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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Happy Christmas to all!

Posted on December 25, 2012 by coolamber71

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Christmas Activities

Posted on December 16, 2012 by coolamber71

A chara,
Nollaig shona duit.
Take a minute or two out of the preparations for Christmas to consider the last few Branch activities of 2012.
On this Monday our artists will have their Art lesson (usual time and venue).
On Tuesday we will have our cycle. Thanks to Walter Cullinane who has done an advance reckie of the route for Tuesday’s cycle.
We will meet at 11 at the Martello Tower in Sandymount and cycle to Dun Laoghaire and the 40 Foot area via Blackrock Park. A good easy cycle with an amount offroad and with cycle lanes. This cycle is well within the capacity of all regular cyclists – there are no climbs and the pace is easy. There is a mandatory coffee stop. Please wear appropriate jacket / top.
On Wednesday you are invited to drop in to Blackrock Education Centre in Kill Avenue (near Baker’s Corner) between 11am and 1pm. This is the last of the 2012 drop ins and my thanks to our hosts in the three venues who have been so welcoming and helpful to us during the past year.
Bíodh Nollaig fíor-thaitneamhach agat agus ath bhliain faoi shéan ‘s faoi mhaise.
Buailfimíd arís san ath bhliain.
Micheál Ó Gríofa

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Club Miscellany and Christmas Matters

Posted on December 7, 2012 by coolamber71

A chara,
Our Club Miscellany on Tuesday next has a Christmas theme and we look forward to a good turn-out – shake off the post-budget blues and join with colleagues and friends in Club na Múinteoirí for a glass of mulled wine (forget the added €1 excise duty) and some light refreshments. We will have contributions of a Christmas nature at 11.30 and at about 12.45pm retire to a light lunch.
Avail of the opportunity to do some Christmas shopping in town pre or post Miscellany and feel free to bring along spouse, partner, friend (to carry the bags !!! ) The cover charge is €5 per person.
I need to have some idea of the likely numbers attending by Sunday evening next – please let me know by email if you are likely to attend. ( michaelgriffin26@gmail.com ) or send text to             087 1390034      . Mo bhuíochas do Thadhg Mac Pháidín agus don fhoireann ar fad i gClub na Múinteoirí as ucht a dtacaíocht agus an comhoibriú linn i rith na bliana.
A reminder to all members of the classes and activities starting next term. There are still some vacancies in the Family History class and in the Art class – please get in touch immediately if you are interested in either class. The Digital camera class has filled and there seems to be good interest in the Golf lessons which we plan on commencing in March.
I’ve also been requested to remind those interested in the Public Speaking classes to contact Colm McGlade immediately – Tel.             087 6687464      .
The tentative plan for our walk on Wednesday next is in the Phoenix Park. I will issue the detailed arrangements on Sunday evening.
Le súil buaileadh leat ar an Máirt seo chughainn.
Micheál Ó Gríofa

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Activities for the week beginning 3rd December

Posted on December 2, 2012 by coolamber71

Míle buiochas leo sin ar fad (144 + ) a tháinig chuig an oll-cruinniú ar an gCéadaoin seo chaite.
An update on the activities scheduled for this week:

Leisure Cycling:
A return to Howth/Sutton is planned. We will meet at 11am at the 1st car park opposite the Methodist Church on the Clontarf Road. We will head along the coast, turning right at Sutton cross and cycle up there a bit. Coffee break in either Howth or Sutton. There is a cycle track on much of the route and a large stretch of it is off-road. There is no element of competition in this cycle. Be safe, be seen – wear appropriate jacket / cycle top.

Golf outing cancelled
Probably due to the uncertainty of weather and the proximity of Christmas we have had  little interest from our golfers for the 7th of December in Old Connaugh.
We have therefore decided to postpone this outing until February or March and would hope to get a better response.
In the meantime Vincent and Sheila wish you all a very happy Christmas, and look forward to a happy golfing year in 2013.

Ballyroan Drop in
You are cordially invited to drop in to Ballyroan Community Centre on this Wednesday (11am to 1pm) for our monthly drop in – tea / coffee etc.

Art
Class as usual on this Monday morning.

I.T.
The final Lap – Top tutorial in this present series is on this Monday.

Family History
The 10th and last class of the present series of Continuation classes will be on this Thursday morning. Ár mbuíochas ó chroí do Mháire Mac Conghail a bhí comh foighneach linn agus comh saineolach ins an ábhar. Cé go bhfuil deire tagtha leis an sraith seo níl ann ach an tosnú don taighde agus staidéar ar ár ndúchas atá romhainn. Scaip an scéal faoin sraith nua a thosnóidh ar 10ú Eanáir, 2013.

Yoga
At the general meeting last Wednesday I referred to the possibility of having a Yoga class for members in 2013. The show of hands at the meeting indicated good interest in it. We wiil pursue it for early in the New Year and let you know the outcome.

Annual General Meeting

The meeting nominated Matt Reville as our District’s representative on the National Executive Committee, Donall Ó Murchú as the representative to Standing Orders Committee and Betty Hogan, (Dublin North Branch) the representative to Financial Supervisory Committee.

Buíochas:
Mo bhuíochas d’oifigigh agus coiste na craoibhe, do na hionaid éagsúla agus go háirithe do gach éinne a chabhraigh linn i rith na bliana chun na himeachtaí go léir a eagrú. Bhí bliain an-mhaith agus an-ghnóthach againn agus le cúnamh Dé beidh sé chomh gnóthach sin aris san ath-bhliain.
My thanks to Mena O’Leary who has been our representative on the National Executive Committee and who will step down from that position in March. Many thanks, Mena for your diligence, hard work and courtesy at all times.

Our new Rúnaí, Matt Reville, will be in touch with you shortly. My thanks to him for his assistance since the Branch was founded and I know that you join with me in wishing him well and in offering him your help and support during 2013.

Nollaig shona duit agus ath-bhliain faoi shéan ‘s faoi mhaise duit féin agus dod’ mhuintir.

Micheál Ó gríofa

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Rathfarnham Wind Ensemble – Come and Join Us

Posted on November 21, 2012 by coolamber71

See the following message from a Dublin South Branch member, Mick Finnerty who is recruiting musicians for Rathfarnham Wind Ensemble. If you are interested please make contact with Mick.

We are a small group of enthusiastic adult musicians of mixed ability who are playing together for the past seven years. Some members had some previous music experience while the majority were complete beginners.

We play well known and loved popular music under the direction of our conductor. Presently, we have the following instruments in our ensemble: flute, oboe, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet and percussion. We previously had other members in our ensemble playing french horn, euphonium and trombone and we would like to include these instruments once again.

We invite new members to join us and play an instrument of their choice. Both beginners and experienced musicians are welcome. We meet every Wednesday evening from 8pm – 9pm in Ballyroan Boys’ National School, Rathfarnham.

For Further Information Contact :               Mick Finnerty

Mobile:          087 287 6676

Email:          rwemusicgroup@gmail.com

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Weekly Activities for week commencing 19th November

Posted on November 20, 2012 by coolamber71

Monday 19th : Art in Parish Centre, Orwell Park, Templeogue.
Lap-top classes in Blackrock Education Centre
Tuesday 20th Leisure Cycling: Bohernabreena proved such an attractive, safe place for our walk last week that our cyclists will return to it on this Tuesday for our cycle. Some of it is tar-macced while all of it bar one short stretch is flat. Those travelling on the M50 should get off at Exit 11 for the N.81 and drive towards the Spawell roundabout (i.e. towards Templeogue). At the Spawell roundabout take the last turn off heading for Firhouse. At the following T junction turn right – you are now on the Firhouse Road. You may park at Ballyboden St. Enda’s GAA Club House which is on your left. From there, there is a cycle path almost all the way to Bohernabreena. Alternatively you may drive further on and, immediately having crossed over the M50, park at Morton’s pub on your right. The cyclists will leave Ballyboden / St. Enda’s at 11am and meet up with those at Mortons at 11.10am. We cycle from there  to the Reservoir in Bohernabreena. Where the road veers left for Bohernabreena cemetery keep right. Continue past the bad bend over the bridge and the entrance to the reservoir is on your left. Bring a snack (and any other comforts) if you wish. The forecast for the week is mixed – if you are in doubt on Tuesday morning about the cycle going ahead please call            087 1390034      .
Wednesday 21st: Those from the Blackrock / Dún Laoghaire / Bray end of the Branch and indeed all others are invited to drop in for the cuppa etc. to the Blackrock Education Centre in Kill Avenue, near Bakers Corner at anytime from 11am to 1pm. Beidh fáilte romhat.
Thursday 22nd: Genealogy in Sandyford Community Centre.

By now all members will have received notice of the AGM of the Branch on Wednesday 28th November. Application forms for classes and activities for January, 2013 were included with the notice of meeting. Could I remind members that forms for the Creative Writing Class and the Trip to Scotland in April, 2013 should be forwarded to Marjorie Murphy – not to me.
Bain taitneamh agus tairbhe as eachtraí na seachtaine
Míle buíochas,

Micheál Ó Gríofa

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