Beannachtai, members Laois RTAI,
First of all sad news that I only heard yesterday re. the death of one of our branch members Brigid Connell of Tonduff,Abbeyleix who died in St. James’ Hospital last week and whose funeral Mass and burial took place in Abbeyleix on Friday last. Brigid RIP taught in Rathangan and in Scoil Mhuire,Abbeyleix from which she retired. Condolences to Brigid’s family and relations and to all her former teaching colleagues.Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam.
Thanks to all who attended our March First Tuesday Social in the new library in Portlaoise yesterday where Michael Parsons of Laois Heritage gave us a talk on the history of the locality especially the town of Portlaoise. We had 21 members in attendance and most stayed on for tea/coffee afterwards with some also taking opportunity for a look around the new library including the Local Studies section. Thanks to Michael for the history and to the Laois Library services for facilities and refreshments which were free of charge to our branch. Also a special thanks to Maureen O’ Leary for organising/co-ordinating the event.
I’m just giving you preliminary notice re. our April Social for your diary as it involves a change of date and travel outside the county. The venue for our ‘Meeting’ will be the Solas Bhride Centre in Kildare town where we will hear some of St. Brigid’s story,visit St. Brigid’s Well, walk in the grounds,have a cuppa and scone etc. As the Centre is closed post Easter on the first Tuesday we have booked the following day- first Wednesday 3rd April for the visit, which will probably be in the early afternoon. There will be a charge for this visit/tour inc. refreshments of € 10 which I will collect on the day and those interested will have to make their own travel arrangements but I’m sure car-pooling could be organised (perhaps Maldron Hotel car-park !?). Anyway more details later in month re. time,travel etc. and I will need to know numbers also for the centre.
On the national front the RTAI National Convention/AGM takes place in the Croke Park Conference Centre in Dublin on Tuesday next 12th March. The Laois Branch will be represented by 2 delegates myself (Runai) and Breda (Cathaoirleach). Our own Mary McCarthy as National President will preside over the convention after which her term of office ends. Other Laois members in attendance will be Sheelagh Coyle (as ex-President), Catherine Coleman (as member of Standing Orders Committee) and Anne Curtin (as Financial Supervisory Committee member). Catherine’s term of office also ends on Tuesday and thanks to her for representing the County Branch over that period.
Yours,
Sean Mullaney (Runai) 087-6324547