Wanted---- Photographs

Members please forward any photos relating to our organisation
These photos may or may not be used, but more important is that they are not lost forever. we can store them on our B.A.R.A. computer for our library. Please attach names ,locations and dates. Posterity calls
Doug.

ballinasloeactive@gmail.com

Debate

“There’s For and Against”

There was a great air of excitement and anticipation in Gullane’s Hotel on Wed. 10th Nov.’10. It was the 1st venture for the members of the Active retirement association into what proved to be a very entertaining and light-hearted debate entitled “ We Senior Citizens are a burden on the state”
The tension was clearly visible on the faces of the six brave volunteers. Bridie Loughman acted as a very professional compere. Doug,as timekeeper, came armed with bell and an enormous clock!! Each speaker was allowed exactly three minutes.

The three member team in favour of the motion, Ml. Walshe, Nancy Ward and Mgt. McDonnell put forward some very convincing points claiming we had too many perks and allowances, that we could well afford to pay our own way and start fending for ourselves. After all our country was bankrupt!!


“Mike Nancy and Margaret”

The opposing team, Pearl Finnegan. Jane Treacy, and Sr Dorothea retaliated by stating we, senior citizens, were loved by the state and that we well deserved our grants and allowances. We had worked hard all our lives and contributed greatly to the ecomomy


Pearl Jane and Sr Dorothea

The debate was followed by a lively audience participation before our Chairman and Judge, Gabriel Rohan, declared , to much applause, the opposing team to be the winners.


All in all ,it was a very enjoyable afternoon and I hope it will be the first of many. However, I do feel our participating teams would be a hard act to follow!
Congratulations and well done to all concerned!
Chris O’Flynn

Galway Races October 2010

"Serious Decisions"


" Winner Alright"

October Bank Holiday Galway Race meeting

Last Monday 25th October a group of about twenty of us attended the final Race Meeting of 2010 in Ballybrit, Galway. It was a most enjoyable occasion.
The weather was dry but cold. We were well-protected from the weather, though, as we were located in the Panoramic Restaurant at the Millennium Stand. Dinner was excellent and we could place our bets from the comfort of our seats. Standing up we had a full view of the race course. A running commentary was also provided keeping us all up to date. The excitement towards the end of each race was wonderful as everyone cheered his own horse all the way to the finishing line. We won some, we lost some but none of us returned to Ballinasloe with any major winnings or losses!

Bridie Loughman

ARA Go On Festival Western Region Sept. 2010

The Two Jim's in action.



"Do I Know you" ???



Western Regional ARA Go On Festival 2010

We have just returned from three very enjoyable days in the Salthill Hotel in Galway, celebrating the Western Regional ARA Go On Festival 2010.
We met members from many other groups in the Region and this was both informative and entertaining. The hotel did an excellent job in welcoming and accommodating us for our entire stay. Music and dancing was provided by the hotel’s resident band and some ARA members also performed. We even found time to play a few hands of Bridge each evening.
On Monday evening a local historian, Paul McGinley, gave a very interesting talk on Galway City in olden times. Then on Tuesday we had a choice of tours, one to Connemara Heritage Centre and the other to Spiddal and Cong. A visit to Siopa Standún, a well-known and long established premises in Spiddal, was next on the agenda and there we purchased gifts and souvenirs.
A Gala Dinner concluded our last evening in the hotel. The meal was served in the Rockbarton Suite on the ground floor. No effort was spared to make this a memorable banquet.
We have been very lucky with the beautiful sunny weather here in Galway over these past few days and we returned home feeling duly relaxed and refreshed.

Bridie Loughman

Jesolo---Italy---2010

The Alps from a bus window.---- Doug.


Saving the planet's fossil fuel


Trip to Lido Di Jesolo (2010)

On Saturday September 11th a group of 47 departed Ballinasloe at 3.00 a.m. to catch our Aer Lingus flight to Venice at 8.30 a.m. When we arrived in Venice at 11.05 a.m. local time we were excited to see a cloudless blue sky and feel the warmth of the air. Our holiday began on reaching our 4 star Cambridge Hotel. We rested for a couple of hours as we had such an early start to the day. Dinner was at 7.00 p.m. so we dressed up in our finery, came down in the lift and waited eagerly outside the restaurant door. The beautiful stained glass door was opened, a musician played a rousing tune as we marched in and were presented with a red rose and sat down to an 8 course candlelit gala dinner. What a great start to our holiday!

The hotel is situated by a lovely beach with recliners and parasols to accommodate the guests. A lovely pool just outside the hotel is a relaxing place to sit or sun oneself furnished with recliners and parasols too.

On Tuesday a group went to Venice and visited St. Mark’s Square and many other interesting places. We, who remained in Jesolo, cycled on 4 wheeled bicycles steered by some of the men and pedalled around the town on cycle lanes. It was great fun and a lovely leisurely way to explore the town.

On Thursday a group went to Verona and Lake Garda and a small group of 7 or 8 went to the Dolomites and Cortina. The weather remained glorious and sunny until Friday which was cloudy and rainy and there was a downpour on Friday night. Some of us went to Padua on Saturday to visit St. Anthony’s tomb. We touched the black stone at the back of it and petitioned him for our personal intentions.


At night time after dinner we walked off our calories either on the beach walkway or down town. Games of bridge and 25 were played some nights. The weather was good again on Sunday and Monday and people sunned themselves on the beach. Most of the group had massages during the week so we arrived back in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon really relaxed after a fabulous holiday in Lido Di Jesolo.

Ann Killeen

"Who needs Italy"

Galway visit sept. 2010


Ballinasloe Active Retirement travelled to the Galway Bay Hotel for a short stay in Galway City. As happens on occasions, the weather was very kind to us despite a bad weather forecast.
Salthill was a busy place, full of visitors. We had a great time and enjoyed lovely walks on the prom. Then on our last night we attended a concert called Trad on the Prom at the neighbouring Salthill Hotel. It was a wonderful production by the Fahy family and Chris Kelly. Anyone who enjoys traditional music would appreciate the talents of this very musical family. It was the perfect finish to our short holiday.

Bridie Loughman

News Bulletin from your Social Committee – Sept.’10




· Balance on the Ara-Go-On event in the Salthill Hotel on Oct. 11th will be taken up on Wed. 22nd Sept. in the Shearwater Hotel. (€170 single and €135 sharing)

· Horse racing, corporate style, will be held in Galway this year on Bank holiday Mon.25th October. Cost for a four course meal without wine, on third floor with a view of track will be €55 + cost of bus. If interested, please give your name to-day.

· Your annual Christmas outing outing to Dublin will be on the 8th – 9th Dec.’10

Looking ahead to 2011--------------
· Dinner/Dance in Gullane’s Hotel, Friday, February 4th 2011

· For our Spring break in Ireland we visit the lovely Co. Tipperary, early April

· London is the chosen venue for our city break in May

· There are on-going investigations for an exciting sun holiday in the Autumn

· Watch out for Cruise news in Spring 2012 !!!

Ø Make full use of your diary to help you to remember which trip you have signed on for--- date, cost, deposit paid, balance due, etc.

Chris O’Flynn (Secretary) Phone 090- 9642870 or 087-6492466