Wexford in Spring

On Sunday 11th April a group of Ballinasloe Active Retirement members set off to Wexford on our spring holiday. We had three wonderful days full of activities and excursions, with nightly sing-songs and a few games of Bridge.

The journey there and back was a little tiring but we stopped on the way for coffee and lunch. Of course the good weather added greatly to our trip and the whole countryside was a mass of colour in the sunny south-east.

We visited the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Arboretum and marvelled at the variety of shrubs and trees. The visit to the Dunbrody famine ship was a sobering experience as we encountered the harrowing experiences of our forefathers. We visited Our Lady’s Island. We were impressed by the stories of the many pilgrims that go there and of the many cures attributed through the intercession of Our Lady. So we lit some candles in the church and got holy water from the holy well there and prayed for the intentions of all our families and our sick members who were unable to be with us.

Hook Head Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse in Europe, was very interesting and we enjoyed the guided tour. Afterwards we visited the cafe and browsed in the craft shop. The Irish National Heritage Park is where we learned about the history of Ireland and is located 3 miles from Wexford town. The centre recreates the history and heritage of Ireland from the Stone Age to the arrival of the Vikings and Early Normans. The Vikings came to Ireland at the end of the 8th century, first plundering the natives but later coming here to trade and settle. Our trip would not be complete without visiting the National 1798 Centre in Enniscorthy. This is an award-winning centre, located in the shadow of Vinegar Hill, beside the picturesque River Slaney. Ghost-like life-size plaster figures represent the people of 18th century Ireland. A visit to this centre is a must for all visitors.

Our hotel, the Talbot, was situated in the middle of the town of Wexford. Many of the rooms had a view of the sea. The staff were friendly and professional and the food was well-presented and delicious.

To date this was one of our most enjoyable spring holidays.

Bridie Loughman

Rose Moore RIP

It was with much regret that we learned of the death of Rose Moore at the weekend. Rose was a much cherished member of the Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association and had been for many years.
She was a very pleasant lady who enjoyed the company of other members and had a smile for all. A native of Ahascragh, her husband Paddy predeceased her many years ago. She raised her beloved family of two sons, Philip and Niall, and one daughter, Rosemary, single-handedly. She was a wonderful mother who was always there for her children. As she herself would say “I was there when they needed me”.
She was gentle, kind and loving to her family and to her many friends.
She loved a game of Bridge. Her bidding was always very exact as she played by the rules and never made another player feel inadequate. She smiled whenever she lost and was quick to congratulate her opponents.
She very much appreciated all the help given to her by her good friend Angela Courcey. Rose could always rely on her friend in good and bad times.
We shared many lovely trips at home and abroad. Especially memorable was our first cruise with Rose and we have many other happy memories of her, a kind and gentle lady.
May she rest in peace.

Once again B.A.R.A. goes to the dogs

At 6pm on Friday 12th March a bus load of excited ARA members left Ballinasloe for an evening at the Dogs in Galway. Some members were on their 3rd or even maybe their 4th trip so they knew exactly where to go when we arrived.
Met by a very friendly staff we were seated quickly and began to check the form of the dogs, not that it made much difference to many of us.
We were served a delicious meal. It was hard to concentrate on eating while placing our bets and watching the races but we managed. We had some wins but I don't think anyone made serious money.
The journey home on the new moterway was a first.
Noelle Rohan

St. Patricks Day 2010

It was a beautiful spring day on March 17th of this year as a group from the Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association took part in our local St. Patrick’s Day parade. Many from our walking group were in attendance together with other members.

We paraded in our national colours of green, white and orange and happily waved the Tricolour. To everyone’s delight we took first place in the Voluntary Category. We were so proud to be Irish! Given the blue sky and pleasant sunshine many spectators came out to watch and applaud all the participants in the parade.

Afterwards members who would have found the walk too difficult to participate in, joined the victorious members as we gathered in Gullanes Hotel for refreshments. And so another St. Patricks Day celebration came to a close.

B.A.R.A. 2010 Activities

Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association




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 Shearwater 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 Tuesday and Friday

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

Annual Dinner Dance Feb. 2010

Jack and Rose White celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary with fellow B.A.R.A members. The annual Christmas dinner dance was posponed from Janurary due to adverse weather conditions

Mario Lanza

MARIO LANZA, “THE LOVELIEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR”
(A 50th ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE CONCERT)

A group of us travelled to the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 10 February 2010 to attend a concert celebrating the music of the great American tenor Mario Lanza.
The main auditorium was full to capacity as the music was beautifully sung by three accomplished Irish classical singers - Seán Costello, tenor and his guests Niall Morris, special guest tenor (ex The Celtic Tenors) and Sandra Oman, soprano. Musical accompaniment was excellently provided by Vladimir Jablokov and his Slovak Festival Musicians.
We were full of anticipation on the bus up to Dublin and we were not disappointed by a wonderful night’s entertainment. We listened again to all the great songs and duets made famous by the great Mario Lanza during his short life. He died tragically in 1959 of a heart attack at only 38 leaving behind a young family. His rich and powerful voice had captivated the world of opera, stage and film throughout the 1950s. The voices of Seán, Niall and Sandra brought back lovely memories of these times with wonderful renditions of such songs as On The Street Where You Live, Ave Maria, The Loveliest Night of The Year, Be My Love, O Sole Mio, Because You're Mine, Panis Angelicus and many more.
His well-known films, The Great Caruso and The Student Prince, influenced opera stars such as José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti. He set a high standard for all great singers who followed in his footsteps.
On our way home we could still hear his great songs reverberating in our heads and hearts and although we were tired, a wonderful night of music and song had been enjoyed by all.
Bridie Loughman