Mallow 20th Anniversary

On 10th September Mallow celebrated their 20th anniversary with Mass by Canon Casey followed by lunch and entertainment at Springfort Hall Country House Hotel. We were delighted to have our President Mai Quaid, our CEO Maureen Kavanagh and our Outreach Worker Moira Quinlan with us.Our founder member Pat Winkle was there also. She was the 1st Chairperson back in 1994. Our 1st Secretary Con Power was also there as were many of the earlier members.A special presentation was made to Pat and she was thrilled even though she warned us not to make a fuss.

80 attended and a lot of members took part in the mass, readings hymns etc. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch served up by the excellant staff of Springfort Hall.Many thanks to Paul and his staff who looked after us on the day and to Theresa who organised the whole thing. After the lunch we enjoyed music by Billy and songs by John. Later in the evening we had Tea/coffee and some of the delicious cake made by Gretta. Thank you Gretta for the hours of labour over that cake. You will see she even got the Logo in and it was filled with cream and strawberries.

The siege of Ennis

Pat Con and Lil our oldest member at 93

Committee members

20th Anniversary at Springfort Hall

Photos Michael Stubbs and Dave Nelson

Sunflowers

I have never had any great success with growing sunflowers. I'd plant the seeds and get as far as seedlings and small plants and then they would die, fall over or be eaten! But this year I have had beautiful tall sunflowers for the first time.The strangest thing is I did not plant sunflowers at all this year , in fact not for several years. So where did they come from? I wondered would it be the birds as I have lots of birds in my garden. Or would it be my home made compost?
Early in the year I noticed some weeds in my tubs and baskets and discarded them. I had used home made compost when planting them up. The I noticed similar "weeds" and one taller specimen hidden behind another plant and wondered if it could be a sunflower.I planted it out  and in a few days I knew it was a sunflower so I decided naturally not to discard any others. So that is how I have sunflowers everywhere in pots and on ditches etc. But the mystery is where did they come from. I think it is from my compost . Is that a good sign of my composting abilities or not.I took great delight in seeing the bees feasting on the flowers in the sunshine this summer . A good flower to attract bees to your garden. Great for pollinating!

The Lake District

Members from Mallow, Kilshannig and Boherbue joined with others to travel to the Lake District with O Callaghan Coaches Killarney on a 4 night trip recently.We travelled from Killarney via Dublin Port across Wales and up the west of England to Kendal in Cumbria where we stayed for the 4 night in The Riverside Hotel.We were very pleased with the accomodation meals and staff.This hotel was built on the site of an old woolen mill and in the style of a mill. On the 1st day we went on a walking tour of the town, a lovely old town with cobbled streets and little alleyways. Later we got a tour of the surrounding district by coach.We had time to visit the shops or the pool later before dinner at 7. During our stay we visited Windermere and went on a cruise on Lake Windermere, also we visited Dove Cottage home of William Wordsworth and his family.During our day out each day we stopped  at little villages for coffee lunch or ice cream.John our driver and Seamus our guide were marvellous and knew all the best spots.They were also very helpful with regard to getting on and off the coach , helping with luggage etc.On another day we travelled up the Cumbrian mountains to Kirkstone Pass where  there are wonderful views.We held our breaths while John negotiated the narrow mountain roads. We rolled down the other side to travel on a steam boat on Ullswater.We then travelled on toGlenridding and Penrith.We had a lovely group on the tour from Cork Kerry and Limerick. We made many friends and met some old ones too.On the 5th day we travelled home and only then did it rain! We had such fabulous weather all the time we were there.There are certain advantages to travelling by ferry. No passport control,no weight restrictions, no restrictions with regards to fluids, no waiting for 2 hours at the airport or security screening.All in all we had a very enjoyable holiday and a very pleasant ferry crossing. And of course the shopping was very good too!

On Lake Windemere

Dove Cottage

Cumbrian Mountains from Kirkstone Pass

On Ullswater

Calender of EventsAug/ Sept/Oct/Nov Mallow

30th July      Showboat at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre 9Matinee)
15th August   Daniel O Donnel at the INEC Killarney with Dinner at Gleneagle Hotel
25th Auguat   Coach Holiday to Lake District with O Callaghan Coaches
10th September   20th Anniversary Mass and Lunch and Entertainment at Springfort Hall
16th September  Hospice coffee morning
25th September   Half day tour to Blackrock Castle Observatory and Mahon Point
6th October       3 night trip to Westport with Joe Enright Tours
23rd October      3 night trip to Iceland to see Northern Lights with Travel Department
3rd November      Sun Holiday to Teneriffe
15th November    R & R Musical Society   The King and I at the National Concert Hall (Matinee)

Activities in July Mallow

On 4th July some members went to see Conan Gallen Comedien in the INEC in Killarney.Very funny. We really enjoyed it. We had a fabulous meal beforehand at the Gleneagle and very reasonable when attending show.
On the 16th July we had afternoon tea at Griffins Garden Centre, Dripsey.It was a lovely sunny day, had a wander around their lovely garden and shop and then sat down to a wonderful spread of fresh home baking. We sat in the sun by the river for a while before collecting our plants and various purchases which their helpful staff brought to the coach.This was a lovely half day trip.Griffins well worth a visit where you get a great welcome
On 24th July we had our monthly day trip, to Killaloe this time. We stopped at Matt the Thrashers for coffee and we got lovely fresh baked scones and plenty Tea or Coffee. Then we headed for Ardnacrusha, Ireland's first Hydro-electric plant built in the 1920's.We had a film show and tour around the plant which was most interesting by Dermot who was most helpful. The we headed for Killaloe where we had lunch by the riverside before our cruise on Lough Derg. Unfortunatel it rained while we were in Killaloe and during the cruise. I am sure it would be more enjoyable on a fine day, however we made the best of it. In the evening we headed for the Castle Oaks hotel, Castleconnel were we got a great welcome and a fantastic meal.The staff were so nice and helpful and one of the owners came around and spoke to us all. This hotel is a lovely place to visit with lovely gardens and apartments for those who want a quiet break with lovely food..

In the control room at Ardnacrusha

Michael and Jim

On 30th July we attended the matinee of Showboat at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. It was absolutely fabulous. A fantastic cast from South Africa with many well known songs especially for me  "Old Man River"

ACTIVITIES IN JUNE/MALLOW

On 7th June some members went to Bloom garden Show in the Phoenix Park. It was fabulous as usual, would want to go early there as so much to take in. The weather was great too which is a great incentive to travel to such a show.
We attended a show in the Opera House June Rodgers on 8th June.It was fantastic, great laughs.

On the 17th June we had a talk from Benny and Ciaran from Citizens Information. it was very informative and lots of questions were answered and items explained. A fantastic service to have.

On 19th June we had our monthly day trip , to Youghal this time.We had coffee in Hotel in Middleton, wouldnt go there again. Then we went to Youghal. Some members went on a boat trip on the river and they really enjoyed this.Others went on walking tour which they found very interesting and informative others went down to Redbarn where they lay in the sun(beautiful day) paddled in the sea, walked on the beach and had a lovely lunch in the Quality Hotel. Later in the evening we headed to Aherne's Restaurant for dinner (pre booked). We got a great welcome, everything was ready for us and the meal and service was fantastic. They sure know how to treat their clients. Worth a return visit definately

PARIS MALLOW ARA

PARIS

FOUR MEMBERS FROM MALLOW WENT TO PARIS ON 23^RD MAY WITH RIVIERA TRAVEL.THEY HAD A FANTASTIC FOUR NIGHTS WITH EVERY THING WELL ORGANISED BY THEIR TRAVEL COMPANY. THEY WERE WELL PLEASED WITH THEIR HOTEL, FLIGHTS AND TRIPS. THEY VISITED VERSAILLES, THE LOUVRE (WHERE THEY SAW THE MONA LISA), NOTRE DAME, THE EIFFEL TOWER, THE CHURCH OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL AND SAW THE l’ARC DE TRIOMPHE, TRAVELLED DOWN THE CHAMPS ELYSSE AND HAD ABOAT TRIP ON THE RIVER SEINE. THEY ALL ENJOYED THEIR HOLIDAY BUT FOR ONE PERSON IN PARTICULAR IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. THE VALUE OF ACTIVE RETIRED IS YOU WILL ALWAYS GET SOMEONE TO GO ON HOLIDAY WITH YOU.

Rene and Maureen on the Seine