Laois

Our next meeting will be at Heritage House, Abbeyleix On May 6th. Details will be sent out to members via Whatsapp.

March was a busy month!

• A visit to The Storeyard in Kea-Lew Park, Portlaoise is always a hugely enjoyable experience. The owners describe themselves as “Purveyors of the Unusual” and our members who travelled there on March 3rd enjoyed exploring and wandering around every corner where another mystery awaits and gets you thinking about the stories behind each and every quirky piece. The beverages and treats from Get Stuffed Café were delicious and enjoyed by all!
• March 11th was the date for the National Convention at which our Chairperson Eileen Moynihan and Secretary, Breda Broderick presented our motions re. RTAI Website, Training for newly elected officers, Further hotel breaks, Discounts for certain products/services. Our very active member, Anne Curtin, was thanked for her service on the Financial Supervisory Committee at the end of her four year term.
• On March 22nd  Sheelagh Coyle and Mary McCarthy headed off to Club na Műinteoirí, along with approximately 200 other retirees  from all parts of the country to take part in the inaugural performance of the National RTAI Choir. Following rehearsals and lunch, the group made their way to  the Dominican Church of St Saviour’s  where they entertained family, friends, and guests with a set list including “Mamma Mia,” classics like “Make Me a Channel of your Peace” and “Mo Ghile Mear,” and concluding with “Only You” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”  See if you can spot Sheelagh and Mary in the recording which is available to watch on YouTube at this link – National RTAI Singers This recording is courtesy of Noeleen Rooney from the National Executive Committee
• In Portlaoise Library, on March 26th, we had a very informative talk by Maura Byrne entitled “My Wishes, My Futures, My Plans.” The talk and discussion was based on the “Think Ahead Planning Pack” which has been formulated by and is available from the Irish Hospice Foundation. We chatted about the importance of thinking about, talking about, and recording one’s choices, values, and preferences for one’s care at end of life. We also had a very informative talk by Thomas from Portlaoise Library on all that the library has to offer. We would like to thank the staff at the Library for the use of their space and for organising our refreshments.

On February 12th, 22 of our members spent a thoroughly enjoyable at the Dunamaise Arts Centre for a morning screening of the very moving and thought-provoking film, “The Outrun”  which tells the story of  Rona (Saoirse Ronan) who  left her fast-paced life in London for Scotland’s far-flung Orkney Islands, hoping the stark change of scene will help in her battle with alcohol addiction. 

Afterwards, we took time for a chat , coffee and pastries at the newly opened R32 Artisan Bakery in the Arts Centre.

We began our year on January 23rd with a meeting in the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise where we did some brainstorming around activities that we might undertake throughout the year.

Following some discussion, the following activities were decided on:

February – 

• Outing to the Dunamaise Theatre for a screening of “The Outrun” starring Saoirse Ronan.

March – 

• The Storeyard, Portlaoise preceded by a Social Walk in Glenbarrow for any members who would like to get active before The Storeyard. 
• The RTAI National Convention will be attended by Eileen Moynihan and Breda Broderick who presented our motions re RTAI Website, Training for newly elected officers, Further hotel breaks, Discounts for certain products/services.
• RTAI National Choir performance for any members who would like to take part
• Thinking Ahead- My wishes, My Future, My Plans talk in Portlaoise Library

April – 

• RTAI AND FRIENDS Laois Golf Outing in Abbeyleix
• Guided tour of Ballykilcavan Brewery, Stradbally.

May – 

• Heritage House, Abbeyleix

June –  

• Summer meeting -Laois Education Centre
• RTAI  All Ireland Golf Classic, Athlone

In 2016, Paddy Bates set up our website https://www.rtailaois.com/ and for the next eight years, he set about diligently recording the events of the Branch, collecting photos and ensuring that there is a record available for all who wish to reminisce about what the members got up to in those years. 

Before his well-earned retirement, Paddy has been a huge advocate of I.T. in schools for many years. He was a leading light in the pilot I.T. Project for Primary Schools in 1984-1986. He wrote several  articles in Primary Computing and INTO Publications encouraging all teachers to take the leap and include computers in their daily school life. As well as delivering  I.T. inservice courses and being involved in many other projects, he has been a long time member of CESI and was its President in 2002.

You can listen to a truly enjoyable podcast  entitled “Paddy Bates on Selling a Cow to buy a Computer” on many platforms.  

We held our LAOIS RTAI Annual General Meeting in the Killeshin Hotel, Portlaoise on Tuesday, 17th December. 42 members attended. Apologies were sent by 19 members.

Cathaoirleach Breda Broderick presided and began the meeting with a time for reflection on bereavements since our last AGM. Unfortunately, we lost 3 members-Brid Connell, Kay Corcoran and Tom Flynn. Sympathy was also extended to Jackie Hyland on the death of her father Vincent Allen and to Carmel Buggy on the death of her mother Maureen Bergin. Ar dheis De go raibh siad.

The Secretary’s reports and correspondence were dealt with as was the Financial Report.

Our National ex-President and member of the CEC Mary McCarthy gave a comprehensive report on national RTAI matters.

There were 4 motions passed to go forward for Convention-re. RTAI Website, Training for newly elected officers,  Further hotel breaks, Discounts for certain products/services. 

As Sean Mullaney was retiring as Secretary and Paddy Bates as PRO/Website Coordinator there were no positions retained from the previous year. 

The following were elected:

President (a new honorary position)– Sheelagh Coyle & Mary McCarthy (joint)

Cathaoirleach-Eileen Moynihan

Runai-Cisteoir-Breda Broderick

Leas Cathaoirleach-Sean Mullaney

Leas Runai/Cisteoir– Florence Fennelly

P.R.O./Website Coordinators-Marie Thompson, Joan Dwyer, Maurette Maher

Auditors – Anne Curtin & Catherine Coleman.

The attendance then settled down for a great Christmas 4 course Lunch to end the year’s activities on a high.

A collection took place in conjunction with the AGM/Dinner which amounted to € 880. Thanks to all who contributed including 3 members who couldn’t  attend the AGM. The proceeds were passed on to Laois Hospice.

We would like to express our thanks to Sean Mullaney who gave his time as Secretary for 8 years and to Paddy Bates for all his work with the website over many years.