Month: March 2025

Update on April outing to Wicklow

*Upcoming Kildare RTAI outing:*

There are a few places left on the bus. Please reply to Anne asap if you wish to attend.
Agenda: Wicklow Gaol and Mount Usher, Mon 14th April.
Leaving Naas 8.45am.
Coffee and walk around town 10-00am -11.15am.
Some lovely art work around town and walk/ along the piers.
Tour of Gaol 11.30am €9.50.
Lunch Avoca, Ashford at 1.30pm.
Tour of Mount Usher Gardens €8 at 3.30pm.
******More details closer to the date.******

2025 ARTI Congress

*2025 Annual Convention Report*

A more detailed report will be in your next Cónasc
Four representatives from Kildare Retired Teachers attended the meeting, Tuesday  11th March 2025, held in the Cusack Stand Suite, Croke Park- Chair, Michael Minogue, Vice Chair, Bernadette Doyle, Secretary, Anne Rogan and blogger, Breda Fay.
A comprehensive report on all the proceedings will appear in next Comhnasc, including minutes of 2024 Convention, an address by INTO President, Carmel Brown and National Executive Report from John O’Brien.
The guest speaker , Evelyn Hoy, Chief Executive to the Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland described some of the challenges facing older people- crime, health, housing, services, age discrimination, ageing well, human rights, transport- and how important it is to have the lobbying power of an organisation to focus on the needs of the older person and centre them in Government planning.
Twenty one motions were adopted covering a wide range of topics from branch organisation, rule changes, sub pay, etc. Again there will be a comprehensive report in next Comhnasc.
Breda Broderick from Laois was elected to Financial Supervisery Committee for our District – Division 3
Mary McCarthy and Brian Mangan are organising the June Golf Classic
Some Golf Trip is also planned but it’s still hush hush.
There was a great response to Choir Call-out on March 22nd
New National RTAI Web page will soon by operational.

Articles from members

For a number of months now Stephanie Bergin has been writing the most wonderful accounts of our walks and trips. Although I have published them, I don’t think I have been doing them justice on the BLOG.

So I have created a separate page called MEMBERS’ WRITINGS – you will see it on the home page menu (top of the page).

To assist everyone finding the page I will also put a note and a link on the Blog whenever I receive writing.  This is a new venture for me and it might take a while to get it right!

Writings welcome from all our members!

Let’s see if this works: Stephanie’s account of our visit to Dublin Castle https://www.retiredteacherskildare.ie/memberswritings/

 

APRIL WALK PLAN

Some advanced notice from Maura about April Walk:

I’m hoping to pick another good day for our next walk – looking at some day next week if weather permits. I won’t put up the day until a few days in advance.

Michelle Lenihan has very kindly offered to lead. We did a reccie yesterday and it’s a lovely walk suitable for everyone.
Glenasmole Valley/Bohernabreena Reservoir. Less than 10km in length, good underfoot, scenic, place for a picnic (and toilets available) half way round.
Parking is very restricted so we will meet at Moody Rooster cafe, beside Dunnes Stores Blessington, where we will pool cars. It’s 16km from there. We can go in convoy!
So watch this space for date and times.

National RTAI Choir

A heartwarming afternoon of music performed by the talented National RTAI Singers took place on Saturday March 22nd St. Saviour’s Church, Dominic Street, Dublin.

Over 200 dedicated retired primary teachers, after weeks of rehearsal, shared their passion for music in this special performance.

Well done to the 12 members of our Kildare Branch who took part.

Upcoming Kildare RTAI outing: Wicklow Gaol and Mount Usher Gardens

The next Kildare RTAI outing will be to Wicklow Gaol and Mount Usher on Mon 14th April.

Leaving Naas 8.45am.

Coffee and walk around Wicklow town 10-00am -11.15am. Some lovely art work around town and walk/ along the piers.

Tour of Gaol 11.30am €9.50.

Lunch Avoca, Ashford at 1.30pm.

Tour of Mount Usher Gardens €8 at 3.30pm.

More details closer to the date.

This notification will go to you all by text: Please reply to text asap if you want a place

“FLATTISH” MARCH WALK REPORT

Once again, Maura triumphed in the weather forecasting and the walkers had lovely weather for the March walk.

Here is a selection of comments and photos:

Hi All a great day out on the Derrybawn Ramble Way. Great company, banter and ‘Craic’. Míle Buíochas, Maura for organising the walk and recommending the café in Laragh. Delicious array of cakes! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️ 🍰🧁🍥 (Stephanie)

Many thanks Maura for organising another most enjoyable day out. A great location and of course the cafe stop at the end added to it!
Also thanks for the photos ladies.😀 (Martina)

Thanks for organising a great hike Maura. It was a lovely day out in a most beautiful place . (Maria)