SPRING 2017

THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE VIBRANT YELLOW OF THE DAFFODIL TO CHEER YOU UP AFTER THE GRIM WINTER.

THIS BUNCH OF DAFFODILS COST €1.50 IN LIDLS

I HAVE NO FLOWERS BLOOMING IN THE GARDEN YET BUT HAVE CROCUSES DAFFODILS AND TULIPS BUDDING. I ALSO HAVE A FORSYTHIA JUST BEGINNING TO FLOWER. THE FROST AT PRESENT IS HOLDING THEM UP. I LOOK OUT EACH DAY IN ANTCIPATION TO SEE WHAT PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.

THE GARDEN IS A BIT BARE AT THE MOMENT.

THE LAST AMARYLLIS IS BLOOMING NOW. IT WAS IN A COOLER ROOM.

HAS ANYBODY GOT ANY FLOWERS OUT YET?

Spring flowering heather

photo Michael Stubbs

Daffodils on the side of the Cork road

'photo Michael Stubbs

Ginas lovely tulips

'photo Gina Leonardi

Spring in Brittas

'photo by John Noel Cronin

New born lamb

What do you want?

'photos Margaret McCarthy

Purple and white crocuses naturalised by the Cork Road Mallow

'photos Michael Stubbs

Cherry Blossom and Forcythia in Rene's garden

Cyclamen in re-cycled wheel rim in Mikes garden

Primrose

Photos Michael Stubbs

Muscari

Hyacinth planted out last year

Forsythia

In Margaret's garden

Flowers from Renes garden. Fabulous! Well done!

Photo by Rene Collins

Cyclamen called Joe

Pale pink tulips

Photos Mgt McCarthy

NATIONAL AGM

THE NATIONAL AGM WILL BE HELD AT MOUNT WOLSEY HOTEL IN CARLOW ON 26TH APRIL. SPECIAL OFFER FOR 2 NIGHTS 25TH/26TH APRIL.
€145 2nts pps

Special coach laid on for those travelling by train at Houston station on 25th.

Southern Region AGM

The Southern Region will hold their AGM on Wednesday 22nd February at 11 am in the Gleneagle Hotel. All are welcome.

At the AGM Mai Quaid announced that she was not going forward for President next term. She said she enjoyed her time going around visiting all the ARAs and attending meetings etc and would miss us all.
Nancy Hegarty did not attend and Kay Murphy read the minutes and report
Margaret McCarthy PRO said she would not be going forward for PRO and committee after 10 years on committee and four years as PRO. She said she enjoyed her time and mentioned all the hard work put in by the committee for the Marigold Festival in particular and thanked them all and Cathy Courtney from Home Instead Senior Care.
All officers were returned unapposed except PRO as follows

Noreen Lawlor  Chair
Kevin Mc Sweeney  Vice -chair
Nancy Hegarty  Secretary
Martin Casey Treasurer

Committee
Bernie O Leary

A lively discussion followed the election. Among the subjects discussed was fund raising. A lot of people objected to the letters sent out looking for donations. Mai said she was sorry and it was not passed by the board.The subject of the new memberdhips cards was discussed . Mai said new cards would be coming out shortly. This was also a mistake but the cost was being borne by a certain company.The treasurer from Mallow said she was surprised that there was no help or advice  on the website for treasurers. Mai said she would bring it before the board.There was a general discussion about the affiliation fee, most people agreed they would not abject to an increase so long as it was gradual.

Martin Casey, Kay Murphy, Noreen lawler, Mai Quaid and Ann O Brien

Section of the crowd who attended.

Photos Margaret McCarthy

Margaret being presented with certificate of thanks by Noreen Lawlor

Brenda Greene and Michael Stubbs Mallow, Margaret with  Mai Quaid and Monica Kelleher Donoughmore

Brenda and Margaret

Photos Michael Stubbs

I invite you to send me photos of your garden in Spring. It is great to see the flowers poking their little heads out now!

MALLOW AGM 2017

Mallow ARA held their AGM on Tuesday 31st January. A large crowd attended.

Pearl Lowney stood down as Secretary after 4 yrs as well as some committee members.

Our new line up is as follows.

Mary G Murphy Chairperson
Michael Stubbs Vice chair
Phil Regan Secretary
 Maureen O Mahoney Asst Secretary
Breeda Murphy Treasurer

Committee
Bridie O Connell
Gabrielle France
Nora O Connor
 Pearl Lowney 

Sheila Lane 
Eileen Forde

Section of the crowd

Pearl is sad to be going

Enjoying the chat

Front row l to rt Maureen O Mahoney,Phil Regan,Mary G Murphy and Breeda Murphy

Back row l to rt Bridie O Connell, Gabrielle France,Michael Stubbs, Nora O Connor,Pearl Lowney and Sheila Lane. Eileen Forde missing from 'photo as her sheep were lambing!

Good luck to you all I am sure you will have a great programme ready for the year.

Eileen is back from the lambing. only one lamb yet.

I hope to get some 'photos of the lambs soon.

Photo Michael Stubbs

EDINBURGH 2016/2017

Michael and Jean Stubbs from Active Retirement Mallow went to visit their son Alan and his family in Edinburgh for Christmas and New Year. They had a wonderful time. Edinburgh is a beautiful city and they would highly recommend it as a place to visit as a group or otherwise. beautiful hotels and restaurants, and loads to do and see. Here are some 'photos.

Christmas market

Mike met this fellow while out walking

Mike and Conor

Meeting Santa

Happy birthday Mike!

Dalhousie Castle Hotel

Christmas Wonderland

Afternoon Tea

Christmas lunch dessert

Yum Yum!

Your ARA jacket looks lovely Mike. They are really comfortable and practical.

Mallow ARA

Mallow had a lovely Christmas lunch at Innishannon House Hotel on 7th December. About 80 of our members attended.
On 6th January several members attended the Royal Hotel in Killarney and had a fabulous time.
Some other members went to the Opera house to hear Finbarr Wright.
Other members went to the Celtic Ross hotel and stayed overnight. We had a very enjoyable time.

John Noel, Nora, Mary Margaret,Rene, and Eileen at the Celtic Ross

MEDIA COURSE WITH LIFE FM RADIO CORK

SOME MEMBERS OF ACTIVE RETIREMENT TOGETHER WITH OTHERS HAVE COMPLETED A COURSE IN MEDIA STUDIES WITH TERRI KRUSKHE AND LIFE FM COMMUNITY RADIO IN CORK.WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED OUR CERTIFICATES IN WOOD QUAY VENUE IN DUBLIN WHERE WE MET OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALSO COMPLETED THIS COURSE.

SOME MEMBERS ARE GOING ON TO PRESENT SMALL SLOTS ON RADIO AND OTHERS MAY MAKE A CAREER OUT OF IT BUT EVERYBODY LEARNED SOMETHING OUT OF IT.

THE SUBJECT WAS SPEAKING UP FOR A CHANGE.

                                                        MARGARET AND ANN

 ANN TOM CON AND PHILIP

TERRI AND JOAN

ANN JOAN AND MARGARET