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.
View photos and video of Mayo Branch activities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzX1ez
BRANCH AGM November 2024
Officers elected: Chairperson: Carmel Heneghan, Secretary: Kevin McMahon, Treasurer: Antoinette Casey
BRANCH ACTIVITIES - 2025
At the November branch meeting a sub-committee was set up to plan for future events/outings for 2025. Details of all plans will be circulated to members by email.
Guided Walk - the Achill Colony Tour - Monday 19th May at 11 am. - Cost €25 collected on the day.
Our activities committee has organised a day trip to Achill for a guided walking tour of the historic Achill Mssion sites. The tour will be led by award winning writer and Achill Islander, Kevin Toolis. Click the link to his website for the background story and an outline of the tour: www.thecolonytour.ie
Date: Monday 19th May. Start time: 11.am Duration: 2.5 hours
10.30 am: Assemble at Alice's Harbour Hotel, Achill Sound (red stone buildiong on left just before the bridge). Tea/scones. Car pool from here to walk start point.
11 am: Meet in Dugort at Strand Hotel (F27 NY97). Parking available.
2 pm: Beehive Cafe, Keel for refreshments.
3.30: Return to Harbour Hotel
Check the weather forecast and wear comfortable walking shoes!
A happy memory of our guided tour of the Lost Valley
Proposed Guided Tour of Kilmainham Gaol - July 2nd at 12 noon.
We needed to plan well in advance to secure this booking so remember to keep this date free in your diaries. Full details will be circulated closer to the time.
REMINDER: RSTA National Conferrence 2025 - 29th April to 1st May.
Full details for booking accommodation and events are available in the latest RSTA Newsletter and on the Home page of this website.
This year's conference takes place in the beautiful and historic city of Kilkenny in the Ormonde Hotel. We encourage to our members to take the opportunity to treat yourselves to a spring break and avail of the opportunity to take an active part in the Conference. All members of RSTA are entitled to attend the Conference and related activities and to take full part in discussions and nominations to the National Committee. Election of our branch voting delegates and proposals for motions for Conference will be discussed at the next branch meeting. (Details to follow.)
PLANNED ACTIVITIES:
Seniors Cinema Program in Castlebar Cinema at 11 am each Thursday morning.
The program for Seniors offers reduced ticket prices, free tea/coffee, no advertising, sound and lighting adjusted for a comfortable cinema experience. Some members are already enjoying this as a regular weekly opportunity to meet up and perhaps enjoy a coffee or lunch afterwards. Details in the link below.
Report on 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
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
