Because the May meeting has been scheduled to take place this Wednesday May 20th, the date of the harder walk for May has been changed to Wednesday, May 27th. We are also doing a different walk to the listed one.
The walk we propose to do is Djouce Mountain, from the JB Malone car park, overlooking Lough Tay.
To get there, it is best to take the M50 and turn off for Glendalough at Kilmacanogue. Follow the R755 for about 5km till you come to a right turn taking you onto R759. Take this road for approximately 6 km passing the Pier gates leading down to Luggala on the left. The car park is on the right hand side uphill shortly after that, overlooking Lough Tay.
We plan to leave from the car park at 10.30 am. A lot of the walk is on a board walk, which we then leave to go to the summit of Djouce. Total time of walk is about 4 hours. Boots are essential and bring walking poles if you can. Coming down off Djouce is steep and gravelly, and can be slippery. Rain gear, lunch and a drink are necessary too. This is a lovely walk with beautiful views and is not particularly difficult. Looking forward to a good turnout. Deirdre McGloughlin 087-7741953
Wednesday 4th March 12.00.Drop-in. Details attached
Thursday 5th March. Talk in Ballyboden GAA, details attached
Tuesday 21st April Miscellany. Details attached
Thursday 16th July. RTA Dublin South Golf outing in St Helens
Recent Sallins cycle
Drop-in March 4 th 2026 Dear RTA colleague I wish to remind you that our guest speaker on Wed. 4 th March, will be Ms Patsy Fitzsimons from Decision Support Services ( DSS) This promises to be a most interesting and informative presentation, as it will outline how people can make legal arrangements on how they can be supported in making decisions about their personal welfare, property and affairs. Ms Fitzsimons will outline the services the DSS provides. In addition, she will discuss the following: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity ) Act 2015 What is/not capacity Assisted Healthcare Directive (AHD): creating, maintaining, changing & ending an AHD Role of Designated Healthcare Representative Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) Process of creating, registering, maintaining, changing, ending an EPA and related costs It is hoped to have a 10/15 min Q/A session at the end of her presentation. If you would like me to raise a question on your behalf, just email me your query, and I will bring it to the attention of Patsy, mmacfhlann@gmail.com In the meantime, I suggest you log on to the DSS website, which contains a large amount of related information, and read about some of the aforementioned. Looking forward to your attendance on the day in Ballyroan Community Centre Kindly note that doors to the hall will be open from 11:45 hrs onwards. So come early and have a tea/coffee before the start of the talk at 12 noon Yours in decision-making Micheál Mac Fhlannchadha
The Importance of Being Oscar
In 1960 Micheál MacLiammóir, co-founder of Dublin’s Gate Theatre, launched his celebrated one-man show, The Importance of Being Oscar at the Dublin Theatre Festival, under the direction of Hilton Edwards. It was praised by critics as “an outstandingly skillful and memorable tribute from one Irish artist to another”. Over the next fifteen years they took the show all over the world, where it was universally received with great enthusiasm by both audience and press. In this highly acclaimed revival, actor Michael Judd, takes his audience on a spirited and entertaining journey from Dublin to Paris via London and New York recounting the wit, triumphs, and tragedy of Oscar Wilde, in an explosion of richness, boldness, passion and beauty. This outstandingly skillful tribute, written by macLiammóir, celebrates the poetry, letters, and dramatic writings of Wilde. Includes excerpts from An Ideal Husband, Earnest, and particularly moving interpretations of De Profundis and Ballad of Reading Gaol. The irresistible gaiety of Oscar survives to the curtain line, assuring the audience of a vivid and memorable experience of theatre. Includes original music from New York composer Nico Kean.
Golf Outing to St Helen’s Bay
Following on from our very successful visit to St Helen’s Bay Golf Club last year, Peigí and I have booked the venue again for July 16 for our annual outing. This is a Thursday, so the course should be much less congested than last year. The tee has been booked from 11.00 to 1.00, so we can accommodate up to 40 members, in groups of 4. The golfing package – €55 – includes the following: Mini Breakfast Green fees RTAI competition Dinner (main course) & presentation of prizes This offer is on a first come basis and I am sending it out in plenty of time so that you can fit in the golf with perhaps booking a holiday in the sunny south east and extending your stay in sunny Wexford! The final entry date is March 30, as I will have to let the club know our final numbers. Please contact me by text message on 087 273 2089 to book and confirm your Golf Ireland handicap index. If you are a member of a golfing society only, please have the Secretary confirm your playing handicap. Hopefully we will once again get sponsorship from the Branch towards prizes. We welcome sponsorship from all quarters! If you are aware of any sponsorship possibilities, please try to organise same for the outing. As the advert. Says, “every little helps”! Should you wish to use a golf buggy, you must book same from the proshop yourself. The club has purchased a number of new electric buggies this year. The cost for a buggy has been increased to €40. So sharing a buggy with another member will be an additional cost of €20 per person sharing. The number for the proshop is 053 9133 234. I shall collect the money by Revolut, so that all you need to do on the day is to turn up and enjoy! When you pay by Revolut, please reference the payment by including your name or names, if paying for more than one person. Otherwise I cannot know who the payment is for! I look forward to a great day, full of sunshine and good golf. Our sincere thanks to Peigi O Ruairc who is on the ground in SHB, acting as our liaison person.
There are a few spaces still available for this trip. Please forward your details to 087 2732089 before May 1st
I’d like to commend RTAI on the amount of activities you offer for retired teachers. The ballroom dancing classes at the Teachers Club are really enjoyable.
I’m directing a super play by Deirdre Kinahan called ‘Bogboy’ about ‘the disappeared’ – a good mix of drama and humour, which won Cavan Drama Festival in November and won lots of awards on the One Act Circuit. We have resurrected the play and it will be on in T@36, the theatre at the Teachers Club next month, 8-11 April 8pm, with another one act play ‘Dead Asset’, a dark comedy, under the title ‘Murder and Mystery’.
‘MURDER AND MYSTERY’ at The Teachers Club.
Coming up in April is ‘Murder and Mystery’ – 2 intriguing 1 Act plays ‘Bogboy’ by Deirdre Kinahan, directed by Joanne Keane (Balally Players) and ‘Dead Asset’ written and directed by Ray MacBride, 8-11 April in T@36, 8pm, The Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1, D01 T6V6 Tickets €20/€18. Low priced previews Wed 8 Apr.
RTAI Social Walk Wednesday, 18 th March 2026: Tolka Estuary Greenway Leader: Carol Jackson Mobile: 0868849892 Meet at Clontarf Road DART Station from 10.45am with departure @ 11am Walk along Alfie Byrne Road to Eastpoint Business Park and then along the Tolka Estuary Greenway. The walk from the DART station to the start of the greenway is approx. 1.4 km & the greenway is around 3km long, so a total of 4.4 km one way. It is a linear walk with the possibility of getting the 53 bus back from near the Circle K station, Dublin Ferryport to Talbot Street in town. On a clear day this walk offers lovely views of the Tolka Estuary, Clontarf coastline, Clontarf Sea Baths, Bull Wall, Howth Head, etc. It’s a flat walk with a good surface so runners are fine. Refreshments/ Toilet Stop: There is a Circle K station about half way along the greenway which serves a good variety of both hot and cold food. It also has a large indoor seated area. If the weather is good, feel free to bring your own refreshments as there’s lots of outdoor seating on the greenway (with scenic views) near the Circle K. Also there are plenty of coffee shops in Fairview upon return to Clontarf Road DART station. Suggested Transport Options:
DART to Clontarf Road Station
Bus 130 from Talbot St. to Clontarf Road Station. There are lots of other buses which go from town & along the Malahide Rd, Howth Rd. & Clontarf Rd (just ask for the nearest stop to Clontarf Road DART Station).
By Car: There is some limited paid parking at Clontarf Road DART Station. There is also paid parking along the seafront at Clontarf Road. Free parking is generally available a 5-10 minute walk away on St. Aidan’s Park Road (at the Fairview end of the Malahide Road), Marino Park or Croydon Park Avenue.
Our hard walk next Wednesday, March 25 th , 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 is boggy in that area 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. Looking forward to a good turnout! Leader: Deirdre McGloughlin
May meeting: Due to circumstances beyond our control, the date of the May meeting is changed. It will now be on Wednesday 20th May. Sorry for any inconvenience.
April Drop-in. Although it is Holy Week, the Drop-in will still go ahead on Wednesday 1st April.
Those interested in the RTA cycling should note that it will take place on Thursday next, 26th March and not on Tuesday. On Thursday we will cycle from our usual meeting place in Inchicore to Sallins. The cycle route is beside the Grand Canal, is 30km each way, and is entirely off-road. Our destination is Sallins where we will have lunch (Café Grange) before returning by the same route. This is the first time that we cycle to Sallins – the newly-developed stretch of the Grand Canal cycle way from Lucan to Hazelhatch was opened in late 2025 thus opening the cycle way right through to Sallins. We look forward to a good turnout for this lovely cycle – ordinary push cycles or electric bikes welcome. We will meet at the Blackhorse Inn (now closed) in Inchicore and set off at 10.30. All cyclists are required to wear a helmet. Pat Fitzgerald Mick Griffin
Following on from our very successful visit to St Helen’s Bay Golf Club last year, Peigí and I have booked the venue again for July 16 for our annual outing. This is a Thursday, so the course should be much less congested than last year. The tee has been booked from 11.00 to 1.00, so we can accommodate up to 40 members, in groups of 4.
The golfing package – €55 – includes the following:
Mini Breakfast
Green fees
RTAI competition
Dinner (main course) & presentation of prizes
This offer is on a first come basis and I am sending it out in plenty of time so that you can fit in the golf with perhaps booking a holiday in the sunny south east and extending your stay in sunny Wexford! The final entry date is March 30, as I will have to let the club know our final numbers.
Please contact me by text message on 087 273 2089to book and confirm your Golf Irelandhandicap index. If you are a member of a golfing society only, please have the Secretary confirm your playing handicap.
Hopefully we will once again get sponsorship from the Branch towards prizes. We welcome sponsorship from all quarters! If you are aware of any sponsorship possibilities, please try to organise same for the outing. As the advert. Says, “every little helps”!
Should you wish to use a golf buggy, you must book same from the proshop yourself. The club has purchased a number of new electric buggies this year. The cost for a buggy has been increased to €40. So sharing a buggy with another member will be an additional cost of €20 per person sharing. The number for the proshop is 053 9133 234.
I shall collect the money by Revolut, so that all you need to do on the day is to turn up and enjoy! When you pay by Revolut, please reference the payment by including your name or names, if paying for more than one person. Otherwise I cannot know who the payment is for!
I look forward to a great day, full of sunshine and good golf. Our sincere thanks to Peigi O Ruairc who is on the ground in SHB, acting as our liaison person.
Dear RTA colleague, I wish to remind you that our guest speaker on Wednesday 4th March, will be Ms Patsy Fitzsimons from Decision Support Services ( DSS) This promises to be a most interesting and informative presentation, as it will outline how people can make legal arrangements on how they can be supported in making decisions about their personal welfare, property and affairs. Ms Fitzsimons will outline the services the DSS provides. In addition, she will discuss the following: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity ) Act 2015 What is/not capacity Assisted Healthcare Directive (AHD): creating, maintaining, changing & ending an AHD Role of Designated Healthcare Representative Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) Process of creating, registering, maintaining, changing, ending an EPA and related costs It is hoped to have a 10/15 min Q/A session at the end of her presentation. If you would like me to raise a question on your behalf, just email me your query, and I will bring it to the attention of Patsy, mmacfhlann@gmail.com In the meantime, I suggest you log on to the DSS website, which contains a large amount of related information, and read about some of the aforementioned. Looking forward to your attendance on the day in Ballyroan Community Centre Kindly note that doors to the hall will be open from 11:45 hrs onwards. So come early and have a tea/coffee before the start of the talk at 12 noon Yours in decision-making Micheál Mac Fhlannchadha p/p RTA Org Comm
Our last cycle had to be postponed again so weather permitting it will take place on the 24th of February. We will meet at the car park beside the tower in Sandymount at 10.30am and cycle to Dalkey and back. For your safety wear a helmet and a high vis top.
March Drop-In
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 and relevant 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
Howth Walk – Wednesday Feb 25
Meet : Howth Railway Station (Darts arriving at 10.48 and 11.08) We will depart after the latter and have an early toilet stop at the East Pier, where we will rendezvous with drivers who have parked closer to that.
Route: Purple Route from Balscadden. The plan is to do the entire route via Red Rock (Lunch stop at the beach). Returning to Howth via the Golf Course and Tram Tracks. If the weather is inclement we will make a decision whether to take a shortcut via the Summit Car Park and the upper tram tracks to join the lower tram tracks at Grace O’ Malley Drive. Those who don’t want to do the full route may decide to take this option anyway. If there is a “split” we may need a leader for this group.
Golf lessons with Gilliam Burrell and Maura Morrin at Stepaside Golf Centre, will resume on Wednesday 11 th March 2026. The times for Gillian’s lessons have changed, lessons will start and finish half an hour later. The times for Maura’s lessons remain unchanged.
Gillian will have three groups, one for beginners and two for improvers. Group 1, 10.30-11.30 : Group 2, 11.30-12.30 : Group 3, 12.30-13.30 on Wednesdays 11 th March, 18 th March, 25 th March, 8 th April, 15 th April. Maura will have two groups for improvers. Group 1, 11.00-12.00 : Group 2, 12.00-13.00 also on Wednesdays 11 th March, 18 th March, 25 th March, 8 th April, 15 th April. There will be no lessons with Gillian or Maura on 1 st April. Lessons will cost €70 and there will be a charge of €6 for a small basket of golf balls for each lesson. If you wish to book a place, please contact Connie Steele 087 2190666 or email mrsmcsteele@gmail.com with your name, contact number, email address and level at which you w golf lessons. Enjoy your golf lessons!
Each June, RTAI South Branch organises a golf outing to St Helen’s Bay, Rosslare This is a great opportunity for all our golfers, and especially for members who are new to the game to come along and to enjoy an outing with your peers, in a friendly atmosphere and to enjoy a break in the sunny south east. There are plenty of vacancies in hotels and guest houses at that time of year!
Prizewinners at last year’s outing to St Helen’s Bay
Our February Social Walk will take us to Merrion Square in the heart of Georgian Dublin. DATE: Wednesday 18 February 2026. VENUE: Merrion Square and the National Gallery. LEADER: Mary O’Shea A walk around Merrion Square will be followed by a visit to the current exhibition at the National Galley. We will enjoy a coffee break together in the Gallery Coffee Shop after the walk and Gallery Visit. MEET at 10.00 am at the Oscar Wilde Statue opposite No.1 Merrion Square, on the Merrion Square and Clare Street corner, for walk around Merrion Square. Proceed to the National gallery to visit the current Picasso exhibition. Refreshments in Gallery Café from 12noon (optional). TRANSPORT: Luas to St Stephen’s Green. DART to Pearse Station. Buses to Merrion Square. Looking forward to your company on our second social walk for 2026. Mary O’Shea Mobile 087 6836728 Carol Jackson Mobile 086 8849892 Social walks are held monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. Flat or nearly flat walks that are 5km approx. Some walks will be shorter but include a cultural aspect. Comfortable trainers or walking shoes recommended. There is always a stop for refreshments arranged for after each walk.
The weather outside has been frightening, rain and more rain; floods and darkness. We have a number of activities to cheer you up!
Miscellany on Tuesday 10th February in the Teachers’ Club at 11.30am Denis Costello will give a talk entitled “The Sistine Chapel by a Sculptor” There will be a €5 cover charge to cover a light lunch.
Royal Canal, Tolka Valley Park and Botanic Gardens Walk, led by P HOgan. This is an easy walk along the Royal Canal. The duration is about 2 hours, about 8kms long
CycleTuesday 10th February. Meet at the tower in Sandymount at 10.30am and cycle to Dalkey and back. Remember to wear a helmet and a hi-vis top
Social Walk on Wednesday 18 February Mount Merrion and the National Gallery
March Drop-in on Wednesday March 4th. There will be a guest speaker. More details closer to the time
Dublin South RTA 