Our recent meeting at Club na Múinteoirí saw a bumper attendance. Over 169 members signed in for the meeting and attended lunch afterwards in the Club. Tadhg Mac Pháidín was put to the pin of his collar to keep the lunch queue moving!
Two members got their Christmas presents early! There was a draw for the members attending the meeting and the two lucky recipients of vouchers were Tom Gilmore and Colm McGlade. Well done and congratulations to both Tom and Colm.
You are invited cordially invited to drop in for a cuppa tomorrow morning in Blackrock Education Centre, Kill Lane. (11am until 1pm) This is our final drop-in of 2011 and thanks to all of those who have come along to any of the three Drop In centres since last September. Tá súil agam gur bhainis féin taitneamh as ár niarracht chun daoine a chur i dteangmháil lena chéile i rith na bliana. Munar tháinig tú go dtí aon cheann des na hionaid fós, bain trial as. Tá ár mbuíochas tuilte ag na daoine éagsúla ‘sna trí ionaid a fháiltigh romhainn agus a chabhraigh linn deis a thabhairt dár mbaill bualadh lena chéile. Blackrock Education Centre – Friday – 11am
Beatha agus sláinte chughaibh uiliig!. Hopefully you have by now digested and survived Budget Mark One 2012. On this Wednesday (7th Dec) Dublin Sth. branch will host the usual drop in in the Community Centre, Ballyroan. Mar a deirim, i gcónaí, tá fáilte romhat bualadh isteach le haghaidh cupán tae nó caife aon am idir 11.45 agus 1.30. To those who are recent “recruits” to the ranks of the RTAI or who have received this invitation for the first time you are very welcome to come along for the cuppa and hopefully recognise a face or two, exchange tales and gossip or anything else within the law!! Our thanks to the staff in Ballyroan Community Centre who have been most helpful and welcoming since we started our monthly drop in in September. Ag súil bualadh leat ar an gCéadaoin seo,
On the last day of November, on a cool, bracing morning, our group met in Dun Laoghaire under the able leadership of Betty Behan to embark on a “mild” hike of “The Metals”. About 30 members met outside of “Teddy’s” and set off along by the side of the Dart line, up Killiney Hill Park and on to Dalkey. Then back by the coast road again to our starting point. For the more experiened among us it may have been a gentle hike, but for the more unfit, such as yours truly, it was a marathon endeavour, especially the “easy” little climbs along the way. No doubt my vascular surgeon will say it did me a power of good, and I will probably agree with him when the muscles in my calves cease quivering!
Our thanks to Betty Behan for arranging the walk, taking us yunder her wing and giving us an impromtu local history lesson along the way, as she pointed out landsights and gave us their history. We hope to resume these walks next spring. Below is a pictorial montage of the highlights of the walk.
Incidentally, Betty assures me that if I can manage one of her walks, anyone in the branch can manage it!
MR
Three members have expressed an interest in participating on a digital photography course. We really need about 10 people on a course to make it worthwhile, so we would welcome another 7 volunteers! The course would be run in the Blackrock Education Centre as an integral part of the “Drop-In” morning in that centre. Participants would need to bring their laptops and cameras with them. The course would be a practical “hands-on” one, with a minimum of theory and maximum practical work. The course would cover:
We would also welcome expressions of interest in other aspects of computing such as how to use your computer to do basic things such as wordprocessing, accessing email, using a web browser to surf the Internet, how to use a printer, Skype for video conferencing etc. If there is sufficient interest we would be delighted to organise a course. If you are interested in the Digital Photography course or indeed, in a course on any other aspect of the computer, please let us know by posting a comment to this post. Just click on the comment link below and let us know what you are interested in!
Nollaig Shona
The next RTAI Dublin South walk is planned for this Wednesday, 30th November. On this occasion walkers are asked to assemble in Dún Laoghaire for a gentle walk to Dalkey and its environs. Walkers will be under the safe guidance of Betty Behan. Please wear walking shoes / boots and appropriate gear and don’t be put off by any gentle mist or even shower. Dublin South walkers are made of sterner stuff!!! Assemble in the car park opposite Teddy’s Ice Cream shop – Teddy’s is on your right if you take the coast road from Dún Laoghaire towards Sandycove. Get the DART to Dún Laoghaire if you wish and it’s a short walk to Teddy’s. You may have your ice cream there or a cuppa coffee in the Promenade Cafe next to Teddy’s. The walk will move off at 10.30 so don’t be late. We should be back in Dún Laoghaire between 12.30 and 1pm. This is your final opportunity to get in trim to face Chrismas Dinner with all the trimmings! Ag súil le lá breá geal agus fonn siúlóide ar gach éinne. We also take this opportunity to wish all our members a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
Many thanks to all ( 165+ ) who turned out for today’s general meeting of the branch and for the co-operation and good spirit with which the business was transacted. Arising from the discussion at the meeting I have combined into one the list of contacts by emails for activities. Hopefully that will improve the channels of communication. Whether it’s walking, drop-in, bridge, book clubs, information will issue to all of those on the full list. On this Friday (25th November) we will host a drop-in in the Blackrock Education Centre to which you are very welcome. A cup of tea or coffee will be available – from 11am to 1pm. The Education Centre is located on Kill Avenue, close to Baker’s Corner. The entrance is shared with that to Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. We look forward to having a good turn out for the chat, the gossip or whatever strikes you. Tá a scéal fhéin le hinsint ag gach éinne – bíodh sé fíor nó bréagach. Tabhair leat do scéal. Beidh fáilte romhat.
In a recent Bridge Competition notice that went out with your notice of meeting, there was a mistake that has now been drawn to our attention! The price mentioned for entry to the competition was €25 per person. This of course should have been €25 per couple! Please forgive us for making such an elementary error, but the notice wasn’t proof read before going to post!
A number of people have asked me if we are thinking of offering a course in digital photography. Many members have a digital camera but don’t know how to download the photos onto their computer, and don’t know how to do some basic editing on their photos, to remove red eye for example. If sufficient members indicate their desire for such a course, I would be happy to oblige by offering a beginners’ course in Blackrock EC, on one of our drop-in mornings. Please indicate your willingness to attend such a course by responding to this mailing with a comment.
You are all cordially invited to attend our General Meeting which will be held on Wednesday, 23rd November, 2011. The meeting will be held in Club na Múinteoirí, Parnell Square and will commence at 11.45am.
The meeting will be preceded by Mass for deceased members and members’ relatives who may have died during the past year. ) If you would like to have any RTAI member who
died during the past year remembered at the Mass or member’s relative who died,
please let the Secretary know beforehand – preferably before 23rd November. Mass will begin at 11am. Lunch will be served in the Club after the meeting.
As you will see see on the Agenda (item 9 ), that has just been posted out to you, the Branch will be discussing amendments and addenda to the proposed new Rules and Constitution document. You will have received this document as the centre pages (Pages 15 to 22) of the Comhnasc posted to every member during the past week. Please bring this document with you to the meeting.
You are welcome to submit to the Branch meeting any change to any rule in the document. Should you wish to do so, please send it to Micheál Ó Gríofa in writing or by e-mail at any time not later than Monday, 21st Nov. at 5pm. The Branch Committee has considered the document and will be submitting some amendments to it at the Branch meeting. We intend to have a copy of all amendments for each member attending.
Calling all Bridge players in Dublin South RTA! The annual competition is once more upon us and we would like to see as large a turnout as possible from Dublin South. The competition will be held in Club na Muinteoiri, Parnel Sq. on Saturday, Dec. 10th, 2011 starting at 2.30pm. A fork supper will be served at 6.30pm (approx)
An entry fee of €25 per player applies. (covers cost of prizes, admin etc.). Cheques should be made payable to R.T A.I. If your playing partner is not a member of the RTAI, that is okay. However, at least one of the pair must be a member.
The winners will be announced after the meal.
Marjorie Murphy requires completed enttries by Tuesday, November 22nd 2011 (1 entry form per pair is sufficient). You will receive an entry form for this competition with your notice of General Meeting in the post shortly.
Bernie Kenny, is continuing to provide courses in Creative Writing to members of the RTAI. The next course will commence in Club na Múinteoirí on Tuesday February 21st 2012 at 1.30pm. The course will run for 10 weeks. Cost is €100. Cheques should be made payable to R.T.A.I. If you are interested in the course, please return the form + cheque to Marjorie Murphy by Tuesday Nov 22nd 2011. Again you will find a copy of the application form with your posting of meeting
Dublin South RTA 