As with all Networks worldwide, it is a community of like-minded individuals forged through their own personal experiences. In the case of the Old wolves Network it is the culmination of the various Students Unions and their activities from 1972 right through to present day. Whether that was as the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) Limerick 1972, or the National College of Physical Education (NCPE) 1972, before it became Thomond College in 1976 and eventually the University of Limerick in 1989.
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.
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
..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.
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 (former Events & Engagement Coordinator) and Dearbhla Ryan our Communities Officer... Sabbatical Officer to those from another era :)
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
In nature 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
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 on October 10th 2025 coupled with a 50 year celebration of the Students Union on campus, on November 15th 2025. 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
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