SEOLADH LEABHAIR/BOOK LAUNCH

Posted on September 17, 2013 by coolamber71

CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE RÓMHAIBH
DÉARDAOIN DEIRE FÓMHAIR 3, 1-2 I.N., AN SEOMRA MACHNAIMH, QUINN BUSINESS SCHOOL, BELFIELD  DUBLIN 4.
THURSDAY  OCTOBER 3, 1-2 P-M., in THE REFLECTION ROOM, QUINN BUSINESS SCHOOL, BELFIELD  DUBLIN 4.
A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES TO THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK:

GAEILGE AN CHLÁIR: SÉAD-CHNUASACH FOCAL ÓN MBÉARLA, LE CRÍONA NÍ GHÁIRBHITH. 

THE TITLE IN ENGLISH IS ‘THE IRISH OF CLARE: A TREASURY OF (IRISH) WORDS FROM ENGLISH‘. 

THIS IS A BOOK IN ENGLISH AND IRISH ABOUT THE CUSTOMS, FOLKLORE AND LANGUAGE OF CLARE.
* AN DR. CRIOSTÓIR MAC CÁRTHAIGH, Archivist, Folklore Dept, UCD, will launch the book.
Bord na Gaeilge, UCD, is sponsoring this Launch.
Tea/ coffee and sandwiches will be provided free.

This book is by one o four members, Criona Ni Ghairbhith.  We would love to see as many members there as possible to show support for Criona.

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James Joyce, John McCormack, Their Friendship And Their Music Part Two

Posted on May 14, 2013 by coolamber71

Joyce used his family and friends, friends and acquaintances of his parents as well as other denizens of Dublin as models for characters in his work.  Dr. Vincent O’Brien of 37 Parnell Square (now one of the houses of the Teachers’ Club) gave singing lessons to both Joyce and John McCormack and as a result, has the distinction of being mentioned by name in Ulysses. He is mentioned as conducting a large choir singing the ‘chorus from Handel’s Messiah Alleluia for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth’ in the chapter set in Dublin’s then red-light district. Joyce termed the district ‘Nighttown’ in the novel.   According to Vincent O’Brien, Joyce had a singing voice comparable to McCormack’s and O’Brien considered it a pity that he had not pursued a career in singing. Joyce’s knowledge of music didn’t go to waste, however.  He uses it extensively in all his works.

This is especially the case in the Sirens chapter of Ulysses, chapter fourteen which is set in the Ormond Hotel at four in the afternoon.   The Sirens chapter contains many musical allusions. There are one hundred and fifty eight references to forty seven different works of music in the chapter.   Songs are hummed and whistled.  There are songs of love and war, seduction and sorrow.  There is percussion and wind.  Michael and Eithne Shanley   will play recordings of some of those songs and link the music to various themes in the chapter. A limited number of garters will be available for use in the percussion section. Any gentleman or lady who wishes to use his or her own garter might kindly bring same along, one garter per person being sufficient!

This is a “stand alone” performance.  It is not necessary to have attended Part 1 in order to fully enjoy and appreciate this presentation.  Come along and enjoy.  Tadhg might even be persuaded to fry up some kidneys and fava beans in honour of the occasion!!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAjamesjoyce1 McCormack-John-6

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Lobby your local TDs against cuts to pensions

Posted on May 11, 2013 by coolamber71
The government TDs are meeting on Tuesday the 14th of May 2013 to discuss legislation to cut Public Servants pay and pensions. It is essential that all RTAI members contact their LOCAL TD and ask that they “Do not legislate to worsen public service pensions”. 
You can find the your local TDs information on the INTO website by clicking HERE.
 
When you are lobbying please state your address where your vote is registered.. Make sure you lobby both Labour and FG members and in your email state that you voted for them in the last election, but if they legislate for cuts that you will be re-considering your vote. 
 
Remember that they propose to attack pensioners earning above €32,500.  That means that if you happen to be the widow/widower of a public servant, pensions of 16,250 will be affected,  so we need to  act.
Personalise your e-mail by following the “edit” instructions on the INTO website.
 
Spread the word. 
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James Joyce’s Freemasonry – a public lecture in asscociation with Sweny’s

Posted on April 25, 2013 by coolamber71

On Friday 14 June, Des Gunning will deliver a public lecture in the Grand Lodge Room of Freemason’s hall, Molesworth Street, entitled “James Joyce’s Freemasonry”.

From about 12.15pm, Philip Lawton, church organist at St Audoen’s, Cornmarket, the church that has the longest record of continuous use in Dublin, will perform, on the Grand Lodge organ, a variety of airs from the pages of Ulysses .
The lecture itself begins at 1.00pm and is of about 55 minutes duration.
There is no charge. A ‘retiring collection’ for Sweny’s Joyceam Establishment will be taken up by volunteers with Sweny’s.
The library bar at Freemason’s Hall will be open for the afternoon, serving teas, coffees etc.Sandwiches can be organised by arrangement.

Tours of the Masonic Museum in particular and of Freemason’s Hall in general can be arranged by appointment.
Des Gunning is a former

Curator of the James JoyceCentre, North Great George’s Street

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Walk for Wednesday March 11th

Posted on March 10, 2013 by coolamber71
Next Wednesday’s walk at 11am will be on Clontarf sea walk, Bull Wall, Dollymount Strand, St. Annes Park. The walk is on flat pathways and firm sand throughout.
Meeting place is at the car park on Clontarf Road between Dart Station and junction with Alfie Byrne Road at 10.45am.
(Exit Dart Station onto Clontarf Road and turn right. Car park is 50m approx from station exit. Dart leaving Bray at 9.55am arrives at Clontarf Rd at 10.45.
By car via Alfie Byrne Rd. Turn left at T junction with Clontarf Rd. Car park is immediately on your left. Parking is 60 cent per hour.
Bus 130 from Lower Abbey St – opposite Abbey Theatre – stops nearby)
Walk takes three and a half hours approx. Bring a snack and a drink.
Refreshments can be got at Yacht Bar and Restaurant at end of walk.
Sile Dennehy and Kathleen O’Grady will lead this walk. Enquiries to Kathleen at 087 6113093.
Looking forward to a big turnout!
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Musical Evening for St Patrick’s Day!

Posted on February 23, 2013 by coolamber71
Kathy Nugent is celebrating Stephen Sondheim’s 83rd birthday at The NCH on Wed March 13th during St Patrick’s Festival Week
Tickets available directly from The NCH Booking Office.  What a nice way to move towards more hectic activities for St Patrick’s Day itself!
Concession rates apply for retirees
kathy Nugent poster
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Maulin Hill Walk on February 27th

Posted on February 23, 2013 by coolamber71
The following are the details of Wednesday’s walk.  This is a walk for the proficient walkers among us and not for beginners and remember it is weather dependent!
There are two options for getting there:
1. Go straight to Crone Wood for 10.45 to begin walk at 11.00 or
2. Meet at the Powerscourt Arms hotel carpark (the first hotel as you
    come into Enniskerry from the Kilternan direction) at 10.30
From Crone Wood we follow the Wicklow way, past the waterfall and up onto Maulin hill.
The walk will take about 3 hours with wonderful views of the surrounding hills and landscape.
Bring a snack and drink. (There are several places in Enniskerry for a coffee/bite to eat after the walk)
Betty and Una are leading this one and are looking forward to a great turn out.
For any further clarification phone Betty @ 0872399384
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February Miscellany – Author Tony Jordan talks about his works

Posted on February 13, 2013 by coolamber71
The February miscellany will be on Tuesday, February 26th at 11 a.m. in the Teachers Club.  We are delighted to have author Tony Jordan to speak about his remarkable career and some of the wonderful biographies that he has written.  His biographies feature many famous Irish historical figures including Major John MacBride, Conor Cruise O’Brien, Christy Brown and many others.  He has written four books on the theme of the Yeats/Gonne/MacBride triangle.  He has written an autobiography entitled, “The Good Samaritans – Memoir of A Biographer”.  He has a great love of poetry, especially that of W B Yeats and the poets of the First World War, especially Wilfred Owen
Tony Jordan writes under the name of Anthony J. Jordan.
 In 1972 he received notice from the English publisher ‘Michael Joseph’ that his first novel
“was something of a freak. In the first place, I find it incredible that it has (apparently) been written by a man. The assumption of a female person – not to my mind, a particularly attractive one – is totally convincing…the story does grip”.
John McGahern and appointment as Principal teacher intervened to stop Tony continuing with writing.  In 1988 Daniel Day-Lewis and Christy Brown intervened to restart Tony’s writing career. This lead to some 13 biographical works, including an Autobiography, with another one to appear this autumn. He will talk about some of these matters.
The covers of most of his books can be seen below.
pic10 pic9 pic8 pic7 pic6 pic5 pic4 pic3 pic2 pic1 dev
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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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