2011 Here we go.

The Field by John B. Keane - January 2011

Our first trip away in 2011 took us to The Olympia Theatre, Dublin. On Saturday 29th January a group of our BARA members went to Dublin to see the well-known play by John B. Keane, “The Field”.
It was a very good production but in some respects was different to the famous film of 1990 which had Richard Harris in his memorable performance as the 'Bull' McCabe. In particular the brutality of the murder of the Englishman isn’t emphasised as much. Although the murder remains the focal point of the play, the producer tones down the murder committed by adding more to the comedy in the play.
“The Field” is very entertaining with plenty of funny moments. The play though still remains true to its somewhat dark depiction of life in rural Ireland in the Fifties. The 'Bull' McCabe, played by the American actor Brian Dennehy, is a tenant farmer with a ferocious temper and is obsessed with the field he has been renting from a poor widow. He tells of the 3 acres of rocky coastland that has been turned into rich pasture through his toil and hard work. When the widow decides to put the land up for auction, the 'Bull' McCabe is outraged and decides to murder the buyer, an Englishman. The Bull and his son Tadgh beat the Englishman to death and still though it is quite interesting to see him say an Act of Contrition into his victim’s ear. Thereafter he bullies the townspeople into remaining silent. Not even the Church can break their silence. The loyal town drunk, 'Bird' O'Donnell is well-portrayed, also Dandy and Mrs. McCabe. Bosco Hogan plays the Bishop and Malcolm Adams the Priest.
The 'Bull', at the end of the play, closes the scene by saying that all will forget this in the passing of time but adds, almost grudgingly, except he himself, so you get another insight into his criminal act.
The whole play was thoroughly enjoyed by all and we came away not feeling too gloomy after this horrible murder.

Bridie Loughman

B.A.R.A. Activities 2011

Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association

Contact; ballinasloeactive@gmail.com


Activities Timetable 2010



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 the Gullane's Hotel


Various courses, Creative and learning programmes and informative talks 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 :Kaye Killeen, Hon. Secretary. Phone: 090- 9642597 or Chris O’Flynn ( Social Secretary). Phone: 090-9642870




Aquarobics
2-3 pm Leisure centre/
Kingfisher club
Monday and Thursday

Bowls
7.30 - 10pm John Shea Hall Creagh
Monday

Bridge
8pm Bridge rooms Sarsfield Rd.
Monday-beginners Thursday.

Book Club
4pm Library
2nd Tuesday of every month

Singing group
10.30 - 12.30 Family Centre
Thursday

Knitting /crafts group
(blankets for Belarus)
10.30 - 12.30 Gullanes Hotel
Monday

Pitch and Putt (Weather permitting)
Creagh training centre, Creagh Rd.
Anyday

Walking club
10.30 - 12.30 Pearse’s G.A.A Club,(winter ) and various places of interest (summer)
Tuesday

Happy New Year 2011

Best Wishes to all our friends
B.A.R.A.

Dublin Xmas Trip 2010

Our Dublin Trip


We travelled to Dublin on December 8th to do some Christmas shopping and enjoy a few days in Wynns Hotel. We braved the snow and ice and were very careful to look out for one another. I am glad to report that the two day trip was most enjoyable and accident free.

On our first night, after an early dinner at our hotel, we went to a play in the Gate Theatre. The play was an adaptation by Alan Stanford of “Jane Eyre” written by Charlotte Brontë over a hundred and sixty years ago. Jane Eyre( played by Andrea Corr of music group The Corrs) is a woman, who despite a troubled past, struggles as best she can with life’s challenges. She falls in love with Mr. Rochester, played by Stephen Brennan, which indeed presents its own difficulties. But things work out in the end and it’s a wonderful story, beautifully acted and I would really recommend it to all.

On our second night we went to the new theatre, the Grand Canal Theatre. It’s a magnificent theatre with wonderful facilities and stage management. Here we saw the musical “Scrooge”, the title role being played by the legendary Tommy Steele. The whole production had come over from the London Palladium. It’s a wonderfully warm family story, with great sets and costumes and fantastic musical airs and spectacular dance throughout the show. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all of us and was the highlight of our trip.
We returned home the following day to resume our normal lives!

Bridie Loughman

Loughrea Play

I do not like thee Dr. Fell by Bernard Farrell

We attended a play in The Temperance Hall, Loughrea. It was a bitterly cold evening but we really enjoyed the play. It was produced by our very own John Boland, a most accomplished actor.
The play is a comedy, a strange kind of comedy with moments of sadness and mystery but still very funny. The story is built around a group therapy session. Suzy, an American, is group co-ordinator. Her remedy for everything is “relax, relate and communicate”. Roger is an intellectual who is obsessed with group therapy sessions. Peter, a builder and his wife Maureen , are having marriage problems or as Peter would say, “Maureen is highly strung”! Rita is a widow. She speaks of her late husband, who she still loves, and of her 12 cats named after the Twelve Apostles!!
Finally we have Joe, the Dr. Fell, who is the mysterious one and by his deceptions has a huge effect on the other participants and then there’s Paddy, the group attendant who regards them all as “weirdos”.
The cast was wonderful and the night’s performance was well-received by a large audience.
Bridie Loughman

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