O’Driscoll & Morrissey, Walsh & Killeen - from 52 to 69The task was enormous ‘twas more than a dream - Exports were our biggest lifelineThe plan was created in order to have Dollar exports so with nothing to lose -In depression the growth was minus .3 percent – the only way up was through boozeThe whiskey drive started back in ’54 with John Power Jameson and Cork DistillersWith exports valued at 35 K no more – 4 years on worth ¼ million dollars!Twas the same with our clothing in old London town the garments from Ireland were meagre But with the advent of the Regent Street Crown the rag trade was happy and eager

By the year ’58 we stood centre stage were key to th’ economy’s successExports found their rightful home on the front page – a strategy body no lessOne hindrance to conquer a lack of design – Irish thinking too abstract was leadingTo literary excellence every time - our exports were still not succeeding

Bill Walsh on his travels did one day espy

A castle way out in the sticks

He appointed a king who new ways did applyBy hiring the the Scandinavian Six

But this wasn’t the only problem he faced – there was the small matter of shippingHis trust in his Liverpool colleagues he placed and started the new Irish ShippingThe average exports for the rest of the world reached 11% in ‘69But Ireland, as always to best this hell bent, at 16% crossed the line

It’s good to see that the people we know Were there from the very start

The French who visited the first fashion showWon’t have the same place in our heart

Sean Gallagher’s research was the very foundation Of all that grew out of the ash

Martin whose language shocked most of creation Would have presented this show with panache

When it came to the good times Chief Exec Sean Condon would sing to the best cap in handBy Aces surrounded his performance was dazzling and second to none in the land

He retired from the ranks in 84 in some style – 7 years he had managed the partyThe keys of the kingdom he placed with a smile in the hands of the waiting McCarthyThis was the era of specialization with Comdex the word on the streetIndigenous exports the pride of the nation for once foreign exports did beat

For twelve years McCarthy’s hand firm on the tiller Not a yacht but a bike was his end

He didn’t escape till his name as a filler

On Bill’s expenses was penned

The Goods Council’s arrival heralded the end – the name changed to ABT Tattin was young and but not easy to bend – at least VHI’s now healthy

She saw it all through from one chief to the next – the woman behind all those menI would love one day soon to write up the text of the things that went on in that den!Without her we couldn’t have put on this show, so let me tell you one and allOf the fact that real power was left in her hands in the running of Merrion Hall.

It must be said here that fun did play a part

In achieving so many successes

As Ophelia in Dusseldorf or

Some comedy part

Or even ladies indulging in quiet excesses

The passion we showed the sheer dedication to having a good time what the heck

Some moved in high circles on behalf of the nationWith support to ensure a hard neck

What is Santa offering Sally – is it just a ride in his sled?Who’s that on the floor trying to be pally one more inch girl you’ll find yourself dead

There may be a scratch on this happy photo but still it manages to showBy the looks on the faces of Rosemary and Marie they both are enjoying ACE Joe

The original founders of poker you see in the eighties in Kennedy’s placeApart from the one that is missing – that’s Cri but you all remember her face

Then there were those members of a very rare breed whose lifestyle mostly appalsThey’re out in all weathers doing great deeds while searching around for their balls

But back to the work front – we sure did a lot

Here’s some of the people who careIf your photo’s missing from amongst all this lotYou should have sent one to the Chair!

Lyn Halpin a legend in her own lifetimeAlways at the top of her game

Richard the drummer is still on the front lineEnterprise Ireland’s his fame

Pamela first

Then Frank – both had their tussels In various parts of the land

But what better place to end up than Brussels as manager of the top brandAfter New York the world was too small in spite of the perks of an ACEDirector of Europe now there’s a new ball for O’Doherty got out of the race

Rosaleen and Frank sing a serenade

Greg Carley exported to Bristol

Who used the F word in a public tiradeWas it in support of Waterford Crystal?

Look at them all saying their goodbyes Clem Faulkner and Sheilas both

Percy is adamant that the good times are gone – John Healy heads for the boat

Fintan looks sad at the thought of the parting but that doesn’t stop all the funRetirement is beckoning at Sean’s farewell party – but why ordering just a small one?

Parry and Colm are wondering why Paul Hogan is making a speech

Is it because he was practising for that day which is now in his reach?

Electronics

Computers – the new whiskey drive that once again brought a new missionWe knew that because of them we would survive and move forward with a whole new vision

Neligan had Zurich and chemicals too

Tom Healy and Jim had the pub

Gabriel was one of the few ladies who ever escaped out of Dub

Monsieur Strahan your look is beyond the Pale you see the toits de ParisNancy looks on with an empty glass, Bill seems to be laughing with glee

Derry O’Brien your name will be great for stereo rather than monoThe music industry will write your name up there with Bob Geldof and Bono

Dr. McGuire started the talks, we always knew that was the caseIf only in one direction they’d walk, Percy’s smile would cover his faceO’Malleys, O’Doherty, Courtney, Lovegrove all there for Northern IrelandANUGA was host at the very start of unity on this our island.

Ask not for a desk when of orders bereft all you have is your phoneCashmere and silk may show on the left but methinks he will have to go home

But who is that man on the left of import?

He seems to know all and sundryHas given advice on the way to export from Zambia to Greece to Hungary

But what of our exporters how did they fare? – here we have one of the bestJimmy Hourihan who invented the cape stood out from all of the rest

And then the implosion - en masse did they leave for a new life finally freeBut at all the gatherings there was gnashing of teeth for the dismantling of CTT

Colin and Arthur they show no remorse for the life they were willing to fleeColin has taken the path of the just with a future in philanthropy

Kevin looks worried being left on his own it sure is a burden no doubt

Colin admires Sean’s golden handshake and waits for the day he gets out

Heather shakes hands as she tries to arrangeFuture meetings for alumni activity

This man’s meanderings on the stock exchange showed us his real proclivity

Arthur, Bill, Alan, Colm, Paddy these guys did it all, saw all there was to seeBetween them they make up a very large part of the glory days of CTT

We fought the good fight none stood alone as witnessed by this photographWe worked in a place that oft became home but through it all boy did we laugh

Finally, our Chairman we now applaud for the service, the dogs, and the wineBut most of all and thanks to B O D, he will continue till 2009!