Historic Dublin Walks

Posted on February 13, 2013 by coolamber71

Des O Dowd, a member of the Branch has asked me to inform you of a series of Talks and Walks for Tuesday and Thursday mornings during March. There a good response from the last Comhnasc but a few more people are needed to make it viable. I attach the course details for your attention.

historic dublin walks

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Leisure Cycle Tuesday 19th February

Posted on February 11, 2013 by coolamber71

Meeting Place

Black Horse Pub

This will be a leisurely cycle along the Grand Canal from Inchicore to Adamstown, lasting approximately 2 hours.  We meet at the Black Horse Pub in Inchicore at 11 a.m.  The team leader for this cycle is Pat Fitzgerald.  Like all of our outdoor activities, this event is weather dependent and you may take it for granted that it will go ahead unless the weather is so inclement as to preclude cycling!

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Joyce and McCormack – lives in synergy

Posted on February 3, 2013 by coolamber71

On the Tuesday in January and the first miscellany of 2013, over 50 of our members gathered in the Teachers’ Club to listen to a most entertaining presentation by Michael Shanley.  Mick regaled us with a wealth of information about Joyce, McCormack and how their lives intertwined and of their connection to the building that now houses the Club.  
These two Irishmen bestride the world of the arts in the first half of the 20th century.  Mick explained how music was a seminal influence on Joyce and how he made use of music in his writings.
There is another presentation in this topic and we are waiting, agog with excitement for part 2!

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Brtanch Activities for Week beginning February 4th

Posted on February 3, 2013 by coolamber71

Just a brief note to alert you to this week’s activities.

Art Classes as usual on Monday; the Leisure Cycle that was postponed from last month will, weather permitting, take place in the Phoenix Park on Tuesday morning.  Cyclists are asked to meet  at 11am at the side road near the Wellington monument.  TheBallyroan Drop In will take place on Wednesday morning at 11.00.  Come along and enjoy a cuppa and a chat!  Finally, the Family History class goes ahead on Thursday.
I hope to see some of you at some of these happenings during the week!
Beir bua agus beannacht
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Tibradden to Three Rock Walk

Posted on January 27, 2013 by coolamber71

Tibradden to Three Rock Walk, Wed 30th Jan

The harder walk this month will be on Wed next, Jan 30th and will be from Tibradden to Three Rock Mountain, returning by Fairy Castle. The full route takes over 4 hours but if the weather is inclement, we will shorten it. The car park at Tibradden is not open during the week so we will assemble at The Merry Ploughboy Pub in Edmondstown at 10.15 am and take as few cars as possible to Tibradden which is about a 5 minute drive from there. The pub is not open during the day.

Directions to the Merry Ploughboy :

  • From the Rathfarnham/ Templeogue direction – Take Ballyboden Rd by side of Yellow House or by turning right at end of Ballyroan Rd.
  • Go straight through the next roundabout where there is a sign that says Woodstown and drive for about 2kms passing turns for Kilmashogue and Mount Venus graveyards (R116). Car park is on right hand side opp. pub.
  • From the M50 – take exit 12 Firhouse, and turn right over M50 onto Scholarstown Rd. Go through 1 roundabout and take 3rd exit off 2nd roundabout. Drive to T-junction and turn right onto R116.
  •  Drive about 2kms passing turns for graveyards as above, to pub.

Deirdre will be at usual place in Tymon Pk near Spawell at 10am if anyone needs a lift. Buses 54a or 150 from town.

The walk is not difficult but is definitely not flat. We climb UP to Tibradden and UP to Fairy Castle. Most of the walk is on the Dublin Mountain Way, so underfoot conditions are generally good .

Boots only – not suitable for trainers. Bring rain gear, warm clothes, drink and snack and walking poles if you have them. A newspaper or garden kneeler is useful for sitting on at lunchtime.

This walk will be led by Bríd Walsh. Contact no:  086-3743436

 

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James Joyce and John McCormack – Their Relationship and Their Music

Posted on January 27, 2013 by coolamber71

First Miscellany of 2013

James Joyce (Feb 2 1882- January 13th 1941) and John McCormack (June 14th 1884-September 16th 1945) were two iconic Irishmen, born within two years of one another and destined for fame in literature and music respectively.  Strangely, their worlds intertwined and were linked to the building in which the Teachers Club is now situated.  This talk will look at how they met and how the music of McCormack influenced the writings of Joyce.

The Palestrina choir, St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Dublin, came into existence on January 1st 1903 with Vincent O’ Brien of 37, Parnell Square (now one of the buildings which houses the Teacher’s Club) as its first musical director. John McCormack, having finished his secondary schooling in Summerhill College Sligo, came from his home in Athlone to successfully  audition for the choir. Vincent O’Brien became McCormack’s music teacher and prepared John for the Feis Ceoil of 1903. McCormack won the gold medal as a tenor. James Joyce, an accomplished singer himself, was in the audience. It’s not known if they met on that occasion but by the following year they had made each other’s acquaintance and McCormack’s success helped persuade Joyce to enter the Feis Ceoil of 1904.

Joyce took singing lessons from Vincent O’Brien in the spring of 1904 but he didn’t win gold in the Feis in May. McCormack and Joyce shared a concert platform on 27th August 1904 in the Antient Concert Rooms and both received complimentary reviews in the press. Thus began their relationship.  At this talk you will hear some of the songs sung by McCormack and see how the same songs are woven into the works of Joyce. You will also hear how their lives, though very different, had quite a few similarities and how they maintained their relationship over time.

This talk will be presented by Mick and Eithne Shanley in the Teachers Club on Tues Jan 29th at 11.30.  You are cordially invited to come along and to be entertained.  We hope to see many of you there.  There will be a hot meal served after the presentation.

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Fógra Práinneach – Cycle in Phoenix Park Cancelled

Posted on January 21, 2013 by coolamber71

The cycle run in the Phoenix Park scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled on health and safety grounds.

 Walter would be extremely interested to hear from members who know of cycle paths or routes that they would care to share, in the Dublin region.  If you know of such cycle routes or are familiar with some routes perhaps you would let us know by responding to this email with the word “cycle” in the subject?  We would very much like to hear from you!
 
The Phoenix Park cycle will be rescheduled for another time when the weather is more clement.

 

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Tuesday Jan 22nd Leisure Cycle

Posted on January 20, 2013 by coolamber71

A note about Tuesdays cycle, Jan 22nd.  Phoenix Park Route
We will meet as before on the side road leading to the Wellington Monument at 11am.  There is adequate free parking on this minor road and we will take a trip within the park with a coffee stop near Farmleigh House.  Usual safety requirements in terms of clothing and helmet and wrap up well!  Once again Walter will be leading you on this gentle leisure cycle trip.  Hopefully the weather will be good and everyone will enjoy a nice gentle course in the quiet ambiance of the Phoenix Park!

 

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First Walk of 2013

Posted on January 10, 2013 by coolamber71

The “easy” walk this month, next Wednesday Jan 16th is the coastal walk along the train track from Greystones to Kilcoole and back.

Round trip distance of 4/5 miles – should take between 2 and a half to 3 hours

Usual start time: 11.00 a.m.

* * *Note: This walk may not suit everyone especially anyone with hip/knee problems. It is all flat but for the first 10/15 mins. it will be stepping along concrete blocks at the side of the train track.

 Directions – from centre of Greystones

Parking: Car Parks are south of Greystones Dart station.

(on Left if coming from Bray,  on Right, after swimming pool roundabout, if coming via Delgany)

(a)    Car Park at arch – entrance to beach under train track.

N.B. Need to Pay and display a ticket.

(b)The Park and Ride carpark which is accessed immediately after you turn the road to the Driving Range and Charlesland Golf Club.If parking here ensure that you arrive @ 10.45 because daytime spaces are at the furthest away part (it appears to be full at the entrance)

Walk starts beside the Playground at the entrance to Greystones South Beach at the usual 11.00.

Own snacks + drink at Kilcoole before returning

We are extremely grateful to Jo Cooney who has undertaken to lead this walk.  Any questions, please contact:  Jo Cooney @ 0879317190

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January Activities

Posted on January 7, 2013 by coolamber71

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir,

Here is a brief summary of activities for January
Our cycling group will meet at 11am on Tuesday, Jan 8th (tomorrow) at the Martello Tower in Sandymount. We cycle to Dun Laoghaire/Dalkey via Blackrock Park. This is a similar route with a minor twist to our cycle just before Christmas. Usual safety measures apply and a coffee break.  Hope to see you all there.  This is an ideal opportunity to “work off” some of that excess turkey and pudding you imbibed over the Christmas!
Digital camera classes begin on Monday 14th next and run for three consecutive Mondays, in the Blackrock EC, starting at 10 and finishing at 12 noon.  You are reminded to bring camera, laptop and relevant cables.  Ensure that your camera is fully charged!
The drop-in’s begin this week too with the Ballyroan drop-in on this Wednesday, 9th from 11.00-1.00 and the Blackrock drop-in on Wed the 23rd.
The Family History class recommences on Thursday 10th.
I will be in touch later with details of the next walks which are scheduled for the 16th and 30th of the month and also with details of the next Miscellany meeting on the 29th.
On behalf of the committee may I wish all of you a very happy and enjoyable 2013 and I hope to see you at many of our activities during the month!

Matt

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