Kildare

In attendance were:

Mr Gerry Keane, Vice President of the RTA
Mr Bob Doyle, National Hon Sec/Treas
Mrs M. Teahan, Mrs K Armstrong, Mrs E Delaney
Messrs L O Floinn, J Dunning, L Delaney and the acting Hon Sec B Kelly.

At the outset the Acting Sec welcomed the members and thanked them for their attendance. Introducing Mr Keane and Mr Doyle, the Acting Sec referred to the excellent and onerous work done by them for serving teachers while in the I.N.T.O. and the continuation of their efforts for the Retired Teachers. (This Bob Doyle went on to be the General Sec of the Retired Teachers Association). At that time, despite the best efforts of his predecessor Bob Doyle, the RTAI existed more in name than in substance. Its branch network was uncoordinated, there were zero funds in the central account and there was no coherent organisational structure.)

Mr Keane chaired the meeting during the election of Branch Officers and committee.
The election resulted as following:

Chairman: Liam Delaney
Hon Sec/Treas: Brendan Kelly

The meeting agreed that a vice Chairman was unnecessary as an ad hoc chairman could be elected if the chairman is unable to attend.

Elected to the Committee were:

J Dunning for Kildare, Newbridge and Monasterevin area
Mrs E Delaney and Mrs K Armstrong for North Kildare
Patrick Kelly and Tim Kilbride (RIP) for Athy and
Liam O Floinn for Kill

Following the elections, Bob Doyle addressed the meeting. He spoke for almost and hour and gave very informative and useful information concerning Health and Social Welfare and Income Tax, as well as answering queries about particular problems relating to these matters.

The following motion (for the) AGM was agreed:
“That the RTA requests the INTO to press for implementation adopted at INTO Congress to wit that the date of Introduction for new Salary Scales be prior to the 1st September.”
Liam Delaney and Brendan Kelly were elected as delegates to AGM of RTA in the Teachers’ Club, Parnell Sq. Dublin on Sept 13th 1986

Signed: Sadie Kelly
17th November 1986

 

* Liam O Floinn, was father to Liam Og O Floinn of Planxty fame. With a father who was a teacher and fiddle player and a mother, who played and taught piano (she came from a family of Clare musicians) it is hardly a wonder that from an early age, Liam Og showed musical talent, and was encouraged to pursue his interest in the uileann pipes.

Fidelma also researched and found the following facts:

• At the meeting of 27th June 1987 membership stood at 59 out of a possible 82.
• Meetings were held twice yearly with an average attendance of 15-20. In 1989 members paid an annual subscription of £5.
• Among matters arising at the meetings Probate Tax was an issue concerning members, the main problems were in relation to parents and children (Meeting 09/11/1993)
• At the meeting on 29th Nov 1995 it was noted that only 11 members of a possible 83 attended, which was regarded as “a poor turn out”.
• In 1996 it was first proposed that members might have lunch after the meeting. This is now established practice with meetings at 11 am followed by lunch.
• The Branch has grown considerably, with now 380 members and attendance at meetings is now averaging 50-60 with the majority staying for lunch, which gives members a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues.
• Meetings are now held in Killashee House Hotel which has proved to be a very popular venue for the members.