Our two young at heart nonagenarian members!
B.A.R.A Walkers 16-Feb-16
We may not be as fast on our feet as the younger generation but the Ballinasloe A.R.A. members can be seen in large numbers every Tuesday morning at 10.30. on the Athletic track. This is followed by exercises in the G.A.A club house. Our physical instructor, Eilis Ryan, has very kindly taken us under her wing for six weeks as part of the Fit Town Project.
Despite the aching limbs and aching bones,she puts us through our paces. We enjoy the activity and the "craic" The effort it takes to keep fit and healthy makes it all worth while
Now, if we could only abstain for the lovely tea and biscuits afterwards!
Ballinasloe Active Retirement A.G.M
Ballinasloe Active Retirement A.G.M
There was a large attendance at the Active Retirement Association A.G.M. held recently in Gullane’s Hotel.
Outgoing secretary, Margaret Brennan, reported on a very busy and successful year, as the group goes from strength to strength.
Throughout the year, many members availed of the wide range of activities which include holidays, day trips, socials, plays, sports and community works.
A large number of our members can be seen stepping in out on the Athletic track every Tuesday morning and are actively taking part in the “Fit Town” programme.
There were successful reports from our walking club, Indoor bowls, Bridge, Book club and Singing group , Our Knitting club members are busy knitting away for charity every Monday morning.
Newly elected committee members were : Chairman: Gabriel Rohan. Vice Chairperson, Deirdre Hogan, Secretary: Anne Duffy. Asst. Secretary, Rene Carty. Treasurer: Mary Slattery. Asst. Treasurer Collette Murphy. P.R.O. Chris O’Flynn. Douglas Rafter (I.T), Pearl Finnegan, Margaret Brennan, Pat Kelly, Catherine Croffy, Jane Treacy
Social Committee: Bridie Whelan.(Treasurer) Maura Rafter.(Secretary) Phil Kelly, Brid Breathnach, Laura Naughton. Douglas Rafter.
Chris O'Flynn P.R.O.
There was a large attendance at the Active Retirement Association A.G.M. held recently in Gullane’s Hotel.
Outgoing secretary, Margaret Brennan, reported on a very busy and successful year, as the group goes from strength to strength.
Throughout the year, many members availed of the wide range of activities which include holidays, day trips, socials, plays, sports and community works.
A large number of our members can be seen stepping in out on the Athletic track every Tuesday morning and are actively taking part in the “Fit Town” programme.
There were successful reports from our walking club, Indoor bowls, Bridge, Book club and Singing group , Our Knitting club members are busy knitting away for charity every Monday morning.
Newly elected committee members were : Chairman: Gabriel Rohan. Vice Chairperson, Deirdre Hogan, Secretary: Anne Duffy. Asst. Secretary, Rene Carty. Treasurer: Mary Slattery. Asst. Treasurer Collette Murphy. P.R.O. Chris O’Flynn. Douglas Rafter (I.T), Pearl Finnegan, Margaret Brennan, Pat Kelly, Catherine Croffy, Jane Treacy
Social Committee: Bridie Whelan.(Treasurer) Maura Rafter.(Secretary) Phil Kelly, Brid Breathnach, Laura Naughton. Douglas Rafter.
Chris O'Flynn P.R.O.
"Paddy" at the Black Box. 28th. November 2015
"Paddy" at the Black Box
Today I feel I must tell all my friends in the Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association of the wonderful show we saw last Saturday night in the Black Box Theatre in Galway called "Paddy".
This
show was written by song-writer Jerry Carney and Tommy Marren. We
were already familiar with this group as they produced "The Real
McCoy", a comedy we saw last year in Mullingar.
"Paddy"
truly provided us with a unique evening of drama and music. The
award-winner and well-known singer, Tommy Flemming, plays the
leading part. Over fifty of our association attended the show and we
had dinner beforehand. We had a brilliant evening and for the
duration of "Paddy" none of us were able to catch 40 winks,
as we sometimes do !
The
storyline is set in Ireland and England in the Sixties. Patrick
Murphy, played by Tommy Flemming, leaves Mayo to make some money and
then to come home, marry his girlfriend and settle down in his farm.
He promises this to his widowed mother and his girlfriend. However,
when he gets there his life evolves very differently and it takes him
ten years to return to Ireland. By this time he has a wife and
family.
His
life on the buildings, together with his co-workers, is especially
fascinating. I won't spoil it for you by telling any more. A video
of this musical will shortly be available , hopefully before
Christmas. Perhaps Santa will use one, as a filler, for your
Christmas Stocking !
Bridie Loughman
Bridie Loughman
Pride of Place
Congrats to B.A.R.A. Pride of Place team for their prize winning presentation.
L to R Margaret Brennan, Douglas Rafter Charles Doherty Deirdre Hogan Gabriel Rohan
and Breda Mulrennan of Galway County Council.
Westport 28th-29th-30th. September 2015
Our
"Indian Summer" Autumn Break 2015
We
have just returned from our Autumn Break in Westport, one of my
favourite places. The town was ablaze with magnificent colours and
trees and flowers full of autumnal foliage and colour at it's best,
with Croagh Patrick overlooking this beautiful town. In addition to
all that was the announcement that Westport had won the award for the
Tidiest Town in Ireland.
The
Castlecourt Hotel, plus its two sister hotels The Plaza and The
Atlantic Coast Hotel were full to capacity. Our group was part of a
very large group; the Western Active Retirement Organisation.
The
hotel had organised activities for all of us, including day trips to
Achill and one to Kylemore Abbey and that spectacular area of
Lennane.
I
decided to go to Achill and enjoyed every minute of the trip. The
beautiful sunshine was with us all the way. The scenery was
fantastic and the high mountains looked sublime in the sparkling
sunshine. The beautiful sandy beaches welcomed the Atlantic waters
lashing noiselessly on the seashore.
Our
talk on W.B. Yeats, organised by the Western Region Committee was
very appropriate, as words from "The Lake Isle Of Innisfree"
and his many other poems went hand in hand with the beautiful setting
of Achill and Lenanne. His poetry is full of heavenly music.
We
played Bingo as well, some for the first time and found it relaxing
and good fun. Our good friend, Noelle, won herself a lovely prize,
so luck was with Ballinasloe Active Retirement all through our stay
in Westport.
We
had dancing each night after dinner. Needless to say we also enjoyed
a few games of bridge in between everything else.
We
are looking forward already to our next outing.
Bridie
Loughman
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