The Belfast Old Instonians Association

Fascinating to visit the new Nomadic HQ and get a sneak peak at some of their bespoke watches being built.

Founder & CEO Peter McAuley (RBAI 2001-08) knows his stuff and this is definitely a brand to keep an eye on...

✍️ A date for your diary.

15 years after the School’s spectactular Bicentenary Concert, the RBAI musicians will be returning to the Waterfront Hall. It promises to be a brilliant evening of entertainment!

A few dates for your diary.

📲 https://boia.org.uk/events

Schools’ Cup Champions 2024

A massive congratulations to the RBAI Cricket 1XI who have successfully defended the Schools’ Cup, beating Ballyclare High School in a thrilling final at Osborne yesterday afternoon.

It’s been a great year for the club as a whole who also won the McCullough Cup on Saturday after a tough set of fixtures vs Campbell College.

Congrats to all the boys and the coaches for all their hard work this season. What a year of sport we have had!

📲 https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/adam-leckey-takes-three-wickets-in-four-balls-to-help-rbai-win-a-record-13th-schools-cup/a2145193033.html #

Current RBAI member of staff and Old Instonian Stephen McMullan (RBAI 1998-05) is taking on the 7 peak challenge today to raise funds for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

Stephen will be climbing to the summit of all seven peaks in the Mourne Mountains that are over 700m above sea level.

Best of luck! If you would like to donate click the link below:
bit.ly/4bXEPHL

Wishing the Cricket 1XI the best of luck as they take on Ballyclare High School in the Schools Cup Final this Monday.

The match will be played at Osborne Park, starting at 12pm for those wishing to support!

We had some Old Instonians recognised at Ulster Rugby’s 2023/24 Awards 🏉

A massive congratulations to former 1XV captain David McCann (RBAI 2011-18) on winning the Ulster Rugby Men’s Player of the Year and Rugby Writers’ Player of the Year.

It was also great to see Bradley McNamara (Inchmarlo & RBAI 2005-2019 ) recognised for his outstanding season with Instonians Rugby Club , winning the Ken Goodall Club Player of the Year!

❌ Regrettably due to unforeseen circumstances, our Summer BBQ due to take place on Thursday 20 June has been cancelled.

Dermot will be remembered fondly by his peers. Our thoughts are very much with his brothers and family.

Terrific evening with Dublin based alumni yesterday. Wonderful to hear about their career journeys and share an update from School.

The names of so many teachers, past and present, came up in conversation. We are so fortunate to have an ongoing legacy of gifted staff who invest in our pupils.

Special thanks to David Brangam (Inchmarlo & RBAI 1988-02) for hosting us at Simmons & Simmons.

The President, and Members of Council of Belfast Old Instonians’ Association, invite all those who left Inst from 2019 until 2023 (inclusive), to a Summer re-union barbecue at Shaw’s Bridge on Thurs 20 June at 7pm.

This will be a great opportunity to renew acquaintances with your year group and get to know the benefits from membership of your Association.

It is essential that you register for this event at [email protected] as we can only accept a maximum of 150 people.

There will be a small charge of £5 (CASH ONLY) payable on the evening, to defray some of our costs.

We are keen to see and meet as many of you as possible on 20 June, so please REGISTER NOW!

The Priory Singers, one of Belfast’s most celebrated chamber choirs, will give an evening of choral music conducted by our very own Mr Bolton in Christchurch on Friday 14th June.

The choir, which also contains several Old Instonians will perform a wide range of music, from Elizabethan madrigals by Thomas Weelkes and William Byrd to songs by Van Morrison and Sting!

We hope that Old Boys of The School will support what promises to be a very colourful evening of music both old and new!

RBAI is extremely grateful to the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation for supporting their bursary programme, creating opportunities for young people from north Belfast.

In the wake of the unveiling of the Mary Ann McCracken statue in the grounds of Belfast City Hall, the Foundation, which continues to build on her legacy, has announced a third year of bursaries for post primary schools in North Belfast.

This year the fund has grown for a third consecutive year to £30,000. In 2023, sixty four pupils benefited. The impact on these pupils is huge, and we have no doubt that the increased funds available this year will relieve financial pressures on more and more pupils.

To find out more, read the full article here: https://belfastcharitablesociety.org/mary-ann-mccracken-bursary-programme-continues/

North Belfast News Hazelwood Integrated College Belfast Model School for Girls The Belfast Boys' Model School Trinity Belfast Mercy College Belfast The Royal Belfast Academical Institution Belfast Royal Academy St. Malachy's College Dominican College Fortwilliam Edmund Rice College Clifton House Belfast GreatPlace North Belfast BBC Northern Ireland BBC News NI Belfast Live News Letter Belfast Telegraph

A Phenomonal Effort 👏

Roger Warnock (Inchmarlo & RBAI 1974-88) and Chris Ross (Inchmarlo & RBAI 1974-88) are half way through the Cape Wrath Ultra 2024, running 400km over 8 days in the Scottish Highlands to raise awareness of the rising levels of mental health issues in our young people.

You can track their progress live using the link below: https://live.opentracking.co.uk/capewrathultra24/

There is also still time to donate to their good cause!
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/The3Amigos?utm_term=WMy4YeNkp

NEW BOIA EVENT FOR THOSE WHO LEFT R.B.A.I. 2019-2023 INCLUSIVE!

The President, and Members of Council of Belfast Old Instonians’ Association, invite all those who left Inst from 2019 until 2023 (inclusive), to a Summer re-union barbecue at the Shaw’s Bridge Sports’ Complex on Thursday 20 June at 7pm.

This will be a great opportunity to renew acquaintances with your year group and get to know the benefits from membership of your Association.

It is essential that you register for this event at “[email protected]” as we can only accept a maximum of 150 people. There will be a small charge of £5 (CASH ONLY) payable on the evening, to defray some of our costs.

Perhaps each year group should consider setting up a “WhatsApp” group to coordinate the members who wish to come along on the evening?

We are keen to see and meet as many of you as possible on 20 June, so please REGISTER NOW

It was brilliant to see RBAI Head of PE, Mr Peak acknowledged at the Instonians Gala Ball last Friday for his significant contribution to refereeing in Ulster and Ireland.

Mr Peak was gifted with a specially commissioned painting from Brian John Spencer (RBAI 1999-06.)

Thank you to Instonians Rugby Club and the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees for organising this wonderful gesture for a popular member of staff!

It is with deep regret and sadness that the President and Members of Council of Belfast Old Instonians’ Association, have to inform you that our esteemed colleague and Council Member, David “Baldy” Irwin died peacefully at his home on Monday 6 May 2024. Our sympathies go out to the family circle at this very sad time.

Baldy (RBAI 1953-59), was a unique character and his contribution to our Association was immense; never short of words of wisdom at our meetings, his passing has left a void, but he will always be with us in spirit!

https://www.funeraltimes.com/ndavid-baldyirwin789736503

Join us for a drinks event in the heart of Dublin.

Thursday 30 May, 6:30pm.
RSVP: [email protected]

Wouldn’t you know exam season has started… ☀️

An incredible finish to an amazing season for Instonians Rugby Club. The All Ireland League 2B winners won a thrilling extra-time contest against Queens University Belfast Rugby Football Club (QUBRFC) to bring home the Ulster Senior Cup.

Testament to the players, coaches and dedicated leadership at the club. Congrats all🏆🏆

We’ve done it!

Do you remember your final day at School?

The RBAI Year 14 leavers celebrated their 7 years at School with a celebratory breakfast this morning.

It's amazing to see the Instonian community coming together for the Gala Ball on Friday 10th May.

There's still a few spaces available for anyone wishing to gather a few mates together for a last-minute social occasion!

📣Calling all Dublin-based Alumni.

We would love to meet/catch up with you at our Dublin Drinks Event. A brilliant opportunity to connect with peers and hear the latest news from your old School!

Thursday 30 May at 6:30pm
RSVP: [email protected]

A fascinating interview with Rhys O’Donnell (RBAI 2010-17) talking about the recent success of Instonians Rugby Club

Rhys is following in the footsteps of his father Keith (Inchmarlo & RBAI 1970-81) who also has a special affiliation with the club.

📲 https://www.irishrugby.ie/2024/04/19/odonnell-keeping-it-in-the-family-at-back-to-back-champions-instonians/

NEW BOIA EVENT FOR THOSE WHO LEFT R.B.A.I. 2019-2023 INCLUSIVE!

The President, and Members of Council of Belfast Old Instonians’ Association, invite all those who left Inst from 2019 until 2023 (inclusive), to a Summer re-union barbecue at the Shaw’s Bridge Sports’ Complex on Thursday 20 June at 7pm.

This will be a great opportunity to renew acquaintances with your year group and get to know the benefits from membership of your Association.

It is essential that you register for this event at “[email protected]” as we can only accept a maximum of 150 people. There will be a small charge of £5 (CASH ONLY) payable on the evening, to defray some of our costs.

Perhaps each year group should consider setting up a “WhatsApp” group to coordinate the members who wish to come along on the evening?

We are keen to see and meet as many of you as possible on 20 June, so please REGISTER NOW!