Dublin South RTA

The first time Tadhg Mac Pháidín flitted into my life, like a butterfly on a sunbeam, in a dusty school corridor in 1972 left me with my first taste of union politics. Before he disappeared back into the ether he had managed to persuade me to become the union Rep, charged with collecting the quarterly sub from the other members of staff and being their representative. 

Thereafter, I occasionally met Tadhg at branch meetings, or listened to him reporting on the activities of the Benefits Fund Committee or saw him on my occasional foray into the Teachers’ Club in Parnell Square.

Tadhg was born in Annagry parish in North-West Donegal and entered St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra at the age of 17. From there Tadhg made his way to Edmondstown in Rathfarnham and from there he progressed to Ballyroan BNS and then to Scoil Mhuire up the road. So Tadhg spent his teaching life in the middle of the South County Dublin Branch of INTO. 

Tadhg was instrumental in establishing the Benefit Funds Committee, so he immersed himself in helping members who had personal or financial needs to be overcome. In that regard he put many members in touch with Comhar Linn who came on board and organised tailored loans and repayment schemes to help members overcome financial difficulties.

When Tadhg began to frequent the Club, with which he is now synonymous, he worked with several other volunteers to improve the club’s premises and facilities. From 1986 Tadhg became the effective manager and CEO of the Club. He drove major renovations and agreed a funding package with the INTO through Michael Moroney, INTO Treasurer, to set the club on a firm financial footing.

The Teachers’ Club is now a finely renovated Georgian building that we can all be proud of. Tadhg Has put 40 years of work into the Club. The wealth of talent and personalities is clearly evident in the performances at our miscellanies, and at the many other plays and musicals that are performed in the Club.

I am indebted to Noel Ward, who published an article on Tadhg in the current issue of Intouch for much of the material in this article. I think it is only fitting that in this the Centenary Year of the Club, that we pay tribute to Tadhg Mc Pháidín, who is the public face of the Club. No matter what badge you happen to be wearing, whether INTO, Comhar Linn, RTAI, TGS or Bridge, Tadhg is there to help organise a meeting, proffer advice or arrange eats and beverages. We all owe Tadhg a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you Tadhg for just being you and we wish you many more years of health and happiness.

The Christmas Miscellany was held in the Teachers’ Club on Tuesday, December 12. There were approximately 100 members in attendance. We were treated to a veritable feast of Christmas fare. The music was led once again by the inestimable John Johnston, who co ducted the carol singing and played the keyboard with gusto and finesse. Joe was ably accompanied by Peter Hughes on guitar and Carol Doody, Una O’Neill and Deirdre McGlouchlin on recorder. Una Johnston sang a number of solos and also performed a duet with Deirdre McGloughlin. 

Carmel Ui Loingsigh was a tour de force as the bean an tí, keeping everything going on time and ensuring order from all the presenters. Úna Ní Cheallaigh recited a numner of her own poems from a recently produced anthology of poetry. Mary Shannon sang two beautiful solos, Silver Bells and A Child is Born.

Joan Morrissey and Carmel Dempsey entertained us with a number of recitations. Una Johnston performed a lovely rendition of Winter Wonderland. Nollaig Feirtéir performed a rendition of the Wexford Carol. Bernie Mangan entertained us with some lovely renditions on the Saxaphone, which she only took up during the covid “lockdown”

We had two very important guests for the Miscellany, John O’Brien, our General Secretary and Mary McCarthy, President, RTAI. We were delighted to welcome our VIPs to the gathering and to give them a flavour of the boundless talent that we have in the branch.

Here are some additional photographs from the Miscellany. I am indebted to Donal Ó Loingsigh for these photos, Thank you Donal.

The Drop In was held in the BYCC on Wednesday, December 6th. There was a large attendance of over 80. There was ample provision of hearty sandwiches, mince pies, pavlova, cakes and tea or coffee. Indeed there were sufficient left overs to feed an army. Our thanks to the committee for organising the grub. I believe they were up at the crack of dawn buttering bread and cooking pies!

Joe Johnstone organised the music and a moving tribute to Fintan Walsh, a past member, recently deceased (R.I.P) Joe was accompanied by John Gearty on the keyboard and saw, Eoin McLoughlin on guitar and Helen Rowan, Deirdre McLoughlin, Carol Doody, Imelda McCooey and Kathyrn Buckeridge on recorders..

As well as the tribute to Fintan, Joe led the assemblage in a medley of Christmas carols.

The Branch AGM was held in The Teacher’s Club in November. Aifreann na Marbh was celebrated by Monseigneur Dan O’Connell before the AGM. I think we had the largest ever attendance at an AGM since the Branch was founded 15 years ago! 120 attended lunch afterwards, where we almost had to resort to the miracle of the “loaves and fishes” to feed the huge numbers attending!

We were honoured to have the President of RTAI, Mary McCarthy, in attendance for the meeting. Mary addressed the meeting and her address was very well received.

Pictured is President Mary McCarthy with the Cathaoirleach, Maura Roberts and the Rúnaí, Deirdre Lohan

Don’t forget to come along to our December Drop In this Wednesday, December 6. Remember the new start time is 12.00 noon!

The Drop In will be distinctively Christmassy, with mince pies, carols and craic. Don’t forget to bring your best voices!

The Christmas Miscellany will be held in the Teachers Club on December 12 at 11.30. As usual, this will be a seasonal event with stories, carols, singing and Christmas bonhomie ably chaired by Carmel Uí Loingsigh in her own inimitable style.

Entry is free. Just bring your singing voice and join in on the Carol singing! When the session is finished we are promised lots of Christmas fare with a seasonal lunch Christmas punch is promised, so use public transport!

This is the group of intrepid members who did the Lacken Walk in October led by Norah Walsh.

Dublin South is a vibrant branch and the recently expanded committee is an ideal launching pad for developing new activities.

The branch currently organises a monthly Drop In for members in the Ballyroan Youth and Community Centre. Members are invited to call in for a cuppa and a biscuit (free) and a chat. Frequent speakers are invited to address members on topics that members are interested in, like nutrician, health insurance and so on.

Currently there are 4 Book Clubs going. If necessary, Committee will cover the cost of a room to facilitate a Book Club. Pilates is a weekly event and golf a seasonal delight! Walks and cycle trips are facilitated for the more active among us! A miscellany takes place about 4 times a year, in the Teachers’ Club to cater for members’ interest in the Music and the Arts. Doreen Fitzgerald and Carmel Uí Loingsigh are the organisers of the Miscellany and they always bring us an interesting and eclectic show.

Bridge takes place on Thursday mornings in the Club and there is normally at least one outing a year. Nationally there is a golf outing arranged and I believe a bridge weekend is also in the offing.

WE hope to rejuvenate our website! I encourage the organisers of the various activities to take plenty of pictures from now on and submit them to the secretary for upload to the website, so that we can capture the various activities pictorially.

John O’Brien has taken up the position of General Secretary of RTAI. Billy Sheehan has retired from the position. We wish Billy well in his retirement.

Pictured is the new General Secretary with President Mary McCarthy are staff members Siobhan Desmond and Patricia Byrne

On a sunny day in May, Dublin South won the RTAI Golf Classic in Mountrath. The team of Matt Reville, Susan Maher and Marty and Emily Nevin secured first place with a score of 91. In second place was a team from Tipperary, while Kildare secured 3rd place

Plans for the 2024 event are being finalised. Hopefully our branch will again be represented by a number of teams.