Early archive photos of the late Terry Wogan at Belvedere College in Dublin in the mid-fifties reveal that he was already showing signs of a future in showbiz.
Wogan, who passed away aged 77 on Sunday, was Jesuit-educated and attended Crescent College Comprehensive in his native Limerick and Belvedere College SJ on Dublin's northside where he was a hugely popular member of the class of '56.
Photos of the schoolboy Wogan, which feature on the Jesuits in Ireland website, show him entertaining his classmates and attending a anniversary dinner in 2006. Wogan remained supportive of Belvedere, whose past pupils also include James Joyce, broadcaster Ian Dempsey, actor Jack Reynor and poet Austin Clarke. Wogan made his last visit to the college for the Union Dinner in November 2009 to address a gathering of past pupils.
Terry as a pupil and 'ever the entertainer'. Photo: courtesy of Belvedere College
Writing on the Jesuits in Ireland website, Gerry Foley, the present principal of Belvedere College, sent his condolences to Wogan's family and said: "The flood of international tributes naturally focuses on his amazing broadcasting career but here in Belvedere - and particularly amongst his mates in the ‘Class of ‘56’ - we remember a great friend, a great wit and a unique member of our past pupils.
"Even as a student, his special talents were clearly in evidence - whether performing with distinction in the school opera or simply keeping his friends continually entertained quite effortlessly. The photograph of him in his school desk, captures that “Ta da” moment of a young man entertaining his classmates. He attended the class 40th reunion in 1996 and he continued that tradition at their 50th Reunion Dinner in 2006 where he was the Guest Speaker."
Terry is 3rd row from the bottom, seventh in from the left, 1955. Photos courtesy of Belvedere College
One of Wogan's classmates and closest friends at Belvedere Frank Young commented, “On a personal note, he and I were friends for over 60 years. We ‘shared the boards’ in The Gondoliers in 1956 and cycled home together after school through 5th and 6th Year.
"On these trips we would replay together the previous night’s comedy shows on the BBC - including the much-loved Goon Show. Little did I know that within a few years he would be interviewing and co-starring with those same BBC ‘greats’ and indeed the top names of film, stage and sport from around the world.”
Gerry Foley headmaster of Belvedere, with Terry in 2009 at the Union Dinner in Belvedere College. Photos courtesy of Belvedere College
In his tribute Gerry Foley added: "Like many Irish who lived in England during the IRA bombing campaign, I appreciated Terry’s role as an Irishman who was proud to be Irish in very difficult circumstances. Others who lived there through the most violent times during the troubles, have said that Terry did a lot in promoting tolerance. He has inspired so many, including past pupils, who went on to be broadcasters."
