Author: Retired Primary Teachers of Cork Múinteoirí Scortha Chorcaí
Christmas Lunch at Hayfield
The annual Christmas Lunch was held at Hayfield Manor on December 13th. The choir entertained us in spectacular style on the beautiful staircase in the hotel lobby while all present enjoyed a seasonal glass of mulled wine. This was followed by a very tasty lunch in The Orchids Restaurant. All present enjoyed the festive mood and ambience.
Charity Coffee Morning
Enjoying the mince pies
Charity Coffee Morning 2019
The annual Charity Coffee Morning was held on December 6th in the Clayton/Silversprings Hotel. The event was very well supported by members who donated generous gifts. The raffle created a great buzz. Indeed there was something for almost “everyone in the audience” as they say. A total of €1,810 was raised and this year the chosen charities were Marymount Hospice and Focus Ireland. The amount was topped up from RTAI funds so each organisation received €1,000. Great credit is due to Pádraig O Conaill for his superb organisation of this event.
50 Plus Expo- City Hall
Some members may be interested in this Exhibition to be held in City Hall Cork on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th March.
Christmas Flower Arranging
On November 29th Margaret Ahern demonstrated her magnificent skills as a flower arranger. This proved to be a very popular event as evidenced by the demand for places in the SMA Hall in Wilton. As well as being an expert in flower arranging, Margaret is highly entertaining and regaled us with tales of her childhood in Aherla. Alice Taylor had better watch out! As she chatted away, Margaret effortlessly created some amazing arrangements which were raffled afterwards. Here is a selection of the creations.
Trip to Garnish Island
On September 12th, 2019 a group of 32 RTAI members travelled to Glengarriff to visit the renowned and beautiful island commonly known as Garnish or Illnacullen (Island of Holly).
Garnish Island is located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff It is a small island of 15 hectares (37 acres) known to horticulturists and lovers of trees and shrubs all around the world as an island garden of rare beauty. The gardens of Ilnacullin owe their existence to the creative partnership, some seventy years ago, of Annan Bryce, then owner of the island and Harold Peto, architect and garden designer. The island was bequeathed to the Irish people in 1953, and was subsequently entrusted to the care of the Commissioners of Public Works. To-day management of the island is in the hands of the Office of Public Works.
Ilnacullin is renowned for its richness of plant form and colour, changing continuously with the seasons. The vivid colours of Rhododendrons and Azaleas reach their peak during May and June, whilst the hundreds of cultivars of climbing plants, herbaceous perennials and choice shrubs dominate the midsummer period from June to August. Autumn colour, particularly on the magnificent heather bank, is rich during the usually mild early autumn months of September and October. Because of its sheltered situation and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream the climate is in some respect almost subtropical.
Gardeners, nature lovers and historians among our group really enjoyed the visit. Leo Lowney acted as guide and MC for the trip and shared his local knowledge throughout the day. He pointed out landmarks of interest while sailing across on the ferry and we were very lucky to be treated to a spectacular close up view of the seals which were preening themselves on the rocks.
The group split into a number of groups on the island. Walkers enjoyed the magnificent walled gardens and a trip up to the Martello Tower while smaller groups visited the house which has been beautifully restored to its former beauty. We learnt of Maggie O Sullivan from Glengarriff who worked as a housekeeper there from her early teenage years until her death about 20 years ago. She was known locally as “Maggie the Island”. Of particular interest was her recipe book where she meticulously recorded her recipes in beautiful handwriting.
Particular thanks to Brendan O Sullivan and his crew for their help in organising a wonderful trip. The group enjoyed a delicious lunch in the famous Casey’s Hotel afterwards.
Don’t Pay the Ferry Man!
