Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association Online: 2013

Christmas Theatre Visit 2013

The Risen People by James Plunkett

On the occasion of the centenary of the 1913 Lockout in Dublin, the Abbey Theatre are presenting a new version of James Plunkett’s play The Risen People.

It was one of the highlights of our Active Retirement's recent short break in Dublin.

We witnessed the struggle of families to survive during the Strike and Lockout.

The story was told in the form of music, song and drama and the interaction of the actors with one another was expertly done and a joy to watch. We were amazed at the way movement was created and how special the songs were, both old and new. It was a great night's entertainment. We enjoyed it very much despite the plays serious theme.

It is running in the Abbey until the end of January and is well worth a visit.

Bridie Loughman

Knitting Circle's Christmas Lunch

Our Knitting Group has taken a short Christmas Break.

To celebrate the occasion we enjoyed a delicious lunch in Gullane's Hotel on Monday Dec.16th. Members of our group who were free to attend, did so and it was most enjoyable.

Included in our photo is Margaret McDonnell, who was responsible for setting up the group about eight years ago and has worked tirelessly ever since. We would welcome new members as this group find knitting very relaxing and also very beneficial to staying positive.

Our charity" Knitting for Belarus" means a lot to us. Pat Dillon has given us the opportunity to get to know the children from the orphanage.

We wish all our friends a very happy Christmas and good health and happiness in 2014.

Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association

　

　
Activites 2014

Monthly meetings for all members : 1st Wednesday of every month @ 3pm in Gullane’s Hotel, Main St.
Informal meetings (tea/coffee/chat) every other Wednesday @ 3pm in Gullane’s Hotel
Various trips, shows, courses, informative talks and activities are arranged throughout the year.
As "Be Active, Be Healthy" remains out motto, members are encouraged to participate in the activity of their choice
Enquiries to Deirdre Hogan (Chairperson)Phone: 090.9678220 or Margaret Brennan (Secretary) Phone:087.7731707
Visit our Website www.ballinasloeactiveretirement.com
　

Activities	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Venue
Aquarobics (you don’t need to be a swimmer)	2-3 pm			2-3 pm	Leisure centre/ Kingfisher club
Bowls	7.30 - 10pm				John Shea Hall Creagh
Bridge	8pm (Beginners)	8pm		8pm	Bridge rooms Sarsfield Rd.
Book Club		4pm (2^{nd tues. of every month)}			Library
Singing group				10.30 - 12.30	^{Family Centre}Brackernagh
^{Knitting /crafts group}	10.30 - 12.30				Gullanes Hotel
Par 3 Golf	Anytime (Weather permitting)				^{Thomastown Golf Club}Athlone
Walking club (followed by gentle excercises)		10.30 - 12.30			Athletic track, Brackernagh,(winter time) and various places of interest (summer)
Meetings			3p.m		^{Gullane’s Hotel}

Ballinasloe Active RetireAssociation – Social Committeement Association – Social Committee

Newsletter, December 2013

Dear member,

As we approach the end of the year 2013, we are happy to report on yet another full and successful year.

Our great variety of trips included a visit to the beautiful city of Amsterdam, a Spring break in the luxurious Faithlegg House Hotel in Waterford and a memorable sun-soaked holiday in Lanzarote.

Our ever popular day trips to the Bloom flower show in Dublin, the Portumna Workhouse, Killaloe, Bruree and Foynes flying Museum, Co Limerick were most enjoyable and informative.

Looking ahead, the Social Committee have been working very hard on putting together a full and exciting programme of travel plans for 2014.

We enclose some dates and details for your diary (subject to change)

Friday, 17^{th January}, 2014 – Annual Dinner/Dance in Gullane’s Hotel, 6.30 p.m. Cost: €25 or €30 non-members.
Wed. 5th Feb. A.G.M. Gullanes’s Hotel, 3 p.m. €25 membership now due.
April 27th – 1st May – 4 day Spring break in the beautiful Slieve Russell Hotel golf and country club set on 300 acres in Co Cavan. Included will be a one day visit to Belfast to visit the Titanic Exhibition and a tour of Belfast city. Inclusive cost € €335. To avoid disappointment, deposit of €50 to Treasurer by Wed. 5th Feb.’14. Balance by 26th March .
25th – 28th May,’14 – Berlin is the chosen venue for our European guided city break. Cost €545 B&B sharing.€650 single in a 4* city centre hotel . Names A.S.A.P please as this needs to be booked immediately. Deposit of €50 on or before Jan. 15th 2014
Aug. 15th – 25th ’14 – There is still time if you wish to join us and experience the magic of a 10 day Norwegian Fjords Cruise. Particulars from Keller travel.
15th – 24th Sept.’14 – We have obtained fantastic value in the Sol Principe Hotel in Terromolinos. Cost €695 sharing. Single:€872 ( includes bus to and from Dublin Airport and water and wine with evening meal)
Included in our agenda will be our usual summer day trips, shows and concerts.
In December ,we celebrate the festive season and another busy year with a return two day visit to Dublin for shopping/shows.
We look forward to the company of you, our members, on our travels.
On behalf of our Social Committee, I wish you all a very Happy Christmas, safe travelling and a healthy and active New Year
Maura Rafter (Secretary)
Social Committee: Michael Walsh (Chairman) Ph.090 9642195, Maura Rafter (Secretary) Ph.090.9644001
Bridie Whelan (Treasurer) Ph.090.9643574 Chris O’Flynn (Asst. Sec.) Ph.090.9642870, Jimmy Lyons,Ph.090.9683614. Phil Kelly,Ph.086.4014418. Mgt. Dolan.Ph.090.9643372.

　
　
　
　

Memorial Mass 2013

On Thursday 31st October. ( Feast of All Saints)

The annual Mass for the deceased members of our Active Retirement Association will take place in

St. Michaels Church at 7p.m

During this month we pray for and remember all those members
whom we had the great privilege of knowing.

May they rest in peace

Maura Traynor. Una O'Reilly Jim McDonnell Eamon Fallon

Tom & Frances Fahy Peggy Ryan Doreen Donaghue Ethel O'Keefe

Ann Divilly Eithne Kennedy Margaret Lohan Rosaleen Dolan

Sadie Coen Rose Moore Nora Rynor Nuala Colleran

Mary Leonard Marie Ward Chrissie Doran Rose Kenny

Myra Doherty

D.R. & B.L. Ed.

ARA GO ON FESTIVAL OCTOBER 2013

Ara-Go-On Festival, October 2013

60 members of the Ballinasloe A.R.A attended the Ara-Go-Festival which was held this year in the Galway Bay Hotel . Out of 80 A.R.A groups now in the Westtern Region, we were the largest group in attendance. It proved to be a most enjoyable three days full of complimentary activities including trips to Connemara and the Cliffs of Moher or you could sail down the Corrib on the “Corrib Princess” One could avail of Cookery demonstration, Flower Arrangement, Irish Coffee/Wine tasting ,Aqua aerobics, Ballroom dancing, Sit/Fit classes, Bowls, Bingo, Table Quiz, Cards, Walking. So there was something for everyoe The weather was also lovely so walking the prom became a popular exercise . There were long queues at the bus stop to take people into the city for the inevitable retail therapy 350 members attended a fantastic Gala dinner on the last night at which there were lots of lovely spot prizes . We were entertained with songs and stories ,especially by the Portumna group who put on a hilarious sketch entitled “the Gathering” written and directed by two of their members. The committee of the Western Region did a wonderful job in organising this successful event. It gives members the opportunity to meet, mix and exchange ideas with other groups in the region.
C.O’Flynn