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SUMMER MEETING 2020

A notice from Billy Sheehan, General Secretary:

NEC has decided that summer meetings scheduled for May or June should be cancelled. Hopefully AGMs can be held in November/December.

NEC, on behalf of all members, decided that , as a charities are in need of support, two donations of €20,000 were made to ALONE and VINCENT de PAUL. A further two donations of €5,000 were made to IRISH CANCER SOCIETY and the PETER MCVERRY TRUST.

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Weekend conditions forecast to be 'very reasonable with some ...

Hope you are all keeping well – how blessed we have been that the weather was so good during this time of crisis. Even if we had to survive within the confines of our garden, it was great to be able to enjoy sunshine. I’m sure the extension of limits to 5km as well as the opening of boundaries for our over 70s is appreciated.

Talking On Phone - Old Cartoon Granny Vector Illustration Royalty ...

Missing ‘actual’ contact with family, especially with the little ones, has been very difficult. However ‘virtual’ contact has helped – my grandson thinks that I have a starring role in Paw Patrol!!!!! or Thomas the Tank Engine!!!! At least I am still be recognised despite some changes to my appearance.

Bad hair day ☺ | Funny | Nuser, Søren brun og Tegneserier

 

 

COVID 19

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Hope everyone keeping well. I know there’s lots of anxiety out there, lotsa “fake news”.

But it’s good to be informed. So here are some links to credible websites:

HSE for updated comprehensive advise on protecting yourself, symptoms, self, isolating, etc 

Department of Foreign Affairs for Travel advice related to Corona Virus

World Health Organisation – more pretty regularly updated information – may be of interest if you’ve travel plans

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Some suggestions for putting in the hours, without sport on the telly, without meetings, whatever, – Brendan O’Connor had a number of authors on show this morning with suggestions for reading (I missed the beginning and then couldn’t find a pencil) but eventually got these (more comprehensive list on podcast): 

TRAVEL:

Turbulance by David Szalay – 12 novel stories about characters whose lives are linked via air travel and their in-flight anxieties (All That Man also by David Szalay was mentioned)

FICTION:

Eggshells by Caitriona Lally 

The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel (Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies also by Hilary Mantel)

POETRY:
Poetry Pharmacy: Tried-and-True Prescriptions for the Heart, Mind and Soul by William Sieghart (googled it and its described as a marvellous selection!)

100 Poems by Seamus Heaney

Philip Larkin – any of his poetry collections

 

2020 Day trip to Foynes with RTA Kildare

Put this date in your diary:

TUESDAY 12th MAY

It’s always great to start a New Year with travel plans – and who better to get us on the road than Ms Travel herself, RenaMcAllan. RTA Kildare will take to the road in 2020 for a day trip to Foynes, in Co Limerick.

Places are booking fast so get you name down!!!!! Phone Rena 086 8252164

Leaving Naas at 8am and collecting in Newbridge about 8.30, our bus will hit for stop 1 just outside Birdhill – the renowned Matt the Thresher for morning coffee and maybe a scone or a biscuit!

Then on to Foynes where there’s a wide range of exhibitions – Flying Boat Museum, The Aviation Museum, The Irish Coffee Experience (I’m sure there’ll be a few sampled!!!), the Maureen O’Hara exhibition and a chance for lunch in O’Regans Restaurant. There has to be something to suit everyone’s fancy – I’m particularly looking forward to the story of the Colleen Bawn and the Ghost ships!!! and an Irish Coffee of course.

We return home through Limerick city, taking in St John’s Castle with its new interactive touring facility.

We’ll be well ready for a two-course Dinner after that back in Matt’s in Birdhill before hitting for home. ETA about 9 o’clockish!!!!

We might even raise a song or two on the trip!!!

All this for €60 (RTA are sponsoring the bus – Thanks Madam Treasurer and our generous committee!) so fee covers entry to all attractions, morning coffee, dinner and tips. Money will be collected as you board the bus in the morning.