Branch Email: rstaclarebranch@gmail.com.
Secretary: Mary Carroll
Branch AGM was held on November 19th 2024.
Officers elected: Chairperson: Helen Meade, Vice-chair: Nora Liddy, Secretary: Mary Carroll, Treasurer: Marie Burke
RSTA Midland Branch
Branch Email: rstamidlandbranch@gmail.com.
View more photos of the trips below and other branch activities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLSnfHS
PROPOSED TRIP TO SLOVENIA AND THE GULF OF TRIESTE - May 9th 2025. 7 nights
Full details on the Travel Department website.
Please contact Rosemary Kiernan if you have any questions at 087 7589287
REPORT ON TRIP TO ISTANBUL AND ANCIENT TURKEY - APRIL 14th to 21st 2024
What an amazing trip! From Istanbul to Gallipoli, the legendary city of Troy and Kusadasai - and much more . . . . . .
Read the full report of the trip here: Branch_Visit_to_Istanbul_and_Ancient_Turkey_April_2024.pdf
Email: kiernanrm45@gmail.com. Phone: 087 7589287
REPORT ON TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA - 2023 - Rosemary Kiernan
View more photos of the trip here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLSnfHS
On September 20th RSTA members and friends headed off with The Travel Department to South Africa. We visited Cape Town, Table Mountain, the wine regions, got marooned in quaint Arniston, swam in the Indian Ocean, chatted to penguins on Boulder Beach, ate wonderful food, met lovely travel companions but Kariega Safari Park, for me, was the highlight. Four days immersed in nature as God intended. Big shout out to rangers Amber and Rachel who brought us up close and personal with amazing wildlife, arranged surprises like coffee on safari, boat trip, ponchos in the rain (useless . . . we were soaked through!) and were so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife in Kariega. Thank you Amber and Rachel!
South Africa is a beautiful place to visit, it exceeded my expectations.
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Upcoming Activities in RSTA Wexford Branch
Wexford Branch
Branch Email: rstawexfordbranch@gmail.com
Group Outing - Guided Tour of Duncannon Fort
On 25th February branch members enjoyed an outing to Duncannon Fort.
Read a report of the outing here: Duncannon_Tour.pdf
View more photos of some Wexford Branchactivities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzWDDE
Upcoming Activities in RSTA Wicklow Branch
Wicklow Branch
Scheduled Outings 2022
Note: All our outings conclude with light refreshments and a chat at a local establishment.
Christmas Lunch: Monday 4th December at 1 pm in Delgany Golf Club.
October 2023 - Branch Outings
Branch members enjoyed a tour of Kilmacurry Botanic Gardens and a guided tour of Dublin Castle which included a visit to the Chapel Royal.
September 2022: Treetop Walk , Avondale
Click on the links to read a report of the walk and view photos: Wicklow_Branch_on_the_Treetop_Walk.docx
Photos of Treetop Walk: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAcDA5
October 10th: Branch members enjoyed a guided walk of historic Dun Laoghaire led by Committee Member and National Tour Guide, Michael O'Flaherty.
October 22nd:Members visted the Mermaid Theatre, Bray for a production of Shirley Valentine.
November 21st: Vartry Lake Walk. 11.30 am - to 1pm. Meet at the carpark in Roundwood at 11.30 am
Photos from Wicklow Branch Here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAcDA5
Branch Contact: rstasligobranch@gmail.com
Report on the second event in Sligo hosted by the three retired teachers' associations in March 2024
The event was organised through the co-operative efforts of the retired members of the three teacher unions RSTA, RTAI and TUIRMA.
A lecture entitled The Wisdom of Our Ages by Gerry Farrell was presented in the Black Box of the Model and Niland Centre Sligo on 12th March 2024.
This is the second successful event the RTS (Retired Teacher Sligp) has hosted.
Read a full report and view photos of the event here: Sligo_report.pdf
Report on "The Best is Yet to Come Event"
"In the world of retired teachers a truly ground breaking event happened in Sligo . . . . . ." writes Annette O'Connell
Read the full report on the very successful well-being night The Best is Yet to Come co-hosted by the three retired teachers' associations. Click here for the report.
View Photos of the event here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAcxeV
Cork Branch
Branch Email: rstacork24@gmail.com
Monthly Meetings: First Wednesday of each month at 11am in Hayfield Manor Hotel.
Members are notified in advance by email of all branch activities.
View photos from Cork Branch trips and activities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzQwc8
EVENTS 2024
Following our most successful Spring break to The Dunraven Arms in Adare we spent a wonderful morning in early April being guided around the little church of the Ascension in Timoleague. Parts of the exterior have been restored and the interior continues to be a work in progress. The story of the mosaics in the church is worth the trip alone. Unfortunately the foggy weather prevented us from continuing to Courtmacsherry . . . all for another day.
Over 20 members of the branch attended our Annual Conference in Wexford.
On May 23rd we visited Lismore Castle Gardens. The guide (paid for by the branch) greatly enhanced our visit, not only talking about the plants but also the history of the castle and the surrounding area.
Our book club met in May and we will continue our regular meetings again in September. Meanwhile our monthly gatherings take place in Hayfield Manor Hotel on the first Wednesday of every month at 12 noon. Members are emailed in advance of all activities.
View photos of the events at the link above.
Report on Trip to Sardinia 2023
A very large group left Cork Airport on Oct 2nd for a 4-night stay in Sardinia. Alghero was our base. The hotel was situated by the sea and a lovely walk to the old town.
We did a day trip along the coast to the beatiful town of Bosa where we enjoyed a tasting of the local Malvasia wine and cheeses. This was followed by a fantastic meal in a restaurant in Bosa Marina.
The weather was gorgeous with sun filled days and warm evenings. Lots of fun and lovely memories made.
Blarney Castle Tour - Summer 2023
RSTA Cork had a wonderful mid-summer outing to Blarney Castle and gardens attended by 30 members.
The sun was shining and we were guided around the gardens by Adam, the head gardener, who not only showed us the rare plants and trees but had stories as to how they got there.
The branch kindly paid for the tour guide.
Spring Break in Dunraven Arms Hotel - March 2023
30 members and friends enjoyed a most relaxing two night stay in the lovely Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick.
Dinner was included on one night of our stay and some of us dined in the 1826 Restaurant where we were lucky enough to meet the wonderful chef himself, Wade Murphy.
View more photos from the visit here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzQwc8
Cork Branch welcomes new members!
Activities in RSTA Galway Branch
Branch Email: rstagalwaybranch@gmail.com.
Branch Secretary: Dorothy Robinsom
Coffee and Chat - on second Tuesday of each month at 11 am
Members meet at the Poppyseed at Galway Crystal.
Report on Events 2024
Thursday 28th November: Branch AGM
Thursday 12th December: Christmas Lunch in the Galway Bay Hotel
Visit to Dáil Éireann - October 17th 2024
Galway members were welcomed and hosted by the Leas Ceann Comhairle, Galway Deputy Catherine Connolly TD.
Mayo Branch
Branch Email: rstamayobranch@gmail.com.
Branch meetings are held in Mayo Teachers' Centre, Castlebar. Members are notified of all branch meetings and activities by email. New members should contact the branch to join the email contact list.
View photos and video of Mayo Branch activities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzX1ez
BRANCH AGM November 2024
Officers elected: Chairperson: Carmel Heneghan, Secretary: Kevin McMahon, Treasurer: Antoinette Casey
BRANCH ACTIVITIES - 2025
At the November branch meeting a sub-committee was set up to plan for future events/outings for 2025. Details of all plans will be circulated to members by email.
Guided Walk - the Achill Colony Tour - Monday 19th May at 11 am.
Our activities committee has organised a day trip to Achill for a guided walking tour of the historic Achill Mssion sites. The tour will be led by award winning writer and Achill Islander, Kevin Toolis. Click the link to his website for the background story and an outline of the tour: www.thecolonytour.ie
Date: Monday 19th May. Start time: 11.am Duration: 2.5 hours
Assembly point: Strand Hotel, Dugort. F27 NY97. Parking available.
Cost: €25 per person payable in cash on the day.
Refreshments after the walk at the Beehive Cafe, Keel.
Booking: Send text message with your name and mobile number to the tour organiser Maria at: 087 1272116 as soon as possible. Deadline for confirmation is Tuesday 6th May.
Maria plans to set up a WhatsApp group for those attending and further details will be circulated closer to the date.
A happy memory of our guided tour of the Lost Valley
Proposed Guided Tour of Kilmainham Gaol - July 2nd at 12 noon.
We needed to plan well in advance to secure this booking so remember to keep this date free in your diaries. Full details will be circulated closer to the time.
REMINDER: RSTA National Conferrence 2025 - 29th April to 1st May.
Full details for booking accommodation and events are available in the latest RSTA Newsletter and on the Home page of this website.
This year's conference takes place in the beautiful and historic city of Kilkenny in the Ormonde Hotel. We encourage to our members to take the opportunity to treat yourselves to a spring break and avail of the opportunity to take an active part in the Conference. All members of RSTA are entitled to attend the Conference and related activities and to take full part in discussions and nominations to the National Committee. Election of our branch voting delegates and proposals for motions for Conference will be discussed at the next branch meeting. (Details to follow.)
PLANNED ACTIVITIES:
Seniors Cinema Program in Castlebar Cinema at 11 am each Thursday morning.
The program for Seniors offers reduced ticket prices, free tea/coffee, no advertising, sound and lighting adjusted for a comfortable cinema experience. Some members are already enjoying this as a regular weekly opportunity to meet up and perhaps enjoy a coffee or lunch afterwards. Details in the link below.
Report on Branch Trip to North Mayo September 2023
Branch members set out on another of Antoinette's adventures on a bright sunny day in September. The most enjoyable and informamative trip took in Kilcummin Strand, the ruins of Franciscan and Dominican monasteries and Summerhill House. A short break for refreshments at the Céide Fields Centre en route to Ballinglen Museum of Art. Onwards via the Stags of Broadhaven, Eagle Island Lighthouse and Dún na mBo to a guided tour of Blacksod Lighthouse. Our day out concluded in the Strand Hotel for dinner. Read a full report of the trip here: Branch_Trip_to_North_Mayo.pdf
The Lost Valley Walk - June 2023
Mayo RSTA spent a memorable day exploring the magnificient Lost Valley near Louisburgh.
The walk traverses a family farm set in a beautiful valley on the shores of Killary fjord with magnificient views all around. Our guide, the current owner, shared his passion for his homeplace and his impressive knowlege of its history going back to famine times.
The weather was perfect and we gathered afterwards for a beautiful meal in Tia restaurant. A day to remember.
View more photos of the walk at link below
Visit to Michael Davitt Museum Straide - 13 March 2023
Members enjoyed a tour of the museum and a wonderful talk on Davitt and the history of Straide Abbey in the company of two excellent and knowledgeable guides.
We highly recommend this tour to any of our colleagues from other branches who may be visiting the west.
You will come away with a new regard for this remarkable man and his lifelong work on behalf of oppressed people both at home and all around the world.
View more photos of the visit here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzX1ez
Upcoming Activities in RSTA Waterford Branch
Branch Email: rstawaterford@gmail.com
View photos of RSTAw members here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjADHAx
NOTICE OF TABLE QUIZ DATE CORRECTION
RSTAw invites you to an afternoon of fun on WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26th.
RSTAw TABLE QUIZ with Quizmaster Kieran McCarthy
Venue: Holy Cross Bar and Restaurant, Butlerstown, Co Waterford (just down the road from Whitfield.)
Time: 2.30 pm: Tea/ Coffee and Scones. 3.00 pm: Table Quiz
No fee required but we would lke you to book at rstaw.treasurer@gmail.com so that we have numbers for catering.
Closing date for entries is Friday 21st February.
You can come solo or with pals as we will be putting teams together on the day.
Looking forward to seeing you there. The event is subsidised by the Branch.
RSTAw Schedule of Events Autumn/Winter 2024
Click on the link to read/download/print the program of events: RSTAW_24_AutumnWiner_Program_1.pdf
Annual Report - RSTAw Activities and Events 2022/2023
Read the report of a very busy year for members of RSTAw here: Annual_Report.pdf
VALENTIA TRIP POSTONED UNTIL THE SPRING
The Travel Committee regrets that it has not been possible to assemble a package for an RSTAw Autumn trip to Valencia. The Committee looked at various dates and hotel options but there were difficulties with each of them. The tour operator agreed with the Committee to return in September with a definite itinerary that can be put to members for a trip to Valencia in May 2024.
Cookery Demonstration with Edward Hayden - March 2023
Some 40 members of the branch were thrilled to return
to this very popular event.
Edward demonstrated a range of sweet and savoury dishes
which were available for tasting afterwards.
Photo/Orienteering Event - June 2023
A new event this year which we hope might become and annual one!
The event took place around the Viking Triangle area of the city.
A glorious mornng in the sunny south east and a very lively event which we hope to repeat next year in another partof the country.
Dublin Branch
Branch contact: rstadublinbranch@gmail.com
Branch AGM November 2024
Officers elected for 2024/25:
Bernadine O'Sullivan (Chairperson), Margaret Grogan (Secretary), Eddie McCarthy (Treasurer)
UPCOMING DUBLIN BRANCH EVENTS
Dublin branch has arranged a programme of events for 2025. Full details available in the link to read/download/print:
Report on Dublin Branch Outings and Activities - SUMMER 2024.
Click on the link to read the report and view more photos: News_Dublin_Branch.pdf
Report - Branch Meeting 7th February
The first Branch meeting of the year was addressed by a solicitor on the subject of making a will. The meeting was followed by a "Meet and Greet" event with tea/coffee and scones. Click on the link to read the full report of the meeting and future branch activities with more photos from the meeting: Dublin_Branch_Feb24.pdf
6th March Meetiing: Talk on Smock Alley Theatre
3rd April Meeting: We will discuss the motions for the Annual Conference so that our voting delegates can bring forward the wishes of the branch members.Since it will be Easter week, the meeting will be followed by a 'finger food' lunch which can be booked at the March branch meeting.
Branch Visit to National Maritime Museum - July 2023
Some 20 members visited the National Maritime Museum in Dunlaoghaire for a guided tour led by Joe varley, retired ASTI member.
Following the tour, members had lunch in some of the many restaurants in the vicinity.
Read the full report of the visit here: National_Museum_visit.png
Dublin Branch Summer Lunch 2023
On June 21st the Dublin Branch celebrated another successful year of activities with our tradtional Summer Lunch, which was attended by 37 members.
A delicious lunch was served in the magnifcent Art Deco dining room of Wynn"s Hotel. On arrival, members were given a ticket and after the lunch there was a draw for prizes.
Everone was in excellent spirits and all declared that it had been a really wonderful day.
View more photos from the lunch here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAMTvb
Report on Branch Outing to Russborough House: Outing_to_Russborough_House.pdf
View some more photos from the Russborough trip
and other branch events here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAdAoE
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