Paul Kimmage: Facing up to the harsh realities of life

I was fortunate that if I had any troubles at St Mary’s, I could take them to Brian Wall. He was dean of studies for fourth, fifth, and sixth-year boys, guidance counsellor, and also an excellent teacher of chemistry and maths. I was in his class for both so I saw a lot of him. He somehow found time to teach in the Institute of Education, a kind of upmarket cramming college in town with a reputation for providing high-quality notes on each subject. Brian used to slip me his Institute chemistry notes on the quiet.