Our next Rtai cycle takes in Sandymount to Dalkey. We meet at the car park in Sandymount beside the tower on Tuesday the 27th of January at 10.30am. From Sandymount we cycle past Blackrock, Seapoint, Dun Laoghaire, Coliemore Harbour and on to Dalkey. For your safety wear a helmet and a high vis top is advisable. We will stop on our return journey for lunch break in Sandymount.
Our walk next Wednesday, January 28th, is a hill walk to Maulin Mountain, in Wicklow, and will take 3.5 – 4 hrs.
Meet at Crone Woods Car Park at 10.30am. Location code is 5Q8J+2V.
Car park is accessible via R 115, towards Glencree, turning left onto L 1013, after the turn for Glencree. Car park is approximately 6km from that turn.
Also accessible from M50, taking the turn for Glendalough at Kilmacanogue, turning slight right onto R760 after 3km, and after Coolakay House turning right onto L1013.
The journey from the southside of the city to the car park takes about 40 minutes.
Hiking boots and walking poles are essential for this walk. The ground will be wet after all the recent rain and could be very muddy in places.
Bring lunch, a drink and waterproofs.
This is a lovely walk, but is uphill for about 90 minutes till we reach the top of Maulin , where we should have nice views over towards Djouce.
After lunch the walk is all downhill, mostly on the Wicklow Way, with views of Powerscourt Waterfall and the Powerscourt Estate.
Three retired teachers reflect on the simple financial habits that supported them throughout their careers and share practical, reassuring advice for younger teachers starting out today.
When you’re starting your career in teaching, retirement can feel a lifetime away. Payslips are closely watched, increments are exciting, and the idea of ‘financial wellness’ often takes a back seat. There’s also often a perception that unless you’re saving large amounts, you’re not really making progress. However, for three retired teachers, now looking back on long and fulfilling careers, financial well-being wasn’t built through big, dramatic decisions. Instead, it was built quietly, steadily and often without much fuss at all. Ruairi Mac Donail, Noelline Connell and Audrey Johnston are all long-time members of Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union. While their careers took them to different parts of the country, their advice for younger teachers is remarkably similar: start early, keep it simple and don’t underestimate the power of small, regular habits.
MAKE SAVING AUTOMATIC AND FORGET ABOUT IT All three lauded the benefits of saving “at source”. Regular deductions taken directly from salary meant savings happened before there was any temptation to spend. “It was saving without even knowing you were saving,” says Audrey. “Because it was done before the money hit my account, I just learned to live on what was left.” For Ruairi, who began teaching in the late 1980s, this habit became the foundation of his entire financial life. “It was the first sensible thing I ever did,” he laughs. “Money was taken at source, so I never had to think about it. Even now, with my pension, it still goes straight into the Credit Union.” Over time, those steady contributions built a safety net, one that made borrowing for cars, home improvements or education far less stressful.
THINK MEDIUM-TERM, NOT JUST LONG-TERM While pensions are important, all three admit that in the early years of teaching, retirement planning wasn’t always front of mind. They too focused on achievable, medium-term goals: a reliable car, an extension or college fees. “Every car I ever owned came from a Credit Union loan,” says Ruairi. “You owned the car from day one. There were no hidden costs or surprises, and you always knew exactly where you stood.” That same approach applied to home improvements. Rather than extending mortgages over decades, manageable loans allowed work to be done in stages, without creating long-term financial pressure. For younger teachers, this kind of thinking promotes balance, supporting planning for the future while still allowing life to happen along the way.
USE YOUR INCREMENTS WISELY Be smart and make the most of early-career increments. “In the beginning, increments come every year,” Ruairi explains. “That’s the easiest time to put a bit extra into savings and still budget comfortably. As the years go on, those increments become fewer, so it makes sense to use them well early on.” This is a simple shift in mindset that can quietly strengthen financial well-being.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP Confidence – or lack of it – plays a huge role in how people manage money. Noelline believes this is where Comhar Linn really stands apart. “People can be terrified walking into a bank,” she says. “But with Comhar Linn, it’s smaller, more personal. You can ask questions, and you will get help.”
She also points out that feeling respected and listened to makes a real difference, especially for younger members navigating finances for the first time.
THINK BEYOND YOURSELF All three retirees also spoke about the importance of family involvement. Opening accounts for children, encouraging partners to save, and normalising good financial habits helped build confidence across generations. “I encouraged my children and my partner to join as well,” says Audrey. “Saving as a family, in a place you trust, makes such a difference, and it truly helped us over the years.”
A QUIET PATH TO FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE Ruairi, Noelline, and Audrey all agree: financial peace came not from big risks or high earnings, but from small, steady habits – automatic savings at source, sensible Credit Union loans, and smart use of early increments. For today’s younger teachers, their advice is simple and encouraging: start early, keep it automatic, and let consistency work its magic. Join Comhar Linn INTO Credit Union, set up regular deductions, and watch small steps build a strong future. Visit comharlinnintocu.ie for more information
For our Drop-In on Wed 4th March 2026 we will have Ms Patsy Fitzsimons from the Decision Support Service in attendance to address us on the topic of Assisted Decision Making. As we “mature” it is very important to know what services / actions are available in relation to decision making .Ms Fitzsimons will address the following in her talk
1 Short history of Decision Support Service, (DSS) its purpose and how it operates
2 Assisted Decision Making Act 2015: brief outline of its main contents
3 What is/not capacity
4 Assisted Healthcare Directive (AHD, brief summary/ its legal status
5 Role of Designated Healthcare Representative (DHR)
6 Who can/not be a DHR
7 Creating ,monitoring, changing , ending an AHD
Enduring Powers of Attorney , (EPA)
A Outline what EPA is
B Describe what an EPA covers
C Outline the process for creating, registering, maintaining, changing, ending an EPA agreement
D Costs, approx., in relation to creating an EPA agreement
This promises to be a very informative, interesting andrelevant talk. Consequently ,we, the members of the organising committee, would dearly welcome your attendance on the day. If you have a query you would like me to raise with Patsy, on your behalf, email your query to me and I will bring it to the attention of our guest speaker: mmacfhlann@gmail.com
So ,note Wed 4th March in your diary and hoping you can be present on the day
Following on from 2 very successful, active and mostenjoyable dancing weeks in the Marbella area of Spain in 2024 & 2025, our trip in 2026 will take place from 5th to 10thOct next. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn some Latin dance steps, have a varied dining experience, delight in lazing poolside or going for a walk on the nearby beach, enjoy beautiful autumn sunshine and, most importantly, meetwonderful like-minded people.
If the above whets your appetite for a memorable “Fun in the sun “week, then consider coming on board. A limited number of places remain on the trip.
So, whether you are a complete beginner or an accomplished dancer, our welcoming dance teachers, Nina & Louis, willensure you feel confident, relaxed and inspired on the dance floor.
Come solo or bring a partner /friend, if preferred.
Let the music move you and discover the joy and excitement Latin dance brings.
For further info on the trip, call /text me 087-6305440 oremail mmacfhlann@gmail.com, and I will gladly assist you.
I hope you enjoyed the festive period and are now planning activities for 2026. Our very successful and enjoyable Ballroom Dance Classes for the upcoming spring term will be commencing on Thursday 22nd Jan. 2026 @ 10:30 hrs in the Teachers’ Club, Parnell Sq. These classes are of one hour’s duration and will conclude on Thursday 2nd April. (No class on Thurs 19th Feb) There will be 10 classes during the term and the cost is €100
Tiina & Michael, our dance teachers, will take participants through the steps of slow foxtrot, slow waltz, quickstep, rumba, cha cha-cha, social jive, barn dance +++++
So why not give ballroom dancing a try for the New Year and some day soon you might be a participant on Strictly Come Dancing!!!! Life is too short not to dance.
NO partner or previous experience necessary : just bring comfortable footwear, a smile and dance your stress away
If you would like any further info on the above just call/text me, 087-6305440, and I will revert asap.
The Christmas Miscellany took place in the Teachers’ Club on Tuesday 9 December. Apologies for the late posting but I have been indisposed since then and am now only recovering.
As usual, the occasion was ably chaired by Carmel Ui Loingsigh and the various acts were ably assisted and choreographed by Joe and Una Johnston. Our best wishes for a speedy return to good health go to Eithne and Mick Shanley.
The occasion was a great success with full audience participation in the carolling and the morning was rounded off with some very seasonal foods, provided by Tadhg and the club staff.
Our first cycle of 2026 will be on Tuesday next, 13th January;is a gentle, leisurely cycle from Wellington Lane, Templeogue, to Bohernabreena water works via Tymon Park, Balrothery, Firhouse Weir, Dodder Valley and Kiltipper Park.
Most of the cycle is off road and, with the exception of a short ascent on Kiltipper Road, is relatively flat. Much of the route is along Dodder Valley park. Cyclists who wish to avoidcycling up Kiltipper Hill may take an easier diversion and rejoin the group in Kiltipper Park.
Our meeting point for this cycle is the SDCC carpark on Wellington Lane – beside St. Jude’s GAA Club House and Eala, the recently opened café. The extension to the car park was completed in late 2025 and there should be adequate spaces for those who wish to drive to the meeting point. All the paths through Tymon Park are now open and we will commence our cycle through the park.
We will move off at 10.30 from the carpark. Please ensure that your bike is in good working order; wearing a helmet is compulsory and a high vis top is recommended in the interestof your safety
We will stop for the coffee/lunch break on our return journeyto Templeogue.
Looking forward to a good turnout on this popular route.
Dublin South RTA 