects, please contact Gillian O'Connor, e-mail: gillian@clongowesfoundation.com or call +353 (0)45 902 333.

The Foundation is governed by its Trustees is advised by its Governors.

Trustees and Governors

• Trustees are Fr Bruce Bradley SJ; Fr John Dardis, SJ; Brian Flannery; Fr Leonard Moloney, SJ; Peter Murphy, William F. O'Grady; Michael Ryan, John Tierney. Other trustees may be appointed subject to approval by the Provincial.
• Sean Dunne was appointed Governor of the Foundation in 2004.
• The Headmaster’s Cabinet members are Fr Bruce Bradley SJ, Eddie Hobbs, Jonathan Irwin, Adam MacNulty, Charlie McCreevy, Mairead Mason, Martin Nugent, Mary Ann O’Brien, Dan O'Connor ,William F O’Grady, Michael Ryan, Roddy Ryan, John Tierney and Dr Patrick Nolan. Together, with the Trustees and the Headmaster they provide valuable leadership to the campaign and development programme.

The Board of Management is responsible for the College as a whole and as such oversees the delivery of projects resourced from the CT200 Campaign.