Why did you choose to study at King's?
I wanted to do a masters degree in intellectual property and, at the time, there were only two on offer: King’s and a University in Amsterdam. I often wonder what my life would look like had I opted for the latter!
How did you both meet at King's?
The King's Chaplaincy runs a weekend retreat at the beginning of the academic year. This is a great way for returning King's students to re-connect after a summer. For me, a new student to King's and burgeoning Londoner, I was delighted to get to know new colleagues. The retreat took place in the beautiful House and grounds of Cumberland Lodge, which sent us a very nice card after we got engaged. It was such a beautiful weekend of reflection, walking among the autumn leaves & chatting by the fires.
What are your great memories of being together at King's?
Too many to mention! My halls at The Rectory on Lambeth Road were a hive of banter and activity, especially during the first term. We had several fun nights out together and hangover parties in the mornings... I'm not sure we made it to every class either. On a less debauched front, Rebecca and I did the Canterbury Pilgrimage walk (again organised by King's Chaplaincy) and I proposed on the final day in a quiet garden a stone's throw from the cathedral. We had known each other for less than 6 months. My family thought I was mad!
Other highlights included writing for London Student and King's Roar Magazine. I also played water polo and swam (slowly) with the King's water polo and swimming club.
And of the lectures I managed to make, I was quite inspired by Dr Makeen Makeen, Dr Tanya Aplin and Prof David Llewellyn. All are leaders in their field and their influence on my career was huge.
What have you gone on to do since graduating?
I went straight to the King’s Inns in Dublin and qualified as a barrister. We then returned to London for one year, when Rebecca, now my wife, worked for a church and I edited for Practical Law Company. Finally, we returned to Dublin in 2012, had our first child, Rebecca commenced her training for the ministry at the Church of Ireland Theological College and I commenced practising law.
After being married in Dublin in 2010, Brendan and Rebecca moved twice to and from London before settling in Dublin. Rebecca was ordained a priest in 2016 and served her curacy in Greystones Co Wicklow.
Fast forward to April 2022, and three kids later, Rebecca was appointed Rector of Garrison Group of Parishes in Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The picture above shows Rev Rebecca, Brendan, their kids Noah (9), Isaac (3) and Moses (6 months), along with both sets of grandparents in front of the second significant Rectory in their relationship, a place where all King's graduates are welcome anytime for tea… in exchange for some news and a wee bit of manual labour.