Dublin (North)

  April 8th – Members’ Meet

 Join with other members for an informal coffee and chat. 11.30 a m – 12.30 pm

Venue – Whitehall Colmcille GAA Clubhouse, Collins Ave. (Buses 16, 14, N4)

Please note: The clubhouse is situated about 300m further on towards the Malahide Road from the club’s new pitches.

It was a Blooming, Beautiful June day, Tuesday 14^th 2023.

What a joy to be up early and take in the clarity of the summer morning light.

42 members from the Dublin South and North Dublin Branches of RTAI, and some friends, assembled at Club na Múinteoirí, and after a shaky start- “here’s our bus”, “no, it’s not”, “yes, it is”, “no, it is not”,  ”oh, here it is, this is us, it says Marathon” we were delighted to be off.  Nothing as good as a comfortable coach to view the fields, hedges and grazing cattle of the countryside. First stop was the Valley Inn for tea/coffee and A SCONE each.

The tour guide announced that we had spare time, so would we like to take in a trip to Monasterboice? We were delighted. The view from this location is special. A lovely local guide gave us a lesson on interpreting the different scenes depicted on the High Crosses. This was very helpful. There was a booklet by Helen M. Roe, available at the stall for €5, with excellent descriptions also.

On arrival at Inniskeen, we took the bank walk by the River Fane. The sound of the bubbling brook below the bridge, the flitting wagtails and the lush greenery instantly connected us to the topography and colours of Patrick Kavanagh’s childhood environment.

The wonderful Art Agnew boarded the bus and brought us on a tour to the homestead of the farmer poet. He pointed out the actual fields and hillocks mentioned in the poems and novels, and quoted accordingly. Kavanagh’s childhood sounds and smells were of shoe making and pig rearing. Many of us recalled our own memories of farmyard scenes with milk churns, mangles, harnesses, odd wheels, donkeys or hens outside the backdoor of our own, or our cousins’ farms. This was a very enriching experience.

Kavanagh’s childhood parish Church was closed in 1974.  It is now a multimedia space, the Patrick Kavanagh Centre.  On exhibition are artefacts, memorabilia, text and film. Of particular note is the printing press purchased in America, by his brother Peter. The guide in the Centre remined us of Patrick’s experience of school. One teacher he did not like – or was it the other way around? – but the teacher next door was an inspiration, and ignited his love of poetry and skill as a wordsmith.  His first poems appeared in the Farmers Journal and the Dundalk Democrat from 1928.  “The Great Hunger” was first published in 1942 by the Cuala Press.

His grave is in the adjoining churchyard. Besides the simple Cross, the plot is covered with the grey stoney slabs of Monaghan.

While Canal banks, McDaid’s, Searson’s and the Palace were the daily haunts of his later Dublin life, a day around and about in Inniskeen really gets you in touch with Tarry Flynn.

The Patrick Kavanagh Centre has an online shop where you can order some lovely works by local artists, referencing lines of poems or novels.

It was a long day in the Monaghan air, so many of us had a quiet doze on the return journey.

In the Centre I picked up a map of Carrickmacross, which called for another day out.

Last week I took the Collins Coaches, number 980, from Whitworth Rd., at 11.06 am. I had a wonderful day. First up was a visit to Carrickmacross Lace, to view the museum pieces and to purchase a starter Kit.  Afterwards, I went to the Workhouse. I was the only person on the tour with the guide. I was so upset thinking of all the poor men, women and children who ever had to cross that threshold, even for one day.

On to St. Joseph’s Church, to view the Harry Clarks. 10 pairs of windows, with smaller ones in the side porches. The best thing here is that you are at eye level with these gorgeous works of art. Another wonderful discovery.

I got the return Coach at 7.30 pm from the same bus stop where Kavanagh waited, to get his bus back home to Inniskeen. There is a fabulous mural on the gable wall here, which you will see in my group of photos.

On another day, I needed to see Clones Lace. Rare pieces on display in the Ulster Canal Stores Museum. The Cassandra Hand Folk and Famine Centre is close by. Cassandra spearheaded the Lace Cottage Industry, and in 1859, with the profits, she opened the beautiful two roomed schoolhouse to educate young females. Today, it houses some Clones Crochet Lace, a famine and genealogy centre, and many old school-roll books of the county, which I have attached to my photos. I hope this encourages you to further explore Co. Monaghan.

Mary Enright

PHOTOS

CUMANN MÚINTEOIRÍ SCORTHA na h ÉIREANN                                   7, May Street,

(Retired Teachers Association of Ireland)                                                 Drumcondra,

CRAOBH ÁTHA CLIATH THUAIDH                                                              D. 03

(North Dublin Branch)                   Ph. 087   6166319      secnthdub@outlook.com

   treasnthdub@outlook.com

The Branch is a Constituent of the Retired Teachers Association of Ireland, having its registered office at Vere Foster House, 35, Parnell Square, D.1 

Dear Members,

You may note from the above that we have a new address, new email addresses and phone number. Yes, Marjorie Murphy has retired as Branch Secretary after 20 years sterling service. More anon.  We wish her a Happy, Hearty, and Healthy retirement.

The following are the names of those elected to Branch Committee from Nov.2022

Cathaoirleach Dympna Mulkerrins; Leas Cathaoirleach Valerie Monaghan;

Iar Cathaoirleach Heather Evans; Secretary Mary Enright; Treasurer Pat O’Donovan;

NEC Rep. John Conroy; FSC. Helen Synnott; Aine Dillon, Eileen Burke, Frances Emerson, Kathleen Ryan, Kaye Nolan, and Michael Mangan.

 

 

ACTIVITIES arranged for RTAI members – FEB.   2023

 

RTAI GOLF CLASSIC

                    Monday 22 May, Mountrath Golf Club, Co. Laois

       4 Person Team Stableford Classic     :    Shotgun start at 12.30- pm

Each Branch is invited to send one team (RTAI members only). Branches with more than 200 members may send more than one team.

Priority will be given to Branch Teams.

Further details to follow.

GOLF Tuition –

                            Elm Green Golf Centre

       Feb. 28^th     Mar. 21^st, 28^th     April 4^th,11^th,18^th,25th May 2nd

11.00 am – 1.00 pm

       The cost of the 5 – week Programme is €100.                       

                               Contact….. burrellgillian@gmail.com        

BOOK CLUBS   There are 5 Book Clubs in the branch.

Convenors  :        Maria de Burgh

Margaret Sheary – D. 15 Castleknock No 1

Terry McCarthy – D. 15 Castleknock No 2

Mary Carey – Drumcondra

Ilona Kett – Sutton

As these clubs are full, any member who wishes to start a new club is welcome to do so. (Maximum 10 recommended)

Contact ………secnthdub@outlook.com

 

PILATES /strength/conditioning    current classes running until March 27^th.

Perhaps new classes arranged thereafter.  St. Jude’s Hall Templeogue

Contact …….  info@cmgfit.com

Mindfulness       current classes running until Fed. 28^th.

Perhaps new classes arranged thereafter. The Garden Room, Kimmage

  Contact ……. ena@justmoments.ie

4 Oiche 4 Amhrán         Ar siúl go dtí 20ú lá de Mhí Feabhra

Iseult Ring :   Clubtheach, Ballyboden, St. Enda’s

Tuilleadh eolais …. gaeilge@ballyboden.ie

Club na Múinteoirí

Club na Múinteoirí  was officially opened on 02 – 11 – 1923.

As this is its 100^th anniversary, we wish to congratulate the current Club President Anita Hogan, Club Committee and the excellent staff. A Very Specially Congratulations to Tadgh MacPhaidin.

Tadgh’s invaluable management since the 1990’s, has overseen the maintenance of the buildings – making the Club premises one of the most beautiful Georgian houses in the city.

His professional yet personable style has ensured that the Club is accessible and respected by all for meetings /talks/ classes/services etc. It is a welcoming space for trade unionists, activists and those who are new to this country. The vision of its founders is manifestly realised in the vibrant social/cultural hub which it is today.

Have you renewed your Club membership for this year?

Contact  ………  ask at the bar

 

                                 Walks Schedule 2023

 

Date                       Walk                Leader

Feb, 8^th           Vartry Reservoir       Helen Rohan/Deirdre McGloughlin

22^nd       St. Kevin’s Way        Deirdre McGloughlin / Margaret O’Neill

Mar 8^th           Poolbeg Lighthouse   Kathleen Bonner

22^nd       Glendalough                Tim McKenna

April 12^th       Bray to Greystones      Betty Behan

26^th       Circuit of the Sugar Loaf   Helen Rohan

May 10^th        Blessington Greenway   Deirdre McGloughlin Mary Lyons

17^th       Bluebell Walk, Knockree   Deirdre Lohan

June 14^th       Portrane, Rogerstown, Donabate Deirdre McGloughlin,

Mary Lyons

28^th          Slieve Blooms   Carmel Dempsey

 Contact     ……………………………………………………rtaisec@gmail.com

IST   walk of the month is easier than the 2^nd walk

 

Cycling         the guides are; Mick Griffin and Pat Fitzgerald

Every second week Tuesday, weather permitting

The ROUTES are mainly Malahide, Bray or the Phoenix Park

Contact ………………………………………………………rtaisec@gmail.com

    

 

Note 1. In June Branch Committee wrote to each T.D. in our Branch area. We supplied the T.D’s with information on the number of RTAI members in their constituency. We asked the T.D. to contact us to arrange a meeting.

This table shows their responses.

Constituency	Letter	Parliamentary Question	Meeting
Dublin Central
R. McAdam for Min. P. Donohoe (F.G.)			Yes
M.L. McDonald (S.F.)			Yes
M. OSullivan (Ind.)		Yes

 

Constituency	Letter	PQ	Meeting
Dublin Nth. West
N. Rock (F.G.)	Yes	Yes	Yes
R. Shortall (Ind)
D. Ellis (S.F.)

 

Constituency	Letter	PQ	Meeting
Dublin Bay North
T. Broughan (Ind)	Yes	Yes	Yes
R. Bruton (F.G.)	Yes
S. Haughey (F.F.)	Yes
F. McGrath (Ind)			Yes
D. Mitchell (S.F)

 

Constituency	Letter	PQ	Meeting
Dublin West
L. Varadkar (F.G)	Yes
J. Chambers (F.F)	Yes	Yes	Yes
J. Burton (Lab)			Yes
R. Coppinger (Ind)

 

Constituency	Letter	PQ	Meeting
Dublin Fingal
A.     Farrell (F.G)
B.     Ryan (Lab)
C.     Daly (Ind)
L. O’Reilly (S.F)			Yes
D.     O’Brien (F.F)			Yes

 

Branch Committee wishes to thank all of our members for their fantastic response to our campaign.

Your letters and emails to your local T.D’s had the desired effect. When we met them, they knew exactly who we were, and, more importantly, that we were speaking for their constituents.

While this part of the campaign is complete, the campaign itself continues. The table shows you the response of your local T.D. to our letter and our request for a meeting. Please use this information when your local representative next knocks on your door.