Dublin South RTA

  Next Wednesday’s walk is a long one. It’s a circuit of the Dublin Mountains, 3 Rock and 2 Rock from Fern Hill. It’s about 14 k and should take 4 1/2 to 5 hours depending on the pace and conditions. The highest point is Fairy Castle at 537m.

  Some of the tracks are uneven and challenging. Boots are essential and poles helpful. The ferns are still high (it is Fern Hill) so if you have gaiters, wear them. You’ll need rainwear, food and drinks.

  We’ll start at 10.30 from Fern Hill car park (top left corner). This is on the Enniskerry Road, the 117, between Lamb’s Cross and Stepaside. It’s the same exit (at traffic lights) as Rosemount School. Please sign in when you arrive.

 If you have any difficulty about directions you can contact me at 0879932843.

      Margaret ONeill

Lake Garda, Venice and Verona 2026

This Package Includes:

• Direct return flights from Dublin to Verona.

Aer Lingus, EI412

Dublin 14/05 15:25 -> Verona 14/05 19:00

Aer Lingus, EI413

Verona 21/05 19:40 -> Dublin 21/05 21:15

• Upon arrival in Italy you will be met by our

local representative and transferred by coach to your hotel in Limone Sul Garda.

• 7 nights 4*** hotel accommodation at the Hotel Alexander on a Half Board Basis.

• Travel to Italy

Upon arrival in Italy, you will be met in the arrivals

area of the airport by our local representative who will

accompany you to your hotel. As you travel to your

hotel, your guide will share some information about the

local region, suggest activities for you to enjoy and

answer any questions you may have.

• Boat Trip on Lake Garda

After breakfast, join your guide for a short walking tour of Riva. Following this, you’ll

board a private boat for a unique sightseeing tour.

Your first stop will be at Limone, a small village backed by lemon groves, with

waterside cafes and cobbled streets lined with

shops. Afterwards, with fantastic panoramas and a

spectacular mountain backdrop, travel onwards

for a visit to picturesque Malcesine, famed for its

medieval Scaligero Castle.

The boat will then return to Riva del Garda, but if

you wish to stay on, you may return by public bus

or boat later in the afternoon (this will be at your

own expense). If remaining in Malcesine, we

recommend a trip in the cable car which will take you 1,800 metres above sea level,

with spectacular views.Please note that this schedule refers to summer

season only, and is weather-dependent. During

winter months, there will be an excursion to

Bolzano, in the scenic southern Tyrol.

For holidays based in Limone or Malcesine, a coach

transfer has been arranged from your hotel to Riva

del Garda, where there will be a short walking tour

and some free time before beginning your boat tour.

• At Leisure or Optional Excursion to the Italian Alps

Today, you will have a full day to relax and enjoy Lake Garda’s charms. Shop, sightsee at

your own pace or sit by the lake and take in the incredible views. You can take a water

taxi across the lake to explore at your leisure and your local guide will be happy to

suggest activities to suit your interests and advise which highlights are a must see.

Optional Excursion – The Italian Alps with wine

tasting (Subject to Supplement of €80 per person)

Let’s embrace the beauty and charm of the Italian

Alps on this delightful optional tour. We’ll feast

our eyes on green, unspoiled mountainsides,

dotted with tiny villages that are unchanged since

medieval times. A highlight of the afternoon is the

included wine tasting among the vineyards,

where a warm local welcome awaits us.

Please note that optional excursions are subject to minimum numbers. Booking pre

departure is advised.

• Venice

On today’s full day excursion, you will explore the

enchanting warren of canals, alleys and squares that

make up the fascinating city of Venice. Known as ‘La

Serenissima’ or The most Serene,Venice is a prized jewel

in Italy’s glorious crown. Witness its famous landmarks

such as St. Mark’s Square, the stunning Gothic building of

Ca’ d’Oro, and the imposing Palazzo Ducale. Admire 16th

and 17th century art in the Galleria Franchetti and take a

photograph on the Ponte di Rialto. You’ll have free time to admire the piazzas, bridges and

ornate dwellings that adorn the quaysides of Venice’s extensive network of canals, before

returning to your hotel in Lake Garda.• At Leisure

Today, you will have the day at leisure. In the heart of Riva

del Garda is the Piazza III Novembre, surrounded by 14th

century porticos and the Apponale Tower, a former

defence tower and World War I prison. This square is a

beautiful place to explore during your free time. Don’t

forget to check with your local guide who will be delighted

to suggest further activities to suit your interests.

• Verona

Following breakfast, you will depart by coach for Verona, via the east side of the lake or the

motorway. Either way, the journey time is generally about 60 minutes.

Verona is very popular among tourists as well as being a significant commercial hub, given its

position half way between Venice and Milan. It is a UNESCO

World Heritage Site due to the importance of its historical

buildings and is probably best known today for the Roman

amphitheatre, now home to the world famous Verona Opera

festival, which runs from late June to early September. Also

of interest is Juliet’s balcony – the fact that the balcony was

added to the house in the 20th century doesn’t deter the

hundreds of thousands of visitors that flock to see and

photograph it every year.

• At Leisure

Spend your last day enjoying the beautiful lakeside setting,

shopping for last minute souvenirs or enjoying a coffee,

gelato or glass of wine at a local cafe.

• Return Home

You will be transferred to the airport with guide assistance for your flight home

Double Room for Sole Use Supplement: €369 per person (Currently 2x

available. Any further Single Occupancy Rooms required must be requested and

are subject to availability)

Notes:

1. Price is based on 20 people travelling and is inclusive of taxes and charges. If less

than 10 passengers travel this offer will be invalid.

2. Price per person sharing is €1389. This price is a special group rate and cannot be

combined with any other offer.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Price is per person and based on 2 sharing.

Single rooms available with supplemental, please see above.

Optional Excursion must be pre booked. Subject to minimum numbers.

Travel insurance is available for purchase – please enquire for details.

€250 non-refundable deposit per person is required to secure booking.

Final balance will be due 10 weeks prior to departure,

This is a quotation only; no services are being held at present and are subject to

availability at time of booking.

10. Prices, taxes, & availability are subject to change. E&O

If you have recently joined the ranks of the RTAI and wonder if cycling is for you,

come along and join your colleagues. Beidh fáilte romhat. The route is flat and the

pace is easy.

Our meeting point is the Wellington monument in the Phoenix Park. We will set out from there at 10.30am and we plan on cycling from the Phoenix Park to Ashington Park, Pelletstown, along the Royal Canal bank to Ashtownand Castleknock. We return to the Phoenix Park for Coffee / Lunch.

Make sure that your bicycle is in good working order. In the interests of safety wear a helmet and a hi-vis top.

Please note the date – the notice is being posted well in advance of the cycle.

Micheál Ó Gríofa

Pat Fitzgerald

Our annual golf outing to St Helen’s Bay took place on 16 July. It was our largest outing to date with 36 members participating. The format for this year was a team of 4 event with 2 to score on every hole.

The weather unfortunately, did not play ball this year! The rain, not forecast to start until about 4, began to fall from about 12. Fortunately, the wind, which was quite strong the day before, did not materialise and the rain, for the most part, was light!

Huge thanks for the success of the day goes to our permanent ambassador in Wexford, Peigí Ó Ruairc. Peigí is our liaison officer in St Helen’s Bay and she is the one who negotiated our golf package with the Club. “Thank you, Peigí”, on behalf of all the golfers who played on the day. It was also great to meet with Dónal Ó Murchú, who was the first Cathaoirleach of Dublin South Branch, when it was first formed. Dónal has migrated to live in Wexford and it was great to see him in such fine fettle, although we didn’t have much luck on the golf course!

The winning team, with a magnificent score of 104 was the O’Connor team. Vincent O’Connor, a team member, also won the Open Seniors that ran concurrently with our outing and Rosemary O’Connor and Margaret Bradshaw also won prizes in the Seniors Open. Heartiest congratulations to all! The winning team was Margareet Bradshaw, Rosemary O’Connor, Vincent O’Connor and Pat O’ Connor

IN second place was the Moran team with a score of 84 (back 9) The Moran team was Rita Moran, Alex Moran, Matthew Moran and Charles Moran.

Cyclists who are participating in next Tuesday’s canal cycle from Maynooth to Moyvalley should note that a table has been booked for lunch  in Furey’s Pub for ten people. The booking is for 12.30pm . A reminder that we set off from the train station in Maynooth at 10.45am.

Looking forward to a lovely day’s cycling.

Michael Griffin

The next RTAI cycle will be on Tuesday, 24 th June.

We are venturing outside our regular routes for this cycle on what should be a very

pleasant trip from Maynooth to Moyvalley along the banks of the Royal Canal.

There is a cycle track all the way from the canal harbour beside the train station in

Maynooth to our destination – Furey’s Pub / Restaurant in Moyvalley. On our way we

cycle past Kilcock and Enfield staying on the cycle path all of the way.

Some participants may bring their bicycle on/in their car to the train station in

Maynooth The daily rate for car-parking in Maynooth Train Station is approx. €3.50.

Some may wish to bring their bike on the Connolly Station to Maynooth commuter

train. This leaves Connolly Station at 09.50 with stops at Drumcondra, Broombridge,

Ashtown and at other stations and arrives at Maynooth at 10.34.

See this notice on the Iarnród Éireann website re bikes on trains.

“Bicycles on DART and Commuter Trains

We welcome bicycles free of charge on off peak DART and Commuter services, subject to

available capacity.

For the safety and comfort of our passengers, bicycles are not permitted on DART and

Commuter services between 07:00 and 10:00 and between the hours of 16:00 and

19:00 Monday to Friday. Customers can travel with bikes all day Saturday and Sunday.”.

Whether you arrive by car or on the train we will set off from the car-park in Maynooth train

station at 10.45. The cycle is 25 Km each way to Moyvalleyand back to Maynooth and there

are no climbs on this route. Lunch stop / Picnic stop will be at Furey’s Pub, beside the canal

in Moyvalley. Furey’s display a notice that only food purchased in the pub/ restaurant may be

consumed on the premises. With the promised summer sunshine it may be possible to have

a picnic on the canal bank!!!

We are really looking forward to this adventure. In the interest of safety, the usual advice re

wearing a high-viz top and a helmet applies. In the event of very inclement weather we will

defer the cycle to a later date.

Please note that we will set out from Maynooth at 10.45. Any queries re this cycle – contact

Michael Griffin at 0871390034.

 

Pat Fitzgerald

Michael Griffin

This walk is mainly on forestry roads and paths with an escape route for a shorter walk. Boots, runners, wet gear,  sunhat and water are essential.

Meet at 11.30 in Giltraps pub in Kinnity village for coffee, tea and sandwiches. 

BBQ meal after the walk.

A contribution of €15.00 ( CASH ONLY) will be collected when you sign in. The people travelling by bus will sign in and  pay on the bus. It will save a big queue forming while we are having our tea /coffee etc.

For further info contact 

Carmel  087 242 0554 or Deirdre  087 774 1953  by Friday 21st June.

There is NO need to contact us if you are on the bus

In the meantime, practise your party pieces !!

 

Directions for Sliabh Bloom Walk

1. Take the N7 (M7) and drive for approximately 45 minutes to Exit 15 (R422). Drive through : Emo, Mountmellick ( keep left at second Roundabout at END OF TOWN), Rosenallis, Clonaslee,Cadamstown, Kinnitty. Approx 1hour 50 minutes.

2. Alternative Route: Drive to Exit 18 and take the R445 to Mountrath. Turn right at the lights and take an immediate left onto R 440 for Kinnitty. Drive for 5km and then turn right at House  ( stone façade) still R440. Drive 

up over the Sliabh Blooms. On descent keep left for Kinnitty (a winding road).

3. Some people like to go on M6 and Exit 5 (N52) Tullamore and then onto Kinnitty

There is on street parking in Kinnitty village and at the Community centre.

Safe travels

There are two walks this Wednesday both leaving from the same place. You can decide which you would like.

 Walk ON WEDNESDAY THE 11TH JUNE

Blackrock to Dún Laoghaire 

Date: Wednesday 11th June at 10.45a.m.to set out at 11.00.

Meeting Place: Outside Blackrock Dart Station at 10.45.

Directions: Dart to Blackrock Dart Station. Buses: 4, S6, L26, 7,7A, Car: There is paid car parking at the Dart Station but spaces can fill up quickly.

This pleasant walk by the sea is on tarmac roads and footpaths. Wear comfortable footwear. There is one flight of steps over the dartline.

It will be followed by coffee in the coffee shop in the People’s Park.

Group Leaders: -Miriam Cahill (0879877078) and Cora Quinn(087 9891610)

Walk ON WEDNESDAY THE 11TH JUNE

 

Blackrock to Sandycove Walk

Date: Wednesday 11 th June at 10.45a.m.

Meeting Place: Outside Blackrock Dart Station.

Directions: Dart to Blackrock Dart Station. Buses: 7,7A to Blackrock Main

Street. Car: There is paid car parking at the Dart Station but spaces can fill up

quickly.

Bring lunch and a drink.

This pleasant walk by the sea is on tarmac roads and footpaths so runners

should be fine.

Group Leader: -Miriam Cahill (0879877078)

 

Our next Rtai cycle on Tuesday next the 27th of May is from Wellington lane to Bohernabreena water works via Tymon Park, Firhouse Weir, Dodder Valley and Kiltipper Park. Much of the route is along Dodder Valley Park. We meet at the SDCC car park at Wellington lane at 10.30am. Please  ensure that you  wear  a helmet and a high vis top ln the interest of safety. As usual we will stop for lunch break on our return journey.