Activities in RSTA Kilkenny Branch

Branch Email: rstakilkennybranch@gmail.com

Branch Secretary:  Joan Murphy         Branch Chairperson: Mary Durkin

Branch meetings are usually held in the The Club House, Patrick St, Kilkenny.

Members are notified of all branch meetings and activities by email, so if you wish to be included on our email contact list, please email rstakilkennybranch@gmail.com

Events held this year to date include a wonderful outing to Altamount gardens, a visit to the Watergate Theatre to see 'An Cailín Ciuin', a meeting to discuss future plans and a talk on Healthy Living, a visit to the Butler Gallery. . . . and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 24th 2024: Outing to Mount Congreve Gardens

Guided tour of the gardens.  Coffee/tea and scones will be available in the cafe.

If you wish to take part please contact the Branch Secretary at: rstakilkennybranch@gmail.com

Report from a Visit to the Butler Gallery

22 September 2023

Our group had a guided tour. The Gallery houses exhibitions of Tony and Jane O'Malley and continues to add to its collection.

The Wildflower Café has been extended and also has an outdoor seating area. The food is delicious. 

We highly recommend a visit.

Activities in RSTA Tipperary Branch

Branch Email: rstatipperarybranch@gmail.com.

Branch Secretary:  Maureen McHugh

Christmas Lunch 2023

Thursday 7th December at 12.30 pm in Bailey's Hotel, Main Street, Cashel

Branch Summer Outing 24th May 2023

We assembled for morning coffee in Mike Ryan's followed by a guided tour of the Rock Of Cashel. Pictured below are branch members outside Cormac's Chapel on the Rock of Cashel.

Branch Presentation March 2023, Bailey Hotel, Cashel

Branch Chairman, Mattie Finnerty, on behalf of Tipperary Branch made presentations at their committee meeting on 7th March to two branch members to acknowledge their contributions to the branch

Elizabeth Hayes has been secretary to the branch since 2010 and Paddy Daly has been a committee member since then.

The Branch committee are picture below making the presentations.

View more photos from Tipperary here:  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAwcss

Upcoming Activities in RSTA Clare Branch

Branch Email: rstaclarebranch@gmail.com.

Branch Secretary:  Mary Carroll

Branch Christmas Lunch 2023

Wednesday 6th December at 1.30 pm in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

RSTA Midland Branch

Branch Email: rstamidlandbranch@gmail.com.

TRIP TO ISTANBUL AND ANCIENT TURKEY - APRIL 14th to 21st 2024

On April 14th 2024 (nothing like planning ahead!) we head off to explore Istanbul and Ancient Turkey with The Travel Department.  Full details on Travel Department website.

I have secured a discount of €80 per person on the published price.  Please contact me re booking to avail of discount.

Thank you.

Rosemary Kiernan, Midland RSTA.

Email: kiernanrm45@gmail.com.      Phone: 087 7589287

Report on Trip to South Africa - Rosemary Kiernan

View more photos of the trip here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLSnfHS

On September 20th RSTA members and friends headed off with The Travel Department to South Africa.  We visited Cape Town, Table Mountain, the wine regions, got marooned in quaint Arniston, swam in the Indian Ocean, chatted to penguins on Boulder Beach, ate wonderful food, met lovely travel companions but Kariega Safari Park, for me, was the highlight. Four days immersed in nature as God intended.  Big shout out to rangers Amber and Rachel who brought us up close and personal with amazing wildlife, arranged surprises like coffee on safari, boat trip, ponchos in the rain (useless . . . we were soaked through!) and were so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife in Kariega.  Thank you Amber and Rachel!

South Africa is a beautiful place to visit, it exceeded my expectations.

Report on Branch Trip to Montenegro - April 2023

Rosemary Kiernan writes  . . . . .

"Paradise is a place called Montenegro.  We have this on good authority from fourteen RSTA members, friends and family who travelled there recently . . . . ."       Read the full report of the trip here: Montenegro_Trip_Report.pdf

Report on trips to Greece and Austria 2022

The intrepid travellers of the branch enjoyed two trips abroad earlier this year, to Greece and Austria. Click on the links below to read reports of their trips and view their holiday photos:

Reports on branch trips: Reports_Greece__Austrian_Trips.pdf

Click the link for more photos of Midland Branch Trips: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLSnfHS

Upcoming Activities in RSTA Wexford Branch

Wexford Branch

Branch Email: rstawexfordbranch@gmail.com

Group Visit to Cahir May 2023

Members of Wexford Branch enjoyed a group visit to Cahir Castle and the Swiss Cottage.  Read the report of the visit here: Wexford_Cahir_Trip.pdf

 View more photos of some Wexford Branchactivities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWDDE

Upcoming Activities in RSTA Wicklow Branch

Wicklow Branch

Scheduled Outings 2022

Note: All our outings conclude with light refreshments and a chat at a local establishment.

Christmas Lunch:  Monday 4th December at 1 pm in Delgany Golf Club.

October 2023 - Branch Outings

Branch members enjoyed a tour of Kilmacurry Botanic Gardens and a guided tour of Dublin Castle which included a visit to the Chapel Royal.

September 2022:  Treetop Walk , Avondale

Click on the links to read a report of the walk and view photos: Wicklow_Branch_on_the_Treetop_Walk.docx

Photos of Treetop Walk: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAcDA5

October 10th: Branch members enjoyed a guided walk of historic Dun Laoghaire led by Committee Member and National Tour Guide, Michael O'Flaherty.

October 22nd:Members visted the Mermaid Theatre, Bray for a production of Shirley Valentine.

November 21st: Vartry Lake Walk.  11.30 am - to 1pm.  Meet at the carpark in Roundwood at 11.30 am

Photos from Wicklow Branch Here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAcDA5 

Report on the second event in Sligo hosted by the three retired teachers' associations in March 2024

The event was organised through the co-operative efforts of the retired members of the three teacher unions RSTA, RTAI and TUIRMA.

A lecture entitled The Wisdom of Our Ages by Gerry Farrell was presented in the Black Box of the Model and Niland Centre Sligo on 12th March 2024.

This is the second successful event the RTS (Retired Teacher Sligp) has hosted.

Read a full report and view photos of the event here: Sligo_report.pdf

Report on "The Best is Yet to Come Event"

"In the world of retired teachers a truly ground breaking event happened in Sligo  . . . . . ." writes Annette O'Connell

Read the full report on the very successful  well-being night The Best is Yet to Come co-hosted by the three retired teachers' associations. Click here for the report.

View Photos of the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAcxeV

Cork Branch

Branch Email: rstacorkbranch@gmail.com

View more photos from Cork Branch trips and activities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzQwc8

Branch Christmas Lunch 2023

Date: Tuesday 6th December at 1 pm

Venue: Hayfield Manor Hotel

Report on Trip to Sardinia 2023

A very large group left Cork Airport on Oct 2nd for a 4-night stay in Sardinia. Alghero was our base. The hotel was situated by the sea and a lovely walk to the old town.

We did a day trip along the coast to the beatiful town of Bosa where we enjoyed a tasting of the local Malvasia wine and cheeses. This was followed by a fantastic meal in a restaurant in Bosa Marina. 

The weather was gorgeous with sun filled days and warm evenings. Lots of fun and lovely memories made.

Blarney Castle Tour - Summer 2023

RSTA Cork had a wonderful mid-summer outing to Blarney Castle and gardens attended by 30 members. 

The sun was shining and we were guided around the gardens by Adam, the head gardener, who not only showed us the rare plants and trees but had stories as to how they got there. 

The branch kindly paid for the tour guide.

 Spring Break in Dunraven Arms Hotel - March 2023

30 members and friends enjoyed a most relaxing two night stay in the lovely Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick. 

Dinner was included on one night of our stay and some of us dined in the 1826 Restaurant where we were lucky enough to meet the wonderful chef himself, Wade Murphy.

View more photos from the visit here:  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzQwc8

Cork Branch welcomes new members!          

Upcoming Activities in RSTA Galway Branch

Branch Email: rstagalwaybranch@gmail.com.

Branch Secretary: Dorothy Robinsom

Coffee and Chat - on second Tuesday of each month at 11 am

Members meet at the Poppyseed at Galway Crystal.

Program of Events 2024

Wednesday 27th March at 2pm in Menlo Hotel

Talk by Tom Maguire (former Branch Chairperson). Tom will share some stories from Michael Slavin's book on Ancient Irish Manuscripts.  Refreshments will be provided.

Wednesday 29th May:  Summer Lunch in the Galway Bay Hotel

Thursday 28th November:  Branch AGM

Thursday 12th December: Christmas Lunch in the Galway Bay Hotel

Further details of events will be posted closer to the dates.

Mayo Branch

Branch Email: rstamayobranch@gmail.com.

Branch meetings are held in Mayo Teachers' Centre, Castlebar.  Members are notified of all branch meetings and activities by email.  New members should contact the branch to join the email contact list.

Branch AGM October 2023

Officers re-elected were Carmel Heneghan, Chairperson, Kevin McMahon, Secretary,  Antoinette Casey, Treasurer.

Upcoming Events

Thursday 16th November at 12 noon:  Annual Mass for deceased members in Ballintubber Abbey followed by lunch in Corley's Ballintubber.

If you wish to join us for lunch please text Carmel at 087 2258978 as we need to confirm number with the restaurant.

Branch Christmas Lunch 2023

Venue: Ashford Castle

Date: Wednesday December 13th.    Reception at 1 pm.  Lunch at 1.30 pm. 

Cost: Mayo RSTA member:   €40   Guest of Mayo Member:  €50

Please text Carmel directly at 087 2258978 before November 30th if you plan to attend.

Accommodation:  Ashford Castle has offered a concessionary room rate for RSTA members:

Double: €525.    Single: €505

Contact Ashford Castle directly for reservations quoting RSTA.

Branch Trip to North Mayo September 2023

Branch members set out on another of Antoinette's adventures on a bright sunny day in September. The most enjoyable and informamative trip took in Kilcummin Strand, the ruins of Franciscan and Dominican monasteries and Summerhill House.  A short break for refreshments at the Céide Fields Centre en route to  Ballinglen Museum of Art. Onwards via the Stags of Broadhaven, Eagle Island Lighthouse and Dún na mBo to a guided tour of Blacksod Lighthouse. Our day out concluded in the Strand Hotel for dinner. Read a full report of the trip here: Branch_Trip_to_North_Mayo.pdf

The Lost Valley Walk - June 2023

Mayo RSTA spent a memorable day exploring the magnificient Lost Valley near Louisburgh.

The walk traverses a family farm set in a beautiful valley on the shores of Killary fjord with magnificient views all around.  Our guide, the current owner, shared his passion for his homeplace and his impressive knowlege of its history going back to famine times.

The weather was perfect and we gathered afterwards for a beautiful meal in Tia restaurant. A day to remember.

View more photos of the walk at link below

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAKm5J

Visit to Michael Davitt Museum Straide - 13 March 2023

Members enjoyed a tour of the museum and a wonderful talk on Davitt and the history of Straide Abbey in the company of  two excellent and knowledgeable guides.

We highly recommend this tour to any of our colleagues from other branches who may be visiting the west.

You will come away with a new regard for this remarkable man and his lifelong work on behalf of oppressed people  both at home and all around the world.  

View more photos of the visit here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzX1ez

 Report on 2022 Branch Activities:  Branch_Report_22.pdf

 View more photos of Mayo branch activities - click on link below.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzX1ez