Author: Retired Primary Teachers of Cork Múinteoirí Scortha Chorcaí
Red sky at night, “snappers” delight!
July 2018 The recent spell of warm weather has brought many delights to our country, not least of which are the beautiful sunsets each evening. Our Camera Group members have been very excited about this, and can be seen at sunset, wherever a vantage point can be found. Here are some of the sunsets they […]
July 2018
The recent spell of warm weather has brought many delights to our country, not least of which are the beautiful sunsets each evening.
Our Camera Group members have been very excited about this, and can be seen at sunset, wherever a vantage point can be found. Here are some of the sunsets they have captured to date. The featured image for this blog post is by Peggy O’Brien, taken in North Cork.
Click on each image below to enlarge it.
Kevin O’Sullivan
Róisín O’Regan
Kathleen Lowney
Mags McCarthy
Joe Lane
Máiréad Foley
Bridie O’Brien
Joe Carroll
Enjoying the Bere Essentials June 2018
Memories of our 2-day walking trip to Glengarriff and Bere Island.
The long awaited and much anticipated two day walking trip to the Beara took place on 20th and 21st June. We are fortunate to have generous and talented members in RTAI Cork, who will plan behind the scenes, take the initiatives, take the photos and record their memories to share with us all. Here you are presented with a selection of stunning photos by Joe Carroll and James Doolan. The entertaining stories were kindly contributed by Derry Keogh and Seán Ó Callanáin.
Blessed with ideal hiking weather, the motley crew under the guidance of Angela Foley, gathered at Jim’s Café, Glengarriff, for the obligatory pickmeup before heading off for the first of two hour and a half gentle walks in the woods outside the town. The views from Lady Bantry’s Lookout were magnificent but best for me was the easy camaraderie along the way as we slipped in and out of each other’s company and conversations, regaling one another with stories short and tall of schooldays, colleagues, history, legends or anything that came to mind, crowning it all with a few songs that would have charmed Lady Bantry herself.
A few of us squeezed in a visit to Garnish Island later in the afternoon and it did not disappoint. Apart from the formal gardens, the Martello Tower on the island is now accessible and worth the effort of climbing up to it. Bryce House has been magnificently and faithfully restored and has a wonderful free guided tour. The group was joined by a few colleagues for the meal in Beara Lodge later that evening which concluded with an all too brief sing-song. Why is it that the singers only get going when the bus arrives?
Day 2 involved getting over 40 of us on the 10am ferry to Bere Island. No problem for leaders Kathleen and Leo Lowney who had every logistical detail sorted- even finding room for two of our cars to be ferried over as well. Leo’s deep local knowledge made for many interesting stops as we traversed the more difficult terrain of the island before stopping at Ardnakinna Lighthouse for our picnic. Once again, there are magnificent views across to Sheeps Head and Mizen. No wonder the Irish Times lists Ardnakinna as one of its top picnic spots on the coast. This was my first visit to Bere Island but it certainly won’t be my last. There is much to be seen on the eastern side of the island where the military fort is situated. Well done to the trip organisers and walk leaders for arranging two wonderful days walking. D. K.
Put your trust in Kathleen and Leo Lowney! Recently they led almost 40 of us in a two-day outing. Like the best of generals they were lucky, picking perfect weather many months in advance.
We came under starter’s orders on Day 1 in a welcoming coffee house in Glengarriff. Two short walks followed in the nearby woods, and within sight of Lady Bantry’s view the group burst into spontaneous song. For most, Day 1 was a réamh-rá for our overseas adventure of Day 2.
Our mini cruise to Bere Island in such perfect conditions could have been to a sunny Greek isle. Our west end walk always in sight of the ocean, was uplifting. Our picnic was eaten with the sea to infinity, down below us. Climbing up the steep hill to the ruined Martello tower gave a worthy sense of achievement to our outing.
Walking my first return to Bere Island since 1969 I remembered the U.S moon landing and our climbing of Hungry Hill on the very same day. Conspiracy theorists have their doubts about the moon trip…..
Bere and hungry as ever, Hungry Hill beckoned us back to the mainland…. The end of a perfect adventure.
Thus ends our walking programme until September. Clare Shelley, Mary Cahill and Coiste leave us much in their debt. S. Ó. C.
Cork RTAI Choir-Free Concert
Golf Outing at Muskerry.
Thursday 7th June saw a new venture of a Golf Outing in Muskerry Golf Club.
The idea was conceived in Dubrovnik and we had a “reunion” outing after that.
Many people there expressed a desire to have another such outing.
There was a good turnout of 29 people taking part, divided almost straight down the middle between men and women.
Joe made up teams of three, based on the relative handicaps of the players. There were 10 teams as Joe press-ganged a Muskerry member to join the last team!
We played a scramble which meant that everyone was involved irrespective of their handicap. This form of competition lends itself to the social aspect of the outing.
The winning team was made up of Albert Groarke, John Purcell and Kathleen Long. They had a great score of 65 which won by a shot.
The prizes, which were subsidised by the R. T. A. I, were bought from Fred Twomey who has just recently taken up the position of Professional in Muskerry.
After the Golf most, if not all, of the players enjoyed the Catering in the Clubhouse and consequently were present for the Prize-giving.
The feedback was most positive and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Everybody expressed an interest in playing such a format again and Joe says he would have no problem organising it.
Here is a selection of photos taken on the day by Mags McCarthy.
Art Group
The Art group began in Jan 2017 when a number of RTAI members expressed an interest in exploring some art techniques. We were delighted that Marian Sweetman, a highly experienced secondary school art teacher and potter, agreed to lead us in our journey of discovery!
Where?
We meet in the SMA Community Centre every Wednesday morning.
Who?
The number of members in the group fluctuates between 7 and 13 each week. Due to many factors people find it difficult to commit on a weekly or termly basis but this doesn’t deter Marian who takes the time to ensure that through individual attention nobody misses out. We have all been encouraged by the non-competitive environment created by Marian and have benefitted enormously from her expertise and creativity. There may be budding Picassos among us but no better person than Marian to foster our creativity & individuality and to find the positive in all our efforts.
What do we do?
We draw with pencil, charcoal, chalk and watercolour pencils and are constantly learning new techniques which challenge us to be more observant and to see the world differently. Next term (Sept 2018) some members wish to continue with drawing techniques while others hope to take to the paint brushes and paints.
New members would be most welcome – no experience necessary. If you are interested please contact Clár at 0876829281 to join the Sept 2018 classes
Our Visit to Historic Adare
A small but select group travelled to Adare on 31st May to take a closer look at the famed historic village in County Limerick. Starting with some sustenance in the form of coffee and scones at the village’s Heritage Centre, our group set off on a village walk in brilliant sunshine, led by Pat Naughton from Ballincollig, himself an Adareman by birth. All remarked on the bustling activity of the place, as busloads of tourists from many countries thronged the Centre.
The 13th century Trinitarian Abbey was the first site visited. This Catholic church has a long history, involving centuries of worship, attacks by English forces, a massacre of monks in 1539, reduction to ruins in the dissolution of the monasteries, and eventual restoration in the 1800s as a place of prayer. Many of the building’s original stone features continue to impress some 800 years later. Pat talked about the huge contribution the Earls of Dunraven have made to the development of the village over the past 200 years, including restoring the churches, planning the village’s streets and providing employment through the years. Their original seat, Adare Manor, is now a high-prestige hotel and golf resort.
The terraces of thatched cottages remain the iconic image of Adare that most people recognise. Pat talked of their history (built in 1826) but lamented that almost all are now commercial premises rather than family dwellings. Along the street, we viewed the attractive town park, the washing pool, the courthouse and interesting shopfronts. Our attention was drawn to the plaque outside the Garda station commemorating Garda Jerry McCabe, killed on the village street in 1996. Further on our walk we saw the old blacksmith’s forge, the former RIC barracks, and the former Christian Brothers’ primary school from 1830. Last point of interest was the plaque in memory of Seán Ó Riada, who grew up in Adare in the 1930s and ‘40s.
It was time for lunch and we ate and were satisfied – Adare has plenty choices for those with an appetite! Our final visit was to the Augustinian Abbey (Church of Ireland) dating from the early 1300s, where we were treated to a most interesting tour of the buildings by local man John Bradley. For most of us the day was rounded off by a short riverbank walk by the River Maigue, while a few lingered to explore some of the village’s varied shops.
I expect most who were there will return before too long to savour some more of this unique village’s attractions and charms. All in all, a most enjoyable day in Adare.
With thanks to Elizabeth O’Connell for the photographs.
