IF I'D STAYED at home in Limerick and gone to school locally, I doubt whether I would have done any study at all. As it was 1 went, as a boarder, to Bruff Convent, Co Limerick, where we had supervised study every evening between 4.30 and 7p.m.

After chapel and supper we were expected to work for another couple of hours.

It was a strict regime there were lots of regulations and discipline was tough. There was no caning, but if the nun left the study hall you were on your honour not to talk and if you did, you were expected to own up.

You lost marks for bad behaviour, which was considered a dreadful shame. It was an effective way of punishing us, but the downside was that people could be ridiculed in front of the whole school, and that could detract from the self confidence of younger children.

The school, which is run by the Faithful Companions of Jesus, was only 15 miles away from my home, but it was a great adventure for me to be sent there as a 12 year old. Both my mother and my grandmother were past pupils.

I liked boarding and the fact that there were loads of girls to mix with. We played hockey and tennis and participated in music, the choir and drama each class was encouraged to put or entertainments.

If I'd been given a choice, I would have spent all my time in the music room, and I was often told off for not studying. "You're not on the stage now," the nuns would say.

However, the study habit and the discipline that I acquired at Bruff have stayed with me. When I'm working on a new piece of music I, know I need to prepare well in advance.

The nuns were very hot on our showing respect for our elders loyalty and honour were also important.

I liked school and I often go back the smell of beeswax on the floor and the scent of hyacinths in the chapel bring back memories of my own school days.

The convent is situated out in the country and set in beautiful grounds, and my best memory is of the school in summer, when everyone was out playing tennis or croquet.

I look back with great nostalgia at the innocence and freedom that we enjoyed in a protected environment. We were lucky to have long childhoods in those days I think it's a pity that children today grow up so quickly.