Southern Region AGM

A large crowd attended the Southern Region AGM on Wed 26th Feb 2020.
Kay Murphy was very emotional as it is her last meeting in Killarney as President but not her last visit to Killarney! She said she enjoyed her time as Prersident and particularly visiting the different ARAs. She particularly  memtioned her visit to Mallow where they celebrated 25 yrs with Mass and lunch and music and dancing last September. She asked us all to lobby for a minister for older people and said Active Retirement were looking for an increase in the living alone allowance.

Ann O Brien said she had helped to start 2 new ARAs . She also mentioned her trip to Mallow where she really enjoyed the days entertainment..2 people from CIC spoke about the work they do. Most enquiries now are Social Welfare related. They also stressed the need for making a will and having Enduring Power of Attorney  and to plan ahead with regard with your health care choices.

Martin Casey was re elected as chair
Con Sheehan Vice chair
Ruth Hornfeck Secretary
Marie Hackett treasurer
John Noel Cronin Committee
2 new committee members from Kerry were elected.

Fermoy are having an open day on Friday 27th Feb demonstrating Kurling and Pickleball.
10.30 to 1.30 at the dance hall youth club, Ashe Quay.

Cobh have invited us to a tea dance to celebrate 10 years.  Community hall 25th March 2.30 to 5.30om

Margaret, Essie,Rene,Eileen,Michael and Florence

Margaret,Essie,Rene,Eileen,John Noel 

Visit to concert hall

A small group of ladies from Mallow visited the concert hall Dublin to the Vienna concert on Feb 15th. On arrival at dublin they went to the Aishling hotel for lunch which they really enjoyed.One of our ladies Maureen fell on a loose flagstone a short distance from the hotel while they were on their way to the concert hall. Another lady Rene went back to the hotel to see if they could get assistance as Maureen could not get up/ The manager and staff could not be nicer and bought down a wheelchair and took her back to the hotel, raised and iced her foot and generally made her comfortable. She stayed there for the afternoon while the others went to the concert.
On their return the staff escorted Maureen in the wheelchair to the station where they thought they would get assistance from Irish Rail but sadly NO.
Top marks for the Aishling hotel manager and staff!
NIL POINTS for Irish Rail.
On the following day  Maureen attended A&E in Mallow to be told her ankle is broken!
She is now wearing a boot and finding it difficult to get about. However not to be beaten Maureen is still helping us by printing the calendar of events and forms for trips as well as research.
Thank you Maureen!

In the meantime the remainder of the ladies really enjoyed the concert and spoke with Vladimir after wards who signed their programmes. They also promised they would attend his Christmas concert in INEC Killarney in December .

Rene, Lucy,Kay,Maureen,Phil and Mary

Deborah missing from picture

MALLOW AGM 2020

Mallow ARA held their AGM on Tuesday 28th January.


Officers elected were

Chairperson  John Noel Cronin
Vice chair  Brenda Greene
Secretary  Joan Syms
Assistant secretary  Bridie O Connell
Treasurer  Maria Roettger
PRO  Eileen Forde


Commottee
Mary Daly
Maureen O Mahoney
Michael Stubbs
Leish O Callaghan
Mary Theresa Linehan
Maeve O Sheil
Margaret McCarthy.




4th February
At our first committee meeting we organized our calendar of events for 6 months.


February 13th  Visit to Templemore Training College.

March 19th Visit Dublin and tour of Tenement Museum at Henrietts St

April 23rd Rimg of Kerry

May 28th Visit Bantry House and Gardens and Whiddy Island

June  18th Visit Lafcadio Japanese Gardens and Tramore

July 16th Visit Holy Island Co Clare

March 30th Spring break of 3 nights to be finalized

INEC Killarney

A group from Mallow attended a aconcert in the INEC Killarney on 18th December. It was the Vladimier Viennese Christmas concert and their first time in Killarney.The group consisted of 90 people in all including musicians and choir. Vlad himself is a violinist as are his five brothers. his sister is a pianist and one of his brothers now is a conductor also. As well his mother and young daughter play the violin.The concert was absolutely fabulous and we really enjoyed our night out. We were taken by bus with Jerry Lehane who brought us all home safely. We has a nice meal in the restaurant in the Gleneagle before the event.

Mae and Margaret at the restaurant

Rene and Monica at the restaurant

IRISH COFFEE PARTY

On 10 December  Mallow had their Irish Coffee Party as usual in the Mercy centre. A large crowd attended where we had Irish coffee , ordinary coffee and tea with mince pies and apple sponge cake by Gretta.  we have been having this party now for several years and it is very popular.After the refreshments we had Billy O Brien with music and dancing and John Noel Cronin  and Eileen Forde with jokes.a very enjoyable day was had by all.

Billy O Brien and Norita

Brenda Essie and Eileen

Patsy, John Noel , Sonny and Brenda

Mallow christmas Lunch 5/12/19

Mallow celebrated their Christmas lunch at Charlecille Park hotel this year. We had a fabulous time, the food was delicious and the venue and staff brilliant. North Cork coaches brought us to the venue and home. Our music was by Edmond O Gorman and brilliant as usual.
We had many spot prizes and a lot of our members went home clutching their trophies.Norita got a special prize for selling the most books of tickets in the National raffle.

DUBLIN ZOO

A group from Mallow visited Dublin zoo last week and had a very enjoyable day. It is a bit expensive at €14.50 for pensioners but never the less enjoyable. It was a lovely Autumnal day with a few spits of rain and lots of sunshine.
I was very impressed with the animals . They seemed so content and had plenty of space outdoors and cover also, as near natural as possible. The fresh air was lovely and it was a very relaxing day.
The only downside for me was the amount of plasticy ornaments depicting fairy stories obviously to encourage children.

Emu

This Hippo is shy!

The Hyena having a good time

Chimpanzee

Elephants

Photos Rene Collins