Brendan Goggin

Brendan Goggin retired this year (2008) from the Cork Institute of Technology having spent 15 years as Registrar there. The recording focused initially on the topic of Brendan’s background. His family was involved in the P.J. Goggin and Co. milling business on Deane Street, in the production of calf meal. He describes the farming community and the milling business, and its direction with the farming community. His father died young, leaving his mother with eight children to rear in demanding circumstances. Brendan recalls his schooldays, when he experienced teaching excellence at the local national school in Mayfield and the Christian Brothers College in the city centre which he attended. He talks in great detail about his time as a student in UCC, and his involvement there with the Students’ Union. He witnessed dramatic changes in society and a huge stir within the college. Professor Fr James Good was removed by the Roman Catholic Bishop from his post of teaching Medical Ethics because of his views. Brendan also speaks about his own teaching career in the Cork Regional Technical College (later CIT), which spanned nearly four decades.