" 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.









THIS SITE IS BEING WORKED ON, MORE TO FOLLOW


Some walkers enjoying a bracing walk

The Sound of Music ---- April 2011

The Sound of Music – at the Grand Canal Theatre
Once again the Active Retirement was on the move. This time a group of 40 travelled to Dublin on April 28th to see the hit musical The Sound of Music starring Jason Donovan, direct from the London Palladium.
The show tells the story of the Austrian von Trapp family during the 1930s. The music and songs are immediately recognisable to us all. I think everyone knows the songs My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Every Mountain and many more. We really enjoyed hearing them all again. The story line revolves around Maria, the confused potential nun who becomes governess to Captain von Trapp’s children. Over time she falls in love with the sometimes stern Captain von Trapp. It’s a lovely romantic story but there is also the central role of children who Maria teaches to sing and she encourages them to have fun also. Although viewing a live musical is quite a different experience to watching it on the screen, i.e. the famous Julie Andrews film, we nevertheless enjoyed thoroughly this stage production.
There is real excitement at the end when the family escape the Nazis at a concert and in the final moments flee over the Alps to safety.

Bridie Loughman

Dundrum House Spring Break 2011

Dundrum Spring Break

49 members availed of a four day mini break to Dundrum House in the heartland of County Tipperary ,which some say is the heartland of Ireland.
The sightseeing, dances, quizzes, singsongs and general comradeship kept everybody happy.
The most noticeable and enjoyable aspect of the mini break was the attention of the owner Austin Crowe. He accompanied us on our day trips, he made our holiday with his stories and songs, his wit and knowledge of local history contributed greatly to what was a truly a relaxing and enjoyable break.


Ealy morning walk


Now for the papers




Michael gives directions to a stray 'mountie'


Bridie and Noelle discuss the finer points of the Ban Garda uniform

St. Patrick's Day Parade '11

B.A.R.A. WALKERS

Paul Gillan health co-ordinator with the western region of the H.S.E. puts the walker group through several new and novel routines

Dinner DANCE 2011

Ballinasloe Xmas Dinner/dance.

After the winter snow & excessive cold our Xmas dinner dance was finally held on 4th Feb. in Gullanes hotel. With a gale force wind blowing outside we managed to have 131 members & friends attending.
Tomas Gullane did us proud – as always, with a very nice 3 course meal & coffee. The evening continued with music from Midnight Melodies and our members & friends danced the evening away and very good time was had by all.