Trips to Cardiff and to the Titanic Exhibition in Belfast

Posted on July 11, 2012 by coolamber71

The success of this trip was very much due to Marjorie’s exceptional skill at organisation and as usual, she is owed a huge debt of gratitude by the association for arranging everything.

We had a very comfortable coach and our driver and courier, Martin and Siobhan, were most attentive and helpful in every way.

As planned, we stayed in Cardiff and visited the city of Bath, Cardiff Castle, Wells Cathedral and also had time off for shopping.  At Marjorie’s suggestion, we went to Aberfan.  This proved to be quite emotional.  The villagers were very touched that Irish teachers remembered their tragedy.  As a memorial to the teaches and children who were lost when the slag heap buried their school, a children’s playground has now been erected on the site.

Siobhan, our courier, took lots of pictures and put them on disk.  After coming home, Marjorie, at no extra charge, furnished each of us with a copy of the disk.

Titanic Exhibition

Marjorie Murphy also organised this trip to Belfast.  This exhibition was one with a difference, particularly because so much modern technology is used and were I to give a detailed account now, I would spoil the experience for anyone intending to visit at a later date.

The duration of the exhibition is about two and a half hours.  This is no problem as there are seats scattered throughout the exhibition and the restaurant and gift shop are in the same building.  Steps and stairs are no problem as lifts operate between all floors.

I heartily recommend a visit.

I am indebted to Eileen McManus for compiling the reports on these trips and to Tom Ó Briain for the video.  Ár míle buíochas dóibh.

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Golf Outing and RTA Golf Society

Posted on July 10, 2012 by coolamber71

Monday 25th June was one of our rare warm sunny days and was also the first day of our newly formed RTA golf society……

Although some of us got a little confused about which turn to take off the roundabout at Blanchardstown, we all eventually turned up at Elm Green Golf course and groups of three were detatched without delay…

Thanks to Donal we managed to rustle up a few prizes which were presented to the deserving winners at our little get together following our game….

Our winners were….Gents….Peter O’Loughlin
Ladies…Susan Maher
visitors Gents….Michael McMullen
Ladies…Ann Reville

Congratulations to all our winners…….

All agreed that we had had a very enjoyable day and that our first golf outing was a success…..

We hope to have our next one early August and details of the date and venue will be mailed to you in the next few days….
Any suggestions for a course will be welcomed by Vincent or myself…..

We are endeavouring to get a reasonable rate and will ask for an extra 5 euros to cover prizes…..to make it more interesting and competitive….
We hope to see all our original members and may more new members and friends….this will continue to be a fun day….

further details in the next few days….

Sheila

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Free Lunchtime Concert

Posted on July 9, 2012 by coolamber71

Tanya, a soloist with The Guinness Choir will be doing a FREE–Lunchtime Recital on Thursday July 19th at 1.15pm in St. Ann’s Church Dawson Street  and we would love to see some of you there if you are around.

Admission free, Donations received.

Details of the Programme are below – Many thanks

Summer Lunchtime Recital

St. Ann’s Church, Dawson Street

1.15pm

 Frauenliebe und Leben            Schumann

Les gars qui vont a la fete          Poulenc

Les Chemins de L’amour           Poulenc

It was a Lover and his Lass       Finzi

Dream Valley                            Quilter

Love’s Philosophy                     Quilter

Che faro senza Euridice            Gluck

Una voce poco fa                       Rossini

 


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June Walk

Posted on June 11, 2012 by coolamber71

Fáilte romhat go dtí nuacht na craoibhe.
If you like country walks come and join your colleagues in Dublin South RTAI as we head for North Kildare on this Wednesday morning, June 13th.
Our walk is on the canal towpath westwards from Hazelhatch towards Sallins. This is a lovely, pleasant, level walk and is well within the capacity of all walkers. The total distance from Hazelhatch to Sallins is 13km (8 miles) but perhaps you may consider this too long. It is open to walkers to make the length of the walk as long as they wish by simply turning and coming back by the same route. You may consider 4miles out and 4miles back a long enough walk or  an hour outwards and another hour return to be your total journey.
There is a train station at both Hazelhatch and Sallins. There is a train service from Heuston to Hazelhatch – leaving Heuston at 9.15am, 9.45am, 10.15am – about 20 minutes to Hazelhatch. The return  trains from Sallins are at 12.38pm, 13.29pm, 14.43pm and 14.58pm. All but the 14.43 trains from Sallins stop at Hazelhatch. The return trains from Hazelhatch to Heuston are at 12.47pm, 13.38pm and 15.07pm.
Obviously it is open to people to drive by car. Our walk begins at McEvoys pub beside the canal at Hazelhatch. If you are driving from south Dublin follow the Naas Road (N 7 ) and veer left off the motorway signposted for Newcastle. (Turn off for Avoca Shop and Cafe) Follow the sign for Newcastle. (This brings you across the motorway). In Newcastle village go straight through, with the church and school on your left. As the road swings around to the left there is a signpost indicating right to Celbridge. Follow the road towards Celbridge arriving at Hazelhatch Canal bridge. McEvoy’s pub is immediately after the bridge on your right. There is parking for about 12 or 14 cars in McEvoys. I recommend that car drivers meet in Newcastle at 10.20 and decide to car pool from there to Hazelhatch. Unfortunately McEvoys doesn’t appear to open during the day (at least it wasn’t open when I checked it out two weeks ago) so my advice is to bring your snack lunch and drinks – call it a picnic “amuigh faoin dtuaith” más mian leat. We will move off at 10.45am. And don’t forget the camera – we would welcome your photos on the branch blog as a record. Most of this walk is on clean ground and walking boots / shoes should be fine.
PS If you are taking the train to Hazelhatch there is a very short walk from the train station to McEvoys. There is also a very large car park at the train station – but I’m fairly sure that it is a pay park.
An bhfuil tú réidh chun bóthair?
Really looking forward to a big turnout on Wednesday morning.
Micheál Ó Gríofa

PS Lest I may have put a doubt in anybody’s mind, the trip to the Titanic Centre in Belfast is on Friday, 15th June. (fully booked out.)

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Golf Outing

Posted on June 6, 2012 by coolamber71

RTAI Dublin South is goig to have a Golf Outing. This outing is for both members and friends.  Fáilte roimh chách.

The outing is arranged for Monday 25th June In Elmgreen Golf Club, Castleknock.

Directions– Elmgreen Golf Centre is located on Dunsink Lane, left off the Navan Road (N3), opposite Auburn Avenue. Exit the M50 at Junction 6 towards City Centre – Castleknock.  The tee is booked from 10.30

Assemble 10.00 am

First tee time 10.30 am.

Green fees are €13.50

Please confirm with either –

Vincent Boreland email –vincentborland@gmail.com, mobile 086 824 3013
or
Sheila Kelly email- sheilamkelly@eircom.net, mobile 087285 7384

We hope to see a great turn out of members, partners and friends.

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June Activities

Posted on May 30, 2012 by coolamber71

We will host our monthly drop-in in Ballyroan Community Centre on Wednesday next, the first Wednesday in June at 11am. We expect to see a very good turn out at this final Ballyroan session before we take a break for the months of July and August.

On the following Wednesday, 13th June, we hope to have many members on a canal bank walk – starting at Hazelhatch. Details of this walk will issue later.

On behalf of the Branch I wish to thank Bernie Kenny and her group of creative writers for entertaining us at last Tuesday’s Club Miscellaney. What great variety and flights of imagination they presented. May they continue on their creative paths in to the future and be joined by more wordsmiths when classes resume in September.

Those who attended  “The Steward of Christendom” in Club na Múinteoirí earlier in the spring will attest to the high quality production. By popular demand it returns for a limited run during the next fortnight and it may interest you and other RTA members that there will be a matinee production on Tuesday next, 5th June at 2.30pm. Booking and other enquiries to             087 2575105       or to            01-8726944      .

Le dea-mhéin
Micheál Ó Gríofa

Please keep 27th June free for the general meeting of the Branch.

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Titanic Exhibition – Belfast Trip

Posted on May 21, 2012 by coolamber71

As you know the centenary of the Titanic launch and sinking have been much in the news over the past few weeks. Marjorie Murphy, secretary of our neighbouring branch, Dublin North RTAI has organised a one-day outing to Belfast which should prove very interesting. Marjorie has very kindly extended an invitation to members of our branch to join them on this outing. Once again on behalf of Dublin South branch I thank Marjorie for extending this offer to us. Please read the note below for further details and a form. Please return the completed form directly to Marjorie.
Also attached is an application form for the creative writing course which will recommence in September. Again, if you wish to participate in this activity complete the application form and return it directly to Marjorie – her address is on the form.
The General Meeting of the Branch which, in recent years,  was normally held in May will be held on 27th June. Notification of this meeting will issue by regular post to all members in June.
Le dea-mhéin
Micheál Ó Gríofa

rta activities

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Crone Wood Walk

Posted on May 21, 2012 by coolamber71

Now that Summer has arrived and the forecast for the week is good our walkers have another opportunity to take to the hills.
The Luggala walk which had earlier been cancelled took place last Wednesday. At the time of  rescheduling that walk I didn’t think that we would have a leader to take on another one in such a short time span. However Betty Behan is leading a walk on this Wednesday morning to Maulin – Crone Wood.
The arrangements for this are to meet in Enniskerry village (at the hotel in the village) at 10.30 and make our way to Crone Wood car park. Be at the car park for 11am – not later. Betty estimates the walk at three hours. Please wear walking boots and some layers and don’t forget to bring your bottle of water.
This walk is for the somewhat more agile walkers – more used to the hill walks and not ideal for the “lowlanders” – who prefer the easier walks.
Bain taitneamh as na sléibhte, as an samhradh  agus as bheith amuigh faoin tuath.
Micheál Ó Gríofa.

PS Date for your diary: General Meeting of the Souith Dublin branch RTAI will be held on 27th June in Club na Múinteoirí

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Walking in Bohernabreena

Posted on May 6, 2012 by coolamber71

This walk is well within the capacity of most reasonably active walkers – the  vast majority is on the flat with only a very short mild ascent at one point. The valley – Gleann na Smól  is a piece of heaven and though the reservoir is man-made the whole area is a haven of the natural world.

The walk commences in the car park of the Dublin City Reservoir in Bohernabreena. There is parking for about 12 to 15 cars in the car park.

To get to the car park at the entrance to the Reservoir – from Rathfarnham – follow Butterfield Avenue and Firhouse Road – passing Firhouse Shopping Centre on the left, Firhouse Community College on the left, straight through the next junction (Millhouse Lounge on your right) and at the fork take the right fork. The left is signposted Bohernabreena Cemetery – please don’t take it).

Keep an eye for the sharp bends ahead – this zig zag gets you across the bridge. Immediately after this bridge there are green gates  on your left – this is the entrance to the Reservoir.

From the Tallaght by-pass take the turn for Old Bawn – straight through until you have Millhouse Lounge on your right. Turn right at the traffic lights at the Millhouse and follow the road keeping right at the fork as described above.

From Terenure, Kimmage, Walkinstown – Across Templeogue Bridge and take right turn (at Blue Haven Pub) on to Firhouse road.

From the car park  we will follow the path (most of it tarmacced) and at the sign (“Staff only beyond this” – or some such)swing right on to the gravel path bringing you to the upper reservoir. When you get to the gate at the far end of the upper reservoir, (about 45 minutes) exit by gate to tarmacced lane. Having exited turn left and after 30 metres on this tarmac lane take left turn by gate. This left turn brings you on to a gravel path. Follow this gravel path – this path completes a circuit of the upper reservoir and brings us back to our outgoing path. There is one very interesting diversion on this part of our walk – takes about 5 minutes!!

Because of the limited car park spaces (12 to 15) I suggest that we meet in the car park of the Millhouse Lounge (Formerly Brigid Burke’s Pub)  at 10.15am and car pool from there to the Reservoir Car Park. We will move off on our walk at 10.30am.

Suggest walking boots – good underfoot conditions though gravel path may have some surface water – not much.

Overall – two hours walking.

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May Activities

Posted on May 6, 2012 by coolamber71

Our next “easy” walk is scheduled for next Wednesday morning 9th May.  (See separate posting for information on Bohernabreena walk.) You are very welcome to come along on this and bring a friend. The walk is around the Dublin City Water Reservoir in Bohernabreena – at the floor of the valley and with no major exertion required. The detailed arrangements are attached. An bhfuil na buataisí réidh agat? I suggest a coffee break after the walk in the Mill Lounge – I may have called it Millhouse in my directions properly known as The Mill.

In addition to the Musical Recital by the Guinness Choir, details of which were announced at the Ballyroan Drop-in on Wednesday, John O Carroll also announced that there would be a Choral recital by Ballinteer Male Voice Choir on 20th June. They will be joined by Coro Italiano di Dublino and guest soloists. Details from John on Tel.             086 6018612      .

At the drop in Jim McMonagle issued an invitation to members of South Dublin branch who would like to become involved in school visits as part of the Dublin Zoo outreach programme with schools. Contact Jim for further details – jimmcmonagle@hotmail.com

Sincere thanks to Mary Shanahan for her extraordinary rendition of “Bring Flowers of the Rarest” on Wednesday last. Your fan club has grown, Mary. Tá ár mbuíochas tuilte agat.

Mar fhocal scoir faoi’n siúlóid: Is there somebody from the west Dublin area willing to explore the possibility of a Canal bank walk from Celbridge to Hazelhatch? Perhaps somebody knows of such a walk – best places to park, picnic stop etc. Such a walk would be nice on a fine morning in June – please contact me if you can help in any way.

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