MAPPA Business Luncheon 2025: Celebrating Sisterhood and Community Support

The second annual MAPPA Business Luncheon took place at the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, bringing together an incredible group of women from various industries and backgrounds to celebrate the power of sisterhood and community.

MAPPA (The Mount Anville Past Pupils Association) has a long-standing tradition of fostering connections and providing a platform for past pupils to come together, support one another, and uplift the next generation. This year’s event focused on the theme of “Sisterhood”—a theme that highlights the power of women supporting one another in business and beyond.

• Special Guests and Sponsors
• The luncheon was made possible by the generous support of our sponsors:
• Clinch Wealth Management: A special thank you to Tom Clinch, Andrew O’Donohue, and Michelle McGuirk for their sponsorship.
• Sherry Fitzgerald: A warm welcome to Gillian Murray, Barbara Spollen, and Fiona Mulvey, who joined us as sponsors this year.
• In addition to our sponsors, we were delighted to have notable guests, including:
• Barbara Cotter, Chairperson of The Mount Anville Sacred Heart Education Trust
• Sinead Nolan, Principal of Mount Anville Secondary School
• Elaine Kelly, Deputy Principal of Mount Anville Secondary School
• Elizabeth Kavanagh, Principal of Mount Anville Montessori Junior School
• Gillian Beatty, Vice Principal of Mount Anville Montessori Junior School
• Sr. Joan Hutchenson, a VIP in our community, who we were honoured to have in attendance.
• MAPPA’s Growing Community

Christina Torsney, President of MAPPA, kicked off the event with an inspiring speech that celebrated the continued growth and connection of the past pupil community. Christina, a proud member of the class of 2008, shared her pride in being the youngest ever president of the association and emphasized the importance of the Sacred Heart ethos—built on Faith, Character, Intellect, Community, and Social Awareness.

MAPPA’s role in providing support, mentorship, and a global network for its members is more vital than ever. This year alone, MAPPA raised €50,000 for the Sacred Heart Benevolent Fund, which will assist past pupils facing difficult circumstances.

Supporting the Rose Bursary Programme

One of the most exciting elements of the event was MAPPA’s ongoing support for the Rose Bursary Programme. The money raised through event sponsorship will go directly to this initiative, which provides financial assistance to students in need. The event was inspired by the success of past pupil networks at boys’ schools, with the ambition to not only emulate but surpass them in creating a dynamic, supportive, and empowering community for women.

Sisterhood in Action

The highlight of the day was the panel discussion on “Sisterhood,” featuring three remarkable past pupils: Joanne, Elaine, and Ciara Byrne. Each shared their unique insights and experiences on how women support one another in both their professional and personal lives. Joanne focused on the power of networking, discussing how building genuine connections can open doors and create opportunities. Ciara highlighted the importance of mentorship, emphasising how guiding and empowering others can have a lasting impact on both careers and communities. Elaine spoke about the intersection of business and creativity, sharing how combining these two elements can drive innovation and success in any industry. The panel was facilitated by MAPPA Vice President Kathryn Maher and we were also joined by Mrs. Byrne, along with her daughters Catherine and Bridget.

Deputy Principal Elaine Kelly also took the stage to speak about the Rose Bursary Program and how the MAPPA community can continue to support it. Guests had the opportunity to donate through a QR code provided on their menus and were even in with a chance to win a luxurious spa experience sponsored by Louise O’Riordan of Sisterly.

• Acknowledging Support
• Christina Torsney took a moment to express gratitude to all who made the event possible:
• The MAPPA Committee
• Julie Hamilton from the Past Pupils Office
• Troy and the Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club team for hosting the event.
• Looking Ahead

MAPPA continues to grow and strengthen its community, and we are excited to see what the future holds. The energy and enthusiasm at the luncheon are a testament to the enduring power of sisterhood and support within the MAPPA community. We look forward to seeing you at future events as we continue to celebrate the incredible women in our network!