Annsgrove

Annsgrove house and gardens have been taken over by the OPW and the garden is open to the public on Sat and Sun for the month of June. The house is not ready for viewing yet. A group of our members had a river tour last Sat with the head gardener and architect. He is very pleasant and is passionate about what he does. In conjunctiom with Patrick Ainsley he is planning to bring the gardens back to their former glory. It is beautiful and it is peaceful. I plan to go back next year to see the progress.
Annsgrove is just outside Castletownroche. Ring Avondhu/Blackwater for a booking. 022 46580.
Entry is free.

Michael among the Rhododendrons!

Photos Michael Stubbs

 Margaret and Nora with guide Neil

Cornus Kousa (China Girl)

CROSSWORD

A group from Mallow went to see the play "Crossword" by young playright from Charleville Katie Holly. It was held in the library in Mallow and is touring the local libraries. It was excellant entertainment , I cried and laughed.One of the actors was local man Dan Buckley who was brilliant as the older man. The other actor Tadg( I think) was very versatile could mimic male or female voices and was hilarious. Well done Katie!

Glasnevin cemetary

A group from Mallow visited Glasnevin cemetary recently. We had been there several times in the past but some people had not seen it and we have new members. They had a very interesting tour and enjoyed it very much. They had a lovely meal in the Brian Boru restaurant nearby and were served outside as the weather was lovely.

At the cemetary

At the Brian Boru 

MALLOW GROUP VISIT THE ARAS

 ON TUESDAY EVENING 14 MAY OUR SECRETARY GOT A MESSAGE THAT THERE WAS A CANCELLATION FOR THE ARAS FOR THURSDAY 16TH .VERY SHORT NOTICE ESPECIALLY AS WE HAD OUR MEETING THAT MORNING. SO THERE WAS A GREAT SCRAMBLE AROUND BY MAUREEN TO SEE WHO COULD GO  AS WE HAD APPLIED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT LUCK. THERE WERE 8 PLACES AVAILABLE.

MAUREEN,MARYG,BREEDA,DORA,MRS HIGGINS PRESIDENT HIGGINS ,MARIA, MICHAEL, BRENDA AND EILEEN

NATIONAL AGM

The National AGM was held at Mount Wolseley Hotel in Tullow Co Carlow on 8th may 2019. 4 of our members attended . It was very enjoyable and well organized..All the Motions  were carried except no 6 and no 7 had no proposer so did not go
through. All officers went on for another year except John Noel Cronin .Anne Drury was electesd in his place. John will go on as treasurer at the Southern Region now. Good Luck John Noel!
Noreen Lawlor won the Regional award for her contribution to the region. Congrats Noreen.

Margaret Phil Rene and Maria our delegate

Phil

Maria

John Noel , Eileen Rene, Phil and Maria

Margaret

John Noel and Eileen

Clonakilty

Mallow had a wonderful day in Clonakilty recently. The forecast was not too good so we had our umbrellas but would you believe we did not use them! We had some clouds but a lot of sunshine.TG
Our first stop was at the Munster Arms Hotel for Coffee/tea and scones. We got a great welcome and were promptly served with delicious scones and tea//coffee. They even had delicious Gluten free muffins for our coeliacs.
Our next stop was at the Michael Collins museum in Castleview out in the country not far from Michael's birthplace and Beal na Blaith where Michael was fatally shot.The museum itself looks like a jumble of old farm outhouses white washed and with a red corrugated iron roof. The view from here is fabulous , wide open countryside with hardly a house to be seen. We were made very welcome by Tim and Dolores Crowley who are passionate about local history and well able to tell the stories. We were shown into a large room like an old farmhouse kitchen with flagstone floor and an open fire and the smell of turf was gorgeous! Dolores had a bastible over the fire and she told us she had a cake of bread in cooking for us. She had made a curreny loaf and had a roaring turf fire and cinders on the lid of the bastible. It reminded me of long ago when my mother used make bread and apple tart  like this. Nothing matches the taste!
when the bread was cooked and cooled on the wire rack she wrapped it and gave it to Mary our organizer to divide amongst us.Then we were entertained by Tim  with stories and slide show and by Michael O  Brien with singing and more stories. We had a great laugh and had a most enjoyable time. I would recommend to other Active Retirement groups.

The turf fire

Dolores speaking with Eileen

 Tim and Dolores

Michael O Brien

 Painting of Michael Collins as he was shot

Our curreny loaf

The entrance to the museum

In the afternoon we went into Clonakilty for a light lunch and look at the shops and went to Dunmore House Hotel for our evening meal. We were made very welcome and had time for one drink before we were seated for our meal. And what a meal! We had an extensive menu and catered for vegetarian coeliac and herbal teas. the food was delicious and promptly served by friendly staff.The staff could not be more helpful and even took photos for us even though they were busy.I would highly recommend this hotel which has incidentally has a fabulous view over Inchydoney Bay.

Many thanks to Karen and all her staff.

Margaret Rene and Eileen enjoying a Pinot Grigio

In the entrance hall

Norita and Eileen

NANO NAGLE CENTRE

Some members from Mallow went to a coffee morning at the Nano Nagle centre Ballygriffin outside Mallow recentlyThis was held for the Chrystal Project who deal with Dementia. We had an enjoyable coffee and scones and carrot cake followed by a tour of the venue. Museum shop and many meeting rooms for hire. It is a lovely peaceful place and they have bungalows and apartments to let for anyone who would like a bit of peaceful time out.They have an organic garden and lovely river walk. Sr Mary spoke briefly to us about of the origins of the building which was the birthplace of Nano Nagle.

Primroses

Margaret and Brenda

 Primroses and Dandelions and Daisies

Enjoying the freedom

Margaret and Rene