Eileen Loughlin Doyle's Letter

March 12, 2004

Greetings to all the members of the Society of St. Patrick of Hawaii from your Irish scholarship student from University College Dublin for the period 1983-1986.

Your sponsorship made it possible for me to complete my education despite my financial difficulties. For this I am forever grateful. I am the eldest of 7.

My father died in 1984 & at that time I was the only one finished second level school - the youngest being only 6.

I studied Mathematics & Economics & then qualified as a teacher. I travelled to New York on the J1 visa programme in June 1987 - directly after graduation. With the J1 visa you could work legally for a limited period. I obtained a position as an Actuarial Analyst in Manhattan.

I returned to Ireland in 1988 where I worked as a teacher for a number of years before returning to the Actuarial field where I worked until 3 years ago. Ireland in the late 80s and early to mid 90s was struggling.

Then in the late 90s we experienced the Celtic tiger which saw our economy literally boom. I decided to change company & moved to work as a project manager When I changed jobs I few my future husband. We met on Mar 13th 2001, became engaged Christmas morning 2001 & married Oct 24th 2002.

2003 saw the last of my family graduate. With your help I was able to help younger members of my family in various ways to achieve their educational goals.

My first brother graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science from UCD and works as an Agricultural Consultant.

My second brother graduated with a Farming Certificate and works now as a farmer.

My first sister graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science from UCD then did a postgraduate diploma in UCC (Cork) and worked as an Agricultural Consultant before moving onto work as an Environmental Officer. She now works as the Heritage Officer looking after Natural, Built & Archaeological Heritage.

My third brother graduated in Agricultural Machinery and now works selling steel & building steel clad sheds.

My fourth brother graduated with a degree in Archaeology (from UCD) before taking a masters in Liverpool (UK). He has travelled extensively as an Archaeologist - UK, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, various countries in the Middle East, Panama, Peru, Scotland, and France with more travelling planned. He is currently working locally on a dig where a new road is being built.

Last but by no means least, my youngest sister, who graduated in Oct 2003 with a degree in optometry and is currently working as an Optometrist.

My mother is in good health and keeping active with many pursuits ranging from arts and crafts, computer classes, farmers market, poultry farming to working as a volunteer in a charity shop one day a week.

I wish you all an enjoyable night at your ball this Sat. Thank you once again for your support to me all those years ago. Know that your help made a huge difference that produced ripple effect differences!!

Who knows maybe my husband & I may travel to join you for the St. Patrick's Day ball in 2005, which I understand, will be your golden anniversary!!

Go raib mÌle maith agaibh go lÈir.

Eileen.