`I had splendid times," said Fr Cormac O Brolchain, who has been principal of Blackrock College for 13 years.

He was first made principal of a school in Africa back in 1972 and has continued to work as a school principal with "a few breaks for heart ops". In all, he's has had three bypasses, two performed by Blackrock past pupil and heart surgeon Mr Maurice Neligan.

It's four years since his last heart op and he says he is happy to have been principal until the new millennium. Already, he's planning future activities including research, pastoral work and music. He plays the organ and the piano and teaches singing.

One of the highlights of his years at Blackrock is the "flowering of the religious education department and the introduction of a comprehensive pastoral programme". He also alludes to the colleges outreach to the missions.

"I went over to Kenya three times with groups of students and staff. We built a church over there. We put down a kilometre of water pipes and we also helped in the building of houses for missionaries."

Back in Blackrock, he says, "the operas were splendid. I also think of all the games that we have been involved in. It was delightful to see so many students doing their best and it was nice to see the cups coming home. I tried to facilitate other people to make it happen and we gave a platform to those with gifts to use them."

The downside of being principal of Blackrock College is "too much pushing of paper, forms to be filled and not enough time to be a personal pastor. But there were very few downsides."

He lauds the teaching staff and the maintenance, administrative and catering staff. And the college's union of past pupils is very strong and a massive support, too, says O Brolchain.