Ballinasloe Active Retirement Association Online

St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2022

Our Active Retirement group came out in great numbers to walk in the Parade. The lovely sunny weather was such a welcome change from other years. The lovely day also brought out the largest numbers of spectators ever seen.

Our theme this year was “Lockdown” and “Out at Last” .We were again delighted to be amongst the prizewinners.. We got great applause for our efforts. It was a great feeling to be out again as a group after our “Cocooning days”

Afterwards, we were treated to a well- deserved meal in Gullanes Hotel , It was a wonderful day enjoyed by one and all.

Chris O’Flynn (P.R.O )

Saint Patrick's Day 2022

ON SITE GEMS

Check out right side of this site under SECTIONS. Scroll down to BLOG ARCHIVE click on a year for photo memories. click once on a picture to enlarge. Doug.

A.G.M.2022

Ballinasloe Active Retirement A.G.M.2022

After an absence of two years there was relief and smiles on the faces of the large attendance at the A.G.M which was held in Gullane’s Hotel on 2/2/2022.

The Chairperson, Margaret Brennan welcomed everyone especially new members

We remember with fondness our members who have died since we last met in Feb.2020. May they rest in peace.

Unfortunately ,all our carefully planned activities, outings and trips were cancelled as a result of Covid ’19. The last couple of years was a time like no other. The Pandemic put the whole world in lockdown and all the over 70’s cocooning. We felt a huge sense of isolation and we missed the comraderie of our colleagues in the A.R.A.

However, “TO DAY IS A GOOD DAY” to quote Michael Martin, our Taoiseach, when he spoke to the nation with the easing of the majority of restrictions and we all surely feel that way, we now have to gradually move forward and get comfortable socializing and adjusting to a new “normal”. Covid is still with us but it has taught us how older people can deal with a crisis.

The Secretary, Deirdre Hogan said instead of our usual report on all our activities there was now a blank page. During the year we attended a special Mass to celebrate the lives of the 21 members we have lost during the pandemic These were our friends who have touched our lives and happily travelled with us on the path of life..

St. Patrick’s Day parade is the next up-coming event and we look forward to taking part. We hope to be among the prizewinners once again !!

A more joyful event is on the calendar for Friday, March 25^th 2022 when we celebrate our 20^th anniversary in Gullane’s Hotel .

The Chairperson thanked Phil Kelly outgoing secretary of the Social Committee, for all her dedicated work in arranging trips over the years.

The outgoing Treasurer Mary Slattery, reported on a healthy bank balance

The election of Officers then followed –

Chairperson – Margaret Brennan. Assistant Chairperson – Mgt. McDonnell

Secretary – Deirdre Hogan

Treasurer – Michael Colohan, Asst.Treasurer -Anne Duffy

Executive Committee:

Mgt. Brennan, Deirdre Hogan, Ml .Colohan, Goretti Fallon, Fr. Benny Flanagan,

Anne Duffy, Mgt,McDonnell, Angela Flynn

Social Committee:

Anne Duffy ,Anne Murray, Bridie Whelan, Maura Rafter ,Ann Stevens

P.R.O – Chris O’Flynn

I.T-.Douglas Rafter

The aim of our group is to enhance the lives of older people and eliminate loneliness through friendship ,information and communication .Members can avail of a wide range of activities which include, Bowls, Bridge, Book club, Singing Group (under the direction of the wonderful Marie Power) Walking group followed by light exercises, and Knitting/Crafts

Monthly meetings for all members are held on the first Wed. of the month in Gullane’s Hotel at 3o’c

Informal meeting every other Wednesday in Gullane’s at 3 o’c

New members are always welcome

Enquiries to Margaret Brennan, Ph. 0909642061. Or Chris O’Flynn Ph. 087 6492466

You can visit our Website www.ballinasloeactiveretirement.com

Chris O’Flynn P.R.O,

Farewell Amelia

19:31 (26 minutes ago)

We were very sorry to hear of the death of one of our long serving members of our Active Retirement group. Amelia Faulkner.

Amelia was always willing to play an active part in the group and served as an excellent secretary for a number of years

Blessed with a lovely singing voice ,she will be remembered specially for her party piece " the Man in the Moon" and was always in good spirits. She also took an active part in our other activities especially the B.A.R.A singers, Bowls club and Aquarobics, She was also a keen Bridge player.

We will miss smiling face and good company.

We wish to offer our deepest sympathy to her loving family and sincerely regret we were unable to attend her funeral, due to Covid restrictions.

May she rest in peace.

Chris O'Flynn (P.R.O}

. .,

Amelia

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 *****