Category: Local events

Piano recital by Dr. Fionnuala Moynihan

We have received notification of this concert at Triskel, which may be of interest to our members.

Dr Fionnuala Moynihan is performing the finale of her recital series of Schubert’s Completed Piano Sonatas in Triskel Christchurch on Friday 8 June at 8pm. Fionnuala said, ‘These sonatas are filled with wonderful melodies, inspirational harmony, virtuosic passages and spirituality. They are musical poetry and convey the wealth of human emotion Schubert felt throughout his life. A humble man, his music let his heart, his genius and his soul take flight. I truly feel his music speaks to everyone and spans the vast array of human emotions from the depths of despair to the heights of true happiness’

Tickets are €15/€12 concession and can be booked here:

https://triskelartscentre.ie/events/72/schubert%E2%80%99s-completed-piano-sonatas-v/

Beannachtaí na Féile libh agus athbhliain faoi mhaise dhaoibh go léir

January 2018 is here and RTAI Cork members have a number of activities to look forward to. Wishing you all a very happy New Year and hoping that you will join us for some of our events during the coming year.  You will receive a text about each activity as it occurs and you will be asked to confirm interest/attendance by return text.

January 2018 Events 

Friday, Jan. 5th  Social coffee morning Clayton Silversprings

Thursday, Jan 11th:  Amble from Trident, Kinsale and

Hillwalk to Sandycove and Kinsale

Thursday, Jan 18th:  Walkers’ Think In, Room 6, SMA Wilton at 2 p.m. – you will get a text about this

Friday, Jan 26th:  Line dancing/Jiving begins in SMA Wilton at 11.00 a.m.

Art classes, Choir and Photography will continue as usual

Garden Visit II

On Thursday 29th June, a group of avid gardeners visited the garden of Hester Forde in Glounthaune. Summer arrived early for Hester’s garden and she explained how that affects one’s colour display. Hester was more than helpful and was on hand to answer all kinds of questions.

Her garden has featured in many publications, including Irish Garden magazine,  May 2017. The photos below give a little flavour of the wonderful views.  Many a tip was shared, and notes compared over the cuppa agus cáca!

June Calendar

Friday 2nd: Social Coffee morning. Clayton Silversprings Hotel. 11 a.m.

Thursday 8th: Amblers walk in Garrettstown. Meet at 11 a.m Speckled Door.

Friday 9th: Spring/summer meeting followed by lunch. Oriel House, Ballincollig. 11.30 a.m.  Billy Sheehan, General Secretary will attend.

Wednesday 21st: Hillwalkers. Hike in Comeraghs. E-mail will issue in advance to Hillwalkers. Contact any committee member for more info.

 Thursday 29th: Garden visit. Hester Forde’s garden is in full bloom! Visit at 2pm. 15, Johnstown Park, Glounthaune, Co. Cork. Donations accepted for the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.

Drama to continue as arranged.

The Choir is on summer holidays.

As usual, all events are subject to confirmation by Text Message.

Garden Visit

On Wednesday 8th February 2017, a group of over 30 RTAI members visited the garden of Hester Forde in Glounthaune, Co. Cork. Hester, who is an RTAI, member is renowned for her garden, in particular her wonderful display of snowdrops.

As soon as the visitors were gathered they became engrossed in the variety of plants all around them. Hester was most helpful in answering questions and giving advice about all aspects of gardening.

We were unlucky with the weather, but fortunately we were welcomed into her home for tea, coffee and cake to warm us up when the rain started. Hester’s husband Paddy was on hand to help too.

Paddy told us that the proceeds of the day would be going to The Irish Pilgrim Trust. Every two years they have a cycle to Lourdes to raise funds. Paddy will be cycling the route in 2018. He was extremely grateful for the donation of €234 by the visitors.

Thanks to Pat Naughton and Mags McCarthy for the photos below.

Hester Forde

Summer Meeting 2016

The summer meeting of our branch was held at Oriel House on Saturday June 11th 2016.

Our Choir opened the proceedings with a beautiful rendition of “How can I keep from Singing” and the ever-popular “Song for Ireland”. (The Choir is now on summer break, and will be welcoming new members in September).

About 120 members were present at the meeting. We are grateful to INTO Districts 12 and 16 for subsidising the cost of the wonderful meal. We welcomed Mr. John Driscoll CEC rep District 12,  Ms. Emma Dineen, past President INTO and Ms. Kathleen Lowney, acting Chairperson District 12.

The meeting was addressed by Mr. Billy Sheehan, President of RTAI. 

The most recent Comhnasc has news in relation to many pertinent issues. Billy brought us up to date on these and other issues.

  • A summary of the points addressed by Billy is given below:

Public Sector Pension Reduction – restoration scales up to and including 2018.

RETIRED BEFORE MARCH 2012 – PENSION UNDER €34,132

  • From 1-1-2017 €26,000 exempt from PSPR
  • From 1-1-2018 €34,132 exempt from PSPR

RETIRED BEFORE MARCH 2012 – PENSION OVER €34,132

  • There will be a reduction in the amount of PSPR to be paid.

RETIRED SINCE 1 MARCH 2012 – PENSION UNDER €32,250

  • Nil payable at present

RETIRED SINCE 1 MARCH 2012 – PENSION OVER €32,500

  • PSPR payable since July 2013
  • 1 January 2018 – nil payable

PLEASE CHECK YOUR OWN SITUATION WITH D.E.S. OR RTAI HEAD OFFICE, AS THIS IS A GENERAL RECAP OF THE FIGURES GIVEN.

OTHER MATTERS:

  • Since 29th April 2016 all those teaching in schools must be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau.  A declaration that vetting is pending will no longer suffice.
  • Teaching Council website
  • For  volunteer work Circular 63/2010 still applies.
  • VHI DEDUCTIONS – it is essential to complete and return the authorisation form for deduction at source. From January 1st 2017 the DES will only continue deductions for those retirees who have signed the Authorisation form.
  • MED 1 form for 2015. If you were refunded less than you expected for 2015, this could be because 2015 had a FORTNIGHT 27 in the tax year. If this applies to you, you should contact the Revenue Office telling them that Fortnigt 27 applies in your case. (This occurs in a year when the 1st of January and 31st December fall on a Thursday).
  • Pension parity/Peer Link. The RTAI and INTO continue to fight for the payment of the benchmark award to Principals and Deputy Principals.
  • The legal status of the Association needs to be established. This is being undertaken at present.
  • A Solidarity Fund has been established by the Association.
  • A survey of members in relation to  Comhnasc is being undertaken.
  • The RTAIreland website is due to be reconstructed, following the survey of members.

Pictured at the summer meeting in Oriel House

Front Row L-R: Clare Bradley (Treasurer), Kathleen Lowney (D12), Marie Dennehy (Secretary), Billy Sheehan (General Secretary) Velda Ó Brádaigh (Cathaoirleach), Emma Dineen (outgoing President INTO), John Driscoll (CEC, D12).

Back row L-R: Committee members, Pádraig Ó Conaill, Derry Keogh, Mags McCarthy, Marian O’Callaghan, Frank Tobin, Seán Radley. (Photo: Bridie O’ Brien).