Coole Park. June 2011

49 members of BARA enjoyed a lovely day trip to Woodville gardens & Coole Park on wed. 8th June. The weather was not too good but it did not dampen our spirits. First stop was Woodville gardens set at the foot of the Slieve Aughty mountains. The gardens were lovely, the doves sitting on the top of the dovecott were eyeing us suspiciously. These gardens were owned by the Darcy family & later by Harry Persse brother to Lady Augusta Gregory. The adjoining the stables exhibit the history of Woodville & very interesting it was. Our next stop was Coole Park, & into the tea rooms for scones & tea /coffee. Then there was a guided tour around the nature trail. There were red deer grazing nearby, the large house no longer there it fell into disrepair & was pulled down in the 1940's . On around the se lovely grounds we came upon the old brown beech tree aprox three hundred years old. The initials of famous people are carved on the trunk. George Bernard Shaw, W B Yates & many more. Back inside we saw a video of the Lady Gregory family in the last century. This was a very good experience for all. Lastly we enjoyed a meal at Lady Gregory hotel. All in all it was a very good day !!
Margaret MacDonnell

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Once again our Active Retirement members were off to Dublin. This time it was to see the show “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” on Thursday, 2nd June 2011 in the Grand Canal Theatre.
The musical retells the biblical story of “Joseph” in song. We are introduced to Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours. Their father is Jacob, whose favourite son is Joseph. The other sons become jealous of Joseph and have him exiled to Egypt. He meets the Pharaoh who amazingly appears as Elvis! The singing, dancing, design and lighting are breathtaking. Overall the sound amplification lessens as the show progresses and this makes for a more enjoyable listening experience. Keith Jack is Joseph and he really has a lovely singing voice.
The beautiful sunny day, plus the location and magnificent surroundings of the Grand Canal Theatre, inside and out, all contributed to this most enjoyable day for all of us. The Andrew Lloyd Webber songs such as “Any Dream Will Do”, “Close Every Door” and “One More Angel in Heaven” were unforgettable.
I’ll finish by saying, where next?!

Bridie Loughman

Bealtaine Get-together

Doug Bridie Maura Margaret

Margaret Maura Dorethea Bridie Doug

Bridie as Grandmother from wanderly wagon

Mick and Sheila










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London May 2011

Houses of Parlament



Tower of London



Big Ben



Westminister Abbey













37 members of B.A.R.A boarded McGinley’s coach at 4.30 a.m. on May 16th’11 . Despite the unearthly hour, we were wide awake and eagerly looking forward to our 4 day trip to London.
After our short flight we were met at Gatwick Airport and taken by coach to the “Ibis Hotel” in Earls Court which proved to be very comfortable and central. Having booked in, some were glad to rest while others battled with the tiredness and went on to visit the famous Harrods store mainly to see how the other half lives!. It was an experience not to be missed. The grandeur, the magnificent displays and the exorbitant price tags took our breath away. Then we came across the beautiful monument which was erected in memory of Princess Diana and Al Fayad who died so tragically. This made us realise that extreme wealth does not always bring happiness.
Starting at 9 a.m.next day, we set off by coach on our guided tour taking in the sights and sounds of the Capital. We were accompanied by Andrew, an Oxford graduate , excellent guide and historian. While we attempted to take in some of the history of the Monarchy, we viewed the 320 ft. high Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Sq. St. Paul’s Cathedral etc. etc. That evening we attended the West End sensational show “Wicked” packed with Sorcery, special effects and incredible costumes.
Next day, we travelled to Windsor, home to the Queen for 900 years, just in time to witness the changing of the Guards. We finished off the evening with a cruise on the Thames. Some of the more adventurous went on to experience the panoramic views from one of the world’s tallest observation wheels the “London Eye”
On our last day, there was time for some last minute shopping before bidding farewell to this wonderful, buzzing city of 7.7 million people
All in all it was yet another enjoyable ,successful trip to add to our memories. Once again the weather was very kind to us. It was an added bonus that some of the group had the opportunity to re-unite with friends and relations.

Chris O’Flynn

" The Galway Alternative " May 2011

Galway May 2011
Listening to our fellow members discussing their imminent visit to London, our “Stay at Home” members decided to take a short visit to the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill. So having made all the arrangements we took the 11.30am train into Galway and were taken by taxi to the hotel. We had a lovely relaxed two day visit. Even though the weather was quite showery, the hotel provided a very relaxing atmosphere with wonderful views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.
We attended a most enjoyable concert in the hotel on our final night. The Mayo Male Voice Choir presented the Spirit of Mayo with David Durham, Baritone, Anne Marie Gibbons, Mezzo Soprano and Sean Costello, Tenor. The Wolfgang Ensemble, Ireland’s most exciting string quartet then performed. The music chosen by the choir was from South Pacific, Phantom of the Opera, Pirates of Penzance, Les Miserables, Johann Strauss and many more. The Ladies of Castlebar Parish Choir joined the Mayo Male Choir to sing “You Raise Me Up” and “Funiculi, Funicula”. It was a wonderful ending to our short visit.

Bridie Loughman

Walkers 3rd Birthday

Member Jimmy Lyons decided that active retirement should be just that, with this in mind he started us walking. A committee was formed and permission was sought and granted to use Pearses G.A.A. sports grounds.
The use of these facilities ensured that the project would succeed, the clubhouse could be used in wet weather which gave the venture continuity. Warm up,warm down became became common place jargon with the silver haired walkers. Toilets and tea making facilities ensured a lively and informative discussion ensued after the walk.
During the summer months the walkers would go on tour, visits were made to other areas either by train or car, this has proved very popular as it involves both travel and sampling the local cousine.
This activity has proved to be one of the most valuable, constant and well attended activity of the association.
Thanks once again to Jimmy who straight away formed an excellent committee and involved everybody with this healthy and communal project.









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Some walkers enjoying a bracing walk