The organising committee of the Cork Primary School Sports request that volunteer stewards contact them at corkschoolsports@gmail.com The sports will take place on Friday, June 1st in CIT.
Category: Local events
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).
BLUES at Wilton Library – catch it before it’s gone!
On Monday 20th June, a small group of interested RTAI Cork members and friends visited BLUES the Dyeing, Patchwork and Quilting exhibition at the Bishopstown Library, Wilton Shopping Centre.
The exhibition on show is the work of a group of local craftswomen: Mary Palmer, Moya Geraghty, Kay O’Sullivan, Ailbhe O’Callaghan and Margaret Walsh (Mags). Each piece is unique, and the styles in the work reflect the individual taste and talent of each member of the group.
We were fortunate to have Mags Walsh, RTAI Cork member, to guide us and to explain the techniques that were used in the process from start to finished work-of-art.
Most of the fabric is dyed by the members themselves. The impetus for the current exhibition came from a dyeing workshop, a year previously, when the members learned the practice of Japanese dyeng called Shibori. The dye used is obtained from the indigo plant. For further information on Japanese dyeing processes, see the Wikipedia link here.
When the fabrics had been dyed, the quilters took inspiration from the patterns produced, and incorporated them into some of their quilts.
The exhibition includes other techniques of patchwork; traditional and contemporary. Some patterns have amusing names, such as the Drunkard’s Path!
Some quilts are small – suitable as wall hangings, but the majority on show are full-sized quilts which will no doubt become family heirlooms for future generations.
Indigo dyes all.
Stained glass!
One wall view.
Click on the images for a larger view.
Having Mags to explain how the pieces were assembled, highlighted for us the painstaking work involved in each one. However, she also brought along some smaller pieces, to encourage us to “start small.”
If you couldn’t attend on the 20th, it’s not too late!
The exhibition runs until 29th June 2016.
Click Bishopstown Library for more information on upcoming events.
