Old Wolves Network (OWN)

The Old Wolves Network (OWN) ... What is it?

As with all Networks worldwide, it is a community of like-minded individuals forged through their own personal experiences in NIHE, Thomond College and eventually the University of Limerick, as part of the various Students Unions and their activities from 1972 right through to present day.

Today the "Union" is now known collectively as UL Student Life and its brand adopted by the students since 2011 is a Wolf... a UL Wolf to be more precise.

Who is it for?

Irrespective of the changing terminology over the years, UL Student Life has a deep appreciation for the enormous value in past contributions of all generations of our students and former members.

These contributions might have manifested as a

member of the Class Reps system
member of Student Council
member of Clubs & Societies
elected Sabbatical/Student Officer
part of the Students "Ent's Crew"

..or anything else not specifically listed but part of the Unions activities, ALL of which contributed to creating rich friendships and experiences for all Students in the University during their time here.

Our Aim for the Network

Is to promote and assist ongoing connection both within and across generations of the various UL Student Life's extracurricular activities and entities
Seek to identify opportunities for the co-ordination and facilitation of connections with "Old Wolves", such as, but not limited to Re-Unions with old friends and the various Clubs & Societies
Explore connections with "Old Wolves" for the benefit of the current generation of students
Maintain UL Student Life as a home away from home and to know there is an open invitation and a welcome for you on your return no matter how many years after you have departed the University of Limerick

Show/Hide Full OWN Introduction...

As the first full time Clubs & Societies Development Officer for the UL Students Union appointed in 1998, I first mooted this idea back in 2009 as a "Clubs & Societies Network" when I was 10 years into the development of Clubs & Societies. The relationships, friendships and achievements of students has always been a source of inspiration for me, and the on-going relationships to this day with so many former students because of their deep connection to those memories, the life long friends they made and all other experiences from their time in the University of Limerick.

(excerpt below from Clubs & Societies Newsletter 2009-2010)
"This edition however we do have a new section where we would like to reach back and develop our network with our former Clubs & Society members to see where they are now. This Network feature is about a former group of UL Irish Peace Society activists and how they found themselves on Washington's Capitol Hill for Obama's inauguration and indeed motivated Fiachra O'Luain to run for Europe in the most recent European elections here in Ireland ... As I have been here since 1998 I have maintained contacts with a lot of our former members and some have very interesting stories to tell, where it seems some of the inspiration behind the stories were at least to some extent derived from their involvement in our Clubs & Societies during their time here in UL, so hopefully I can develop on that theme in the next issue"

We attempted to re-launch this idea back in 2018 with a "soft launch" of the "Old Wolves Network" broadening beyond just former C&S members but Covid removed any momentum from 2020-2022 and effectively put the idea back on the shelf until early 2022. I rekindled the idea with conversations starting with former members Michelle Daly-Hayes in the Strand Hotel foyer and then extended to include Eamonn O'Flynn and most recently in (2024) Colin Clarke & Dee Dee Hosty and a small team of Student Life Colleagues, Aisling Ryan (Senior Clubs & Societies Coordinator), Chantelle DeLoughrey (Events & Engagement Coordinator) and Dearbhla Ryan our Communities Officer… Sabbatical Officer to those from another era :)

But Why…. The UL Wolves? What is that all about?

Because the students in Clubs & Societies voted for this brand, identity in 2011 after a 2-year consultation period and later it was adopted organisationally in 2013. The characteristics of a Wolf, easily ebb and flow with the historical dynamic of Clubs & Societies in UL and the legacy of its Students and the Students Union right up to present day as UL Student Life

What are those Wolf "Characteristics"?

In nature WOLVES

Exist in a highly social and structured society... Like a University Campus
Intelligent… Universities are a place of learning
Supportive and capable of being gentle/caring in equal measure to its own community – Students Unions are all about their student community
Powerful - gets it strength in numbers (Wolfpack) … Students when organised are powerful
Apex Predator (resonated with the competitive students in sport and that works well when we as a UL Student Life have to "fight" for the rights of students)

OK So Why "Old" Wolves?...

Because it is widely acknowledged as you get "older" in your professional life there is an "old boys/girls Club" where connections matter and bring about influence from knowledge obtained over years

For Who?

Anyone who contributed to the richness of student life during their time in UL. The Students Union/Student Life is in the business of delivering experiences, support, advocacy whether that's within C&S, Class Reps, our former "Ent's Crew" and of course our elected Sabbatical/Student Officers. We are not in the business of handing out parchments; this is a UL function, so you do not have to be an "Alumni" to be valued within YOUR Old Wolves Network.

In October 2023, The Old Wolves Network Working Committee facilitated and supported the 30th Reunion of the Outdoor Pursuits Club with the Clubs Committee to provide a fantastic Re-Union for 120+ people in the Radisson Hotel.

In September 2024, we provided some financial support to Liam Ryan for his 25th Celebration of the UL Vikings in "Cask", as part of the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel. Michelle Daly-Hayes presented the Old Wolves Network initiative to the 80+ former members who also attended another great Re-Union.

Now in 2025 the committee of the Old Wolves Network are moving the development of the initiative forward to bring more structure and visibility to the "Old Wolves Network" to make it easier for former members to join so that they can be more easily contacted for re-unions and other initiatives that the committee deem appropriate. This webpage is the start of this innovation designed by the creator of the UL Wolves Platform, Keith O'Neil formerly of the Computer Society & OPC (2008).

The next big event/Re-Union will be the Official Opening of the brand new €34 Million euro Student Centre in late 2025 coupled with a 50 year celebration of the Students Union on campus. If you would like to be informed of these exciting events and future events, please join the Old Wolves Network.

Paul Lee
Head of Student Engagement
UL Student Life

OWN Committee Bios

	Paul Lee I graduated from Waterford Regional Technical College (1991-1994) in Business Studies Recreational & Leisure Management and more recently acquired a Professional Diploma in Change Management from the Institute of Public Administration (2016-2017). During my time in college, I was an active member of the WRTC GAA Club, playing Fitzgibbon Hurling & Trench Cup Football. I won 2 Fitzgibbon cup medals during my time in WRTC. I loved my time involved with Clubs & Societies in Waterford and made friends for life from those experiences. I started working in 1998 with ULSU as the first full time "Clubs & Societies Development Officer". Promoted to the Head of Student Engagement in 2018. My current role has oversight of the Clubs & Societies and the Events & Engagement Departments.
	Aisling Ryan I graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2013 with an honour's degree in Sociology. Previously I worked in the Dalata Hotel Group in their HR division before starting as the Clubs & Societies Administrator in 2017. I have since been promoted twice and, as the Clubs & Societies Senior Coordinator, I am responsible for the C&S Department staff team and the day-to-day management of Clubs & Societies for UL Student Life.
	Dee Dee Hosty Since graduating from UL with a European Studies degree in 2000 I have gone on to study Primary Teaching at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra and have been teaching for 21 years. However, my time at UL will always be some of the happiest years of my life. I was the Deputy President/Welfare Officer of ULSU 1999/2000. One of the most educational years of my time in UL, sitting on Governing Authority, Educational Committees and playing our part in the development of student life on campus.
	Colin Clarke I Graduated in 2015 and initially I studied Journalism and New Media but switched courses to Joint Honours Politics and Economics. Throughout my 6 years in UL, I was President of the UL Poker Society and also involved in the UL Soccer Club. I held a number of other positions in the Student Union including, Societies Officer on the C&S Exec, Student Council Chairperson and eventually SU President. I was also elected Graduate Representative for the Governing Authority between 2018 and 2022. Stepping down after Taking a Ministerial Special Advisor role in the Department of Education. I now work as a Public Affairs Manager for Ireland for the largest renewable energy company in Europe, Statkraft.
	Eamonn O'Flynn I studied Engineering at the UL from 1996-2000 and later completed a master's in business studies at UL. Since graduating, I have worked in the construction and development sector, gaining experience with private developers and as a contractor. During my time at UL, I was an active member of the UL Debating Union, representing the university at three world championships. I also served on the Students' Union executive as Societies Officer. Being involved in clubs and societies was one of the most rewarding aspects of my university experience — it gave me friendships, skills, and experiences that have shaped both my personal and professional life. I now work as a Senior Project Manager, leading the development of buildings and infrastructure projects for public and private clients from inception to handover.
	Michelle Daly Hayes I attended UL from 2000-2004 with my two sisters. All three of us were involved in different clubs and societies during our time there. I was on clubs and socs exec in 2003/2004, founded the former Media Society, an active member of the Radio Soc, deputy editor of An Focal. I was nominated for SMedia Student Reporter of the Year in 2002 and An Focal was also shortlisted for Student Newspaper of the Year, 2001/2002/2003. I am an MC, Writer, Journalist and Consultant with over 20 years' experience in communications including Radio, Print, TV and social media and currently sit on several voluntary boards in Limerick and work with leading brands in several countries as a PR, communications and sustainability consultant.
	Chantelle DeLoughrey I graduated in 2021 from Limerick Institute of Technology with a BA(Hons) Business Studies with Event Management degree. I have 10 years of work experience in the event, tourism, and hospitality industry. I also completed Erasmus in Budapest Metropolitan University, Hungary, and two internships in marketing (Accounting Pro, Ireland & U.K) and event project management (Golden Goose Events, Barcelona). I work in UL Student Life since 2023 as one of the Events & Engagement Coordinators.
	Dervla Ryan I graduated in 2024 with a BA in European Studies, and I proudly served as a committee member of UL Archery for six years. I'm now in my second term as Vice-President Diversity & Inclusion Officer in UL Student Life, where I work to create a more inclusive campus through campaigns, events, and student advocacy. I also chaired the Clubs & Societies Executive and Student Council while facilitating workshops to encourage peer-to-peer learning and sustainable growth for C&S committee members. I was also awarded a Gold President's Volunteer Award in 2024. During my second term, I'm preparing to pursue an MA in Social Policy and Social Justice, aiming to connect student engagement with long-term policy change.