Wicklow

Cathaoirleach: John Connor

Vice Chair: Ciaran Byrne

Secretary: Mick O Callaghan

Treasurer: Eibhlin Kinsella

Committee: Geraldine Lynch, Anne Savage, Emer Breen, Eileen Byrne and Mary O’Connor 

Phone 0870612072

E mail rtaiwicklow@gmail.com

On Wednesday May 17^th we headed for beautiful Baltinglass in west Wicklow for our third sip and stroll. I was travelling from Gorey and the trip to Balto was like travelling through one massive summer garden in full bloom. The views of the mountains, forests and valleys were truly awe inspiring.

We arrived in Baltinglass and met our host for the day Dorothy Neill at the Bia Blasta café where we had coffees and snacks and some mighty chat. After taking the group photo of the 30-day trippers we headed for the Hill Fort exhibition in the library. This was a fascinating exhibition detailing the building of hill forts in Ireland and in particular the unique cluster of nine hill forts and hilltop enclosures between 3700-3500 BC. If you get to Baltinglass pay it a visit.

Being historically sated we walked the short distance to the RHS award winning Community Garden. This was a rare treat with raised beds, men’s shed, selling eggs, an inspiring walk through the orchard area. We also saw the stables and horse-riding facilities. This is a national showcase community garden on a grand scale. Please google it or better still pay it a visit.

We visited the beautiful St Joseph’s church with its fantastic stained-glass windows which were spewing out colour because of the lovely sun rays beaming through.

Now we journeyed to the Cistercian Abbey founded about 1150 by Dermot Mc Murrough, King of Leinster and enriched in 1185 by John, later, King of England. Baltinglass was the second of the great Cistercian Houses of Ireland, the mother house was Mellifont founded in 1142. It was great to pay a relaxed visit to the ruins of this great place in the history of Ireland. But tummies were rumbling and so we headed for some sustenance in The Little Acorn, Germaine’s, and Bia Blasta

In the afternoon we headed for Lords Wood and its Coillte managed trail. This wood is named after a Benjamin O Neale Stratford who, as earl of Aldborough once occupied Stratford Lodge, the big house that is now the site of Baltinglass Golf Club. It was an invigorating walk. I loved the cubic oak seats carved by local craftsman Eamon Doyle in honour of Tom Nc Ginty, The Diceman

And so, we came to the end of our relaxing tour of Baltinglass.

Sincere thanks to all who turned up. You were a great sociable group of people.

A special thanks to Dorothy for doing all the recce work here down to the level of checking out and sampling food in the dining venues she recommended.

It was really a special day in the annals of RTAI Wicklow to go back to Baltinglass where the founding fathers lived and taught before retiring and setting up RTAI Wicklow in 1977.Tributes were paid to Maureen Quigley, another Baltinglass woman, who was secretary of RTAI Wicklow for many years and is now ill. All members present signed a get-well card.

So that is the last of the sip and strolls for this season and now, we get ready for the Seamus Heaney Walk for which registration will close on Friday 19^th.

Then we will be opening registration for our Remembrance Service for our 4 members who died last year, our summer talk and dinner in Lovely Laragh with numbers limited to the 100

Slán go fóill.

Mick

PHOTO GALLERY

 Dear members of Wicklow Branch RTAI

We close registration for our sip and stroll in Baltinglass on May 15^th and I look forward to seeing all those attending on Wednesday May 17^th at 11.00 in Bia Blasta. The weather forecast is looking good so it will be over to Dorothy to show off Baltinglass at is best. Thank you, Dorothy, for organising this event for us. We really appreciate your work.

Walk for members.

Our next walk for our members will be the Seamus Heaney walk in the Devils Glen on May 31^st.  Thanks to Geraldine Lynch for organising this event with talk by Donal Magnier, author of Stopping by Woods, a guide to the forests and woodlands of Ireland.

I am sending out the registration notice today to everyone in the branch following the recce yesterday. I give you their recce report below.

          The walk is 5 km (approx.) and our guide for the day is Donal Magnier. We meet in the car park at the entrance for 10 30 a.m. The walk will take a minimum of 2 hours and is mostly through forest paths. Although the walk is not very long it does have a few steep hills and likewise a few sharp descents as well.

Clothing; Usual clothing (depending on the weather) 

               Walking boots are necessary due to the loose stones, roots of trees and wet spots.

               Walking poles would also be helpful.

Food: A light snack would also be appropriate, (sandwich, fruit, and a drink.)

Classification: The walk is classified as moderate.

This walk is now open for registration at rtaiwicklow@gmail.com putting Heaney Walk in the subject area.

We will keep registration open for one week from today. You can register for the Seamus Heaney walk from now. Please register early and in the time frame as we are now in our busiest time of the year with tight schedules.

We will open registration for our June 7^th Remembrance Service, talk on scams and our summer dinner on May 20^th.

Please make sure you have reserved the day.

Thanks for your co-operation in advance.

Mick

*The Beautiful Mountain View room in the Brockagh Centre in Laragh is to be the venue on June 7th, 2023, for our Remembrance and Reflection Service. We will also be introducing our new RTAI general secretary / John O Brien. We will start at 10.45 with free teas / coffees, biscuits, and socialising. This will be a bookable event as we are limited to 100 members, and we will send out full details in May.
Our speaker at this meeting will deal with scams, security, and personal security issues and we will also issue fuller details of this later.
Our three-course summer meal will be in the lovely Wicklow Heather Restaurant across the road at 13.00 hours with members contributing 15 euros
*The Remembrance service will be an inclusive music and prayer service for all. Time will be allowed to pray for family members and friends. There will also be a silent time for members to reflect on their own private intentions and to remember close friends who have died.
*We will once again have our annual Easter Egg Quiz this year which continues to be popular
*Our visit to the newly revamped Avondale House in March /April will be organised by Ann Savage /Andy Gallagher
* Membership; In November 2019 we had 207 members. In 2021 we had 226. Today we have 261 members. This is phenomenal growth for our branch. Please keep recruiting newly retired primary teachers to our vibrant branch.
*2023 is gearing up well and as usual if you have some idea about any activity we could do as a branch, or a guest speaker you would like to hear, please let us know about it.
Our next coffee / stroll is on Monday April 3rd in KIlmaccuragh led by John Connor

The convention for our 142 delegates from every branch in the country was the first full meeting since the start of Covid 19 and there was a great buzz about the place.

Proceedings started at 9am with registration which was a slight shock to those of us who would normally be turning off the alarm clock at that unearthly hour.

The three amigos from Wicklow branch, John Connor, Ciaran Byrne, and yours truly started off proceedings with a photo shoot with the president of the RTAI Padraig O Conaill. Once that important business was complete, we had tea and headed into the conference Centre.

Following the official welcome we had an address by Ms Kitty Hughes, Chairperson, Age friendly Ireland. It was one hell of a great address. She spoke about the establishment of old peoples Councils, age friendly officers in county councils, Healthy Homes Assessment grants.

She advised us to go out and volunteer and not be voluntold.

She finished up with a senility prayer.

God grant me the senility to forget those people I never liked anyway.

The good fortune to run into those people I do like and the eyesight to tell the difference.

You can google up Age friendly Ireland and get lots more information or you can get a copy of County Wicklow Age friendly strategy 2023/2027 from the Council offices.

Following Kitty’s presentation, we heard John O Driscoll INTO President who assured that the union is supportive of campaigns for better pensions and the maintenance of parity.

Next there was a break for major cogar mugar with tea/coffee and pastries which was quite enjoyable with lots of photos being taken from 5 floors up in the stands.

*Now it was time for the serious business for the annual and financial reports. We were happy here that the Wicklow Remembrance Service was favourably mentioned culminating with the sentence ‘Conscious that membership of the branch came from many religious persuasions and none, careful preparation ensured that the service was ecumenical and inclusive” Take a bow everyone who assisted in any way with that great day in the Glenview.

It was nice to get such a favourable mention in the 2023 RTAI national annual report.

*The next session involved branches passing motions to improve the well being of all of us.

There were. 12 motions up for discussion and we had two of them.

John called on the National Executive to negotiate a reduction in health insurance by negotiating a group rate for or members. I supported him in this, and it was unanimously passed by all 142 delegates. Dermot Goode is to advise here and come up with a plan.

In motion 12, the last one of the days, I called on Head office to pay the expenses of delegates attending the Branch Secretary’s Conferences from central funds rather the branches paying from local funds. John seconded this and it too was passed unanimously.

*This was followed by the presentation to Billy Sheehan to mark his retirement.

*We were introduced to the new General Secretary Mr John O Brien.

*The new President of RTAI Mary Mc Carthy from Laois received her chain if office.

*We donated 5000 euros each to both Goal and UNICEF  for their work.

*There will be lots more information about the day, and future pension increases in a future Comhnasc and on www.rtaireland.ie

*We finished up the day with lasagne, finger food, wine if you weren’t driving and lots more bits and pieces. Overall, it was another good convention to comply with the niceties of company law and we were happy to have participated fully in the affairs of the day.

Mick O Callaghan

RTAI Wicklow

On visiting Kilmacurragh in Early April 2023

Lengthy driveway in rural Wicklow

Leading up to Kilmacurragh

Sneaking along the narrow road

Single lane only

Careful driving towards the house

Modern toilets come into view.

Ample carparks, lots of open green spaces

 Refurbished outdoor coach houses.

Now coffee dispensing rooms

Noisy chatter, Happy RTAI campers within

Carrot cakes and scones

Celeriac Soup, Guinness beef pies, Chicken pies too

Healthy sandwiches freshly made.

Suiting discerning palates

Salads green and finely dressed.

Friendly smiling waitresses

Floor service only applies.

My pie arrives,

Glass of water too

Quickly scoffed,

Now In need of coffee fix

Full strength Americano ordered.

Oh, What satisfaction

Now to walk the hallowed grounds

Rhododendrons a plenty

First cousins, the azaleas now in bloom

Oak trees feeding many species.

Monkey puzzles with ladies on top

Myrtle trees reminding us of Grecian links.

With Myrlos our Greek herb of love

Fragrant Eucalyptus has us all sniffing.

While Redwood’s size has us all agog

With its internal beehives, full of life and buzz

Fair Kilmacurragh, With your lovely Queen Anne House

RTAI LOVES YOU

As you restore and recreate so much of your own and Irelands glorious past.   

Thanks a million, to John for organising this sip and walk and to our excellent guide, Mary O Neill Maloney. Thanks also to all those who turned up on the day. It is great when you organise something to see so many turning up. It makes the effort worthwhile.

Our next sip and stroll will be in Baltinglass with Dorothy Neill on 17^th May at 11.am. We will meet in Little Acorns for teas and coffees and take it from there. Put the date in your diary or phone and organise you group now.

Mick O Callaghan April 2023

PHOTOS

Today’s walk was a 5.7km loop walk around Ballymoyle Hill, just off theM11, close to Arklow.

There were 18 in the group and we were blessed with sunshine and blue skies, which allowed us the opportunity to appreciate the spectacular views along the coastline north to Castletimon, Ballinacarrig and Potter’s Point, and south to Arklow and beyond.

We could see Brittas Bay Beach stretching south from Potter’s Point to Mizen Head, leading on to Ardinairy beach, Buckroney Sand Dunes and Enereilly Beach.

 We continued walking along the trail to the ruins of a dwelling house, which was inhabited up until the 1950’s by the O’ Sullivan family, when Ballymoyle lived up to its name; ’Baile Maol’ (bare flat-topped hillock) before it was planted.

The path climbed gradually and we took a detour up through some ferns and trees to another viewing point. Here the view south over Arklow, down to Tara Hill and across to Croghan opened out in front of us. It is said that Cromwell set up camp in the area around this viewing point in 1649 on his way south to Wexford.

The final part of the walk is above what is now called Ballymoyle lane, but was formerly known as King James Road. He is reputed to have used this route on his escape after the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. There is also a reference to a family called Rossiters of Ballymoyle on Dúchas.iep69-73, brothers John and James Rossiter took part in the Battle of Arklow in 1798.

In a couple of weeks the bluebell haze on this section between the trail and Ballymoyle Lane will make Ballymoyle worth another visit. Our walk took two hours and despite the weather earlier in the week, the trail was very dry. Thanks to all who participated.

PHOTOS

The Wicklow Way Leg Two

“We begin at the end” was an apt way to describe leg two of walking the Wicklow Way for the twenty-two members who took on this challenge. The plan is to complete the entire Wicklow Way in seven or eight stages. Leg one, in February, took the group from Marlay Park to Glencullen. Leg two would take the walkers from Glencullen to Crone Wood. As walking the Wicklow Way is a point-to-point exercise, it is necessary to meet at the day’s finishing point. So, at 9.30 a.m. the group assembled at Crone Wood. Here half the cars were left and we car pooled back to Glencullen to the starting point for the day. By 10.00 a.m. we were ready for the off from the car park of Johnny Fox’s.

The leader today was the Chairman of the Wicklow Branch of RTAI, John Connor, who was ably assisted with the logistics of the day by the vastly experienced walker, Anne Savage. The first kilometre or so was along a quiet country road. Once we had crossed the Glencullen Bridge we were in County Wicklow and it was not long before we were strolling along forestry roads. We were looking over some fields in the valley below which were bordered by dry stone walls, reminiscent in so many ways of the west of Ireland. Once the forestry opened up we were treated to wonderful views of the east coast – from Sorrento Terrace and Killiney Bay towards to north to Bray and Greystones to the east. John has a vast knowledge of the history of the area and enlightened us to the origins of the Powerscourt Estate. He pointed out Prince William’s Seat, a landmark along the way and also Raven Rock. Such is his expertise on the locality many were reminded of the Goldsmith’s lines, “And still they gazed, and still the wonders grew/ That one small head could carry all he knew”.

The terrain varied from forest road to forest track with plenty of variation in the underfoot surface. All through the day the majesty of the Great Sugar Loaf could be seen.  Indeed, many of the participants remarked that they were not very familiar with this part of County Wicklow, a hidden gem. Just before we crossed the Curtlestown Road John related the history of Glencree to us.  All of us had heard of the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, but few of us were aware what it had been used for over the last two hundred years. Built initially as a barracks around the time of the construction of the Military Road, it served as an industrial school, then a centre for German children who were orphaned during the Second World War, before becoming the Centre as we know it in the 1970s. John also told us about the origins of the German War Graveyard which is adjacent to Centre for Reconciliation.

Following this stop it was into the forestry at Knockree which led to a beautiful track along the banks of the Glencree River. We were now on the home straight and completed our trek at Crone Wood. At this point we car pooled once again and made our way back to Johnny Fox’s for some welcome refreshments – just before the rain! It was now a case of “We end at the beginning”. The distance walked was 14.5 km with a total ascent of 329 metres. Next month’s walk, leg three of the Wicklow Way, will begin at Crone Wood and take us to the Lugalla Estate, something to which each and every one of the participants is looking forward.

Ciaran Byrne

PICTURE GALLERY

The gauntlet was thrown down – to complete the entire Wicklow Way from Rathfarnham, Dublin to Clonegal on the Wicklow/ Carlow border during 2023.

16 members took up the challenge.

On the 21^stFebruary with our leader John Connor, blue skies and sunshine accompanied us as we set out on the first stage.  We left Marley Park and the noise of city traffic to birdsong and a gradual climb up through Kilmashogue Forest.

We moved upwards and at each turn on the path, the city of Dublin revealed itself. The views were amazing.

We left Dublin behind and ahead the Wicklow Mountains filled the landscape. John was the perfect leader, his local knowledge of history and folklore coupled with a few good yarns shortened our journey.

The spirits were high, the chat was good and before we knew it, we meandered towards Glencullen – Day 1 complete. 13km done and a mere 117km to go!

Happy Walkers, no sore feet and looking forward already to Day 2 at the end March.

On Tuesday April 25^th 2023, twenty three of us (20 of whom hadn’t walked this route before) set off from Crone Wood Car Park to Pier Gates, Luggala , a distance of 13 Kms on the third section of the “Wicklow Way’.

The weather was ideal for hill walking giving us enhanced panoramic views of parts of Dublin. We were soon rewarded when we found ourselves overlooking Powerscourt Waterfall and Deer Park. Then it was on to the shoulder of Maulin, and we descended “Heart Attack Hill” and stopped for our “Little Break” on the banks of the Dargle in the Glensoulan Valley.

And so, we faced Djouce mountain and took in the breath-taking views of Dublin Bay, Dalkey and the surrounding hills. We learned about the plane that crashed up there in 1947 and then we

paid our respects to J B Malone at the rock that honours the man that designed the Wicklow Way.

Down below us was the ever-beautiful Lough Tay and Lugalla House.

This is a sight to be enjoyed, absorbed, and remembered. Having once again turned left we made our way back through the forest to our point of departure at Pier Gates.

Somewhat fatigued, we rejoiced in our achievements and pledged that we would undertake stage 4 with even greater enthusiasm.

PHOTOS

According to legend, in the Garden of Eden, Eve was distraught after God had cast her out of the Garden of Eden. God sent forth continuous snow and the earth was cold and barren. As Eve sat weeping, an angel appeared to comfort her. The angel caught a snowflake and breathed upon it. The snowflake fluttered to earth and gave birth to the snowdrop. The delicate bloom came to symbolize hope and rebirth.

I just love that little snowdrop story and it fascinates me that this tiny, beautiful flower causes so much joy when it pops its snow-white head above the ground every year. It heralds spring and renewal. It is interesting too that it has been part of legend and folklore since the Garden of Eden. It is a symbol of hope and renewal.

It was left to Carl Lennaus in 1753 to classify it as a snow drop or Galanthus Nivallis with Galanthus being the Greek word for milk and Nivallis, Latin word for ‘of the snow’.

I learned much about this delicate plant when I was part of the RTAI members tour of Altamont Gardens who went to view the Snow drops or plúiríní sneachta as we knew them during my time sa bhun scoil I dTrálí.

After coffee and much chatting in the Sugar and Spice Cafe, we walked around the beautiful lake on the grounds which was originally a famine project. Over 100 men were employed to dig it out.

We returned to the house for a two-o clock tour of the snowdrops with Peter our OPW guide. We started off with the lovely story of Corona North who with her husband Garry North planted so much of what we experience today like the snowdrops, the planted lake, and the Arboretum and many more features of this arboreal gem.

The gardens as we see them today were laid out by Dawson Borror in the 1850’s. He created a garden with some of the Victorian style of clipped yews and box hedging but he was also influenced by William Robinson’s [ 1838/ 1935] ideas of honest simplicity. His original design was enhanced by Fielding Lecky Watson and his wife until Fielding’s death in 1943.

At the end of World War two his daughter Corona moved home and thus began the transformation of the gardens into the beauteous place it is today. Before she died in 1999 Corona North left her house and 40 acres of gardens to the Irish Government, to be preserved as it was. That was a tremendously generous gift to the nation.

Peter enthralled us with stories about the 150 varieties of Galanthus growing in Altamont. We heard about Galanthus Coolballintaggart, The Irish O Mahoney Irish Snowdrop. Being a Kerryman myself, I loved the story about Pierce Charles Mahony born in 1850 in Kerry who was a friend of Parnell, planthunter and many more attributes besides. He died in 1930. I think it can be said that he was a true character in the real sense and was larger than life.

We saw Galanthus Hippolyta from Turkey while we did not get the exact origin of Galanthus Cider with Rosie or Spindlestone Surprise or Blewbury Tart or Blonde Inge, all great interesting names and looking lovely. I just loved Galanthus Grumpy and Galanthus Emerald Isle. In all they had 150 species in Altamont which is the largest collection in Ireland. Peter told us that there are 2800 species world-wide. He also told us to wear gloves when handling snowdrop bulbs as they are poisonous.

When we finished the hour-long tour, many went on the river Slaney walk which adjoins the gardens.

We entered this from an entrance beside the lake and traversed a downward path through the Ice age glen with its rocks and massive boulders. We followed the fast-flowing stream with its mini waterfall. It was a pure magical journey through time from the ice age to present times until we emerged on the banks of the fast-flowing River Slaney. We walked along the grassy bank until we came to the 100 granite steps to begin our ascent back to the gardens. This was a real cardio test, but we survived it and proceeded forward following the directional arrows until we emerged into a clearing.

We then chose the path through the ancient forest instead of going up the rise to the Temple with its stunning views because we had all gone that trail previously.

On our way back we passed through The Bog Garden Pool, The Arbutus pool, and the rhododendron drive. which has the rhododendron Corona growing there after which Fielding named his daughter.

Now our team leader, Mary O Connor, brought us along the Nuns walk with its mature beeches. We passed some spectacular Spanish oaks or Quercus Hispanica, the Tsuga Heterophylla or Western Hemlock from North America and the lovely soft barked Sequoiadendron Giganteum more commonly known as Giant Redwood.

Finally, when we had crossed the last bridge, we entered the croquet lawn and the walled garden.

There was so much to absorb in Altamont that you would want to return and pitch a tent for a week there. It has 1500 different species of plants including two beautiful species of Weeping Ash trees in front of Altamont House. I had never before seen or heard about them.

Plans are in train to renovate this beautiful ornate house to further enhance this wonderful tourist attraction.

The grounds are full of bird nesting boxes while there is an owl nesting box on display at the entrance courtyard.

I really enjoyed the day in Altamont. We had a great group of people, excellent guides, ideal summer weather conditions and relaxing chats and coffees.

Days like this are wonderful for body and soul and I am already looking forward to my return trip in May to see the rhododendrons and many more species in full bloom.

I just loved the fact that all the snowdrop trail is on level paths and is easily accessible to all.

I was also very impressed with their extensive garden centre which had a huge array of plants, trees and shrubs for sale.

Our sincere thanks to Mary O Connor for her excellent organisation of this event.

Our next coffee and relaxing stroll outing will be in Kilmaccuragh Gardens with John Connor in March.

Fair Daffodils by Mick O’Callaghan

I Worry About Losing My Marbles..  by Carol Reynolds

Sunday by the River Bann, Hollyfort by Mick O’Callaghan

The Photo by Seamus Kavanagh

The Postbox by Mick O’Callaghan

Fish on a Friday by Mick O’Callaghan

Spring in our Step – by Mick O’Callaghan

Ar Ais i mo Shláinte – Dán le Aindreas  Ó Gallchobhair

 Spring 2023 Walk – by Mick O’Callaghan

Somewhere Inside is Me! – poem by Seamus Kavanagh. To read, click HERE

Happiness Is  – by Mick O’Callaghan. Click HERE

What You need to Do?
· Private message Anne (087) 7936818 if you are walking (or cancel if unable to make it) so we can manage car-pooling and transport from meeting point to the start of the walk.
· Section 1: Marley Park to Johnny Foxes Pub Glencullen: Probable dates: Tues 21/ Wed 22/Thurs 23
· Contact John Connor who is the Leader of Section 1 on 086 0824318 for information not given in this note and following the posting of details on Week 3.(next week)

Remember some general safety recommendations for comfort and safety:

· The walks are to be enjoyed, a chance to look around and have a good day in the hills.
· Wear sturdy, comfortable walking boots that give some ankle support and will keep your feet dry
· Bring your mobile phone
· If you have a hiking pole/stick, map, compass etc –bring them with you- no point in leaving them at home !
· Carry a rucksack that contains waterproofs, gloves, hat, extra fleece for warmth, lunch, snacks and drinks
· Further recommendations on walking gear – check out https://www.corkbackpackers.ie/equipment/
· Before the walk all walkers will be asked to sign-in and to give contact details in the event of an emergency

(We will continue with other walks on the Second week of each month advertising route and leaders on What’s App on week 1 of each month)

Contact Ciaran (087) 7997796 Anne Marie 0868367578 or Anne (087) 7936818 for general enquiries about the walking group.

Thanks a million to Anne and all the walk leaders for the huge amount of time and energy put into our outdoor activities.

Mick O Callaghan

Secretary

The words of the Lou Reed classic “Perfect Day” rang true for the thirteen members who embarked on the latest walk among the hills of Wicklow. The group met in Roundwood, known as the highest village in Ireland, and car pooled to the starting point near the Pier Gates adjacent to the Luggala Estate. Despite there being warnings of snow and sleet, the day was just perfect for strolling in the Wicklow uplands. There was not a sign of snow and the roads were clear. We were all so grateful to Anne Savage who did not call it off.  Anne is a very experienced hill walker and knew not to make the call to cancel the night before. Her patience paid off as the day was just perfect for walking.

The route took us down forestry paths and roads. In recent months Coillte have been felling many of the trees, and what was once dense conifer forest has now been opened up to reveal what can only be described as spectacular views of County Wicklow. At the first clearing we were treated “a wow moment” as we gazed over the lakes of Roundwood. We were able to get a panoramic view of some of our previous walks around the lakes and the reservoir. Further to the east we were able to see the lighthouses on Wicklow head. With crystal clear blue skies, the one phrase that kept coming to mind was “Oh what a perfect day”.

There were views of Lough Dan and Lough Tay, and during our travels we met a large group of transition year students who were spending a few days hiking in the Wicklow Mountains. The stop for lunch was at Scots’ Deserted Village. In some ways it is reminiscent of the ruins on the Great Blasket. The Wicklow dwellings were abandoned in the 1950s but there is ambiguity about who lived here: one tradition is that the inhabitants were settlers from Scotland, whereas another is that they were a local family by the name of Brady. A local historian is researching the village and it will be interesting to see his conclusions. Co-leader of this walk, Anne Marie MacKenna is a fount of knowledge on the area and regaled us with stories from the locality. A feature that was pointed out to us was the haggard stones, once common place at many rural dwellings.  The deserted village was a perfect place for our lunch break, sitting among the ruins of one of the cottages.

The route, for the most part was looped and included a section of The Wicklow Way. On our return to the Pier Gates we retraced the first couple of kilometres. However, on this occasion, the atmospheric conditions were ideal and we were able to make out some mountains along the Welsh coastline.  The total distance covered was eight kilometres and afterwards some of the group decided on refreshments in Roundwood before heading home after “a perfect day”.

GALLERY

On Wednesday February 8^th our WWWRT walking group took up the challenge of climbing the 350 metres Trooperstown Mountain.

 21 members assembled at the car park in Laragh and set off for the trek taking in some spectacular views of the Wicklow Hills.

 It was an ideal day for walking with good company, clear skies and not a sign of mist or fog.

 The group which was led by Isobel O Duffy had a most enjoyable day having stopped off for a lunch break on the mountain they  retired to Lynham’s Hotel in

 peaceful Laragh for further refreshments having spent 3:19:29 hours on the mountain and covering 8.6 Kms on the hike.Thank you Isobel for leading and to all those who sent in photos and took part.

 It was further great training for anyone getting ready to walk the first section of the Wicklow Way at the end of the month of February.

PICTURE GALLERY

to enlarge a photo, simply click on it!

Wednesday 25^th January saw one of the biggest groups of walkers when twenty-five members of the Wicklow branch of RTAI assembled at the car park at Roundwood, in what was to be our longest walk to date. However, as the trail took us along the shores of the reservoir and lake, there were no hills, so what we lacked in elevation we made up for in distance. Anne Marie MacKenna was our guide today and is a fount of wisdom on the area.

The first section of our walk took us to wall of the old reservoir.  This earthen embankment was constructed in the 1860s and is a magnificent example of Victorian engineering. The reservoir is linked to the next lake by a canal.  Once again there was evidence of Victorian engineering in the pump house which controls the flow of water. As we made our way around the lake we were greeted by the bleating of some recently born lambs in the adjacent fields, a sure sign that spring is just around the corner. Our next stop was at the site of The Bullaun Stone, a Neolithic construction which can be seen when the water level is low in the lake.  However, this was not the case today. Nearby is a recent addition to the area. It is a seat which has been erected to the memory of Seán Kavanagh. Seán was a young teacher who sadly died at the age of twenty-eight in 2018. He had taught alongside some members of today’s group.  Anne Marie spoke poignantly and beautifully about this young man and there was some time to pause and reflect. The family home is nearby and is within sight of his memorial.

As the light changed the reflections on the lake became more and more intense. This was added to by the skeletal structures of the many Scot’s Pine trees that are abundant around the shore of the lake. Soon we had to leave the forest and walk for about a kilometre along the road.  This took us by the overflow channel and the Victorian draw-off tower. On the other side of the road are what might be described as fields of filter beds. In contrast there are some new Irish Water buildings nearing completion.  There is no comparison between the architecture of the modern and the Victorian.

Soon we returned to the woodland where we made our way back to the car park.  However, there was another surprise in store for us when we saw a juvenile great cormorant perched on a tree stump a short distance away on the lake. This beautiful bird was totally unconcerned by the human interest, and remained perched for all to admire. We made our way back by the original embankment and along the walkway to the car park, tired from our exertions, but refreshed by the beauty of the natural and older man-made engineering.  Refreshments locally were then the order of the day before returning home.  The total distance covered was 12.7km. Thanks again to Anne Marie for bringing us through this gem in the Wicklow hills and for explaining its significance.

PHOTO GALLERY

We held our AGM in the Glenview Hotel on Thursday December 8^th, 2022, with 86 members present with special guests Billy Sheehan, National Secretary RTAI and Mick Mangan web co-ordinator for www.rtaireland.ie

Our welcome /registration group of Eibhlin Kinsella, Kitty O Connell, Mary O Connor, Emer Breen from the Branch Committee welcomed everyone on entry to the hotel.

Many members strayed into the coffee dock for an early morning caffeine boost during our 45 minutes gathering/getting to know you time.

The meeting started at 11.40 with Chairperson John Connor welcoming all in his very warm opening address which set the tone for the day.

As we had circulated minutes, finance report, as prepared by our treasurer Eibhlin Kinsella, and annual review to all members via email prior to the meeting there were no long delays reading out these which added greatly to the smooth speedy pace of the meeting.

These were all passed by the branch as were

1. The nomination of Mary Mc Carthy for National President of RTAI for 2023/24.
2. The new remuneration for the incoming secretary of RTAI.
3. Our revised Bye Laws incorporating the sentence that we are part of the RTAI company.
4. John Connor, Mick O Callaghan, Ann Savage appointed delegates to Convention 2023
5. Three motions for convention 2023 dealing with Group Health Rates, Increased funding for branches and that Head Office should pay all expenses for NEC organised National events such as the National Secretary’s Conference and National Convention.

*Following this John presented Deirdre Gill with her prize for winning the Christmas Quiz.

*John then introduced our national secretary who dealt with improvements in our pensions, with further increases due in 2023 and taxation relief as announced in the budget.

*This was followed by a very comprehensive easy to follow guide to the Fair Deal Scheme and Billy presented a handout to all members present which was much appreciated.

*We then had a special presentation ceremony for Billy who is retiring.

*Mick Mangan was also presented with a gift from the Branch and was thanked for his great IT work in keeping all the RTAI website up to date with our photos and accounts.

*This was followed by a sumptuous 4 course Christmas dinner which was much enjoyed by all 86 members present.

*There was great chatting for a good stretch of the evening with no one in too much of a hurry to depart the relaxed surroundings of The Glenview Hotel in the lovely Glen of The Downs in County Wicklow.

Personal Thanks

*At year’s end I wish to thank our Chairperson John Connor for all his help, advice, and support during the past year.

*Thanks to Eibhlin Kinsella for doing a great job minding our finances for the past 12 months.

*Buíochas ó chroí le Anne Savage, Ciaran Byrne agus Annemarie Mc Kenna for their huge commitment to setting up the WWWRT what’s app group which makes the messaging to the 90 members involved in our super organised walking group much more efficient. It also gives us instant mes§saging at short notice in case we must change dates or cancel an event due to inclement weather. This was a huge leap into the modern techie era for Wicklow Branch RTAI in 2022. Thanks again for your huge commitment.

*My sincere thanks to Eileen Byrne for taking lovely photographs of all our events.

*We are most grateful to Geraldine Lynch for looking after all our IT work and especially for her work with the Remembrance Ceremony in June and The Poetry Book which were superb productions. Go raibh míle maith agat Gearóidín.

*We are all inspired and moved by the poems of our own Poet Laureate Seamus Kavanagh. Thank you, Seamus. We are most grateful to you for your generosity of time and spirit.

*Thanks to our branch committee members Emer Breen, Mary O Connor, our walk guides, and leaders for their huge voluntary commitment to work for all our benefit.

*A special thanks to Kitty O Connell, a tireless RTAI branch committee member, who is retiring this year after many years organising events, proof reading copy for me and being a constant support. We look forward to seeing Kitty at future meetings.

*I have been involved with RTAI for the past 13 years but something special happened at this year’s AGM. We had Maureen Doyle, one of our longest serving members and her recently retired daughter, Mary present. It was my first time seeing mother and daughter retirees attending a meeting. History was made and it was great to see them both present.

*Finally, a special word of thanks to my wife Margaret for her valuable support and advice and to the gang at home who set up our modern up to the minute IT System for RTAI Wicklow. They keep me on the right track with weekly updating and tweaking of the system enabling us to speedily instant message you all when the need arises.

*Thanks to everyone of one of you out there in the 256-membership base for all your participation, encouragement, and support. I feel privileged to be involved with such a great group of people. Go raibh fada buan sibh go léir.

*Go raibh beatha agus sláinte agaibh uilig go gcasfaimíd ar a chéile arís, pén áit, pén uair.

Le gach dea ghuí i gcomhair na Nollag agus na hAthbhliana.

Mick O Callaghan

Below is a Photo Gallery of the event:

Well now another New year has arrived, and we will all make new year resolutions and do our best to keep them for a week or two.

We will all continue to have walks with WWWRT in God’s own fresh air away from crowded gyms and fitness halls and personal trainers.

We will also organise some other social activities.

 Let us hope for an end to war and unwanted destruction of countries. In 2023, as in all years past, we all want peace, health, and happiness within ourselves, in our homes, country and throughout the world. Let there be peace

I wish all our RTAI members a very happy, healthy 2023

Happy new Year to you all       Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh

Michael O Callaghan

02/01/2023

WWWRT were on the move again on Tuesday October 11^th with the lovely Clara Loop, between Rathdrum and Laragh, our chosen stomping ground.

We were just blessed with the lovely bright autumnal day for walking. As I drove up along the road from Rathdrum the trees on either side of the road were just a riot of colour as they were preparing to put on their annual autumnal colour show with forty shades of green, russet red and various shades of pink and brown in between.

We assembled in the Clara Vale church car park which must be one of the most idyllic settings for a church. Access is over a very narrow six arched bridge over a busy river and as you carefully navigate your way across you could imagine meeting a pony and trap coming towards you such is the narrowness and antiquity of the bridge.

We parked up in Clara school, built in 1899 but closed since 1968. It is now used as a community Hall.

In the graveyard adjoining the school and church there is a headstone erected in 2009 commemorating the men from the valley who fought in World War one and are buried in France

Our next stop was a visit to the St Patrick and Killian Church built in 1799 as a thatched church and has had many changes over the years but still maintains its charm and is much used for weddings while Sunday mass is said there every second Sunday.

Having respectfully made our departure we headed up the road for a steepish incline at the start of our level 2 + walk.

This was a short road walk and then we entered some of the most glorious undisturbed woodland walks you will encounter anywhere in Ireland. It is a truly wondrous place.

I noted a richness of nature, squirrels running across roads, some rare poisonous ‘fly agaric’ mushrooms which though untouchable were a delight to view and to photograph. Such was their bright red  colour dotted with white you would expect some elfin creature to bounce out from under each one.

We stopped a couple of times to absorb the babbling sound of the busy Avonmore River which was in full flow due to recent rains. There was a nice strategically placed seat to sit, relax and have a rest and snack while benefitting from the healthy negative ions created by the rushing Avonmore waters that we were able to absorb into our systems by being close to them. These negative ions are a great counterbalance for all the positive ones we absorb through too much sitting around or having excess screen time.

The colourful furze bushes were delighted to show off their autumnal yellow blooms in their second annual display as we ambled along

We did a loop of over 10 Kilometres with 14000 steps through stunning forestry. We did it all at an invigorating pace led by our own Anne Savage, fresh from her climb of Mt. Toubkal in Morocco, which left all the gang who participated fully refreshed and enlivened after much talking and walking. Thank you so much Ann for all the planning you put into the Loop walk today.

Our next walk will be in another loop in The Glen O The Downs led by John Connor in two weeks’ time and you will all be informed of the date and details in due course.

Our next event will be an informal stroll and coffee hosted by our own Kitty O Connell in Kilmacurragh on Wednesday October 19th.

We are so lucky to have such a rich healthy hinterland around us that we can freely use every day, and which is open 24 hours a day with no appointments necessary.

Stay healthy and keep walking!

Mick O’Callaghan

PHOTO GALLERY

Fourteen members of the Wicklow Retired Teachers’ Walking Group gathered at The Glenmalure Lodge for the latest stroll which was the Carriglineen Loop on what could be described as a soft and mild day. Glenmalure’s well known hostelry stands below Carriglineen Mountain and is a favourite with many walking groups. Indeed on the day we were one of three different walking groups who were meeting there for a constitutional in the beautiful valley. 

The first part of the walk took us along the road back towards Kirakee for about a kilometre.  Here we took a left turn up a gentle incline for about another kilometre towards the premises of Wicklow Wild Game. Along the way there were views of the longest glaciated valley in either Ireland or the UK. The Ballinacor Community Park was visible where Kerry’s Bryan Sheehan recreated his famous long range Croke Park free for an advertisement for the AIB club championships some years ago. The pitch has also featured in an advertisement for the Lidl Ladies Gaelic Football Championship. The lands of Ballinacor Estate could also be seen in the distance. It was here that the Irish rebel Fiach Mac Hugh O’Byrne had his stronghold in the sixteenth century.

From here we went onto some trail which was surprisingly dry despite the heavy rains of the last few weeks. This trail was between Kirakee Mountain to our right and Carriglineen to our left. From here it was into some forestry all the way to the Military Road. This section of the trail is known as the Funeral Road and was the route of funeral corteges to Laragh in times gone by.

At the Shay Elliot Memorial we heard about Ireland’s first ever winner of a stage of the Tour de France. In 1962 he was second in the World Championships and third in the Vuleta. His was a story of rags to riches to rags and in 1971 he died of a gunshot wound, apparently suffered while cleaning a rifle.  The coroner returned an open verdict.  The monument was erected by his clubmates in Bray Wheelers Cycling Club.

From here we crossed to the other side of the Military Road and into the forestry below Cullentragh Mountain. It was all downhill now but we took a little detour to visit the site of what is known locally as The Twelve Graves. Oral tradition in the area tells of a priest and his congregation who were murdered by Cromwell’s soldiers under the command of a General Ireton in 1649. Another local story is that the victims were murdered by a local land owner, an Abraham Chritchley and some yeomen towards the end of the eighteenth century. Others doubt these two versions and believe that the ridges are remnants of land cultivation. The site is marked with twelve wooden crosses and a recently erected stone identifying the site.

From here it was back onto the main trail where we saw two stone cottages, known locally as The White Washed Gables. The trail took us to Coolalingo Bridge and back onto the Military Road. From here it was a short walk to the Glenmalure Lodge where some of the group had some lunch.  The rain stayed away and a most enjoyable day was experienced by all. The distance covered was just short of eight kilometres with a total ascent of 275 metres.

Photo Gallery

We were delighted to be in Avondale and to experience this special area of excellence showing off our forests and surroundings in all their magnificence and glory looking down from our 38 metre high viewing gallery.

We bulk bought our 29 tickets at the very good group rate of 12 euros each. We stopped, chatted, and having distributed them together with brochures and maps we were ready to kick off on this truly amazing experience looking down on the trees and paths below. We stopped at the various interactive activity stations and immersed ourselves in the information provided. Andy Gallagher also gave valuable insights about the surrounding countryside and laced his commentary with humorous asides about the Parnell family and with stories about the Parnell Estate. Cameras were very busy capturing the unique landscape of Wicklow from the tree top heights. The views were amazing. One of the best things about this 1.4 Km walk is that it is self-guided, and you walk at your own pace, when you can stop to view, browse, or rest. It is also worth noting that all the walks are totally wheelchair friendly. The gentle incline as you climb the 12 storeys makes both the Treetop and Tower walks very accessible to all. We had a big age span in our group, and they all reached the top without much effort which was a great achievement and made the walk worthwhile.

As we progressed up the tower we stopped and chatted and viewed. We looked down on the eucalyptus trees and many conifers. This was truly breath-taking and the higher we went the view of the Wicklow Hills, Avonmore River and The Vale of   Avoca got better and better.

When we eventually reached the top of the 12 storeys 38-metre-high tower we were just totally gobsmacked by the huge 360-degree panoramic view of County Wicklow that opened out before our eyes. We clicked but no photograph could do full justice to the spectacular expanse and extent of the view unfolding before our eyes as we strolled around the full circle on top of this 38-metre-high tower.

When we had taken sufficient photos here to prove that we had really made it to the summit it was time for the descent. Some people chose the slide down which would whizz you down in six seconds. We chose the walking route so that we could take in all the colour of the surrounding countryside as we descended. We were not disappointed, but neither were those more adventurous souls who chose the faster gigantic spiral slide route to the bottom.

When we reached base, we went in to view the gift store. I was a little disappointed here that a national park shop should stock so much stuff from far away countries while we have such wonderful craftspeople in Wicklow and Ireland.

It was now long past lunch time, so we headed back to the Seed Café for some lunch and continued our chat with some fellow walkers. We asked about some local crafts and were pointed in the direction of a long corridor where we found excellent Irish crafts hidden away in a corner. They were stocking Irish Historical books, Tweed in the Valley by local woman Anna Dobson, Jo Malone products, Mc Nuff, and other Irish Producers.

As we walked back to the car park we stopped to view and admire the extensive wildflower gardens which were very colourful and bee friendly.

Avondale forest Park, The Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower must see places to put on your bucket list. You won’t be disappointed.

Thursday Dec 8^th2022, will forever be etched on the minds of the 86 members of RTAI Wicklow Branch who were fortunate enough to be present in The Glenview Hotel. We pulled out all the stops to make this AGM and presentation a special one.

We hired the big conference room in the hotel, and they had it decorated fully for Christmas party time which added greatly to the atmosphere and buzz of the day. When you entered it was like entering a Winter Wonderland with lit up trees and baubles. The tables were set up to perfection in banqueting style.

The presentation to Billy was a specially commissioned framed poem entitled “Best Wishes”and a poetry book from the pen of our very own poet, Seamus Kavanagh.

John Connor, our chairperson, opened the proceedings with a brief resume of Billy’s life. Mick O Callaghan Secretary followed dealing with the production of the booklet and thanked Seamus Kavanagh for his lovely poetry and Geraldine Lynch for all her expertise with the layout and graphics.Cover photography was by Mary Finlay.

We selected three poems to be read by Seamus, Margaret Bloomer, and Andy Gallagher.

Seamus read his poem “Best Wishes” which he wrote specially to mark Billy’s retirement. I give you a few lines from that poem.

“We thank you for your diligence,

Each meeting, each zoom call,
For all the work that went unseen,

Your time was free to all

We marvelled at your knowledge

Dispersed always with a smile

And when guidance it was needed,

You went that extra mile.”

Margaret Bloomer read the beautiful poem “When” which was written by Seamus during Covid19 time, and I give you the last 4 lines of it.

“In a world now full of questions,

Where answers they are few,

We’ve got to stand together,

Till life it starts anew.”

Finally in the poetry reading section Andy Gallagher read the lovely “Grandad Can You Tell Me?“poem and I give you a flavour of it here.

“Why do hairs grow in your nose
And not upon your head?
Grandad how do you make a wrinkle

‘Cos mine keep going away

And you can make a new one

Nearly every day!”

After the readings the framed copy of the specially commissioned poem was presented to Billy by Geraldine Lynch and Seamus Kavanagh.

The poetry book was presented to Billy by John Connor.

Billy thanked everyone involved in the production of the booklet.

The whole event was highly emotionally charged for everyone present.

Several members are asking for copies of the three poems which were read, and I will e mail them to you all in due course.

Thank you

Mick O Callaghan

Secretary

Here is a selection of photos of the event:

Thirteen members of the Wicklow Retired Teachers’ Walking Group gathered above Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa in Laragh for the fourth walk of the season. Despite there being heavy rain in the days leading up to today, the weather apps were showing a dry spell for the morning. Today’s leader, Anne Marie MacKenna, despite having some concerns yesterday, decided that the walk could go ahead. So at 10.30 a.m. the group set off into the forestry. Although the ground was wet in places, the weather was mild and pleasant. Along the way to Brockagh Mountain, there were plenty of stopping points where the valley of Glendalough could be viewed. From time to time both lakes could be seen in all their autumn colour. Some members of the group remarked on the  peacefulness and serenity of the whole area.

The terrain was undulating but not too difficult. On our scale of one to five it is ranked a 2 – 2.5 walk. The total distance was approximately eight kilometres with an ascent of 156 metres. When we left the forestry we took the lower path along the base of Brockagh Mountain. Underfoot this was slightly damp, but not for too long.  From here we had views of Trooperstown Hill to the southeast, Derrybawn Mountain to the south, and Camaderry to the west. Just north of Camaderry we could see the edge of the ESB reservoir at Turlough Hill. To the north we could see Scarr Mountain. At this stage of the walk there was some rain, but not too much. By the time rain gear had been donned, the shower had stopped, but it was better to leave it on as we would be out of the shelter of the forest for some more time. Below us there was yet another view of the lakes of Glendalough and St. Kevin’s Kitchen.

Soon we had completed the Brockagh section of the walk and it was back into the forestry which brought us down to our starting point.  It was a very pleasant morning and despite one shower while on the mountain path, the rain kindly held off until we had completed the walk. Thanks to Anne Marie and Anne who did a recce last week. (Just to be sure to be sure, Anne Marie did another recce on Sunday.) Our next walk is scheduled for the week beginning 7^th November, weather permitting and details will we sent out in advance.

Photo Gallery

It was Tuesday, September 27^th when we headed off to Avondale for our September walk.

The weather was kind if a little chilly, but we were all suitably clothed and ready for the great outdoors of Avondale in early Autumn.

 Avondale, the home of the Parnell family extends to 500 acres and is in the process of getting a twenty-six-million-euro upgrade which will make it one of the premier outdoor tourism venues on the east coast of Ireland.

 We broke our visit into two distinct parts starting with a brief talk on the history of the park and then an hour’s woodland walk led by our team leader Andy Gallagher. He is one of our longest serving RTAI members, who lives in Avondale and has, as he says himself, walked every inch of the estate over his lifetime residing there. He is a reservoir of information on Parnell, his family and lots of rare tit bits about his life and times.

 Andy opened with a chat about cricket which was a popular game in Ireland, in Avondale and the lower half of Ireland in the 1600’s where hurling is now popular. At the Confederation of Kilkenny 1642/49 cricket was banned along with language, cultural customs, and other Irish speaking pursuits. This was strictly enforced around the Kilkenny area and so Kilkenny cricket players invented a new game altering the rules and calling it “Caithfidh” and the enforcer of the rules would check the game. Were they playing cricket? No, they were playing Caithfidh.The moral police would report back with a “not Cricket”. They were only playing Kathy and those who played it were called “cats” a name that has stuck to the present day.

 Many of the Irish under British rule were in the British Army and they played cricket in the Barrack Square and travelled the world of the empire, West Indies, India, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, and left cricket behind them with the natives. The British soldiers who were returning brought the game back to England where it grew strong while it was banned in Ireland.

 Both Parnell and John had bad stammers when they were young. Charles kept imitating his older brother until he got worse himself. They were separated when John went to Paris and Charles to Yeovil, Somerset, an all-girls school. Here he contracted yellow fever. His education was curtailed, sent home, and did not go back. He was tiny (nick name ‘Tom Thumb”) and was always very nervous. He got his first shock when his mother was feeding him when a knock came, and she had no choice but to leave Charles. She pulled out a drawer, tidied herself and, in her fluster, closed in the drawer, talked for half an hour at the door and then couldn’t find Charles until she heard a muffled sound and poor Charles was almost smothered, and that was the start of his nervousness.

 At 8 years of age, his brother who was 15 at the time, was killed. When his father John Henry died playing cricket in 1859, Charles was only 13 years of age and was the only Parnell present at the burial. He nearly lost his life. He started sleep walking at age 16 and in Cambridge at age 19, he had to tie his ankles to the two bottom bed posts.

 When Fanny Parnell died in New Jersey they wanted to embalm her body and send her back to Ireland. Parnell ordered that she be buried where she died. He could never stand funerals or bodies in coffins and very rarely attended funerals, avoiding them if possible.

 Kitty O Shea met Parnell in 1880 and he avoided going to see her at home. Adulterous exposure at his trial left Charles Stewart Parnell friendless in Victorian England and Catholic Ireland. Parnell married Kitty in June 1891 in a registry office and died 4 months later in Brighton. He gave her a gold ring made from gold panned in the Avonmore River. Kitty died in 1921.

 During his life Parnell fell into debt because MPs were paid no salary and his tenants did not pay any rent for 7 years. The Freeman’s Journal started a collection for Parnell while he was in prison in 1881/82. Dr Croke, bishop of Caiseal paid the first £50 and other bishops also contributed. George Errington MP was sent from England to the Vatican. He told the Pope of a criminal in gaol being supported by the clergy of Ireland. The pope subsequently sent a letter via his nuncio that the bishops and clergy were to refrain from supporting Parnell and that the tenants must pay their rent as by contract. The stalled fund at £7000 quickly gathered momentum when the letter was published and soon reached £38000, [About £1,500,000 in today’s values] which was presented to Parnell after which he gave a rousing speech.

 In the early 1900s, 99 plots of trees were planted in Avondale to see which trees grew best in Ireland and they found that Sitka Spruce grew best in Avondale but not in other parts of Ireland.

Samuel Hayes, born in 1743 inherited Hayesville in 1770 and renamed it Avondale He was appointed Sherriff of Wicklow in 1773.The present-day Avondale House was designed by James Wyatt and built by Samuel Hayes. He wrote Ireland’s first book devoted to trees. We owe him a great debt of gratitude for planting and developing Avondale House and forestr

 Andy also mentioned The Invincibles, Parnell’s funeral, his sisters Emily, Anna and Fanny, who composed the Blackbird of Sweet Avondale, referring to Parnell practising his speeches from the balcony in Avondale.

 We now walked along the edge of The Great Ride where The Parnell family exercised their horses. It is now a lovely vista of green fields surrounded by huge mature trees

While we were walking past the field where hundreds of children representing their schools were competing in athletics events, we listened to all the excited shrieking of the participants. It is on occasions like this that you really appreciate retirement away from classroom noises and the stress and strain of teaching. It was also nice to see such an historic venue being used for sporting purposes by the children of County Wicklow.

 As we exited this field, we saw the view of the imposing Parnell House opening in front of us. We stopped here for a short few words and sang Dominic Behan’s lovely song “Oh Have you been to Avondale”, filling the surrounding grounds with some lovely choral music. This was a very moving poignant moment on the tour.

 After this we progressed to the vast but nice and comfortable Seed Café for very welcome teas, coffees, snacks etc and a visit to the rest rooms. Having had our batteries recharged we went upstairs via the green stairs to glean some further information on Parnell from Andy, our host and leader for the day. This ended part 1 of our morning session in Avondale Forest Park which was thoroughly enjoyed by all our members who attended.

So, our year has ended,

And we have seen it through

Overcome the “ups and downs”

With a strength we never knew!

It was a year when friendships blossomed,

That will last the test of time,

When knowing we had each other’s back,

Helped with hills we had to climb!

There was talking, there was walking,

As we breathed in the Wicklow air,

A celebration of our freedom,

And we felt blessed that we were there.

In Glenview’s peaceful vale,

On a sombre Summer’s Day,

We remembered friends we lost,

As we gathered there to pray.

The little things we take for granted,

Are not little any more

They help recharge the batteries,

To face what lies in store.

So never lose the hope,

That helped us through the year,

Enjoy walks, and talks, and coffee

Our antidotes to fear!

Let us return to where we were

Before covid came our way

Be grateful for what we have,

And make the most of every day. 

June 16th.     2022

We decided at our branch Committee meeting last Wednesday that we would send out a review of the year gone by. Now I look at the blank screen before me and I can only think of Ukraine and Covid but there was more to it than that for retired teachers in Wicklow Branch RTAI

*We all suffered because of Covid. We lived with cases, numbers in hospital, death tolls, numbers in ICU. Figures and statistics were taking over our lives, so we had to come out from under that cloud and re energise our members which grew numerically from 226 to 246 during the year.

*We were lucky that we lived in Wicklow and had great natural amenities which we could use freely. It was also fortunate that we had talented committed leaders in our own ranks like Ann Savage and Ciaran Byrne who were tasked by the branch to draw up a walking plan. This they did setting up a what’s app group and 60 members joined up. At this stage I must mention the energetic leadership provided by our Chairperson John Connor who was wholly committed to the project from the start. During the year we walked trails in Glenmalure, Glendalough, Croghan Kinsella, Glen of the Downs, Seefin, with its many weathers, Brague, Carrick Hill, Glenealy, Spink. Thanks to our leaders Anne Savage, Ciaran Byrne, Jacqui Corrigan, Mary O Riordan. Catherine Clune, John Connor, Ann Marie Mc Kenna.

 *When we come down to ground level, I must thank John Connor and Kitty O Connell for organising two great walks in KIlmacurragh. We are going to make this an annual event with a twist. We will select dates when retired teachers can meet up for coffee and walk the grounds or join a tour. We have noted a demand for this.

*I must thank John Finlay for his trojan work in leading two well attended historical walks around his beloved Wicklow Town.

*On a more sedentary note, we had three quizzes courtesy of Frank Gallagher, Kitty O Connell, and yours truly. These have proven very popular, and we have decided to continue them for another year. 

*We will also be exploring the establishment of a retired teachers book club and some other initiatives.

*On the information for members, we had an excellent webinar session with Dermot Goode dealing with health insurance.

*I also tried to keep you all informed about news emanating from Head office through regular notes and other missives about diverse topics.

*Ciaran and I attended the RTAI Annual Convention in Croke Park.

*We have entered a team in the RTAI national golf competition, and we will be represented by Jim O Riordan, Mick Purcell, Eileen Moriarty, and Mary O Brien. Good luck to them in Kildare at the end of the month.

*We have kept up our links with the Gerontological society of Ireland and many of you joined in their excellent talks and presentations during the year.

*Our summer meeting held in the Glenview Hotel this year and attended by over 80 members, was very special with our memorable Remembrance Service. Our sincere thanks to Geraldine Lynch for her excellent work in this project. Thanks also to everyone who contributed and took part in this. We will be having a service again next summer when we will remember our deceased members.

*We also had an interesting talk on wills and inheritance while Billy Sheehan brought us up to date on pension and other affairs.

*It was a year in which we got very used to Zoom meetings and we coped. Thanks to our chairperson John Connor for setting these up.

I must thank Eibhlin Kinsella who year in, year out looks after our finances in her own quite efficient way. We are in safe hands. Go raibh maith agat a Eibhlín.

* I must make special mention of one great man, Seamus Kavanagh our poet who has inspired us all with the excellence of his work for us. Go raibh mile maith agat a Sheamuis

*We had lots of covid and restrictions. We have got used to restrictions and masks, but we must still exercise caution as Covid has not gone away.

*In the year ahead, we will be expanding our branch committee by 3 bringing it up to 10 to cope with increased numbers and activities and we must also look to the future to ensure we have sufficient members trained in leadership roles to take over the management of RTAI Wicklow when the time comes. Those co-opted are Eileen Byrne, Mary O Connor and Emer Breen.  They will be assigned portfolios at the September branch committee meeting and will be ratified at our December meeting when we hope we will have a full return to person-to-person meetings. I would like to thank them for their commitment, energy, and willingness to join in the running of our Branch.

*Our Christmas meeting with Billy Sheehan who will be speaking on the Fair Deal Scheme will be held in the Glenview Hotel on December 8th.

*We sympathise with the relatives of Aggie O Brien and Shelia Murphy who died during the year. May they rest in peace.

I think of all those members who lost spouses and relatives during the year. We think about and support the members  who are themselves or have family members ill at this time.

*Re my own blogs, ramblings, and musings I have been most encouraged by your positive responses to them which kept me going during the lockdown period and beyond. I was pleased that Comhnasc published poems by Seamus Kavanagh and my own history of Wicklow Branch.

Finally, I wish to thank everyone of you for your help, support, and encouragement during what has been a tough challenging time for all of us.

I wish to thank our National Secretary and head office staff and Mick Mangan who looks after our web updates for us on www.rtaireland.ie

Thanks also to the branch committee for their enthusiastic support, help and advice. Buíochas le Chairperson, John Connor, treasurer Eibhlín Kinsella. Vice Chair Ciarán Byrne, Auditors Kitty O Connell, and Geraldine Lynch, WWWRT what’s app group Ann Savage. They are a great united hard-working team. During my long teaching life and involvement in many voluntary organisations over the years. I have never met a more committed dedicated team working on a totally voluntary basis for the benefit of their fellow retired teachers in Wicklow. Long may you continue to serve. Volunteerism is alive and well and thriving in Wicklow.

I thank my own wife Margaret for her patience and support in being my constant personal editor and mentor and to my own personal techie team at home and in Dublin who keep me online and updated.

Ag deire na  bliana nach maith an rud bheith beo beathach. Gura fada faoi bhláth sibh uilig.

Slán ags beannacht libh go léir go gcasfaimíd ar a chéile arís  ag deire an tSamhraidh.

Mick O Callaghan     

Secretary, Wicklow Branch RTAI                        

Wicklow Branch RTAI was formed on Saturday 10^th September 1977 at 3pm having waited sufficiently for late comers [35 minutes I believe}. The venue was Lawless’s hotel, Aughrim. Mr Hugh Byrne acted as Chairman. Jerry Kelly from the National Executive in Dublin urged retired teachers to organise themselves as a branch at a time of strong government when public servants and retired ones would be more at risk of pay cuts and imposition of income tax than other citizens.

      Mr Gregory Doyle of Rathdrum proposed that the retired teachers of County Wicklow should establish a Wicklow branch of retired teachers. This proposition was unanimously adopted by the meeting to form the branch with Hugh Byrne voted in as chairman and Gregory Doyle as Secretary / Treasurer. The meeting proposed that the Bank of Ireland be requested to open an account in the name of the retired Teachers Association. Permission was granted to purchase a minute book and all members should pay an annual fee of £2.

      At the end of the meeting Mr Brehony from Dublin invited all 7 members present to attend the AGM of national Retired teachers’ group to be held the following Saturday 17/09/1977 at 2.30pm in 36 Parnell Square, Dublin.

       And so RTAI Wicklow was launched. The teachers were pleased that Hugh Byrne was their leader as he was held in such high esteem in the county and throughout Ireland. He had been installed as President of the GAA in the Aberdeen Hall of the Gresham Hotel on April 2^nd, 1961, and served for 1961/63.

In a recent interview {March 20th, 2021} his daughter Marcella, now in her eighties, recalls a certain privilege they had as young children because Hugh had a motor car. There were only two cars in Rathdangan, one owned by Hugh and the other by the Parish Priest, with the two cars parked side by side at Sunday mass amid the bikes and pony and traps, while most people walked to Mass. RTAI Wicklow was in safe hands with a proven national leader who drove a car.

      All members present were asked to recruit retired teachers and by 27/05/1978 they had 24 paid up members each paying the £2 membership fee by cheque giving them a grand total of £48 out of which they sent £19.30 to Dublin, and they had to pay a booking fee of £1 for use of the hall.

      The fledgling group were in difficulty in calling a meeting in 1979 because the secretary and his wife were both ill and there was also a national postal strike which lasted for 18 weeks. It is worth noting that 1979 was the worst year for strikes.

      They struggled again in 1980. The chairman wished to express his disappointment, indeed his complete chagrin at the attendance of only 3 members, himself, his wife, and the secretary, for the AGM while two members sent apologies, but they sent in their £2 membership fee. Because of the lack of a quorum, agenda items and the election of officers had to be abandoned and the meeting was adjourned sine die. One member said the attendance was low because it was such a fine day. Another said people were sparing petrol because of the scarcity of petrol at that time because of the world petrol and gas shortage from 1979 to 1983 due to the Iranian crisis. People were sparing petrol for necessary journeys. The officers decided to stay on in their positions for another year.

      There was further trouble in 1982 when it was stated at a meeting that four of the original founding members were two years in arrears with their membership fees. They went so far as to name the four people involved. They were certainly living in different times and pre GDPR, but new members were still joining.

In 1983 the branch had a surplus of £215.46 having spent £3.60 on postage and a whopping £1.80 on refreshments for the AGM while they sent a cheque for £34.50 to Dublin.

    The meeting, held in 1985 was a happy occasion because of the granting of synchronisation of pension increase with increases to serving teachers. Secondly the check off system of paying subs increased membership and made it easier for paying up. The membership of the national association went from 2013 in 1983 to 2487 this year. The branch went wild at the AGM spending a whopping £3.40 on refreshments while their credit balance went up to £ 242.12. They also felt they should support the Matt Griffin fund to help sponsor research in the Children’s Hospital, Dublin and they sent £25 to support the fund.

      In 1987 the secretary reported that he was perplexed because they had 54 names on roll but only 30 paid up members. Of the remaining 24 people 11 were nuns who had no notion of paying up and others he reported were hopeless cases. Later, that year they reported a Wicklow roll of 46 but 6 of them were nuns who had no notion of joining RTAI.

      In 1988 the meeting was told that they had received the 2% of the 25^th wage agreement and that they could look forward to a 3.5 % arbitration award on 1/12/87. They were further told that increases due in1/6/88 were doubtful.

Interestingly the members were impressed that RTAI had built up financial reserves of £3000 over their 39-year existence being £77 a year saved. This big sum of money was now invested in government stock and was earning the not inconsiderable sum of £259.80 per annum in interest. How many members remember getting interest?

      In 1989 membership dropped from 33 to 28 and the Secretary read out all the names of non-affiliated retired teaches and urged a recruitment drive. Every retired teacher should be a member. This was their name and shame policy.

      The Chairman in 1990 noted that there was an influx of early retirees who generously threw in their lot with RTAI. Their comparative youth and energy will be a great boost to the morale of the Association. [Denis Garvey 05/06/90]

       The year 1992 was an annus horribilis for Wicklow Branch. This was the famous year in which the annual fee went up to £5. Fifteen members wrote in cancelling their membership. This was also the year in which retired teachers got the option of bimonthly instalments of pension.

       Denis Desmond, national secretary, announced in 1994 that each retired member would now be enrolled in the county they retired in. The membership of Wicklow rose from 43 to 78. They spent the staggering sum of £14 on AGM refreshments and had a credit balance of £900.12. with bank interest of £1.14.

During the years up to 1999 the branch meetings moved around the county meeting in Arklow, Woodenbridge,  Aughrim, Poulaphouca and Baltinglass. This was in response to members suggestions that there should be a change of venues for meetings to increase attendance, but it did not achieve this.

      The members were happy after the 2000 meeting held in the Wooden bridge Hotel when they heard of free ESB, phone rental and free TV license for over 70s.

      The mood music at the AGM in 2002 In Poulaphuca House Hotel was more sombre when we heard the report on The Commission on public service pensions. The traditional parity as a method of calculating pensions was in danger and benchmarking was still under discussion.

During 2003/2004 there were sustained attacks being made on the bench marking payments being paid to public servants.

      The 2004 meeting rejoiced that the payment of pensions every fortnight was finalised after a 13-year campaign.

The 2005 meetings were dominated by discussions on nursing home care, covenants for elderly people in full time care, tax relief for nursing home fees, medical cards for over 70’s and the 2% health levy abolished for over 70’s.

In 2007 there was much rejoicing with the announcement of a new scheme for nursing home care, with a basic cost for full time care now being mentioned.

      The benchmarking report of 2008 was viewed with some disappointment although the section dealing with the increase to retired principals and vice principals was welcomed. We are still waiting the payment in 2022.

     We all owe a great debt of gratitude to those pioneering members who set up RTAI. They had difficulty getting to meetings, they had no mobile phones, laptops, or internet but they helped set up the basis of the structure of RTAI we have today. Minutes were written by hand, as were the envelopes and then stamped and posted. They struggled to recruit members and retain them.

     We were so lucky in County Wicklow to have had such wonderful people like Hugh Byrne and latterly people like Maureen Quigley who took on the leadership role and whose selfless dedication to the cause of retired teachers was exemplary. They worked tirelessly for us without the funds to have dinner in hotels or restaurant. They had skimpy funds with no gratuity or reward other than the satisfaction of working to ensure that retired teachers’ conditions were improved. They had fewer cars but still managed to get to meetings often held on Saturdays and at great inconvenience to themselves. They were true trail blazers.

       Now we have 241 members and we continue to recruit new members.Today we have sufficient funds to treat members properly when they meet. Most members have mobile phones and the internet and communication is much easier. We can send delegates to meetings without them having to dip into their own pockets to cover petrol and maybe an overnight stay.

We must however avoid complacency and ensure that the advances we have achieved over the years are not eroded. FEMPI cutbacks and the financial disaster of 2008/2010 hit us hard. The cutbacks have been rolled back but we, like so many others, lost a lot in that process.

      The last two years in our history have been a different narrative for all of us. Covid 19 was tough for everyone when our very physical survival was uppermost in all our minds. It gave us all a new perspective in life which we value dearly. We will survive and continue to look out for each other and support our great community in RTAI Wicklow and further afield.

      We have come a long way in the evolving RTAI over our 45 years representing Wicklow retired teachers. We have kept the needs and conditions of retired teachers to the fore. Let us be proud to continue to beat that drum and remember to constantly be a flea in the ear of politicians. We must get direct negotiating rights at the wage talks table now by lobbying and using the grey crew voting bloc at election times.

Is ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.

Mick O Callaghan     Secretary   RTAI   Wicklow  March 2022

Below is a selection of articles and poems from members of Wicklow Branch. We would very much welcome contributions from any member who would like to submit their written work. Please contact Mick O’Callaghan if interested!

Click on the title to access each piece:

• ACCENTS by Mick O’Callaghan
• A HISTORICAL RAMBLE by Sean O’Gorman
• A HISTORICAL RAMBLE – PART 2 by Sean O’Gorman
• THE WHITE SPIDER by Mick O’Callaghan
• LOCKDOWN 2020 – MORRISCASTLE by Carmel Dempsey
• THE KIOSK  by Mick O’Callaghan
• MY 5km OF HOPE – poem by Séamus Kavanagh
• THE GREENAN MAZE  by Mick O’Callaghan
• WE’VE GOT TO  poem by Séamus Kavanagh
• COFFEE WITH JOHN HUME by Seán Ó Gormáin
• COURTOWN MUSINGS  by Mick O’Callaghan
• GRANDAD CAN YOU TELL ME  poem by Séamus Kavanagh
• MASTERCHEF by Mick O’Callaghan
• THE FEVER – poem by Séamus Kavanagh
• DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION by Mick O’Callaghan
• A LONG THREATENING by Mick O’Callaghan
• WHEN – poem by Séamus Kavanagh
• A GARDEN IS A THING. OF BEAUTY AND A JOB FOREVER by Mick O’Callaghan
• A COVID DIARY – poem by Séamus Kavanagh
• MY FIRST SCHOOL TOUR by Mick O’Callaghan
• DIETING by Mick O’Callaghan
• ON THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS… by Carol Reynolds
• LONELINESS by Mick O’Callaghan
• A DAY IN THE BOG byMick O’Callaghan
• FITNESS AND BREAKFASTING FOR SENIORS by Mick O’Callaghan
• TOWNLANDS I LOVE SO WELL! by Seán Ó Gormáin
• THE BLUE by Mick O’Callaghan
• RELATIVES AT CHRISTMAS by Mick O’Callaghan
• SEALS by Mick O’Callaghan
• 2021 – A YEAR OF HOPE poem by Seamus Kavanagh
• BEACH WALKING ON A COLD AND FROSTY MORNING by Mick O’Callaghan
• THE PHONE CALL  poem by Seamus Kavanagh
• MY IKEA MOMENTS by Mick O’Callaghan
• THE GAMES WE PLAYED poem by Seamus Kavanagh
• BOOKS by Carol Louise Reynolds
• HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE WINDOW? by Mick O’Callaghan
• A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN poem by Seamus Kavanagh
• SELF ANALYSIS poem by Mick O’Callaghan
• YOU ARE NOT ALONE poem by Seamus Kavanagh
• ME AND HIM poem by seamus Kavanagh
• PFIZER JAB DAY ONE by Mick O’Callaghan
• PFIZER JAB, DAY TWO by Mick O’Callaghan
• NATURE SPRINGING INTO SUMMER by Mick O’Callaghan
• DIGS & DIGOUTS by Mick O’Callaghan
• EMIGRATION THEN AND NOW by Mick O’Callaghan
• THE ATTIC by Mick O’Callaghan
• DIET AND HEALTH PLANS by Mick O’Callaghan
• FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD  by Mick O’Callaghan
• THE VILLAGE OF MY YOUTH poem by Seamus Kavanagh
• FROM DUSTERS TO WHITEBOARDS by Mick O’Callaghan
• HALLOWEEN by Mick O’Callaghan
• FREEDOM WALK by Mick O’Callaghan

SPRINGMOUNT GARDEN CENTRE by Mick O’Callaghan

WEXFORD LAVENDAR PARK by Mick O’Callaghan

WEDDING DAY by Carol Louise Reynolds

CROGHAN KINSELLA MOUNTAIN by Mick O’Callaghan

ECO is 21 Years Old this Year by Mick O’Callaghan

WALK IN COURTOWN WOODS by Micck O’Callaghan

The Retired Teachers’ Association of Ireland (RTAI) is a vibrant and energetic Association of retired primary teachers. Founded in Dublin in the 1950s it now has over 10,000 members organised in 32 branches throughout the 26 counties.

There are two key aspects to the work of the Association. Firstly, at national level there is a strong focus of looking after the interests of retired teachers in relation to pensions and other issues that impact on their welfare and wellbeing. Providing advice and support to individual members is central to this aspect of our work.

Secondly, at branch level there is a strong social element that provides opportunities for members to engage in a variety of activities and events and enables members to remain in touch with former colleagues as part of a collegiate and supportive network.

Why join the RTAI?

Your membership will assist and support the core work and activities of the Association which include:

Protecting our pensions

• Securing benefits and facilities for members
• Providing information and advice to individual members
• Supporting a broad range of social activities and networking opportunities for members throughout all 32 branches of the Association.
• Maintain strong links with the INTO especially of matters that can impact on retired teachers.
• Working with other groups that advocate on behalf of retired workers including the Alliance of Retired Public Servants{ARPS} and the Retired Workers Committee of ICTU.
• Making sure that though we are no longer in the workforce, our voices are still heard, and our opinions still count.

We are Better Together!

Please join us and be part of a very vibrant and supportive Association that is doing valuable and important work for its members.

Membership Cost

The RTAI annual subscription is €65, deducted from pension at a rate of €2.50 per fortnight.

How to Join

An application form can be downloaded from www.rtaireland.ie

To request an application form you can email: info@rtaireland.ie or call: 01 245 4130.

 Your local contact

Mick O Callaghan rtaiwicklow@gmail.com

Mobile Contact      0870612072

Since I sent out my Personal Covid experience piece I have received considerable correspondence. I was particularly taken by this piece below from one of our own RTAI members. If you have any suggestions, please send them on to me and I will forward them to her.

I look forward to many more replies and if you have any other eggy stories, please send them on to me.I have already heard of whisked eggs in a glass with sugar added. There was also my grand uncle whose daily breakfast consisted of two raw eggs in a glass of Powers Gold label straight down the hatch. He lived till 91 years of age. We  had the glass of sherry and eggs. Lots of people have tried sucking eggs. So come on share your eggy stories or any local customs or lore built around eggs . As usual your name will not be posted unless you request it. I look forward to hearing from you.

Members reply to my Covid Experience Article

Hi Mick, 

I’m glad you had a good vaccine experience. I too felt much relieved when I received my first Pfizer jab a fortnight ago. The other oldies queueing with me were chatty and happy our turn had come. Medical staff were very nice. My nurse never mentioned paracetamol or anything else, but I had no negative symptoms nor discomfort from the vaccine. I must say I didn’t worry much all year about catching Covid myself as I cocooned a lot, but I worried and still do about family here and abroad. I have always had a heavy head of hair but noticed each time I washed it I seemed to shed more hairs than usual – a sign of stress, though I didn’t feel stressed. My hair still looks okay 

but it is definitely lighter. I wonder if any branch members experienced hair loss. It is always reassuring to feel you are not the only one ! 

I am hoping the hair will get back to normal when normal life returns. Meanwhile I am taking the occasional raw egg. Having grown up on a farm, my siblings and I were in the habit of sucking eggs from the henhouse. Of course, we all knew how to spot dogs which had found eggs outside. Their glossy coats told the tale.

Fortunately, I have retained my taste for raw egg. I mentioned it to my hairdresser once and found he too took 

raw eggs as he was losing his hair. He asked me if I sipped – his was strictly ‘down the hatch’.

   My husband has already reached full vaccine protection since it is over a fortnight since he got his second

 jab but one can still be a carrier and, as you might note from today’s report on the now being withdrawn hotel quarantine court challenge, there remains the possibility of contracting a variant of Covid -19, so we are still advised to wear masks till others catch up on vaccination.

There is little risk out in the open, especially if there is a bit of a breeze, so I feel the worst is over and hopefully we will get a good summer.

Tonight, I viewed the RTE ‘ Reeling in The Years’ on the year 2010 and was amazed that January of that year was the coldest in 50 years with a record temperature of minus 16. I have a vague recollection of slippery pavements but that’s about it. Our Covid Year will probably mellow likewise. 

Here’s hoping.!

Le meas,         Name submitted to me but withheld

Mick O Callaghan.

Rúnaí

RTAI      Wicklow          12/04/2021                   RTAI Wicklow Branc

 Wicklow Branch RTAI was formed on Saturday 10^th September 1977 at 3pm having waited sufficiently for late comers [35 minutes I believe}. The venue was Lawless’s hotel, Aughrim. Mr Hugh Byrne acted as Chairman. Jerry Kelly from the National Executive in Dublin urged retired teachers to organise themselves as a branch at a time of strong government when public servants and retired ones would be more at risk of pay cuts and imposition of income tax than other citizens.

      Mr Gregory Doyle of Rathdrum proposed that the retired teachers of County Wicklow should establish a Wicklow branch of retired teachers. This proposition was unanimously adopted by the meeting to form the branch with Hugh Byrne voted in as chairman and Gregory Doyle as Secretary / Treasurer. The meeting proposed that the Bank of Ireland be requested to open an account in the name of the retired Teachers Association. Permission was granted to purchase a minute book and all members should pay an annual fee of £2.

      At the end of the meeting Mr Brehony from Dublin invited all 7 members present to attend the AGM of national Retired teachers’ group to be held the following Saturday 17/09/1977 at 2.30pm in 36 Parnell Square, Dublin.

       And so RTAI Wicklow was launched. The teachers were pleased that Hugh Byrne was their leader as he was held in such high esteem in the county and throughout Ireland. He had been installed as President of the GAA in the Aberdeen Hall of the Gresham Hotel on April 2^nd, 1961, and served for 1961/63.

In a recent interview {March 20th, 2021} his daughter Marcella, now in her eighties, recalls a certain privilege they had as young children because Hugh had a motor car. There were only two cars in Rathdangan, one owned by Hugh and the other by the Parish Priest, with the two cars parked side by side at Sunday mass amid the bikes and pony and traps, while most people walked to Mass. RTAI Wicklow was in safe hands with a proven national leader who drove a car.

      All members present were asked to recruit retired teachers and by 27/05/1978 they had 24 paid up members each paying the £2 membership fee by cheque giving them a grand total of £48 out of which they sent £19.30 to Dublin, and they had to pay a booking fee of £1 for use of the hall.

      The fledgling group were in difficulty in calling a meeting in 1979 because the secretary and his wife were both ill and there was also a national postal strike which lasted for 18 weeks. It is worth noting that 1979 was the worst year for strikes.

      They struggled again in 1980. The chairman wished to express his disappointment, indeed his complete chagrin at the attendance of only 3 members, himself, his wife, and the secretary, for the AGM while two members sent apologies, but they sent in their £2 membership fee. Because of the lack of a quorum, agenda items and the election of officers had to be abandoned and the meeting was adjourned sine die. One member said the attendance was low because it was such a fine day. Another said people were sparing petrol because of the scarcity of petrol at that time because of the world petrol and gas shortage from 1979 to 1983 due to the Iranian crisis. People were sparing petrol for necessary journeys. The officers decided to stay on in their positions for another year.

      There was further trouble in 1982 when it was stated at a meeting that four of the original founding members were two years in arrears with their membership fees. They went so far as to name the four people involved. They were certainly living in different times and pre GDPR, but new members were still joining.

In 1983 the branch had a surplus of £215.46 having spent £3.60 on postage and a whopping £1.80 on refreshments for the AGM while they sent a cheque for £34.50 to Dublin.

    The meeting, held in 1985 was a happy occasion because of the granting of synchronisation of pension increase with increases to serving teachers. Secondly the check off system of paying subs increased membership and made it easier for paying up. The membership of the national association went from 2013 in 1983 to 2487 this year. The branch went wild at the AGM spending a whopping £3.40 on refreshments while their credit balance went up to £ 242.12. They also felt they should support the Matt Griffin fund to help sponsor research in the Children’s Hospital, Dublin and they sent £25 to support the fund.

      In 1987 the secretary reported that he was perplexed because they had 54 names on roll but only 30 paid up members. Of the remaining 24 people 11 were nuns who had no notion of paying up and others he reported were hopeless cases. Later, that year they reported a Wicklow roll of 46 but 6 of them were nuns who had no notion of joining RTAI.

      In 1988 the meeting was told that they had received the 2% of the 25^th wage agreement and that they could look forward to a 3.5 % arbitration award on 1/12/87. They were further told that increases due in1/6/88 were doubtful.

Interestingly the members were impressed that RTAI had built up financial reserves of £3000 over their 39-year existence being £77 a year saved. This big sum of money was now invested in government stock and was earning the not inconsiderable sum of £259.80 per annum in interest. How many members remember getting interest?

      In 1989 membership dropped from 33 to 28 and the Secretary read out all the names of non-affiliated retired teaches and urged a recruitment drive. Every retired teacher should be a member. This was their name and shame policy.

      The Chairman in 1990 noted that there was an influx of early retirees who generously threw in their lot with RTAI. Their comparative youth and energy will be a great boost to the morale of the Association. [Denis Garvey 05/06/90]

       The year 1992 was an annus horribilis for Wicklow Branch. This was the famous year in which the annual fee went up to £5. Fifteen members wrote in cancelling their membership. This was also the year in which retired teachers got the option of bimonthly instalments of pension.

       Denis Desmond, national secretary, announced in 1994 that each retired member would now be enrolled in the county they retired in. The membership of Wicklow rose from 43 to 78. They spent the staggering sum of £14 on AGM refreshments and had a credit balance of £900.12. with bank interest of £1.14.

During the years up to 1999 the branch meetings moved around the county meeting in Arklow, Woodenbridge,  Aughrim, Poulaphouca and Baltinglass. This was in response to members suggestions that there should be a change of venues for meetings to increase attendance, but it did not achieve this.

      The members were happy after the 2000 meeting held in the Wooden bridge Hotel when they heard of free ESB, phone rental and free TV license for over 70s.

      The mood music at the AGM in 2002 In Poulaphuca House Hotel was more sombre when we heard the report on The Commission on public service pensions. The traditional parity as a method of calculating pensions was in danger and benchmarking was still under discussion.

During 2003/2004 there were sustained attacks being made on the bench marking payments being paid to public servants.

      The 2004 meeting rejoiced that the payment of pensions every fortnight was finalised after a 13-year campaign.

The 2005 meetings were dominated by discussions on nursing home care, covenants for elderly people in full time care, tax relief for nursing home fees, medical cards for over 70’s and the 2% health levy abolished for over 70’s.

In 2007 there was much rejoicing with the announcement of a new scheme for nursing home care, with a basic cost for full time care now being mentioned.

      The benchmarking report of 2008 was viewed with some disappointment although the section dealing with the increase to retired principals and vice principals was welcomed. We are still waiting the payment in 2021.

     We all owe a great debt of gratitude to those pioneering members who set up RTAI. They had difficulty getting to meetings, they had no mobile phones, laptops, or internet but they helped set up the basis of the structure of RTAI we have today. Minutes were written by hand, as were the envelopes and then stamped and posted. They struggled to recruit members and retain them.

     We were so lucky in County Wicklow to have had such wonderful people like Hugh Byrne and latterly people like Maureen Quigley who took on the leadership role and whose selfless dedication to the cause of retired teachers was exemplary. They worked tirelessly for us without the funds to have dinner in hotels or restaurant. They had skimpy funds with no gratuity or reward other than the satisfaction of working to ensure that retired teachers’ conditions were improved. They had fewer cars but still managed to get to meetings often held on Saturdays and at great inconvenience to themselves. They were true trail blazers.

       Now we have 262 members, and we have sufficient funds to treat members properly when they meet. Most members have mobile phones and the internet and communication is much easier. We can send delegates to meetings without them having to dip into their own pockets to cover petrol and maybe an overnight stay.

We must however avoid complacency and ensure that the advances we have achieved over the years are not eroded. FEMPI cutbacks and the financial disaster of 2008/2010 hit us hard. The cutbacks have been rolled back but we have, lost a lot in that process.

      The years 2019 to 2021 in our history have been a different narrative for all of us. Covid 19 was tough for everyone when our very physical survival was uppermost in all our minds. It gave us all a new perspective in life which we value dearly. We will survive and continue to look out for each other and support our great community in RTAI Wicklow.

In 2022 there was much rejoicing when Covid 19 restrictions were lifted. Financially we were a bit better off when we got a 1% increase in our pension in October and then mirabile dictu we were paid our retrospective bench marking pay award. Christmas 2022 saw us with an extra pep in our step. The budget also gave us a further tax relief and pensioners smiled again. The 12 years pay freeze ended.

      We have come a long way in the evolving RTAI over our 46 years representing Wicklow retired teachers. We have kept the needs and conditions of retired teachers to the fore. Let us be proud to continue to beat that drum and remember to constantly be a flea in the ear of politicians. We must get direct negotiating rights at the wage talks table now by lobbying and using the grey crew voting bloc at election times.

Is ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.

Mick O Callaghan.  17/02/2023

Below is a link to the facsimile of the minutes of the meeting at which Wicklow Branch RTAI was founded in 1977:

Minutes from Wicklow Branch Foundation 1977