The Belfast Old Instonians Association

07/06/2026

The Troubles brought volatile times to the city of Belfast, but what impact did this have on the RBAI School campus and how are we moving on?

In Part 2 of our series, Dawson Stelfox, Conservation Architect and RBAI Governor explains…

To find out more about our development plans or make a donation visit https://rbaifoundation.org/south-wing-development/

Coming soon: Grand Plans and Regeneration.

04/06/2026

Great to catch up with our Dublin alumni at last week’s drinks reception, where a wide range of age groups and professions were represented.

We were delighted to share details of our South Wing development and Bursary programme and we thank David Brangam (Inchmarlo & RBAI 1988-02), Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial (Ireland) at Simmons & Simmons for his wonderful hospitality.

03/06/2026

Saddened to hear that Stephen Cruise (RBAI 1971-79) has passed away.

Stephen will be remembered by peers as a loyal and committed member of the school community who was heavily involved in the Community Service Group and played rugby for the 1st XV in 1977-78 & 1978-79 (pictured), before playing for Instonians Rugby Club after school.

Our thoughts are with Stephen’s family and friends at this time.

31/05/2026

Introducing . . . South Wing Stories

A tell all series on the HISTORY of our iconic RBAI architecture, WHY the new South Wing building is needed and HOW we are creating an Inst for the future.

To find out more or make a donation visit https://rbaifoundation.org/south-wing-development/

Coming soon: Bombs, bullets and defensive buildings – what impact did The Troubles have on the RBAI school campus?

30/05/2026

🎼One for the classical music fans 🎼

This concert will be conducted by Philip Bolton MBE (Director of Music at RBAI 1988-2025) and will include a solo performance by Jed Dunlop, one of our current Year 14 pupils, who recently won the title of NI Young Musician of the Year.

Jed will also be accompanied by Mrs Harshaw, RBAI Director of Music and a number of Instonians will be singing as members of the choir.

The Concert is given in aid of the Alzheimer's Society and is sure to be a fantastic evening of music.

28/05/2026

It’s Throwback Thursday…

Can you guess the year?

📖This was a transformative year for Inst as Principal Tom Garrett concluded his tenure and was succeeded by Michael Ridley.

🏫The school said a fond farewell to the historic Whitla Institute, built as part of the original Belfast Medical School, before housing the Music and History departments of Inst. Who remembers The Great Staircase Mystery?

✈️A group of 27 set off on a tour of the Soviet Union, landing after a three hour flight in Leningrad, rather than their expected destination of Moscow! They did eventually make it to Moscow for a truly unforgettable trip.

🚂The Railway Society enjoyed a day out touring railway stations at Portadown, Poyntzpass and the Adelaide Freight dept.

🏑The 1st XI hockey team put on a top class performance at the Public Schools’ Hockey Festival in Oxford, winning all of their matches. Can you spot current Biology teacher Mr Russell and Languages teacher Mr Wilson?

🏸The Under 12 Badminton team were crowned Schools Cup Champions.

⚜️The RBAI Scouts troop travelled to summer camp at the National Jamboree in Iceland.

🚣The Rowing Club ended their season triumphant, winning the Double Sculls Championship for the first time in 28 years, with the Inst B crew coming second by the closest of margins.

📝C.S. Carson was crowned Shell Young Poet of the Year.

🏉Our Rugby Sevens team had a successful time at the British National Schoolboy Sevens tournament in Roehamptom, winning three of their four matches, only losing to Eton. Do you recognise our current Geography teacher Mr Gray?

👨‍🎨J.J. Osborne, Form 1 hit the ground running, so to speak, with this detailed sketch of his Reeboks.

In other news . . .

- British and French workers building the Channel Tunnel met deep beneath the seabed, making it physically possible to walk between the two countries for the first time!

- Tim Berners-Lee successfully tested the first web server and browser, laying the foundation for the World Wide Web.

- Festive favourite Home Alone was the number one highest grossing movie, earning $476.7 million worldwide.

27/05/2026

A really interesting watch: Mark Dowds (RBAI 1981-88) talks about his latest venture ‘Responsible’ with Cathy Martin on the Belfast Telegraph’s In Good Company podcast.

Serial entrepreneur Mark Dowds has built million-dollar companies, ...

26/05/2026

Our former Head of English, the award-winning poet Frank Ormsby, launches his eighth collection, The Tumbling Paddy, next Saturday at the Belfast Book Festival in the Seamus Heaney Centre. Frank will be in conversation with writer Malachi O’Doherty.

The collection ranges from quirky portraits of animals to reflections on mortality, alongside the search for Juggy — the mysterious figure said to have lived in a tree on the Florence Court estate in Co. Fermanagh.

Frank, who has written with warmth and wit about living with Parkinson’s disease, may also be represented through recordings of his poetry shared during the event.

A hugely influential literary figure and former editor of The Honest Ulsterman and Poetry Ireland Review, Frank has helped shape poetry across Ireland for decades.

We are delighted to celebrate one of Inst’s most distinguished former teachers.

For tickets for the event, follow the link below:

https://belfastbookfestival.com/festival-programme/Saturday-6-June/Poetry/frank-ormsby-the-tumbling-paddy

22/05/2026

🎭Huge congratulations to Omar Belkessam (RBAI 2009-16) now Head of Research for Scripts and Storylines at EastEnders, after the show picked up the BAFTA for Best Soap Opera! 🏆

From Albert Square drama to BAFTA glory, Omar is helping to keep the twists, turns and cliffhangers coming for millions of viewers.

We’re incredibly proud to see one of our former pupils playing such an important role behind the scenes of one of Britain’s best-loved shows. Congratulations, Omar — just don’t give us any spoilers!

21/05/2026

📣Last call for our Dublin-based alumni… 📣

1 week to go!

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to network and catch up with fellow Instonians in the area.

- Dress code: Business casual
- RSVP essential: [email protected]