Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association Online

A Trip down Memory Lane.

A Trip down Memory Lane During the Pandemic

As we leave the year 2020 behind us, we look back on what was a very difficult and strange year. We struggled with face masks, social distancing, Isolation and fear associated with covid 19. We are glad to leave the year behind and hope the new year will bring peace, health and happiness to all. There is now a little light at the end of the tunnel with news of a vaccine on the way.

As a result of Covid 19,all our Active Retirement meetings and well planned tours and activities, which our members enjoyed, were cancelled. As we cocooned in our homes we had plenty of time to take a trip down memory lane and relive the happy memories, fun times and comradery which we enjoyed over the last 18 years

Since our beginning in 2002, our members enjoyed 20 four–day breaks in Ireland and 9 European City breaks. We toured Ireland from Cork to Donegal visiting Heritage Sites, Gardens , Castles and places of interest in every county and made many new friends along the way. After the huge success of our first Med. Cruise in 2006 we embarked on four more cruises over the years . They proved to be a wonderful experience. During the summer months we enjoyed weekly day trips in our own lovely country which were hugely popular with our members

As we go forward into 2021, I would like to wish all our members a happy, safe and healthy New Year and look forward to more “normal” times when we can meet again.

We remember particularly those members who have gone before us since the start of the Pandemic . They are Christine Kenny, Pat Kelly, Max Fairclough, Maisie Reynolds, Carmel Garvey, Padraig Cregg, Maureen O’Malley,Bea Kelly and Mary Casey.

May they rest in peace.

I attach some pictures to remind you of happier days as we take a trip down memory lane. I hope 2021 will be a better year for everyone.

Chris O’Flynn (P.R.O)

1^st January

***** click on photo to enlarge *****

Douglas adds a few more memories

R.I.P. Brendan Mitchell

Stay safe and well. Doug.

REFLECTIONS WHILE COCOONING

Reflections while Cocooning

The present pandemic which has put the whole world in lockdown and all the over 70’s cocooning, made me realise how important my membership of the Active Retirement association is to me. I feel isolated. I miss my family, friends, Grandchildren and my contact with the outside world. I miss my activities, fun and the comraderie of my colleagues in the Active Retirement group.

All our activities and our carefully planned holidays, outings, concerts, plays, indoor and outdoor sports and community work are put on hold. We wait with bated breath and hope and pray the dreaded virus doesn’t darken our door. We fear for our families and friends and all the people bravely working away in the front line. From the safety of our homes we struggle with the fact we cannot invite in or go near the good people who do our shopping and look after our wellbeing, but we do appreciate and thank them. We know it is for our own safety.

While the world is still we have plenty of time to reflect and be grateful for the full and active life we have enjoyed for the past 18 years as members of our Active Retirement. The digital skills and computer courses which we attended enable us now to keep in touch with our friends and the outside world. Communication has never been as necessary as now during this dreadful pandemic. With letter writing a thing of the past and the closing of the local Post office, the small town Banking facilities, the corner grocery stores, not to mention the demise of the local pub. The personal touch and the friendly chat over the garden wall has long gone. The sound of the human voice has been drowned by texting, e-mailing, zooming etc. Hence the importance of the A.R.A in the life of the older person. It provides a place to enjoy a friendly cuppa and chat and to share anxieties with new found friends.

We look forward to the day when this is all over – and hopefully we come through it safely and well – when we can return to our normal daily activities.

We would welcome any new people who may feel lonely or isolated to come and join us any Wednesday in the Library (our temporary home) at 3 pm. All interests are catered for in the various clubs including arts and crafts, walking, singing, book club, bridge and bowls.

Remember that retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of an open highway

Stay safe.

Enquiries to Margaret Brennan , Phone: 0877731707 or Chris O’Flynn (Ph.087 6492466

Visit our website at ballinasloeactiveretirement.com

Chris O’Flynn (P.R.O)

10^th May 2020

EASTER

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BALLINASLOE ACTIVE RETIREMENT

WISHES ALL ITS MEMBERS A PEACEFUL AND HOLY EASTER

STAY SAFE, STAY WELL, STAY IN TOUCH.

BETTER DAYS AHEAD

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Pat Kelly R.I.P. It is with great sadness we say good-bye to one of our members, Pat. Kelly. Pat was a lovely gentle lady and we will miss her smile and good company in our Active Retirement group. We send our sincere condolences to her family during this very difficult time.

May she rest in peace.