Beannachtai,members Laois RTAI,
Thanks to the small group of people (total 6 & 1 apology) who attended our Planning Meeting in the Maldron Hotel,Portlaoise on Monday afternoon of last week . A lot of suggestions for activities and social meetings etc. were discussed and considered including all items on AGM (Christmas) sheet. Arising from the discussions the following were provisionally decided upon for the next 5 months – generally sticking with the first Tuesday of each month routine (except for March)
FEBRUARY 7th (Tuesday)- Social Meeting in The Heath Golf Club-just tea/coffee and chat to start the year with a 2.30 pm official start but an optional start of 2.00 pm for an experimental 30 minute Ciorcal Comhra Gaeilge ( a chance for members to practice/re-connect with the Teanga with just informal chat) Reminder and further details to follow.
If this Ciorcal Gaeilge creates attendance interest it can become a feature of our future regular monthly meetings-before!,during!, after ! whatever suits.
MARCH 8th (*Wednesday) Cinema Morning at The Dunamase Theatre,Portlaoise (11am start) for Scannan Roise & Frank with tea/coffee etc. after.
APRIL 4th (Tuesday) Solas Garden Centre,Portarlington and optional walk Derryounce (details later)
MAY 2nd (Tuesday) Manor Stone Garden Centre,Ballacolla Garden Talk and optional Grantstown Lake Walk (details later).
JUNE (*date to be confirmed). General Summer Meeting in Laois Teachers Centre (Billy Sheehan last attendance as General Secretary)
(F.Y.I. Mr John O Brien is the incoming General Secretary -John has been an INTO official at Head Office for the past 14 years)
JULY 4TH (Tuesday) To be organised.
AUGUST 1st (Tuesday) To be organised
SEPTEMBER 5th (Tuesday) To be organised
OCTOBER 3rd (Tuesday) To be organised.
NOVEMBER 7th (Tuesday) To be organised.
DECEMBER 14th (*Thursday) Provisional Date AGM/Christmas Dinner.
In addition to the above other items were discussed eg Trip to Ballet/Theatre,Fitness Courses, Talks on Health Insurance/Wills/Fair Deal,Trips etc. Some of these are only feasable in conjunction with other branches. Members interested in trips are advised to check the National RTAI website for details of trips run by other branches which welcome outside members to participate.
The only activity planned was the return of Golf Outings - recommencing with an Outing in Mountrath Golf Club on Friday 10th March (11am)-details to follow.
Some people were looking for a return trip to An Cailin Ciuin but we wont be organising that. For those interested in seeing it- It does take place in the Dunamase again on Wed. 22nd March at 11am and 8.00 pm but you will have to book individually. Also the film Where The Crawdads Sing is in the Dunamase on Wed. 22nd February at 11.00 am and 8.00 pm and likewise re. bookings. There are lots of other events in the Dunamase Theatre which are worthy of support Please see website or brochure for details.
Again if anyone has suggestions for the Social Meetings (July to November) please let me know . We are trying to have meetings spread across the county if possible. Also if anyone has ideas for courses or on-going activities which might be well attended please let me know.
Sean Mullaney (Runai RTAI Laoise 2023) rtailaois@gmail.com 087-6324547
(Laois website www.rtailaois.com Administrator paddybates42@gmail.com)